Mutiny

Champis - den vallande kaninen

2012-01-29T14:17:00.000-06:00

Quote

2012-01-18T20:45:00.003-06:00

"The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone that renders us invincible. These are the tactics we should study. If we lose these, we are conquered, fallen indeed...so long as our manners and principles remain sound, there is no danger." -- Patrick Henry
[A letter to Archibald Blair on January 8, 1789; Moses Coit Tyler, Patrick Henry ( New York: Houghton Mifflin Co; 1897), p.409.]

For Founding Father's Day at the best school in Pensacola, my boy is going to be Patrick Henry.

2012-01-08T20:27:00.001-06:00

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

Edwards Resolutions 9, 10

2012-01-04T18:32:00.001-06:00

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

Edward's Resolutions - 7, 8

2012-01-03T19:13:00.001-06:00

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God

Resolutions 5, 6

2012-01-02T17:12:00.003-06:00

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolutions 3,4

2012-01-01T21:49:00.002-06:00

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

Jonathan Edwards Resolutions 1,2

2011-12-31T12:04:00.000-06:00

I thought to post all of Jonathan Edward's Resolutions, but have decided to post just one or two at the time in the hopes that I'll meditate on them further and make them my own. I hope you enjoy as well. To see them all, visit A Puritan's Mind.

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.

Wishing you a fruitful new year...

2011-12-30T14:09:00.001-06:00

Wishing you a *fruitful* new year...
Originally uploaded by thanker212

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts

2011-12-28T10:14:00.000-06:00

Happy Hamsterdays!

2011-12-27T21:02:00.001-06:00

Happy Hamsterdays!
Originally uploaded by thanker212

2011-12-26T21:20:00.005-06:00

Veith's Blog has a great Christmas post. Beautiful.

Wishing you a warm, fuzzy end to the year....

2011-12-26T21:14:00.001-06:00

Wishing you a warm, fuzzy end to the year....
Originally uploaded by thanker212

Even So, Come Lord Jesus

2011-12-23T11:07:00.000-06:00

Maker of the sun, He is made under the sun.
In the Father He remains, from His mother He goes forth.
Creator of heaven and earth, He was born on earth under heaven.
Unspeakable wise, He is wisely speechless.
Filling the world, He lies in a manger.
Ruler of the stars, He nurses at His mother’s bosom.
He is both great in the nature of God, and small in the form of a servant.
Augustine

2011-12-21T15:11:00.000-06:00

Hit this link to find out Why I'm just too cool for Facebook. Actually, I knew I would be drawn in hook, line and sinker - just the smell of it gives me a contact high. Thankfully, I've avoided it. But barely. Thanks to the above article, I can now bask in my spiritual superiority over all of you that DO have Facebook and relish in the fact that I'll never bore you with personal facts about myself.

I Get No Respect

2011-12-19T09:57:00.002-06:00

I really am boring. In fact, I regularly get forgotten. I’ve made plans before to go to lunch with people and get left behind. It wouldn’t be so bad, except its happened more than once. I think my voice must be annoyingly pitched like a gnat. Hear that, “zzzz zz bzz?” No? it’s all right. Most people don’t. I regularly get talked over. Walked by. Ignored. Really. I get not respect. It’s nothing new either. My sister and best friend couldn’t figure out what to do with me for a bachelorettes party. It was a choice between bingo and nothing. They chose nothing. I guess being boring is not necessarily a bad thing. I am stable, loyal, quiet, and what’s the word I hear a lot? Calm. That’s it. Calm. I think that’s a synonym for boring. Even so, I’ll take it. Calm is good. I did come up with some more(mildly) interesting things about me: 14. While in Vegas, on my way to an interview, I took the bus headed in the wrong direction and what should have been a 15 minute bus ride turned into over two hours while the bus drove its whole route. Then, as I walked to the office I was to be interviewed at in my best dress and heels, I was chased by a tumbleweed.13. I used to have a Prince poster hanging in my bedroom.12. I worked at a major international engineering firm as the Executive Assistant for the Vice President over the whole Eastern Region. 11. My first vehicle was a big, green truck with huge wheels, a CB antenna, bush guards, and a roll bar. I worked and saved up the $1025 on my own.10. As a teenager, I only baby sat twice – and one of those times I brought my best friend to help me out.9. My first job was at a Tastee Freeze when I was in the 9th grade. I quit it when the owner yelled at me about an empty Redi-Whip can.8. My Indian name is “Little Feather.”7. I’ve read the book, A Wrinkle In Time, probably over 30 times. The Hobbit would be a close second in how many times I’ve read it, and then Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy would be next.6. I’ve swam in hot springs surrounded by snow.5. As a prize for an essay, I won $500. The essay described in agonizing detail how “male” religions borrowed from and overthrew the ancient, harmonious “female” religions.4. I played the flute for four years. 3. Lee used to call me a beatnik. (See #5 above).2. Once I became a Christian, I had to kick my Cosmopolitan magazine addiction.1. Finally, I’ve moved over twenty times (from trailers, to studio apartments, to Alaska, Las Vegas, Washington D.C.)

