tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80182172011-04-21T15:37:06.259-05:00<i>"bible reading should be dangerous to my life and the status quo - transformation is better than information."</i><br>- mark driscollRicknoreply@blogger.comBlogger6101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1119122499893449462005-06-18T14:18:00.000-05:002005-06-25T11:35:46.063-05:00

Just feels right to change things up - moving to a new site and a semi-new layout. If you link here, please change links to my new site: Caffeinated Adventures. Same sappy sarcasm and deep thought, new & improved full-body flavor. Everything will stay right here - book reviews, commentary, archives and stuff. Just moving forward with a new buzz, a fresh pot of coffee...Thanks for everyone who's

Ricknoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1119019322554259112005-06-17T07:07:00.000-05:002005-06-17T10:00:29.316-05:00

"Almost all of them are still alive at the end, and are better people because of what has happened to them. Not happier, not calmer, not even wiser, but better. Then there are those few who kill or get killed; racism has tragedy built in."- Roger Ebert, review of CrashI've read some reviews of this film online, and I think others have done more justice to the film than I could. So I'll "review"

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1119022094033618782005-06-17T07:00:00.000-05:002005-06-17T10:28:14.043-05:00

Photo Friday: SportSunny day, before the humidity rolled into Columbia - playing putt-putt @ Frankies. Woo hoo.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118978784123387062005-06-17T06:25:00.000-05:002005-06-17T07:27:08.600-05:00

Your IQ Is 135Your Logical Intelligence is GeniusYour Verbal Intelligence is GeniusYour Mathematical Intelligence is GeniusYour General Knowledge is ExceptionalA Quick and Dirty IQ Test

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118971254537749852005-06-16T20:20:00.000-05:002005-06-16T21:14:40.523-05:00

First impressions from CRASH - saw it tonight, needed to debrief. I'll write something substantive later. Promise.Really good movie. Go see it. Wait - no, don't. But if you do... it was really good.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118927587995320912005-06-16T08:13:00.000-05:002005-06-16T08:13:08.223-05:00

I'm one of those people who thinks too much - I think deeply about things that matter, but I also think deeply about stuff that isn't worth the effort. My own "time management" skills need to take that into consideration when it's time to leave for work but I still want to see what's on SportsCenter in the morning. This morning I had a little time to think during my commute - driving my wife's

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118855445330148852005-06-15T12:10:00.000-05:002005-06-17T09:48:18.736-05:00

When the rest of my family heads to the beach in the summer, I normally stay behind, take care of the pets and the house, and see a few movies that are in my I'm-just-weird-and-no-one-else-likes-my-movies list. This week I've mostly got DVDs lined up, but I do hope to go to one theater flick tomorrow night if I can.SIDEWAYS - Watched it Monday evening, and while I can see why the principals were

Ricknoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118841769196502522005-06-15T08:22:00.000-05:002005-06-15T08:22:49.396-05:00

I need coffee this morning. Yesterday was such a long day - very enjoyable, very productive, very connecting with new friends and very old friends. Wouldn't trade it for the world. But it was so long, and this morning my right eye is still feeling dry and burning on the lid, like a sty without a sty, or not tearing up right - I don't know. And the headache from sleeping hard after yesterday's

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118713529903913942005-06-13T20:45:00.000-05:002005-06-13T20:48:26.720-05:00

[quoting from Confessions of a Caffeinated Christian, John Fischer, p. 16]

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118700264323129082005-06-13T17:04:00.000-05:002005-06-13T17:06:15.370-05:00

Michael Jackson cleared of all charges. Whew. Now when do they start prosecuting parents who let the kids go to Neverland?

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118671524603101142005-06-13T09:05:00.000-05:002005-06-13T09:05:24.836-05:00

John Piper has let me down. Following him from the moment I discovered the whole group from Passion/268, I've been so challenged and so stretched over the years. I consider his sermon, "Did Christ Die for Us or for God?", to be one of the turning points of my life.But then I received this sermon in an email last week: "For Whom Did Jesus Taste Death?" I was hoping it would be a reminder of that

Ricknoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118575212444449312005-06-12T05:41:00.000-05:002005-06-12T06:20:12.476-05:00

I've enjoyed getting to know Margaret Feinberg through her writing, her new books, her website, and her blog. And having Twentysomething (2004, W. Publishing Group) as a testimony of her formative young adult pre-marriage years, pitfalls and all, has been fun - makes me wish she were older, writing these things fifteen years ago when I probably really needed it.For me, the book has been centered

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118539743464052892005-06-11T20:29:00.000-05:002005-06-11T20:29:03.490-05:00

Which Incredibles Character Are You? brought to you by Quizilla

Ricknoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118495643225924482005-06-11T08:14:00.000-05:002005-06-11T21:05:47.573-05:00

