–I’m an ISTJ.
–I am an Otter (huge shock) but I have been living a beaver life.
–Tracy and I have a vitalized marriage
–David Crowder rocks on Guitar Hero
–Highland Park requires the ownership of a Lexus SUV to live there
–My kids aren’t going to eat what I order them at a restaurant unless said restaurant is McDonalds.
–I finally made the switch to Google Reader. I had a hard time letting go of the “S” smart key in Bloglines that let me go to the next entry. Other than that, Google is so much more convenient allowing me to stay on my home page while reading my subscriptions.
–You can read some of my favorite posts that I find by looking at the right sidebar under “Interesting Reads.” If I come across a blog post that I find especially enlightening or just plain fun, I’ll link it there.
–Also, if you have a Google home page and want my own personal gadget “The Daily Scott” let me know. I’ll send you an invite. Now you can know even more information about me that you don’t really care to know.
–The second best album of the year has just been released. The Avett Brothers have churned out an absolutely stellar disc, Emotionalism. It’s so good that I couldn’t wait for my emusic subscription to refresh. I went out and bought it on iTunes. And scored two bonus songs in the process. This is the Beatles meet alt-country. Absolutely phenomenal. Here they are doing “Paranoia in B Flat Major” on Conan last week. I defy you not to love this:
The Avett Brothers – Paranoia in B flat Major – Conan O’Brien
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…is me smashing my computer into bits.
Seriously, if I don’t get past level 36 of this game soon, I’m going to go mad.
If anybody figures out level 36 let me know how to beat level 36.
It’s level 36 I’m stuck on. Level 36 has me stumped. I know level 36 must have an easy solution that I’m not seeing but I can’t figure out level 36.
Level 36…
Level 36…
Wow, look at the pretty colors
For all of my criticism of (justified) criticism of Lost I feel like I have to eat my words.
Although I still feel that season two was largely a waste and I was close to giving up on it during the fall portion that was completely underwhelming, I now have this to say:
Last night’s season finale was one of the best episodes of television I have ever seen.
Did that really happen? What’s next?
(Warning: Spoilers May Appear In the Comments)
Today, in the course of my day, someone asked how I was doing. It was in the context of ministry.
I was honest and transparent as I usually am.
But then something strange happened.
A guy pulled me aside, sat down with me, placed his hand on my shoulder and prayed for me.
It was all I could do to keep myself composed.
Because I realized that, outside of my wife, no one has done that in several years.
Sure, people have prayed for me but not in the context of my confession and vulnerability. Sad, but true.
It felt good.
I’ve added two new reviews over at the Christian Readers Site.
Again, let me try to recruit more people who would give us overviews of books that they have read. It doesn’t have to be anything in depth. Just an overview to help those of us who get easily overwhelmed with the glut of resources out there to sift through the chaff.
I believe that site could be a tremendous source of information for us if more people would invest themselves in it.
Coming up, I will be giving the run-down on the following Titles:
American Fascists–60% of the way through it I have to give it an unreserved thumbs down.
Grace (Eventually)
Leaving Church
The Culturally Savvy Christian
If you want to be a contributor to that site, please let me know.
Back about 6 weeks ago I proposed a new blog that would have multiple authors. Here is what I wrote:
I propose a blog with as many authors as possible to discuss Christian and Ministry related books.
Let’s face it, there are too many books being churned out that affect us as Christians and ministers for us to keep up with them all. In the time I wrote this NT Wright has released two new books.
I, for one, feel overwhelmed with trying to stay up to date with what is out there. I don’t have the time to read everything. And I sure don’t have the fungible cash.
So, how about this: let’s create a blog where as many people as interested can post their thoughts on relevant books that they have read. Everybody involved would be bumped up to full admin level to write their posts and invite others.
It can be in whatever format you want. You can write a review, thumbnail, outline. You name it. Any discussion that your post generates will be contingent on the interest of that book.This way we can get an understanding of more books without having to read them and we can determine which books are important for us to pick up on our own.
Several of you responded with your interest in participating in this endeavor and Jonathan Moore agreed to set it up.(That’s twice I’ve name-dropped you in one day, Jonathan.) He did and it’s up and running.
I encourage you to visit Christianreaders.info. So far, only two of us have left posts detailing 9 books.
I just left two quick reviews of The Jesus Machine and My Year Inside Radical Islam.
