Monday, May 08, 2006
New Blog
I have decided to change blog servers, Here is the link. I will try to do a better job of updating this one.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Throw me a Bone
I am thinking about getting an ipod nano. Against my better judgment I am stepping over to the dark side. I thought sense I am some liberal, I should follow the trend of all the other lemmings. No not really. I am just tired of not being about to download pod cast from the internet. Anyways I need your help. I am going to order my ipod from apple, and they engrave the back of the ipod for you. But being unoriginal I have no idea what I would put. I was thinking something like “I love kittens” or “Damm the Man, Save the Empire”
But I am sure someone can come up with something better. So if you will do me a favor and leave your suggestions as a comment.
But I am sure someone can come up with something better. So if you will do me a favor and leave your suggestions as a comment.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Miller's Response
Most of you know that I a huge of Donald Miller. Ok I’ll be truthful here I am kinda of obsessed. I would read the Funday Sunnies if he wrote them. So a couple of months ago I asked Miller a question on his fan site. I was not sure if I would get an answer not, but I did. Below is my question and his response.
At the time I submitted this question I was really questioning if it what the happy medidum of evanglism was in the State. I think so many times as a church we try to throw a prepackage form of Christianity in poeples face. And most of the time they reject it.
In Miller’s response: Thirteen Paradigm Shifts, he does a great job of explain how we as Christians can interact and relate to non-Christians in a non threading way. I am not saying that Millers word are the final say, but he does a great job breaking this down in a way I can understand it.
Don,
I am so happy that you have created a forum like this to interact with your fans. So I have read all of your books. I think your style talks across so many borders in the Christian and non – Christian world. I have been accused by some of my friends of being a little obsessed with your books. Not obsessed I just want as people to read what you write, because I think you present the gospel in such an unique way.
I always thought if I had the opportunity to ask you a question (in person or by email) I would come up with this profound question that would result in a thoughtful profound answer from you. Well when I found out about this website I froze up. It took me a long time to think of a question to ask you. In reality after reading your books, I probably could come up with a million questions. But for now just one.
Actually it is something that I have been struggling with for a while. And after reading an interview and hearing you talk about this I think you might be the man to ask.
What is the happy medium (if any) in evangelism here in the states, specifically to non- Christians?
This has been bogging me down every since I returned from Kenya this past summer. I feel that evangelism is easy in a situation like missions, and especially in a foreign country, to people that have less than I do. But when put on a playing field like I am now “everyday life” here in the states I just can’t do it. Especially in the town that I live I see people struggling with life, and I know that if they only had the Love of Christ their life’s might be fuller. I mean I do share the love that I have, but I don’t share the news. Is that enough? I think the thing that I am afraid of here is offending someone. Giving them impression that all Christians are bible thumping legalist. How do I do this?
Well Don thank you for your time. I am looking forward to reading To Own a Dragon. I actually pulled it on my blog, as well as all of you stuff. Keep writing the mind blow material that you write so well.
Michael
Don’s response:
michael,
if you go to the resource section of www.donaldmillerwords.com there is a free file called “thirteen paradigm shifts” or something like that (click here to open this document). these are the notes from a talk i give on the subject you have inquired about, and i think you will find some interesting thoughts within. you are right about sharing faith being different stateside than it is elsewhere. we live in a unique and complicated country. hope those notes help, michael. all the best.
don
At the time I submitted this question I was really questioning if it what the happy medidum of evanglism was in the State. I think so many times as a church we try to throw a prepackage form of Christianity in poeples face. And most of the time they reject it.
In Miller’s response: Thirteen Paradigm Shifts, he does a great job of explain how we as Christians can interact and relate to non-Christians in a non threading way. I am not saying that Millers word are the final say, but he does a great job breaking this down in a way I can understand it.
Don,
I am so happy that you have created a forum like this to interact with your fans. So I have read all of your books. I think your style talks across so many borders in the Christian and non – Christian world. I have been accused by some of my friends of being a little obsessed with your books. Not obsessed I just want as people to read what you write, because I think you present the gospel in such an unique way.
I always thought if I had the opportunity to ask you a question (in person or by email) I would come up with this profound question that would result in a thoughtful profound answer from you. Well when I found out about this website I froze up. It took me a long time to think of a question to ask you. In reality after reading your books, I probably could come up with a million questions. But for now just one.
Actually it is something that I have been struggling with for a while. And after reading an interview and hearing you talk about this I think you might be the man to ask.
What is the happy medium (if any) in evangelism here in the states, specifically to non- Christians?
This has been bogging me down every since I returned from Kenya this past summer. I feel that evangelism is easy in a situation like missions, and especially in a foreign country, to people that have less than I do. But when put on a playing field like I am now “everyday life” here in the states I just can’t do it. Especially in the town that I live I see people struggling with life, and I know that if they only had the Love of Christ their life’s might be fuller. I mean I do share the love that I have, but I don’t share the news. Is that enough? I think the thing that I am afraid of here is offending someone. Giving them impression that all Christians are bible thumping legalist. How do I do this?
Well Don thank you for your time. I am looking forward to reading To Own a Dragon. I actually pulled it on my blog, as well as all of you stuff. Keep writing the mind blow material that you write so well.
Michael
Don’s response:
michael,
if you go to the resource section of www.donaldmillerwords.com there is a free file called “thirteen paradigm shifts” or something like that (click here to open this document). these are the notes from a talk i give on the subject you have inquired about, and i think you will find some interesting thoughts within. you are right about sharing faith being different stateside than it is elsewhere. we live in a unique and complicated country. hope those notes help, michael. all the best.
don
Sunday, April 16, 2006
The Lord has risen!