We're leaving in a few moments for Asheville to see Vicki's father & grandmother. It's a long trip, but not so long that we can't do up and back in a day. It also tends to be an uncomfortable trip, with different family dynamics working against trying to really connect. The kids are old enough to entertain themselves in the car, and when we get there we'll take some games and books in for them,

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118403700916969132005-06-10T06:36:00.000-05:002005-06-10T06:41:40.926-05:00

Photo Friday - NerdyI don't know if this is "nerdy" or not, but it's definitely a bit sappy, and it won some points last night. Leftover lasagna on the fine china, and the kids' happy meals on their trays so they could watch Nickelodeon while the Missus and I could enjoy candlelight and light jazz.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118407070736747342005-06-10T06:00:00.000-05:002005-06-10T07:37:50.746-05:00

"Put most bluntly, I believe that God means for a man to be civilized, directed, and stimulated toward marital faithfulness by the fact that his wife will freely give herself to him sexually only when he presents himself as worthy of her attention and desire."- Dr. Al Mohler - "Pornography and the Integrity of Marriage, Part Two", June 9, 2005 There's much in what Dr. Mohler writes that strikes

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118324248317808222005-06-09T08:37:00.000-05:002005-06-09T08:37:28.476-05:00

Well, I think everyone's where they need to be. My wife is taking a certification exam this morning, so it was up to me to get the kids up and fed and dressed and out the door to day camp. Our daughter's morning disposition is usually floppy, like she could go back to bed if that's necessary, or slowly wake up to snuggle and watch TV. Our son, on the other hand, has two morning modes: "Good

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118259401295699682005-06-08T17:52:00.000-05:002005-06-08T17:56:27.336-05:00

Balance is something I swing through on my way to the other extreme.- Kara Powell, EC05 Learning Community - Humanity (mp3 available @ Conversatio Fide - quoting a friend)

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118235388075883312005-06-08T07:56:00.000-05:002005-06-08T07:56:28.083-05:00

Our knowledge of God has less to do with the capacity of our minds than with the obedience of our lives.- Alistair Begg, Truth For LifeChristianity is not a 'trying' model, it is a 'training' model.- Dieter Zander (bio, neat interview)But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118197241034729672005-06-07T21:20:00.000-05:002005-06-08T06:30:31.926-05:00

One of the sidebar statements that came out this morning at the men's meeting was the importance of "raising adults", training our kids to be good adults, good parents, good Christians later on in life. My wife posted a list of things that she wants to teach our kids, and I wanted to add a little to that from "daddy's point of view" (just a bit more "wordy", maybe):Sense of Humor - Teach them

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118145675994375612005-06-07T07:01:00.000-05:002005-06-07T09:33:33.913-05:00

Actually got up on time this morning, getting a shower and even making coffee before snapping a photo of my snaggle-toothed child and driving to this morning's meeting. Getting involved with a new group of guys, reading Eldredge's Wild At Heart together - I'm looking forward to the experience, mostly getting to know some new folks from church. The honey wheat bagel and grande caramel macchiato do

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118109326927181672005-06-06T20:55:00.000-05:002005-06-07T06:55:18.230-05:00

She pulled it on her own, taking her time this week and working that rascal of a tooth. Such a big girl.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118063652996525492005-06-06T06:58:00.000-05:002005-06-06T08:14:13.006-05:00

Against Hesitating - Dag HammarskjöldThanks to your "success," you now have something to lose. Because of this - as if suddenly aware of the risks - you ask whether you, or anyone, can "succeed." If you go on in this way, thoughtlessly mirroring yourself in an obituary, you will soon be writing your epitaph - in two senses.When the morning's freshness has been replaced by the weariness of midday,

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118025270584112532005-06-05T21:30:00.000-05:002005-06-05T22:18:55.993-05:00

Two summers ago, still one of my favorite pictures of the kids. We're looking forward to warm temperatures again, a couple of trips to the beach house and a few days at Stone Mountain this summer, as they just keep getting bigger, smarter and funnier.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1118002970289945682005-06-05T15:22:00.000-05:002005-06-05T15:22:50.416-05:00

Here's a link to this week's Men's Devotional @ Crosswalk.com: "When Asking Beats Telling". Just an FYI in case you're interested in finding other ways to witness than the typical presentations. I'm all about questions, and find myself wanting to "answer" with questions more and more. I think Jesus did it that way alot, giving things to think about rather than straight up opinions. Anyway, I'm

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117971223746313982005-06-05T06:16:00.000-05:002005-06-05T06:53:30.796-05:00