My dream is that this will expand and more of you will agree to give us insight into what you are reading.
Check it out. And if you are interested in being a part of subsequent discussions and/or giving us your own feedback regarding books, then leave me a comment.
Thanks to Joe Hays for this idea.
1. I have a hard time opening the plastic wrapping inside cereal boxes. I end up mangling them to where cereal comes gushing out.
2. I haven’t liked a sermon I’ve preached for the last two months. I’ve always prided myself in my ability to preach. Maybe that’s the problem. A little dose of humility is a good thing.
3. I feel on the verge of burn-out at the moment. I really need some time to step back re-evaluate but I need to wait until the end of May.
4. I suffer jealousy issues toward other people. I sometimes wish I had done things differently like having attended a Christian college. Then maybe I wouldn’t be so mired in anonymity.
5. I don’t take any medication. But I probably should. I feel an inordinate amount of pressure and stress right now and I’m having a hard time coping.
6. I haven’t exercised in 3 months. I know that’s part of my problem.
7. I data dump everything I preach and teach. If you ask me on Monday the details of my sermon from the previous day, I couldn’t tell you.
8. I struggle with wanting to say so much more than I do. I censor a lot of what I truly want to say.
9. I can’t stop watching ER. I don’t like it, but I’ve invested too much.
10. I can’t sit down and worship on Sunday mornings. I’m too keyed up for what I am about to do to relax. As a result I feel a tremendous worship void in my life.
How’s that for a downer of a Friday?
…but I just don’t know whether or not to say it.
I had a long entry ready to go regarding the situation at Virginia Tech. However, I don’t know yet if I should post it. And I’m not sure if my opinion truly matters at the moment.
I have so much to say about the Winkler trial as well. But I just don’t know how appropriate any of it is.
How about an open thread? Say or ask anything you like in the comments below. Let’s see where the conversation takes us this way. Nothing off limits today.
…to sell my house.
Closing is in 23 minutes. Pray that nothing goes wrong. We really want to clear this final hurdle in this process smoothly.
Oh, and whoever found this blog looking for “Freed-Hardeman girls naked” I’m curious if you satisfied your quest. Cause I don’t have that here.
UPDATE: We are no longer home owners. The sale of the house went smoothly and I deposited a hefty check just a little bit ago that will help us retire some existing debt.
The past month, as we have neared the closing date, has been some of the most stressful days for us. This house, that we bought for a song two and a half years ago, has been a wonderful place to live.
But it’s been fraught with problems. Termites, foundation problems, poor air conditioning and mice have plagued us since the beginning.
And then there was the flood. Or should I say floods.
Last Mother’s Day Tracy and I came home from church to find our carpet completely soaked. A freak storm had come into our house destroying the carpet and puncturing the security we felt. We got gutters installed and, although we knew that French Drains would need to be installed we felt some better.
Until two weeks ago, when it happened again in one of the worst storms to hit Waco in years. While Tracy and I were rushing frantically to keep the water from gushing in the house we saw the sale of the house go up in flames. (How’s that for a mixed metaphor?)
Fortunately we were able to salvage the carpet this time replacing only the pad. And the sale went through.
Suffice it to say we are glad to be out from under it.
But today I’ll choose to focus on the positive. For we have experienced many positive and jubilant memories in that house.
Chloe laid down the pacifier in that house. She learned to ride a bike and made her first basket in that driveway. She put on makeup for the first time as she prepared for a dance recital in her bathroom. She got dressed and slipped on her backpack as she headed out for her first day of kindergarten.
Cassidy was potty trained in that house. She learned to sing and find her voice as the center child in that house. She had a million and one wardrobe changes in that playroom. We celebrated her second, third and fourth birthdays in that house. She developed her love of “bottom” jokes and perfected not going to bed in that bedroom.
Shayla was born into that house. It’s the only house she has ever known. It is where she learned to walk and talk. Where she cut her first teeth and got her first boo-boo. Where she first learned that Pop-Tarts were God’s special gift to her. It’s the house where she wrapped herself around our hearts.
Tracy and I fell deeper in love in that house. We saw our family grow by 20% in number but infinitely in joy and happiness. It truly was our home.
So today, the flood I will remember is the torrent of happy memories that I take with me.
And now we begin more memories in a new place.
It’s a blessed day.