Happy Easter! Today is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three days ago he died on a cross upon Calvary. Although this was a sad event, today is the day that we have been waiting for in anticipation. For today Christ has risen from the day. This morning I was reading in the gospel of Luke, about the resurrection, and marveling at what has happened today. Christ died, but his body is nowhere to be found.
One of the most intriguing part of Luke to me is the end of the book: the Road to Emmaus. I have posted it below for you to read. But let me quickly give you my take on it. When I read this I sometimes put myself in the place of one of the believers. And think of how I would react. If I had seen Christ die in that cross and then looked in that tomb and say it empty. And now a man comes up to me on the road and asks what are we talking about. I don’t know I would react. Especially if this man turned out to be Jesus. I think I would freak out. I sometimes put like to put this passage into perspective in my life.
So many times I find myself in situations like that one. We I have some one walking beside me that I don’t know and is asking me about Christ. Instead of coming up with this wonderful explanation I choke. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because I am afraid of how this person might react to what I am saying. Instead of worrying what they think about what I am saying I should just love them and say what Christ would say and not worry about a thing.
Luke 24:13-35 - On the Road to Emmaus
13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him. 17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" 33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
One of the most intriguing part of Luke to me is the end of the book: the Road to Emmaus. I have posted it below for you to read. But let me quickly give you my take on it. When I read this I sometimes put myself in the place of one of the believers. And think of how I would react. If I had seen Christ die in that cross and then looked in that tomb and say it empty. And now a man comes up to me on the road and asks what are we talking about. I don’t know I would react. Especially if this man turned out to be Jesus. I think I would freak out. I sometimes put like to put this passage into perspective in my life.
So many times I find myself in situations like that one. We I have some one walking beside me that I don’t know and is asking me about Christ. Instead of coming up with this wonderful explanation I choke. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because I am afraid of how this person might react to what I am saying. Instead of worrying what they think about what I am saying I should just love them and say what Christ would say and not worry about a thing.
Luke 24:13-35 - On the Road to Emmaus
13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him. 17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" 33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Easter is Coming
I read this psalm this past week at a Passover service. I think it is a great psalm to reflect on as we wait for what is coming tomorrow.
Psalm 116
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD : "O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
11 And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."
12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant ; you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD— in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 116
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD : "O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
11 And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."
12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant ; you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD— in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
Friday, April 14, 2006
The Last Words of Jesus
The following are the last seven words (phrases) that Jesus said during his Crucifixion:
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:24)
Woman, behold your son...Behold your mother! (John 19:26-27)
I thirst (John 19:28).
This day you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43)
My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
It is finished (John 19:30)
Father, into Your hands, I commend My spirit (Luke 23:46)
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:24)
Woman, behold your son...Behold your mother! (John 19:26-27)
I thirst (John 19:28).
This day you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43)
My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
It is finished (John 19:30)
Father, into Your hands, I commend My spirit (Luke 23:46)
Good Friday
Today is Good Friday. I use to think that this is a sad day. Well it is. It is the day that Jesus Christ died on a cross upon Calvary for our sins. For the sins of the world. I still think that this day is sad, but what I see coming in three days is a wonderful thing.
They following is from Luke 23:26-43 about Jesus’ Crucifixion.
26As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus. 27A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. 28At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. 29The time is coming when they'll say, "Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!' 30Then they'll start calling to the mountains, "Fall down on us!' calling to the hills, "Cover us up!' 31If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they'll do with deadwood?" 32Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution. 33When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus prayed, "
Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. 35The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God--ha! The Chosen--ha!" 36The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: 37"So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!" 38Printed over him was a sign: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: "Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!" 40But the other one made him shut up: "Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same as him. 41We deserve this, but not him--he did nothing to deserve this." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom." 43He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise."
They following is from Luke 23:26-43 about Jesus’ Crucifixion.
26As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus. 27A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. 28At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. 29The time is coming when they'll say, "Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!' 30Then they'll start calling to the mountains, "Fall down on us!' calling to the hills, "Cover us up!' 31If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they'll do with deadwood?" 32Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution. 33When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus prayed, "
Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. 35The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God--ha! The Chosen--ha!" 36The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: 37"So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!" 38Printed over him was a sign: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: "Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!" 40But the other one made him shut up: "Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same as him. 41We deserve this, but not him--he did nothing to deserve this." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom." 43He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise."
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Confession
So I have a confession to make. I know confessions are usually reserved as a conversation between a person and a clergy or a person and God. But in this case I am confessing on my blog.
My confession is this:
The past couple of days I have been mopping around mad at myself and the world. I am not quite sure why. I think it might have something to do with the fact that I have no idea what I am doing with my life right now. No direction. And trying to figure it out on my own is the pits.
My jobs end in August, I thought I had a plan after that but now I don’t know what I am doing. I could go in so many directions.
So I guess my true confession is that I have been a self seeking, narrow minded, prideful wandering fool. (If this exist, I am that)
It was not until last night at my weekly small group did I realize my sinful ways of the last week. We were discussing the Passion of the Christ and the significance of the movie to this Easter week.
And then it was when I realized that I had been so foolish. Why have I been acting this way?
Especially this week: Holy Week.
The week that we remember why Christ died on that cross upon Calvary. He died for our sins. For the sin you and I have and will commit. He suffered a great deal of pain on that cross. A pain that I could only imagine. A pain that I never want to experience. And there is me. Walling in my self pity. Trying to figure out a life that is not mine to figure out. Only God know that outcome at this point. He knows who my wife is, and when we will meet….
If we will have kids, and what their names are…..
Where I will live until I am old and grey…. And what day and time I will perish from this earth.
Yes it is my life, but it is not up to me what happens. I can only sit back and enjoy the ride.
The book I am currently reading talks a little about this, how God knows are plans and will provide for us.
Here is a great quote… the author is explaining the Lord’s Prayer:
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven.