ho ho hum...

2011-12-18T15:55:00.003-06:00

So, the other day, someone from the front office came to me and said, “We need to know something interesting about you that most people don’t know.” The plan was for these interesting tid-bits to be announced in front of the whole assembly to see if anyone could guess who was being talked about. “Really?” I said, “I am the most boring person I know, except, I guess, that’s not a little known fact.” In fact, my co-workers had already been polled and no one could come up with anything beyond, “Susan really is funny.” I can hear the announcer with THAT one: “This teacher is funny, it’s just that no one knows it.” So I was left to come up with something interesting about myself, and even *I* had to think about it and get back with her. Sigh. I really am boring. Now with that groundwork laid, I’ve decided to challenge myself and come up with a few things that might be interesting about me. Just in case it ever comes up again.
Without further ado, here are the Top Twenty Interesting Things About Susan:

20. When I was 19, I got a job at a bagel shop. Up until then, I had never had a bagel.
19. I’ve backed into cars, ditches, and/or mailboxes over five times.
18. In 9th grade, I was nicknamed “Hot Lips.”
17. For a while, I was certain that I’d grow up to be an archaeologist.
16. I volunteered at a nursing home and once ran down a visitor thinking that they were a run-away resident.
15. I was saved in “Sin City,” Las Vegas. Once I was called, I read the whole Bible in a week and then had to go to a library to find out what denomination I was.

More to come later....

The Wilds

2011-07-26T14:28:00.002-05:00

The Wilds, supported by Rocky Bayou Baptist and New Tribes Missions, are in Papua, Indonesia among the Wano people. They have four beautiful boys: Morgan, Hudson, Kian and Asher. The videos speak for themselves - I appreciate the Piper quote at the end of the first video. To support: www.ntm.org/give or
New Tribes Mission
1000 East First Street
Sanford, FL 32771

re: Mike and Libby Wild

Mike & Libby Wild Update

2011-07-26T14:26:00.000-05:00

2011-07-26T14:25:00.001-05:00

recipes will never be the same

2011-06-08T10:21:00.000-05:00

beet cake from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.'>http://

beet cake from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

lived to tell the tale

2011-02-20T16:12:00.006-06:00

I'd never met a nastier chap than Mr. Hysterectomy,
but Mr. Flu is worst to me than major surgery.

For with the one I gladly paid to have my innards removed.
But wit' the other, they came up on their own quite unwillingly.

So if you find that you don't mind who sees you hurling by the roadside,
and if your head feels like it might explodeth, leaving you for dead.

and if you would rather stay in bed
(with hips aching and back spasms)
because you feel so squeamish
hoping to sleep off your fever of over 103ish,

THEN when your dear loved one says, "Honey, maybe you should go to the doctor." for once you say only, "yesh. maybe I'll get admitted."

Mom, my sister and her two girls.

2011-02-18T13:36:00.002-06:00

27680012_edited-1.jpg
Originally uploaded by thanker212

Question:

2010-10-24T00:48:00.001-05:00

How much stress can your brain take before your eyeballs pop out?

Bill Cosby: 49 (Part 4 of 7)

2010-09-15T22:47:00.000-05:00

Confession

2010-01-27T12:26:00.005-06:00

We are fickle as frost.

We come in during the night hours,
moved by diverse forces and show up in all of our splendor,
bright and shining in the morning,
beautifully covering and adhering to the branchy skeletons of our belief.

Then the sun. The wind. The warmth.