It's been a Jim Carrey weekend at our house. That's a big deal, considering how much my wife dislikes him as an actor. Since most of his roles go way too far off the deep end in grossness, it's hard to see him on a "good light" in some of his other performances. But we did it this time, watching a couple of films with strong performances and strong messages.Friday night it was Bruce Almighty,

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117894291583070492005-06-04T09:11:00.000-05:002005-06-04T17:56:14.983-05:00

It's Saturday morning, and the aroma of the new coffee (Starbucks' Fortymile Blend - mmm) is working it's way through the house. I got up about 6:15am, having about an hour and a half before the kids woke up, and another hour to myself while they started playing games upstairs instead of coming down. I appreciated the time with my quiet XM before they came down to eat cereal and watch Looney

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117830890469885492005-06-03T16:34:00.000-05:002005-06-03T15:36:28.053-05:00

From Crosswalk.com, Christian Parents Challenged Regarding "Godless" Schools:"[Rev. Grady] Arnold says the vast majority of Christian children (88 percent) who attend public schools leave the church once they graduate. "Southern Baptists have been playing the 'ostrich with its head in the sand' routine long enough," the Texas pastor laments. "The time is way overdue that we acknowledge the

Ricknoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117799263879547972005-06-03T06:47:00.000-05:002005-06-03T11:22:18.393-05:00

Long morning post. I probably should've gotten caffeinated first.I don't know if you've been following the discussion in the blogosphere over the "emergent church" or not. Of all the voices out there, one of the clearest and least-judgmental is from Andrew Jones. At TallSkinnyKiwi, he's posted a poll of sorts on what the "emergent church" might uphold and how closely an individual may follow it.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117795691802688852005-06-03T05:41:00.000-05:002005-06-03T06:08:33.186-05:00

Photo Friday: RareThis set of Shakespeare's plays is from 1901, found in a used bookstore and given to my sweetie many many years ago as an anniversary present. What's "rare" about it? Probably the four plays that are missing.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117746718138402982005-06-02T16:11:00.000-05:002005-06-02T16:11:58.260-05:00

In true summer sequel style, continuing on with my "You're a movie snob" thoughts...I think it's important to be picky when it comes to movies, to TV, to music, to books. And I think part of "training up children in the way they should go" is to help them begin to make those value judgments, too. Not just what's wrong and what's right, what's forbidden and what's okay - but I think parents need

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117718834578441302005-06-02T06:25:00.000-05:002005-06-02T08:27:14.586-05:00

Spelling Bee Test - Five out of ten for me, and even more thankful for the invention of spellcheck.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117648463279062382005-06-01T12:54:00.000-05:002005-06-01T12:59:18.676-05:00

"You're a movie snob" - that's what one of my co-workers said as we discussed what's out, what's coming out this summer at the theaters. She's right, I am a snob when it comes to who gets my $8+$popcorn+$drink money. I rarely want to see a film as "escapism", because there are cheaper ways to do that with HDtv at home, or with a good book. I tend to be choosey, and want to train our kids up to be

Ricknoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117631506390671292005-06-01T08:11:00.000-05:002005-06-01T08:13:31.853-05:00

Slow Miracles - Saint AugustineWe take for granted the slow miracle whereby water in the irrigation of a vineyard becomes wine. It is only when Christ turns water into wine, in a quick motion, as it were, that we stand amazed.[Source: A Third Testament, by Malcolm Muggeridge - Daily Dig]It's raining here in the sunny southland, and it's really cooled things off. It's June, and we've only had one

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117566360625384732005-05-31T18:05:00.000-05:002005-05-31T18:24:09.976-05:00

I've been TAGGED by MaryAnn to play along and answer some questions about books. Since I don't read (yeah right!!!), I'll just have to make these answers up.1. Total number of books I own:Don't go there. I could do a count on one bookcase, multiply it by three for the number of bookcases, and then add about half of that to match the ones that are boxed up somewhere in the house. Offhand, I'd say

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117568613078448262005-05-31T14:43:00.000-05:002005-05-31T14:43:33.086-05:00

Go to this site: Wrestling For JesusClick on "Roster" on the left sidebar, and take a long look at the gentleman pictured second from the left, top row. That's my friend, Todd - Superstar.After a few years of ups and downs, it's good to hear from Todd, knowing that he's doing his best to minister and to have fun (I'm not a fan by any means - but I've thrown a figure-four-leg-lock or two in my

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117556601335833092005-05-31T11:23:00.000-05:002005-05-31T11:32:20.386-05:00

One of my favorite movies of all time is All The President's Men - and I'll tell you and anyone else, "Deep Throat" is none other than Hal Holbrook. But CNN.com is reporting that Vanity Fair is breaking the confession of W. Mark Felt, former FBI official, that he is in fact "Deep Throat", whose insider information led to the downfall of the Nixon administration during the Watergate happenings.I