The author then paraphrases this into Jesus saying this:Look, you are going to want to do things your way, but your way isn’t the best for you. Trust me, I know what you need.
That is so amazing. Now if I can go through this week, and the weeks to comes, and the rest of my life remembering that I think I will be just fine.
My confession is this:
The past couple of days I have been mopping around mad at myself and the world. I am not quite sure why. I think it might have something to do with the fact that I have no idea what I am doing with my life right now. No direction. And trying to figure it out on my own is the pits.
My jobs end in August, I thought I had a plan after that but now I don’t know what I am doing. I could go in so many directions.
So I guess my true confession is that I have been a self seeking, narrow minded, prideful wandering fool. (If this exist, I am that)
It was not until last night at my weekly small group did I realize my sinful ways of the last week. We were discussing the Passion of the Christ and the significance of the movie to this Easter week.
And then it was when I realized that I had been so foolish. Why have I been acting this way?
Especially this week: Holy Week.
The week that we remember why Christ died on that cross upon Calvary. He died for our sins. For the sin you and I have and will commit. He suffered a great deal of pain on that cross. A pain that I could only imagine. A pain that I never want to experience. And there is me. Walling in my self pity. Trying to figure out a life that is not mine to figure out. Only God know that outcome at this point. He knows who my wife is, and when we will meet….
If we will have kids, and what their names are…..
Where I will live until I am old and grey…. And what day and time I will perish from this earth.
Yes it is my life, but it is not up to me what happens. I can only sit back and enjoy the ride.
The book I am currently reading talks a little about this, how God knows are plans and will provide for us.
Here is a great quote… the author is explaining the Lord’s Prayer:
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven.
The author then paraphrases this into Jesus saying this:Look, you are going to want to do things your way, but your way isn’t the best for you. Trust me, I know what you need.
That is so amazing. Now if I can go through this week, and the weeks to comes, and the rest of my life remembering that I think I will be just fine.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Vegas!
I am in Las Vegas this week. Between golfing and whatever esle I might be too preoccuiped to post on this blog. But I promise if I hit that big jackpot you will be the first to know. Well maybe not the first, after I run naked in the casino screaming at the top of my lungs I think the people there might catch a clue that I have just won enough money to put my kids through college. (Dont worry mom I really dont have any kids it is just an expression.)
60 Days!
Sunday was my 60th day of snowboarding. Some would say that you need 100 days to be considered a ski bum. Well say what you want, I feel that I ski a good number of days. Even though our season was not the best the last month was magical! We had 90 inches in the month of march alone. Oh well just 9 months until next season. Or if you are hardcore like some of my buddies you ski backcountry until the snow melts.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Miller's New Book.
This past weekend while I was in NC I picked up Donald Miller’s new book: To Own a Dragon. If you know me at all you know that I am a huge Miller fan. Some say that I have not business reading this book because I grew up with a father. While this is true, I say I have all of the business in the world reading this book. Yes the book is written by someone who grew up without a Earthly father, I feel that he also wrote the book for those of us that grew up not truly knowing our Heavenly Father. Or those of us that are currently seeking him out daily. When I was growing up I feel that I knew that God existed, but I was not quite sure that I really knew him, that is I did not have a close relationship with Him. It wasn’t until about 3 and ½ years ago, when I truly met my Heavenly father.
In this book Miller does a great job about describing his journey without an earthly Father, while seeking a relationship with His Heavenly Father. Miller teams up with John MacMurry who is a landscape photographer. Miller lived with John and his family for a few years in Oregon. Miller describes what he learned about families as well as life while living with John. I could talk for hours about this book and Miller, but I am not. So go pick up this book or anything from Miller.
In this book Miller does a great job about describing his journey without an earthly Father, while seeking a relationship with His Heavenly Father. Miller teams up with John MacMurry who is a landscape photographer. Miller lived with John and his family for a few years in Oregon. Miller describes what he learned about families as well as life while living with John. I could talk for hours about this book and Miller, but I am not. So go pick up this book or anything from Miller.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Big Questions ?
If you have read a few of my last posts, you may notice that I have been asking a lot of questions lately. Call if a crisis, call it an epiphany, call it being an adult. Call it what you want. I quite don’t know what to call it. Maybe it has taken me 27 years to figure out I don’t have to take everything I am told literally. I don’t think I have fully don’t this in my life, but for the most part I believe a lot of what I have been told by my parents, teachers, and the media for what they tell me. But lately I have began to question everything. Maybe it is the company that I keep. Maybe this is Gods way of showing me that I should question a lot of things.
I think some of it is that I am tired of going with main line answer. I have taken a stance to think out side the box. Especially when it comes to my faith. All my life I have taken full stock in what I was taught about God. But lately it has been different. Questions that deal with heaven and hell, sin, grace and glory have been swimming in my head over the last couple of week. I do get a lot of these questions answered at the church I go to and in the books that I read. But I am convinced that only God knows these answers, and maybe he will show them to me in this life, or maybe in the next.
I think some of it is that I am tired of going with main line answer. I have taken a stance to think out side the box. Especially when it comes to my faith. All my life I have taken full stock in what I was taught about God. But lately it has been different. Questions that deal with heaven and hell, sin, grace and glory have been swimming in my head over the last couple of week. I do get a lot of these questions answered at the church I go to and in the books that I read. But I am convinced that only God knows these answers, and maybe he will show them to me in this life, or maybe in the next.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Church?
So I am still reading this book called Revolution and it is sparking a lot of thoughts in my head. The books talks about different way that people experience there faith. The author breaks it down to four different categories one being alternative faith based communities (meaning small groups, theology pubs, discipleship). Basically different ways of experiencing faith besides connecting with a local church. Working for a local church I am also thinking about way to get people who are not connected with our church to connect. Just to clarify I am talking about Christians that are not connected with churches. Which you doing think there would be a lot, but actually there at least 3 million people in America that claim they are evangelical Christians that are not connected with a church.