With the slightest change, we are chased away and flee,
disappearing into nothingness,
dissolved.

Possibly waiting for the next magical night of perfect conditions,
our desired circumstances, the suitable and comfortable forces
that will cause us to cling to another momentary illusion of
perfect triumph.

Yet...

The boughs of truth remain, naked and resolute.

Original Photo by my Flickr Contact Tatrattery

Sweet Rewards

2009-11-14T20:32:00.001-06:00

sweet
Originally uploaded by thanker212

Some rewards are more valuable than others. I've been substitute teaching the same class at Bug's school for the last several weeks. What a sweet surprise this was to find on my desk one day.

Eating this apple would be like eating a trophy.

1 million fps Slow Motion video of bullet impacts made by Werner Mehl from Kurzzeit

2009-10-11T21:59:00.001-05:00

Arrr, you don't know the power o' the darkside...

2009-09-19T19:39:00.002-05:00

Why is the rum gone?
Photo by Flickr User: Balakov

Need help w/ translating, go to : www.talklikeapirateday.com

Yarrrrrg....!

2009-09-19T19:28:00.002-05:00

It Be Pirate Day
Photo by Flickr User: jciv

It's Talk Like a Pirate Day.... Say a slang word or two, just fer the fun of it. Yer darling will love you most fer it.

andricus crystallinus on blue oak

2009-09-01T08:48:00.001-05:00

andricus crystallinus on blue oak
Originally uploaded by johnbasus

One of my Flickr contacts posted this today - very interesting I thought.

"An oak gall caused by gall wasps....does not really hurt the tree and looks like a bloom!"

lions, and tigers, and oh my!

2009-08-22T09:46:00.003-05:00

Proverbs 22:13 (NKJVn)
The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside!
I shall be slain in the streets!”

I've always sympathized with the lazy man in this proverb. Heck... who wants to be et by a lion?

Our church, my community group, and my friends and I have been having these teeth-pulling, head-ache inducing discussions on community. It seems easy to establish community until you get down to the nuts and bolts of the matter. It is hard to love the brethren. It is hard to be hospitable. It is hard to not love self more. At least, I have been finding it hard. Part of me has thought that "they" have the personality for it. "They" find it easy. "They" don't understand just how hard it is. I've wondered why the book we've been reading together, Face to Face by Steve Wilkins, hasn't been more practical. Sure, he does a great job explaining why we should be lovers of the Body of Christ, and, yeah, he exploits a profane amount of scripture verses to press his point. But does he tell me who to call, what to say, when to have them over, or where I'm going to put them all in my small home?! Oh no. He only tells me to "persecute hospitality," to be an enemy to my friend's sin, that I can't complain about not having friends if I'm not friendly. See. No help at all.

There's a lion in the street. It's just too dangerous to venture out today.

The Penguins Of Madagascar Gone In A Flash (1/2)

2009-07-30T22:40:00.001-05:00

If you have your freak on for some recon, check out the Penguins. Part II coming soon.

Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer

2009-06-12T12:38:00.005-05:00

Father, hear the prayer we offer:
Not for ease that prayer shall be,
But for strength that we may ever
Live our lives courageously.

Not for ever in green pastures
Do we ask our way to be;
But the steep and rugged pathway
May we tread rejoicingly.

Not for ever by still waters
Would we idly rest and stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in hours of weakness,
In our wanderings be our guide;
Through endeavour, failure, danger,
Father be Thou at our side.

link to hymn: from Oremus.org

Schweppes Burst slow motion balloons Ad

2009-05-17T22:44:00.001-05:00

"Henceforth you shall be known as Dog Vader"

2009-05-03T21:51:00.002-05:00

Dog Vader
Originally uploaded by thanker212

So, my mom gets a new dog (Krum, a teeny tiny chocolate poodle puppy) and of course our son uses this as the perfect time to remind us yet again that we promised to get a new pet after the loss of our cat. So, DH decides to make good on this promise and here you see the result. He is 4 1/2 months old. (Coincidentally, he shares the same birthday as my DH.) He's not the tiny morsel that my mom's little poodle puppy is, but he's big enough to endure a rambuctious boy and our rough and tumble tomboy, Leia.