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117538353973152402005-05-31T06:16:00.000-05:002005-05-31T06:19:13.983-05:00

How do I know it's summer? This morning it's after seven a.m., and I'm not waking anyone up. I'll head out to Starbucks for a macchiato on the way to the office, while Vicki finds time to study for her national certification tests and the kids enjoy the week in summer day camp at the church down the street. But for now, it's peaceful in the house - going to rain today, a light fog hanging, and

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117492201828328022005-05-30T17:04:00.000-05:002005-05-30T17:36:08.350-05:00

I haven't had a single cup of coffee yet. Not one. Amazing or not, I'm brewing a fresh pot right now to liven up the evening a little bit. I think there's a scientific study to be done somewhere that would prove once and for all that coffee is either another major food group in its own right, or is of such great worth to the human experience that it rises to the same level of necessity as shelter

Ricknoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117461945677187642005-05-30T09:01:00.000-05:002005-05-30T09:05:45.686-05:00

Thank YouTo all those who have fought and died, fought and lived, to bring freedom, to preserve freedom, to expand freedom. And to all those who have shared family members in service, sending sons and daughters into the battle for that freedom.A blessed Memorial Day to you all. Where I might disagree with the particulars of war and peace, I feel that it is necessary and appropriate to fight for

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117411785638300162005-05-29T19:08:00.000-05:002005-05-29T19:09:45.646-05:00

Ricknoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117312773042021892005-05-28T18:58:00.000-05:002005-05-28T19:05:59.953-05:00

Russ sent me the link to a quiz. The first time I took it, I rated higher on the "Fundamentalist" scale than shows below: You scored as Cultural Creative. Cultural Creatives are probably the newest group to enter this realm. You are a modern thinker who tends to shy away from organized religion but still feels as if there is something greater than ourselves. You are very spiritual, even if you

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117279249625853272005-05-28T11:30:00.000-05:002005-05-28T11:28:27.580-05:00

The question you might ask is, "why is he reading a marriage book for young couples when he's not that young and they've just celebrated their fourteenth anniversary?" My answer would be that it's because I can: that this book came in the mail as our anniversary was approaching, and who can resist the ironic twist of reading a newlywed book after fourteen years of wedded bliss?In Just Married (

Ricknoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117296794732593872005-05-28T11:03:00.000-05:002005-05-28T11:15:32.040-05:00

CNN.com - Tweetsie Railroad faces uncertain futureOne of the fondest childhood memories I can still recall is from the steps of the General Store at Tweetsie Railroad, an amusement park in the sky outside Boone, NC. We met Fred Kirby, road some rides and then Tweetsie took us around the bend to a frontier adventure. We've done the same thing with our kids, and I'm hoping things will get worked

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117240176439109342005-05-27T19:15:00.000-05:002005-05-29T04:54:46.493-05:00

We went to see Madagascar this afternoon, the official first day of summer vacation for my wife and the kids. We mostly enjoyed it - I think my wife and I were just way too tired and could've taken a nap, but the kids hooted and giggled through the whole film. It'll need a load of special features on the DVD - hopefully at least something extra from the penguins! But the bar is set so high by the

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117201481090961232005-05-27T08:44:00.000-05:002005-05-27T18:54:22.196-05:00

Thanks for all the consideration and time and questions - kept me on my toes this week, and I'm eternally grateful. Or at least really appreciative this morning.Ashley asked: Okay, here's a potentially deep one for you: What about theology in Bob Dylan's songs? (He wrote Saved that Third Day sings on one of their praise CDs.)I should know more about this, but I don't - I've never been a big fan,

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117199243860654592005-05-27T08:00:00.000-05:002005-05-27T08:07:25.416-05:00

1 Corinthians 1:18 - "I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God."Photo Friday: Symbol

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117156974910742402005-05-26T20:22:00.000-05:002005-05-26T20:22:54.920-05:00

Got a few new questions, deep and otherwise, that I'll throw out tomorrow. For now, I wanted to wrap up these earlier inquiries. Craig asked some deeper questions for our consideration:1. Say you've been meeting with a couple guys for about 8 years with the object of accountability and bible study and prayer. You all went to the same church. But then life happens and time goes on and now, after 8

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117153985529240512005-05-26T19:33:00.000-05:002005-05-26T19:33:06.476-05:00

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117112775769191442005-05-26T08:06:00.000-05:002005-05-26T13:41:43.803-05:00

It's Thursday, and we've been getting some good questions here in the offices of Rambling Adventures. We'll start with the "not-so-serious" ones first, and post later on the more, shall we say, "thought-provoking" ones.Suzanne asked a techie question: how would i place a picture inside a paragraph with text wrapping around it like you just did with mr. incredible and the chock full o' nuts logo?

Ricknoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117066921792009512005-05-25T19:22:00.000-05:002005-05-25T19:22:01.800-05:00

It's been a week full of blog questions - some deep and some not so deep - and some answers - some deep some not so deep and some shovelling it deep, I'm sure. Any questions for Thursday and Friday? I've got no real umph for writing anything original right now (except for the rest of this post, I guess), but I do appreciate the writing triggers that have come from the promptings and questions of

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1117031380689225862005-05-25T09:29:00.000-05:002005-05-25T12:41:29.593-05:00

Continuing my little contrivance of "questions" (started with Monday's post)...Margaret asked several questions: Will Dr. Phil ever lose his popularity? Did Oprah really have stomach surgery to lose all that weight or is it just a rumor? And was anyone surprised that the booksmarts beat the streetsmarts on the Apprentice?I predict that Dr. Phil will lose his popularity while serving 10-to-life

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116965408901997372005-05-24T15:10:00.000-05:002005-05-24T15:10:12.243-05:00

Anakin's Blog - very imaginative, and it looks like it's "done" and available in PDF for download.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116942877047809492005-05-24T08:54:00.000-05:002005-05-24T08:54:37.056-05:00

I started by asking for "questions" to help with my writer's block during this busy hectic week. The first post is here, and Monday's answers and new questions are here - please feel free to leave new questions in this post's comments.I don't know if I'll get as many questions for today or not. But this first one is a doozy - and it's not easy to avoid, is it?Bob asked: "Do you think there are

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116878455448715852005-05-23T15:00:00.000-05:002005-05-24T08:18:25.793-05:00

It's neat to have folks who stop by and read my ramblings and junk. I've asked readers to leave comments with good questions (Monday's first post - feel free to post more questions for Tuesday in the comments here), helping me out of my writer's block during this long end-of-school work week. I'll take each day's questions and post something towards the end of that day. Thanks so much for asking

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116817182458489112005-05-22T23:05:00.000-05:002005-05-23T13:42:00.516-05:00

This week is going to be "one of those weeks" as school wraps up and summer begins. It's going to be busy at work and school and home, and I'll need a little help creatively with posting. This is where my blogo-friends come in - got any questions? Anything deep, theological, philosophical, movies, books, music, TV, whatever? Need an opinion? I'm full of 'em - and I'll get to anything you ask this

Ricknoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116808513102017282005-05-22T19:30:00.000-05:002005-05-22T19:35:13.110-05:00

"The feeling that you've heard this bull before."

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116792455695699762005-05-22T14:43:00.000-05:002005-05-22T15:07:35.706-05:00

I've slept more the past 24 hrs than I'm used to, dealing with a stomach bug of some kind since Friday evening. I crashed hard in a wingback chair last evening, fell asleep hard before midnight last night, and then pretty much stay in bed or dozing on that same wingback until noon today. We stayed home from church this morning - Vicki's not feeling good either, so we've been taking it fairly easy

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116706787710146212005-05-21T15:15:00.000-05:002005-05-21T15:19:47.716-05:00

Well, tomorrow's Sunday and I think I've run through my UNITY ideas pretty fully at this point. The concept of "acceptance is more important than agreement" has weighed heavily on my mind, and I think it's worked its way out as honest and truthful to the scriptures and to the way relationships tend to work. Knowing that God "accepts" me - without me having to be 100% perfect in all of my opinions

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116699821243868252005-05-21T13:23:00.000-05:002005-05-21T13:23:42.336-05:00

I'm sitting at Atlanta Bread Company, enjoying a vanilla latte and the mild weather. I think I'm going to blog a bit, then read and wait for my family to call with evening plans. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116681591532522142005-05-21T07:55:00.000-05:002005-05-21T08:19:52.226-05:00

One reviewer said that Anakin Skywalker comes across as a really good man, a really passionate man, who makes some really dumb and misguided decisions. After seeing the "last" of the films last night, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, I think that's spot on, and I'm amazed at how well George Lucas has told a story with a few huge sweeping twists.Someone at work was saying that it's a really weird

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116604205099239172005-05-20T10:50:00.000-05:002005-05-20T10:50:05.206-05:00

So here I am at the end of the week, ready for a little lunch actually, after pondering the concept of "unity" and what it might look like to elevate "acceptance" over "agreement" in our "mindset" towards each other. And why do I use quotation marks way too much... but that's another week's set of posts, I guess. I want to end these ramblings on a negative note - not really, but looking at the

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116566817483156632005-05-20T00:25:00.000-05:002005-05-20T00:26:57.493-05:00

Photo Friday: Green

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116533823345393902005-05-19T15:17:00.000-05:002005-05-19T15:17:03.353-05:00

CBS is cancelling Joan of Arcadia? They just introduced Satan as a character - whaddya wanna bet he's in on this somehow?!?