This past weekend I was in North Carolina. Unlike the state that I live in it is safe to say that there are a lot of people that are Christians in NC. But a pastor there told me that only 30% of Christians were tied to churches there, this was a surprise to me. After hearing this I asked myself this question:What does it take to get Christians tied into a local?
Or if they are tied into a local church what will it take to keep them there?
I am not saying that I all Christians have to go to a church. I understand that a lot of people don’t go to church, because of many reasons. They might have had a bad experience with church, or they just don’t fell that they don’t get fulfilled at church. Felling that church does not give them a sense of being close to God. So they find other ways. Some might fell closer to God in there P.J.s reading the bible with a hot cup of coffee. Some might fell closer to God singing in the shower.
While in a bookstore this past weekend I overheard a conversation, from a lady that was looking for a book. She was looking for a book that would answers some about Jesus’ life. She said that she loved her church but she felt that she was getting enough answers about Jesus’ life.
Now I am sure that this is a common all everywhere. But this tells me this is something that is plaguing a lot of people. They are searching for answers and they can not find them at their church. People are obviously asking big questions that they are not getting answered at church.
So can you cure this? Can you?
This past weekend I was in North Carolina. Unlike the state that I live in it is safe to say that there are a lot of people that are Christians in NC. But a pastor there told me that only 30% of Christians were tied to churches there, this was a surprise to me. After hearing this I asked myself this question:What does it take to get Christians tied into a local?
Or if they are tied into a local church what will it take to keep them there?
I am not saying that I all Christians have to go to a church. I understand that a lot of people don’t go to church, because of many reasons. They might have had a bad experience with church, or they just don’t fell that they don’t get fulfilled at church. Felling that church does not give them a sense of being close to God. So they find other ways. Some might fell closer to God in there P.J.s reading the bible with a hot cup of coffee. Some might fell closer to God singing in the shower.
While in a bookstore this past weekend I overheard a conversation, from a lady that was looking for a book. She was looking for a book that would answers some about Jesus’ life. She said that she loved her church but she felt that she was getting enough answers about Jesus’ life.
Now I am sure that this is a common all everywhere. But this tells me this is something that is plaguing a lot of people. They are searching for answers and they can not find them at their church. People are obviously asking big questions that they are not getting answered at church.
So can you cure this? Can you?
Thursday, March 23, 2006
The Passion
Last night the small group that I lead watched The Passion of the Christ. A couple of weeks ago we decided to start asking questions about Lent. As well as really digging into the story and traditions of the season. For me it has been a real rich time, focusing on this season in a way that I never have before.
Last night was only the second time that I have seen the Passion. It is one of those movies that you only have to watch once to grasp the magnitude of an event. As a Christian (a Christ follower – (i.e. someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus) it is a movie that paint such a vivid picture of the crucifixion. As I live my life everyday I carry the images depict in the movie with me.
But as my group went through our decisions the last couple of weeks, we decided that The Passion would give us a tangible view of what Jesus went through during the Crucifixion (or at least a glimpse). During this viewing, (which was still hard for me to watch) I started asking a couple of questions in the beginning of the movie.
One. Am I (are we) like Peter?
By this I mean do we say to ourselves and others that we love Jesus and will follow him no matter what. But when the rubber hit the road we get scared. We don’t know how to react. Will I be like Peter? When I am faced with the same situation, Will I deign Christ? I hope I can say I will not. But sometimes I find myself in situations that I have the choice to tell someone that I am follower of Christ and share my faith with them, for some reason I get scared and back out. Now some my not, but I consider this deigning Christ. I only hope that I can improve on this each time I find myself in this situation.
The second question:
What happen to those involved in the Crucifixion of Jesus?
(Judas, the Pharisees, Polite….)
Were they forgiven by God?
Or did they go to Hell?
(Ok so that is three questions, but this is my blog and I can write what I please).
Even though Judas brayed Jesus and committed suicide what happened to him? This is a question that we could debate for ever. (Actually if you are up for it I am down). I have been thinking along these lines for a couple weeks now. Specifically asking myself questions about Heaven. But that is whole another post. (A topic coming to a blog near you soon).
Scripture tells us some of what happens to these people. But only to a certain point. A lot is up to debate and speculation. I say that we may only know when we get heaven, as who is there or not………….
Last night was only the second time that I have seen the Passion. It is one of those movies that you only have to watch once to grasp the magnitude of an event. As a Christian (a Christ follower – (i.e. someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus) it is a movie that paint such a vivid picture of the crucifixion. As I live my life everyday I carry the images depict in the movie with me.
But as my group went through our decisions the last couple of weeks, we decided that The Passion would give us a tangible view of what Jesus went through during the Crucifixion (or at least a glimpse). During this viewing, (which was still hard for me to watch) I started asking a couple of questions in the beginning of the movie.
One. Am I (are we) like Peter?
By this I mean do we say to ourselves and others that we love Jesus and will follow him no matter what. But when the rubber hit the road we get scared. We don’t know how to react. Will I be like Peter? When I am faced with the same situation, Will I deign Christ? I hope I can say I will not. But sometimes I find myself in situations that I have the choice to tell someone that I am follower of Christ and share my faith with them, for some reason I get scared and back out. Now some my not, but I consider this deigning Christ. I only hope that I can improve on this each time I find myself in this situation.
The second question:
What happen to those involved in the Crucifixion of Jesus?
(Judas, the Pharisees, Polite….)
Were they forgiven by God?
Or did they go to Hell?