So far, he's doing well. He seems to have a sweet disposition and (usually) is happy to please. He's been fun to watch as he learns to run and enjoy the yard. He came from a pet store, which is something I never thought we'd do. So, he'd only lived in a small area. He's enjoyed having a yard. Leia has been less than enthused, but they're started to play. The boy is thrilled. As for me, I feel like I've got a baby in the house again. A baby without a diaper. and with teeth. who will quickly eat anything. If you see my eyebrows anywhere, will you return them to me?

btw, our boy quickly settled on the name, "Dog Vader." sigh.

2009-05-03T21:46:00.001-05:00

"Henceforth you shall be called Dog Vader"
Originally uploaded by thanker212

2009-05-03T21:45:00.001-05:00

Dog Vader
Originally uploaded by thanker212

2009-05-03T21:41:00.001-05:00

Dig those > < shaped ears! Looks like chicken wings!
Originally uploaded by thanker212

2009-05-03T21:40:00.003-05:00

Leia and Vader - reconciled at last
Originally uploaded by thanker212

2009-05-03T21:40:00.001-05:00

Leia, soft and sweet.
Originally uploaded by thanker212

2009-04-22T21:30:00.007-05:00

It's been several months since I've posted under Wings for Wednesday! Enjoy some of my Flickr favorites.

angel
Photo from Flickr member: benas1971

Wings for Wednesday

2009-04-22T21:30:00.004-05:00

little moth flying
Photo from Flickr member: johnbasus

2009-04-22T21:26:00.002-05:00

Loveliness Incarnate
Photo by Flickr user: MettaMomma

2009-04-22T21:25:00.005-05:00

Day 24/365 : The delicate beauty of a little winged creature
Photo from Flickr member: ~jjjohn~

2009-04-22T21:25:00.004-05:00

Splendor
Photo from Flickr user: MettaMomma

Susan boyle - watch and enjoy.

2009-04-12T22:58:00.001-05:00

Theology Jazz

2009-04-04T00:10:00.006-05:00

Text from the Basket

So - eat your spinach

2009-03-11T22:22:00.000-05:00

Schnunday

2009-03-08T21:48:00.003-05:00

It's been awhile since I've celebrated a schnauzer Sunday. It's high time to do so don't you think?

Don't Mess With Me, I'm Packing a Schnauzer!
Photo from Flickr user Steve Collins Photography (momofoto)

2009-03-08T21:43:00.003-05:00

Tatiana
Photo from Flickr User: Steve Collins Photography (momofoto)

2009-03-08T21:35:00.002-05:00

Airborne
Photo from Flickr User: billboard3

2009-03-08T21:31:00.002-05:00

Our Leia

2009-03-08T21:29:00.003-05:00

Lomo Mac
Photo by Flickr user Muoo Muoo

RUBY Chapter 1 Part 3 "Unforgettable"

2009-03-01T22:16:00.003-06:00

Ruby quickly headed down the hall way toward the commotion in the lobby. Dr. Johns elbowed past her and in his innate way had already assessed the situation and began yelling out orders, “Bring some towels! Call the hospital and tell them we’re walking someone over!” Dottie and Darlene ran together to their office and the phone. Ruby grabbed some towels from the supply closet and ran out the front door to assist Dr. Johns. Immediately over the threshold, a wave of putrid smell hit Ruby and an involuntary “uhhhh” escaped her throat. On the ground was a small colored child. Dr. Johns had already begun compressions and emergency breathing. Ruby could hardly think – the smell overpowered her so. She recognized Sadie, who was on her knees wailing. Sadie and her son, John, and his family lived two streets up. John was trying to talk to Dr. Johns over the noise, “I don’t know how she fell through. Mama found her and yelled for me. I don’t think she was down there long.” Dr. Johns heaved but kept on compressing.
Ruby’s deadened mind struggled to put everything together. John’s overalls were smeared with the same muck that covered the girl. Dr. John was pinching the girl’s nose, his hand under her neck; his breathe puffing out the girl’s cheeks. Suddenly, there was a gurgling sound and Dr. Johns leaned over and threw up next to the little girls head. He immediately breathed again into the tiny cheeks. This snapped Ruby out of her trance and pushing John Brown out of the way, she fell to her knees and began compressions. The slick covering of slime on the girl made it difficult to do them properly and up close the smell even more horrific.