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116533175385660862005-05-19T15:06:00.000-05:002005-05-19T15:06:15.513-05:00

Way cool. Can't wait.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116525663442639262005-05-19T13:01:00.000-05:002005-05-19T13:01:03.536-05:00

I'm trying to figure out what has made this week feel so long. More than once, I've had to stop and remind myself what day it was, thinking it was a day or two ahead of where we actually were. I think it's because of some extra work-at-home stuff that's made the evenings busier than normal, but I'm not sure. An awards banquet Monday, small group Tuesday, anniversary Wednesday - are we staying in

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116509461080617532005-05-19T08:31:00.000-05:002005-05-19T08:31:01.086-05:00

Got this email from a friend this morning. I've put in bold the ones that are especially vital to being me.Men Are Just Happier People -- What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack.You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116433328634387432005-05-18T19:20:00.000-05:002005-05-18T21:48:03.093-05:00

What a wonderful anniversary - fourteen years is a long time, and yet just a drop in the bucket when it comes to history. We met for dinner tonight at Damon's in the Vista, having steak and playing trivia with the kids - it's really all good, isn't it?I still look at the monologue at the end of the movie The Story Of Us as a testament to what marriage is supposed to be: even when it's rough, it's

Ricknoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116415265550170132005-05-18T07:16:00.000-05:002005-05-18T07:50:35.256-05:00

It's been a very wonderful, very full fourteen years. Seems like only yesterday, and yet we both feel old, feeling that we've been together forever. Memories that don't include my sweetie fade faster than those made since we met in 1988, juniors in college with no sense, no money and nowhere else to hang out besides the BSU with assorted comics, word puzzles, sports pages and good friends. It's a

Ricknoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116359565938951392005-05-17T14:52:00.000-05:002005-05-17T14:52:46.053-05:00

Psalm 133Ephesians 4:1-10From these passages, it looks like harmony in diversity is a big part of being united in Christ. Being different, or at least bringing a different perspective and set of life-experiences to the conversation together, might be a part of the way we are put together as the Body in the first place. When "iron sharpens iron", it's important to note that either "iron" can

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116334660423690672005-05-17T07:48:00.000-05:002005-05-17T15:06:48.786-05:00

NOTE: Tomorrow's our 14th Anniversary - any ideas (besides shower gel)?I woke up the first time this morning at 5:30a, immediately making the decision to roll over and doze a bit before getting up. Wrong - I hate it when I sleep so hard for such a short time, waking up again at 6:30a and knowing it was time but feeling the kinks and cracking-of-the-bones. I should've gotten up earlier, but didn't

Ricknoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116335829726984362005-05-17T07:17:00.000-05:002005-05-17T21:05:03.376-05:00

I've been charged (thanks, Mike!) with the following meme, questions on my musical interests. Hmmmm...01. Total volume of music files on my computer?1.104 GB - not a huge amount, plenty of free space02. The last CD I bought was?IL DIVO, Il Divo - I know, opera/pop - who'da thunk?03. Song playing right now:"Beautiful Redemption", Joy Williams, GENESIS04. Five songs I listen to a lot or that mean a

Ricknoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116251968049881312005-05-16T08:59:00.000-05:002005-05-16T08:59:28.056-05:00

I might need to apologize, or at least explain a little, for interrupting what might've been an otherwise engaging blog with these theology/doctine essays. I don't think of this site as a theology page, but instead as the story of me processing life as it comes. This weekend, the concept of acceptance over agreement in relationship to unity is really intriguing to me, and that's going to be my

Ricknoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116202476857839172005-05-15T18:52:00.000-05:002005-05-15T19:14:36.863-05:00

After posting my earlier "Questions" entry, I had a wonderful time discussing how we see people with Richard. His question was something like, "Is there a specific verse that says God is already drawing people to Himself when we're talking together?" - and I told him I'd had lots of thoughts along those lines when it comes to evangelism and discipleship. Good stuff, leading to even better

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116165601441084412005-05-15T08:58:00.000-05:002005-05-15T09:00:01.453-05:00

[follow-up to post from last night...]What kinds of questions do you have right now? Big hairy life questions? Stuff that makes it hard to sleep at night, or difficult to wake up in the morning? What answers are you looking for, those things that are keeping you from enjoying life, or from making a big decision, or from becoming who you are?I'm sitting in the lobby this morning, blogging and

Ricknoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116122604572318002005-05-14T20:38:00.000-05:002005-05-14T21:03:24.600-05:00