(Ok so that is three questions, but this is my blog and I can write what I please).
Even though Judas brayed Jesus and committed suicide what happened to him? This is a question that we could debate for ever. (Actually if you are up for it I am down). I have been thinking along these lines for a couple weeks now. Specifically asking myself questions about Heaven. But that is whole another post. (A topic coming to a blog near you soon).
Scripture tells us some of what happens to these people. But only to a certain point. A lot is up to debate and speculation. I say that we may only know when we get heaven, as who is there or not………….
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Revolution
I am currently reading a book called Revolution, by George Barna. The book speaks of Revolutionaries in a since are people who do whatever it takes to get closer to God and help others do the same. Some of these Revolutionaries are not connected to a local church. Which in a church mentally that seems weird. In America we are taught that is you want to be close to God you go to church.
Barna says, “There is nothing inherently wrong with being involved in a local church. But realize that being part of a group that calls itself a ‘church’ does not make you saved, holy, righteous, or godly anymore than being in Yankee Stadium makes you a professional baseball player.”
Mean that just because I go to church every Sunday, does not mean that I am a better Christian or person than the next guy. In fact there are millions of evangelical Christians in America that are without a church. Now I will say that being involved with a church give me a sense of community, where I can go and worship the Lord and be among the Church ( big C meaning the body of Christ, not just small c, the building and what it does). The fact that I attend a church, does not give me any glory in the sight of God. Now I don’t want to sound bitter at the church, in fact I work for a church. I am just burned out on what the church has become, specially the local American church. In recent years the American church has become too much out Mega size, power point, great music, and entertaining sermons. If I want to be entertained I will go to a movie, or a concert. This is on reason why I think a large number of Christians are not connected with local church.
Some even claim that “The local church is the hope of the world” as Barna argues, (and I argee with him) Jesus and Jesus alone is the hope for world. With that said I want to pose this question, Why is there so much emphasis put on the local church
Here is one closing thought from Barna, “You see, it’s not about church. It’s about the Church- this is the people who actively participate in the intentional advancement of God’s Kingdom in partnership with the Holy Spirit and other believers.
Barna says, “There is nothing inherently wrong with being involved in a local church. But realize that being part of a group that calls itself a ‘church’ does not make you saved, holy, righteous, or godly anymore than being in Yankee Stadium makes you a professional baseball player.”
Mean that just because I go to church every Sunday, does not mean that I am a better Christian or person than the next guy. In fact there are millions of evangelical Christians in America that are without a church. Now I will say that being involved with a church give me a sense of community, where I can go and worship the Lord and be among the Church ( big C meaning the body of Christ, not just small c, the building and what it does). The fact that I attend a church, does not give me any glory in the sight of God. Now I don’t want to sound bitter at the church, in fact I work for a church. I am just burned out on what the church has become, specially the local American church. In recent years the American church has become too much out Mega size, power point, great music, and entertaining sermons. If I want to be entertained I will go to a movie, or a concert. This is on reason why I think a large number of Christians are not connected with local church.
Some even claim that “The local church is the hope of the world” as Barna argues, (and I argee with him) Jesus and Jesus alone is the hope for world. With that said I want to pose this question, Why is there so much emphasis put on the local church
Here is one closing thought from Barna, “You see, it’s not about church. It’s about the Church- this is the people who actively participate in the intentional advancement of God’s Kingdom in partnership with the Holy Spirit and other believers.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Risk
After some crazy events that happened in my life this past weekend I have been giving a lot of though about risk. Specifically taking risks in my life. I came op with one particular question: (actually a lot of questions)
What is the balance in taking risk and obeying God’s voice.
In the last year I have made a lot consideration in the decisions that I make in my life. Most of the time, asking myself: Is this what God wants for me?
Or is it just what I think is what I want or need for my self. Should I consult and wait for God on every decision that I make?
Or if I am 100% absolutely sure that something is the right thing, without conformation from God, should I take the risk?
And what is not taking risk means, doing thing the hard way, or loosing that dream girl?
But on the other hand if is not from God (100 % conformation from him that it is the right thing to do) do I want that risk?
What is the balance in taking risk and obeying God’s voice.
In the last year I have made a lot consideration in the decisions that I make in my life. Most of the time, asking myself: Is this what God wants for me?
Or is it just what I think is what I want or need for my self. Should I consult and wait for God on every decision that I make?
Or if I am 100% absolutely sure that something is the right thing, without conformation from God, should I take the risk?
And what is not taking risk means, doing thing the hard way, or loosing that dream girl?
But on the other hand if is not from God (100 % conformation from him that it is the right thing to do) do I want that risk?
More about my trip
The more and more I think about what I saw in New Orleans the hardest it gets to explain.
I wrote a lot about my trip while I was down there, but I as read it now it seems rawer than I first realized. I wrote most of it and in heat of the moment, and in most of my writing I was angry. Angry at a lot of different people.
Mad at the government for taking so long to respond.
Mad at the local government for not engraining the levees correctly so they would not break.
Mad at myself for not going down before now, or not being able to stay longer and help more.
Right after Katrina, I was mad at God. (OK maybe not mad, but confused.) How could he let this happen?
My emotions tend to run high when I am in the mist of something that I feel so passionate about.
So when I look back at the four or five pages that I wrote about my experience, there are only a few that I feel comfortable sharing on this blog. If you know me this might seem unusual behavior for me. But I really felt that I was mad for the wrong reasons.
But as far as more of my experience in New Orleans here is a small snippet. Imagine coming back to your house or apartment after 3 – 9 feet of water had receded. Pretty hard to grasp how much damage this much water can really leave behind. Forget about saving any thing. From your family pictures to you insulation, all gone. Now that really puts into perspective how much these people lost, and how much emphasis that we put on possession.