Dr. Johns threw up again and Ruby choked down her own rising vomit. Before beginning breathing again, he put his fingers to her tiny wrist, feeling for a pulse and dropped his ear to her mouth to listen. “Mama, hush… Mama hush. It’s gonna be okay Mama. Dr. Johns. Dr. Johns is she okay? My Augusta! Please…” and John Brown, his wide shoulders shaking, began to sob. Ruby averted her eyes from his face and back to the girl, who couldn’t have been more than three years old, her hair in beads. What type of pit did she fall into? Stuck in her hair was small pieces of paper and more of the putrid slime. It smelled like toilet, not any mud she had ever smelled. Dr. Johns threw up again spattering the ground and Ruby wondered how he had any lunch left in him. He was breathing hard and Ruby could feel Augusta’s chest rise under her fists, could feel the tiny ribs and she prayed that they wouldn’t shatter under her. She counted intently while he breathed, noting the muck now covering the doctor's hands and face. Then it hit her that the girl wasn’t covered in slime, it was feces. At this revelation she lost the battle to hold her lunch down and hardly had her head turned in time to keep from hurling on Dr. Johns.

“It wasn’t a mud pit she fell into,” Ruby thought, “It was a septic tank.” Dr. Johns leaned over again, listening for breathe and checking for pulse again. “Here.” Dr. Johns barked. “She may be breathing. Hold her like this and let’s go.” He lifted her up into Ruby’s arms and for every few steps that they would take to the nearby hospital, he would breathe into the child, his body involuntarily dry heaving between his breaths. Sadie was speaking some incoherent language, only occasionally would Ruby catch the words, “Augusta and Dear Lord” John was helping her to walk, her knees to weak to stand.

Ruby noticed a huge smear of feces on Sadie’s face and again lost the battle with her body and threw up, jerking Augusta out the way and spattering her pants, its warmth spreading into her shoes. Dr. Johns yelled at Ruby, “Compressions. It’s time to compress!” Ruby shifted the girl a bit to free her right hand and then… she couldn’t at first tell if it was her imagination. It wasn’t. The little girl had moved. “Turn her over!” The doctor yelled. At this, they were walking into the emergency room entry way and were converged upon by its nurses and doctors and Augusta’s body was passed from one to another, with Dr. Johns in the fray. Ruby, empty handed and passed by, made it to the bushes and threw up the last of her crackers.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T14:25:00.001-06:00

you must love yourself
Originally uploaded by knitalatte11

Women Drivers in Action

2009-02-11T10:40:00.001-06:00

We want reproductive freedom now!!!

2009-02-10T09:50:00.002-06:00

not really. The outrage shown toward this lady demonstrates that we just want to have consequence-free sex. If pro-choicers were serious about their insistence that women have full power of their wombs, then they would be clambering to support this lady. Obviously, they're not - just another proof that pro-choice is in fact pro-death.

busy, busy

2009-01-24T08:56:00.003-06:00

I know I don't post too often anyway, and I'm writing this more for myself than for you, but I'm planning (hoping) to be on the computer a bit less... "the cap'n." has an Egyptian feast coming up, there's school meetings, dentists appt's, orthodontist app'ts, basketball games and practices, birthdays, and I'm hoping to get a head start on Spring cleaning the house (in actuality, with everything going on, I'll be happy to keep clean clothes and the floor swept)!

So ta-ta for a little bit!

unholy holiday

2009-01-22T22:31:00.003-06:00

Following are some links in regards to the Roe v. Wade anniversary:

~"We lose more babies through abortion every year than the total fatalities in all of the wars in which we have ever participated, commencing with the French and Indian War and including the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War I, and Gulf War II. What’s wrong with religious people who are not making this their paramount issue?" Dr. Richard Land, president of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission This "Life Quote" is from Lutherans For Life – http://www.lutheransforlife.org/Journal_Newsletter/Life_Quotes/life_quotes.htm

~A couple of years back I was debating abortion at an athiest website and in doing my research, I found this link describing cell development on 181 surplus human embryos. I've held this link in my web "favorites" and think of these 181 surplus babies from time to time.

~I also found the Visible Embryo website to be interesting and Lennart Nilsson has captured the most amazing images of the miracle of birth... many images I am sure you'll recognize.

~Check out Gene Veith for more discussion on what he calls an "unholy holiday."