It's almost 10pm, the end of what's been a fairly good Saturday. I've done a smidge of housework, while my wife has been playing buy-a-new-stove roullette around town. Cameron had cheerleader camp this morning, and Trace and I mostly hung out watching DVDs and playing gamecube. Tonight, we watched National Treasure - enjoyed it, fun movie, we were just a step ahead of most of the little twists -

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116069894974466122005-05-14T06:19:00.000-05:002005-05-14T06:43:52.536-05:00

This is how our cat handles weekends. Or any other day, for that matter. Vicki shot this last night - end of a long week, everyone tired, me falling asleep on the couch while watching NUMB3RS with my sweetie, and the cat snoring. We're a wild and wacky bunch, huh?And then there's this photo of the new "car of my dreams" - I want one, or two if there's room in the driveway:

Ricknoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1116009402482147142005-05-13T13:36:00.000-05:002005-05-13T13:36:42.630-05:00

One of the discussion topics last evening was this: "The Law was never intended as a change agent, but simply to make us aware of the need for change" (something like that; I'm horribly paraphrasing from a book I haven't read). Meanwhile, I'm reading another book that revolves around the need to let go of Linearity: the idea that if I do A B C in the right order and proper intentionality, then D

Ricknoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115988440966395882005-05-13T07:42:00.000-05:002005-05-13T09:26:50.103-05:00

Photo Friday: SpaceOn top of Stone Mountain, outside of Atlanta, GA - last summer's vacation, just staring into space, enjoying the breeze (Mom's taking the photo from a higher, safer position).

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115945824636379942005-05-12T19:47:00.000-05:002005-05-12T19:57:04.666-05:00

I've always liked Support Your Local Sheriff. James Garner hams it up, even-keeled and sharpshooting. It's on tonight, Turner South, and I'm wondering if my wife has enjoyed it over the years, too. I remember first seeing it at an elementary school movie night, way way back in the day.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115921095312071102005-05-12T13:04:00.000-05:002005-05-12T13:04:55.896-05:00

Anyone else have a Thursday this week?I woke up this morning and immediately felt my ankle, still attached to my right leg and still throbbing just a bit. But I needed to be in the office today, so it was a normal a.m. routine for us. I brushed my teeth, showered, dressed, and headed down to throw the dog out. I started the coffee, did the dishes and fixed breakfast while my sweetie got the kids

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115900895682554702005-05-12T07:28:00.000-05:002005-05-12T09:42:06.456-05:00

Maybe you've heard about the issue in a Waynesville, NC Baptist church where a pastor has resigned after a fallout over political views in the congregation. I've withheld comment up to now, mainly, because I know there are at least two sides to every story, and it's taken awhile for some of the particulars to come out. It's sad to see something like this spill out into the media, sad to see that

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115841941636796882005-05-11T15:05:00.000-05:002005-05-11T15:52:34.496-05:00

I received some new books in the mail today. Good timing, since I was looking for something new this week anyway. Two books from Margaret Feinberg (took a week for her to ship them from Alaska - that's so cool!) - twentysomething and Just Married. I've read other projects from her - in Relevant's Deeper Walk devotionals, co-authoring enjoying God with S. J. Hill - and I'm really looking forward

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115836124790125862005-05-11T13:21:00.000-05:002005-05-11T13:55:09.606-05:00

Way cool - one of the things I wanted to do with my "book/movie reviews" is find an outlet outside of this site. And it's happened - just published my first review with Infuze, one I did last week on this site for Eleanor Rigby (free registration - cool site).

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115826792561469932005-05-11T10:53:00.000-05:002005-05-11T10:53:15.036-05:00

This is what happens when my right leg goes one way and my right foot goes another. Used to twist my ankle alot in high school, but this is the first in awhile.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115746645613554082005-05-10T12:36:00.000-05:002005-05-10T12:37:25.616-05:00

Trace's good side - the other side's good, too.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115743856772107302005-05-10T11:50:00.000-05:002005-05-10T11:50:58.010-05:00

I'm looking forward to small group tonight. My wife has been absent for a couple of months with play rehearsals, and I missed last week with sick kiddies at home. But it's all good today - the play is over, the kids will be with Grandma and Grampa, and we'll be hanging out with folks to discuss "unanswered prayer" (I think that's the right chapter). We meet in an office building downtown across

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115732459797720642005-05-10T08:40:00.000-05:002005-05-10T08:41:00.503-05:00

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, "Let anyone who thirsts come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as scriptures says: 'Rivers of living water will flow from within him.'" He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in Him were to receive.- John 7:37-39Wanting to work, to be productive on the job today. And to be silent, to be

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115661917520038442005-05-09T13:02:00.000-05:002005-05-09T13:05:17.526-05:00