As we drove through the had hit areas of New Orleans, my jaw dropped. I had never seen anything like it in my life. House literally gutted. Nothing left. And some areas of town have not even began to rebuild.
Most of the buildings and houses had an X spray painted on them, marking that they had been searched by local law enforcement agencies. Some months after the storms. The lone thing that stuck out was a number at the bottom of the X. This number represented the number of bodies found in the house. Some of the houses had 1,2, and even three at the bottom. Crazy! The authorities are still keeping the actual number of casualties quite.
The last crazy observation that I witnessed in New Orleans, is that six months after Katrina and Rita most people in the city are still rebuilding. You would think that this would not be happing so long after a natural disaster. But it is. Some are still not able to return to their house. Some people are living in the top portion of their houses. Some of the lucky ones are living in what are called FEMA trailers, literally in their front yards.
So this is a small sample of what I saw in New Orleans. The last thing I want to say is that there is still need in that town. Need of a lot things: volunteers, food, money, etc. If you would like to help out in anyway email me and I can let you know how.
I wrote a lot about my trip while I was down there, but I as read it now it seems rawer than I first realized. I wrote most of it and in heat of the moment, and in most of my writing I was angry. Angry at a lot of different people.
Mad at the government for taking so long to respond.
Mad at the local government for not engraining the levees correctly so they would not break.
Mad at myself for not going down before now, or not being able to stay longer and help more.
Right after Katrina, I was mad at God. (OK maybe not mad, but confused.) How could he let this happen?
My emotions tend to run high when I am in the mist of something that I feel so passionate about.
So when I look back at the four or five pages that I wrote about my experience, there are only a few that I feel comfortable sharing on this blog. If you know me this might seem unusual behavior for me. But I really felt that I was mad for the wrong reasons.
But as far as more of my experience in New Orleans here is a small snippet. Imagine coming back to your house or apartment after 3 – 9 feet of water had receded. Pretty hard to grasp how much damage this much water can really leave behind. Forget about saving any thing. From your family pictures to you insulation, all gone. Now that really puts into perspective how much these people lost, and how much emphasis that we put on possession.
As we drove through the had hit areas of New Orleans, my jaw dropped. I had never seen anything like it in my life. House literally gutted. Nothing left. And some areas of town have not even began to rebuild.
Most of the buildings and houses had an X spray painted on them, marking that they had been searched by local law enforcement agencies. Some months after the storms. The lone thing that stuck out was a number at the bottom of the X. This number represented the number of bodies found in the house. Some of the houses had 1,2, and even three at the bottom. Crazy! The authorities are still keeping the actual number of casualties quite.
The last crazy observation that I witnessed in New Orleans, is that six months after Katrina and Rita most people in the city are still rebuilding. You would think that this would not be happing so long after a natural disaster. But it is. Some are still not able to return to their house. Some people are living in the top portion of their houses. Some of the lucky ones are living in what are called FEMA trailers, literally in their front yards.
So this is a small sample of what I saw in New Orleans. The last thing I want to say is that there is still need in that town. Need of a lot things: volunteers, food, money, etc. If you would like to help out in anyway email me and I can let you know how.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
What is back to normal?
I spent last week in New Orleans with a team from my church to helprebuild. I did not go downthere to help rebuild because I wanted to feel good about myself afterI got back. I went downthere because when the Hurricanes hit was deeply impacted. Most of myfamily lives in New Orleansand some sustained damage to their house.The one thing that everyone kept saying to us when were down therewas, "When you go hometell everyone, that we are not back to normal here." Those words stuckwith me and so this is myopportunity to let everyone one know (at least the people that read my blog).Nothing could prepare me for what I saw when I went to New Orleans. Iknew to expect theworst, but some of the damage that I saw was beyond anything that Ihave ever seen.But the one thing that did surprise me, was the spirit of the people ofNew Orleans. You wouldthink that 6 months after a disaster everything would be rebuilt andback to normal. Well this isnot the case. But talking to some people you would never know thatthey went through somethingas tragic as Katrina and Rita.We had a conversation with one man who's house was damage so bad thathe is now living inin his upstairs master bed room with his wife and 2 kids, and atoaster oven. But you would neverknow by his spirit. As I was standing in line at a New Orleans coffeeshop this gentleman cameup and offered to buy our coffee. He said that he appreciated uscoming down and help. Nowthat is amazing. I mean this guy (and many others in the city) in thetop of is water damaged, moldinfested house, and all he wants to do is buy me coffee. How great isthat! Oh course I didnot take him up on his offer. But I did have a chance to talk and praywith him. And that wasenough for me.That was just one example of the amazing spirit of the people of NewOrleans that I experiencedlast week. I will be posting more about my trip in the next couple of days.As I wrote the other day I am working at the ski resort all week. Or Ias I am referring to it asTexas Land (Hopefully only for the next couple of days). I don’t mindthem, or at least don’t mindthem leaving their green, but I want my state back. Oh well by nextweek they will be gone.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Back From the Cresent City
I arrived back from the Cresent City on Saturday. I did not haveinternet access down thereso I was unable to post any updates. I will be posting about myexperience in the following days.I will also try to put some pics up on my photoblog soon. My camarabroke mid trip so I amwaiting to get some more pics from others that I went on the trip with.On another note. When I arrived back in Durango I was welcomed by alarge scale snow dump.By the time storm was over we were left with about 5 feet at ourmountain. After a unusally warmand dry this storm is a welcomed blessing for our town and oureconomy. Although as a localand working at the resort the abunance of snow means more traffic intown and longer lift lines.But I can put up with it for a week or two
Thursday, March 02, 2006
New Orleans
I am off to New Orleans on Saturday, so if I don’t post for a while it mean I am working like a dog. Actually that is fine with me. I am taking a team from my church to help in the rebuilding efforts. I have no idea what to except. I saw some pics that a friend of mine sent me the other day. (Check out them on my photo blog). And when I saw these pics my jaw dropped. I thought that there would not be that much left for us to do. But I think my arrogant assumption is wrong. There probably will be plenty to do down there for years. I will try to post some up dates. Also I will have pics on my photo bog.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
The King Cake
Today at work we had a discussion about the King Cake (tradition during Mardi Gras). I was kind of rusty on the history of the King Cake so I goggled it and found the following:
The history of the King Cake began in 12th century France where the cake would be baked on the eve of January 6 to celebrate the visit to the Christ Child by the three Kings. A small token was hidden in the cake as a surprise for the finder.