Looks mighty fine on my bookshelf...

2009-01-22T21:34:00.004-06:00

I don't win too many things, so I'm happy to have won this from the guys over at the basket. I just hope there isn't a quiz on it or anything.

2009-01-15T11:17:00.002-06:00

" Life is like a jack in the box. There's always some type of surprise that will make your heart skip a beat."
Photo by Flickr member: jujustars

Wings for Wednesday (a variety this week, for your viewing pleasure...)

2009-01-07T12:23:00.004-06:00

Photo from one of my favorite Flickr Contacts, Inbal, aka: shmarinuma

2009-01-07T12:22:00.003-06:00

Decisions, Decisions...
Photo by one of my Flickr contacts in Georgia who always has sweet bird/wildlife photos... CCintheSouth

2009-01-07T12:21:00.002-06:00

PLEASE BEE MINE
Photo by Flickr user: JC Jones

2009-01-07T12:19:00.002-06:00

Theta-Class Shuttle I
built by and photo'd by : Sir Nadroj

.... and it lights up. How cool is that?!

2009-01-07T12:16:00.003-06:00

pensive blue
photo by Flickr user and Wings for Wednesday hero: brodmann's 17

Mountain Bluebird

beautiful, huh?

2009-01-07T12:15:00.002-06:00

Torching the Asphalt
Photo by flickr user: Roy Mac

F15 Eagle takes off from Cold Lake, Alberta during the very last launch of Exercise Maple Flag 2008

This is another photo that is worth clicking over to see large...

transformer hooter 變形貓頭鷹-ふくろう

2008-12-30T01:15:00.001-06:00

another Cute Overload find.

I wonder if she takes orders? :)

2008-12-29T00:30:00.003-06:00

the christmas snail explained
Photo and snail cozy by Flickr user: knitalatte11

see http://www.resurrectionfern.typepad.com/

via CuteOverload.

Resolved,

2008-12-28T22:51:00.002-06:00

... never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

#56 of J. Edwards Resolutions

Listening to today's sermon, I felt like I had been away from church for months, when it had only been one week.

I *feel* like I've been gone on a vacation for a long while.

I used to look forward to the new year with its promise of new beginnings. I look back at previous years, hot faced, remembering pages of carefully written resolutions and late-night commitments for a better tomorrow.

Why do the best intentions come on the pillow or strangely, in the shower? I suppose it's easy to commit to things when there's absolutely no chance that you'll be called to actually DO those things at the present moment.

Death plies its scythe, and the grave yawns each moment, and an eternity of bliss or of woe is gathering at every stroke of the pendulum, deathless beings to its bosom! Shall we not, then, be active and earnest in a world like this?

Winslow, "The Sensitiveness of Christ to Suffering"

2008-12-16T11:06:00.000-06:00

In Jesus of Nazareth was seen the mighty God. In the son of the carpenter was seen the Creator of heaven and earth… He who died was the Prince of life… the Redeemer of His Israel, the Deliverer of man; divine, yet human, heavenly yet earthly, clothed with divine majesty, yet wearing the raiment of our poor humanity… divine wisdom, in its perfection, speaking through the lips of a child of dust; divine majesty seated on a human brow; divine benignity beaming from human eyes, and put forth in the touch of a human hand… and divine grief finding vent to itself in human tears. Horatius Bonar

Due to a slow economy...

2008-12-11T23:50:00.007-06:00

...some changes have been made to the Holiday Management. St. Slick, the new CEO, refused to comment on the recent rumors of expected delays this season. The replacement of Claus has caused quite a sensation among those in the industry, leaving many to wonder if this will cause a trend toward the replacement of other high dollar CEOs with eco-friendly gastropods, which operate on a lot less green. Many believe that further drastic measures are still ahead, especially after the latest headlines on the spa retreat taken by Comet and Claus' other transportation specialists. The Stock Market reacted optimistically to the news of Slick's take-over despite the threat of delay, lost revenues and slime, because everyone loves snails. Meanwhile, kids across America are anticipating putting out lettuce leaves and calcium for Jolly ol' St. Slick's visit.

For related stories see Claus' Golden Parachute; Rudolph denies having $400 hay bail meal; and Geraldo's expose: Yes, Virginia, Santa Claus was really greedy.