From a friend's email this afternoon:I know this is going to sound like one of those "I can top that" kind of stories, but it is real life. My stepbrother was in court for his sentencing last Friday. He was sentenced to 5 years, the minimum sentence for his charges. He had already served 48 days since he as taken into custoday awaiting sentencing at some "local" jail. He was transported to

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115642804078527732005-05-09T07:46:00.000-05:002005-05-09T07:46:45.020-05:00

Anyone familiar with Relevant Magazine, in print or on the web, will know that these guys do things a bit differently from the rest of the Body of Christ. Saying something powerful in a way that's just tweaked enough to make it stick, I think they're definitely onto something. And that's something that makes The Gutter, by Craig Gross (copyright 2005, Relevant Books), stand out.My brother nearly

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115586878832023502005-05-08T16:09:00.000-05:002005-05-08T16:14:38.840-05:00

THANKS, MOM!We've had a very nice day. The sun is shining, a breeze is lightly blowing, the sky is bright blue, and everyone's taking time to show mothers that they're appreciated. Why is this "celebration" only one day long? Father's Day is only one day, but Mother's Day should probably encompass the other 364 days of the year. Just an observation from a son and a husband - Moms, even with "

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115472875981118202005-05-07T08:38:00.000-05:002005-05-07T08:34:36.556-05:00

I posted about "my soundtrack" yesterday - thanks for the feedback and for your own stories. I think what we listen to, what we watch on TV, the movies we choose, and the books we read speak volumes about who we are, about where we are in life, about what's important to us at a given point in time.I'll hit on TV and movies later - right now, I want to spend some time today catching up on my

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115465150898750102005-05-07T06:16:00.000-05:002005-05-07T06:25:52.246-05:00

Looks like it's going to be a gorgeous day today. We went to the school play last night - Cam was the littlest fairy, and the students did a really good job. I've seen A Midsummer Night's Dream a few times, and this production was as engaging as any of them. I don't think Trace got the "inside joke" of Puck turning Bottom into an ass, but he thought it was funny anyway - neat sitting with him in

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1114787406031517852005-05-06T15:10:00.000-05:002005-05-09T14:06:44.616-05:00

I've found over the years that my taste in music often follows closely on what's going on in my life. Growing up and grabbing onto contemporary Christian music, I always had the latest Michael W. Smith, 4Him, Steven Curtis Chapman projects - huge collection of Christian cassettes still shelved in the den closet. Somewhere along the lines after college I started listening to "outside influences",

Ricknoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115380753425141302005-05-06T06:45:00.000-05:002005-05-06T07:08:08.130-05:00

Photo Friday: Action

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115313718318089982005-05-05T12:21:00.000-05:002005-05-05T12:21:58.766-05:00

Two people, same song:C1H2A3P4QueenHonest - not knocking either one. I think it's cool to see that something is striking a chord differently in different circumstances, different people. I also think it's too simple to give one "meaning" sometimes, or to define how something should impact us when we don't know what that something will do to us. For me, I'm tired of the "broken road", and I'm glad

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115296811580627862005-05-05T07:40:00.000-05:002005-05-05T07:52:25.953-05:00

I sprung the "surprise" on my sweetie last night - after talking the past few weeks about remodelling the master bath, I actually made plans to DO IT this week. I took off yesterday and today as vacation days, stripped the wallpaper yesterday afternoon, and let her pick out the color to be painted from the Lowe's paint swatches. She was surprised and amused, and we look forward to finishing the

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115258493823097112005-05-04T21:01:00.000-05:002005-05-04T21:01:34.410-05:00

Gotta love it when someone just does what should've been done a long time ago. I've occasionally laughed at Bill Maher, but he's never been especially funny. Finding a "niche" in political humor was not a good move. Here's a transcript of Craig Ferguson of The Late Late Show on CBS... doing what should've been done a long time ago.[linked via HughHewitt.com]

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115221177375716122005-05-04T10:39:00.000-05:002005-05-04T12:43:04.930-05:00

ESPN.com - OU's Cochell: Resigning was "right thing to do"Let me say first that I have no problem with this: what happened probably needed to happen, what he said didn't need to be said, that it came out probably does show something underlying in him that needs to be dealt with, and the university needed to do this for the good of the program. I do have some problem with the felt "need to report"

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018217.post-1115213664064679362005-05-04T08:34:00.000-05:002005-05-04T08:34:24.526-05:00

CNN.com - Ferrell to return to 'SNL' -- as hostWill Ferrell has been one of my favorites from SNL for a long time, and it'll hopefully be worth staying up for. The cowbell sketch is still one of the best of all-time, and watching him and Cheri O'Teri do the Spartans Cheerleaders would put me in stitches. If I had TiVo, this upcoming episode would be recorded for posterity.Cam's staying home with

Ricknoreply@blogger.com3