But the origins go back a little further than that and as you would guess, it has something to do with the catholic church.
The King's Cake has its roots in pre-Christian religions of Western Europe. It was customary to choose a man to be the "sacred king" of the tribe for a year. That man would be treated like a king for the year, then he would be sacrificed, and his blood returned to the soil to ensure that the harvest would be successful. The method of choosing who would have the honor of being the sacred king was the King's Cake. A coin or bean would be placed in the cake before baking, and whoever got the slice that had the coin was the chosen one.
When Christianity extended its influence and began overshadowing the religions that came before it, many of the local customs were not outright abolished, but instead were incorporated into Christian tradition and given a new spin. This even happened to the tradition of Mardi Gras, and from what we have researched so far seems to be the case, but that's another story. Catholic priests were not predisposed to human sacrifice, so the King's Cake was converted into a celebration of the Magi, the three Kings who came to visit the Christ Child.
French settlers brought the custom to Louisiana in the 18th century where it remained associated with the Epiphany until the 19th century when it became a more elaborate Mardi Gras custom. In New Orleans, the first cake of the season was served on January 6. A small ceramic figurine of a baby was hidden in the cake. Whoever found the baby was allowed to choose a mock court and host the next King Cake party the following week (weekly cake parties were held until Mardi Gras ). In 1870, the Twelfth Night Revelers held their ball, with a large king cake as the main attraction. Instead of choosing a sacred king to be sacrificed, the Twelfth Night Revelers used the bean in the cake to choose the queen of the ball. This tradition has carried on to this day, although the Twelfth Night Revelers now use a wooden replica of a large king cake. The ladies of the court pull open little drawers in the cake's lower layer which contain the silver and gold beans. Silver means you're on the court; gold is for the queen.
The classic king cake is oval-shaped, like the pattern of a racetrack. The dough is basic coffee-cake dough, sometimes laced with cinnamon, sometimes just plain. The dough is rolled out into a long tubular shape (not unlike a thin po-boy), then shaped into an oval. The ends are twisted together to complete the shape (HINT: if you want to find the piece with the baby, look for the twist in the oval where the two ends of the dough meet. That's where the baby is usually inserted.) The baby hidden in the cake speaks to the fact that the three Kings had a difficult time finding the Christ Child and of the fine gifts they brought.
The cake is then baked, and decorated when it comes out. The classic decoration is simple granulated sugar, colored purple, green, and gold (the colors of Carnival). King cakes have gotten more and more fancy over the years, so now bakeries offer iced versions (where there's classic white coffee cake glaze on the cake), and even king cakes filled with apple, cherry, cream cheese, or other kinds of coffee-cake fillings.
Prices range from two to three dollars for a small traditional cake to close to twenty for a large filled one. A more-or-less standard slice of king cake is about three inches wide. The ceramic babies have been replaced with plastic ones, but many places now sell both pink and brown babies. Haydel's Bakery usually has a limited supply of a ceramic baby that they include with the cakes (though not baked inside). Many bakeries will honor requests for custom-made cakes that have more than one baby. I know kindergarten teachers who always orders a cake with a baby for each slice, so none of the kids is left out! That type of cake is also great for practical jokes at the office.
Who makes the best king cakes is one of those questions like who makes the best po-boy, or is Morning Call now unacceptable because they've moved out to Metairie. Remember your manners whenever you enter into discussions on religious topics. Everyone has fond memories of a place in the neighborhood, and some folks are loyal to even the Real Superstore. My personal favorites are Randazzo's (locations in Chalmette, Metairie, Terrytown and Slidell), and McKenzie's (McKenzie's is ubiquitous; if you don't know about McKenzie's, you're not from New Orleans). Yes, I do enjoy the much-maligned traditional king cake from McKenzie's, even though it only has granulated sugar as a topping. Brings back memories from when I was a kid. There are tons of other places in the metro area doing king cakes, so it's almost impossible to review them all. Look for discussions of what folks are eating on the New Orleans Internet Mailing List.
King Cake is traditionally served with chicory coffee' as Coffee' au lat'. It is best eaten warm and if you must break tradition, it can be eaten with ice cream, preferably chocolate.
King cakes are available at bakeries all over South Louisiana, but only after January 6 through Mardi Gras Day. You can order a special King cake from Haydel's year around, One of the only two bakeries that you can. The other bakery is called McKenzie's.*
The history of the King Cake began in 12th century France where the cake would be baked on the eve of January 6 to celebrate the visit to the Christ Child by the three Kings. A small token was hidden in the cake as a surprise for the finder.
But the origins go back a little further than that and as you would guess, it has something to do with the catholic church.
The King's Cake has its roots in pre-Christian religions of Western Europe. It was customary to choose a man to be the "sacred king" of the tribe for a year. That man would be treated like a king for the year, then he would be sacrificed, and his blood returned to the soil to ensure that the harvest would be successful. The method of choosing who would have the honor of being the sacred king was the King's Cake. A coin or bean would be placed in the cake before baking, and whoever got the slice that had the coin was the chosen one.