Photo Credits: Photo by sg; Mr. Slick's wardrobe provided by pikipimp.com/; Set design by M.Hadding. Special appearance by Oswald Hadding.

2008-12-11T15:31:00.000-06:00

The prime purpose of eloquence is to keep other people from talking.
- Louis Vermeil

via my iGoogle homepage

Sigh...

2008-12-08T21:11:00.001-06:00

via

2008-12-01T12:05:00.001-06:00

If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get a million miles per gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.
- Robert X. Cringely

(found via my iGoogle homepage)

Don't know about y'all,

2008-11-29T13:23:00.002-06:00

gajrpefpowjvmph!
Originally uploaded by forestlady

but I'm stuffed!!

2008-11-29T13:19:00.002-06:00

Wild Turkey
Photo from Flickr user amkhosla

Funny how such an ugly bird can taste so good.

2008-11-25T19:54:00.001-06:00

via bitsandpieces

Accept No Imitations...

2008-11-23T20:51:00.002-06:00

trust me.

(turkey loaf still causing post-traumatic stress syndrome since Thanksgiving 2006)

Wings for Wednesday

2008-11-19T11:35:00.002-06:00

Beija-flor Tesoura (Eupetomena macroura) - Swallow-tailed Hummingbird 2 427 - 3
Originally uploaded by Flávio Cruvinel Brandão

2008-11-19T11:34:00.002-06:00

lift off
Originally uploaded by brodmann's 17

2008-11-19T11:33:00.002-06:00

tough guy
Originally uploaded by brodmann's 17

2008-11-19T11:30:00.002-06:00

Tree Swallow
Originally uploaded by ern the ferle

2008-11-19T11:29:00.002-06:00

Pigeon in Ecstacy
Originally uploaded by San Diego Shooter

Wings for Wednesday

2008-11-19T11:27:00.002-06:00

The Eye
Originally uploaded by CCintheSouth

I'll probably regret it in the morning...

2008-11-14T00:34:00.006-06:00

But I commented again on that Flickr photo. Oh well. At least now I can give myself permission to quit thinking about it what I WOULD say because this is what I said:

I’m thinking about this photo and its comments too much! I might as well write out what I’m thinking. sorry – it’s a novel.

Someone said that Obama was too intelligent to be a Christian and others echoed the sentiment… I don’t blame all of you who believe that Christians have limited mental capacity if your only experience with Christianity is what you see on TBN. Some of us do present an over-simplified idea of who God is because we’ve erroneously made Him out to be our cosmic vending machine, thinking God is on our side to shower us with blessings of health and wealth. Unfortunately, we Christians are our own worst enemies at propagating such vehement reactions when we scream for the rights of the unborn while ignoring the plight of our neighbors and communities, or when our activism is summed up in mere rants. I’m sorry, for my part, for those of you who hate Christianity because I am not the Christian I should be.

Unfortunately, it’s often the most ignorant and maladjusted of us that get the spotlight. Yet, please consider that Christianity has some of the highest ideals in philosophy and is embraced by so many because it correctly encapsulates the human condition and is followed by experiential confirmation that cannot be denied by its believers. Though many of us who are simple can embrace Christianity’s simplest tenants of redemption, there are those of intelligence who are challenged by delving into its loftier ideologies.

I have read Richard Dawkins and am familiar with some of his arguments. Though I am no paradigm of logic, I find much of his thinking flawed and incomplete. Regarding whether or not Christianity is pernicious, see this debate between atheist Christopher Hitchens and Doug Wilson: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/mayweb-only/119-12.0.html

Regarding Obama, he isn’t just some man that made a speech; he’s a man that makes great speeches! I can’t agree with hardly anything that he says but somehow, I come away reassured nonetheless!

There are lots of things that I hope for… good weather and close parking spaces and I do hope that Obama will be for the good of our nation. But for my spiritual well-being, I can hope in no man.

oh – and I’ve GOT to find me some bokeh texture to play with!!!

EDITED: I did regret it and actually edited my comment since the girl who posted the original photo didn't get what I was saying or realize that I responding to earlier comments. Meanwhile, there are a few hardy souls continuing to debate on her photo. I'm over it.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

2008-11-13T11:59:00.002-06:00

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
and where there is sadness, joy

O Lord, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled but to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that I receive
It is in pardoning that I am pardoned;
And it is in dying that I am born to eternal life.

Amen

(found via the Lord, Teach us to Pray Family Devotional Guide by Sally Michael)

Obama is not my hope

2008-11-11T17:38:00.004-06:00

A message for Obama group
Photo by Flickr user: Beauty of Grace

Flickr is *usually* a peaceful place. It isn't normally a place for juvenile comments and debates like you see on YouTube. After all, it's based on a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" mentality.

This photo, I believe, has shown the power of simply using Jesus' name and how it is offensive to the world. This girl's sentiments are common for us in the circles we run, but she posted it to the world. Whether or not you think this girl was antagonizing Mr. Obama's followers by posting this to a Flickr group called, "A message for Obama," you have to admit she's made a bold statement. The comments (available through the link) are surprising in their animosity toward Christianity.

Now, Mr. Obama is not just some man who gave a speech but the man God has placed as our king. My neighbor said that all of the people that voted for Obama seen a vision that he wasn't able to see. He hoped that this vision came to fruition. Me too. The vision that I see makes me a little nervous...

My recent blog absence can be summed up in ONE word:

2008-11-09T23:35:00.001-06:00

sudoku

236.com: Synchronized Presidential Debating

2008-10-30T11:40:00.001-05:00

Barack Obama on Abortion in his own words

2008-10-28T00:44:00.001-05:00

RUBY Chapter 1 Part 2 "Unforgettable"

2008-10-27T23:58:00.002-05:00

Ruby’s first thought at hearing all of the commotion in the lobby was that drunk Marie Angston must have had an accident in the parking lot. Dottie and Darlene had went to the lobby window to see if Marie had driven herself, if her husband had driven her or if it was her boyfriend this time. Dottie and Darlene worked in Doctor John’s front office and were all but joined at the hip; at least that was the office joke. Dottie was nearing fifty, shaped remarkably like a balloon with stick legs and a head, and usually had her cat-eye glasses dangling around her neck or tucked up in her ‘hive. Dottie was in charge of patient records, insurance and keeping up with every shred of gossip that came through the office. After eighteen years of working at Dr. John’s, she knew many of the patients better than they knew themselves. Her protégé, Darlene, had only been working as a receptionist and file clerk for less than a year. She was a mousy girl that seemed to blend in to the room décor and though only barely twenty-one she dressed like Ruby’s Grandma. Darlene had moved to Oakton with her Navy husband and missed her hometown and family in Mississippi. She and Dottie had fit together like two peas in a pod; Darlene glad to be mothered and Dottie glad to do it.

“Bless her heart,” Dottie had said, “I do hope someone drove her. She can hardly walk, better yet get behind a wheel!” Darlene nodded assent. Dottie knew Marie’s Aunt Gwenny and was in the midst of telling Darlene how Marie Angston had been on the prayer list for a couple of weeks, her voice a conspiratol whisper lest any of the patients hear her. As they stood at the corner lobby window, Marie and her boyfriend pulled out on the road and Dottie and Darlene had totally missed John Brown and his mother running into the parking lot. John’s large brown arms cradled a small limp figure. Dottie and Darlene were just as surprised as Ruby was when John’s mother, Sadie, threw the door open and yelled for help and nearly collapsed on the front stoop.

Happy fright night indeed...!

2008-10-20T12:42:00.002-05:00

Barack O'Lantern
Photo and carving by Flickr user: Aidenag

btw, it took this individual 8 hrs to complete this.

2008-10-11T21:48:00.002-05:00

Photo from Flickr User: Futo*aim

2008-10-11T21:46:00.002-05:00

physalis
Photo from Flickr User: timkuever

2008-10-11T21:43:00.003-05:00

Orange leaves
Photo from Flickr User: digikuva

2008-10-11T21:42:00.002-05:00

IMG_2480.JPG
Photo from Flickr User: sweber4507

And now for something completely different

2008-10-10T10:49:00.002-05:00

Spinning socks for Jesus.

I posted a video from Youtube, but since it will take a couple of weeks for it to actually SHOWUP at my blog, here's a link to watch it where I found it, at

A Deconstructed Christian.

Wings for Wednesday

2008-10-08T21:55:00.002-05:00

A Backyard Bluebird
Photo from Flickr user rivadock4