When Christianity extended its influence and began overshadowing the religions that came before it, many of the local customs were not outright abolished, but instead were incorporated into Christian tradition and given a new spin. This even happened to the tradition of Mardi Gras, and from what we have researched so far seems to be the case, but that's another story. Catholic priests were not predisposed to human sacrifice, so the King's Cake was converted into a celebration of the Magi, the three Kings who came to visit the Christ Child.
French settlers brought the custom to Louisiana in the 18th century where it remained associated with the Epiphany until the 19th century when it became a more elaborate Mardi Gras custom. In New Orleans, the first cake of the season was served on January 6. A small ceramic figurine of a baby was hidden in the cake. Whoever found the baby was allowed to choose a mock court and host the next King Cake party the following week (weekly cake parties were held until Mardi Gras ). In 1870, the Twelfth Night Revelers held their ball, with a large king cake as the main attraction. Instead of choosing a sacred king to be sacrificed, the Twelfth Night Revelers used the bean in the cake to choose the queen of the ball. This tradition has carried on to this day, although the Twelfth Night Revelers now use a wooden replica of a large king cake. The ladies of the court pull open little drawers in the cake's lower layer which contain the silver and gold beans. Silver means you're on the court; gold is for the queen.
The classic king cake is oval-shaped, like the pattern of a racetrack. The dough is basic coffee-cake dough, sometimes laced with cinnamon, sometimes just plain. The dough is rolled out into a long tubular shape (not unlike a thin po-boy), then shaped into an oval. The ends are twisted together to complete the shape (HINT: if you want to find the piece with the baby, look for the twist in the oval where the two ends of the dough meet. That's where the baby is usually inserted.) The baby hidden in the cake speaks to the fact that the three Kings had a difficult time finding the Christ Child and of the fine gifts they brought.
The cake is then baked, and decorated when it comes out. The classic decoration is simple granulated sugar, colored purple, green, and gold (the colors of Carnival). King cakes have gotten more and more fancy over the years, so now bakeries offer iced versions (where there's classic white coffee cake glaze on the cake), and even king cakes filled with apple, cherry, cream cheese, or other kinds of coffee-cake fillings.
Prices range from two to three dollars for a small traditional cake to close to twenty for a large filled one. A more-or-less standard slice of king cake is about three inches wide. The ceramic babies have been replaced with plastic ones, but many places now sell both pink and brown babies. Haydel's Bakery usually has a limited supply of a ceramic baby that they include with the cakes (though not baked inside). Many bakeries will honor requests for custom-made cakes that have more than one baby. I know kindergarten teachers who always orders a cake with a baby for each slice, so none of the kids is left out! That type of cake is also great for practical jokes at the office.
Who makes the best king cakes is one of those questions like who makes the best po-boy, or is Morning Call now unacceptable because they've moved out to Metairie. Remember your manners whenever you enter into discussions on religious topics. Everyone has fond memories of a place in the neighborhood, and some folks are loyal to even the Real Superstore. My personal favorites are Randazzo's (locations in Chalmette, Metairie, Terrytown and Slidell), and McKenzie's (McKenzie's is ubiquitous; if you don't know about McKenzie's, you're not from New Orleans). Yes, I do enjoy the much-maligned traditional king cake from McKenzie's, even though it only has granulated sugar as a topping. Brings back memories from when I was a kid. There are tons of other places in the metro area doing king cakes, so it's almost impossible to review them all. Look for discussions of what folks are eating on the New Orleans Internet Mailing List.
King Cake is traditionally served with chicory coffee' as Coffee' au lat'. It is best eaten warm and if you must break tradition, it can be eaten with ice cream, preferably chocolate.
King cakes are available at bakeries all over South Louisiana, but only after January 6 through Mardi Gras Day. You can order a special King cake from Haydel's year around, One of the only two bakeries that you can. The other bakery is called McKenzie's.*
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Thinking about Lent
So with Fat Tuesday just a couple of hours from being over I have been thinking about Lent. I have to admit most of my life I never gave Lent a lot of thought. I always saw it just as the 40 days before Easter. But in the last few years I have given Lent a lot more attention.
So on my own accord (strike that. Mainly by conviction) this year I am going to make a conscious effort to focus on the meaning behind Lent. And at the same time dig deep in to the scriptures that focus on Christ’s time on earth, and the ultimate sacrifice that he made for us.
I don’t want to come off as being self righteous in my decision to make Lent a priority this year. This is a personal decision that I am choosing to share publicly.
Here are a couple of verses that I found today. The first one is from Joel. Most of the time we don’t use the old testament to describe Easter. But as I read this verse today, it remind me that this season is a chance to change my life and relationship with God for the better, for a promise of more than just this life.
The second scripture speaks for itself.
Joel 2:12-14 (The Message)
Change Your Life
But there's also this, it's not too late-- GOD's personal Message!- "Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!" Change your life, not just your clothes.
Come back to GOD, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he'll do it now, maybe he'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust for your GOD!
Mark 14:22-26 (The Message)
"This Is My Body"
In the course of their meal, having taken and blessed the bread, he broke it and gave it to them. Then he said, Take, this is my body. Taking the chalice, he gave it to them, thanking God, and they all drank from it. 24He said,
This is my blood, God's new covenant, Poured out for many people. "I'll not be drinking wine again until the new day when I drink it in the kingdom of God." They sang a hymn and then went directly to Mount Olives.
So on my own accord (strike that. Mainly by conviction) this year I am going to make a conscious effort to focus on the meaning behind Lent. And at the same time dig deep in to the scriptures that focus on Christ’s time on earth, and the ultimate sacrifice that he made for us.
I don’t want to come off as being self righteous in my decision to make Lent a priority this year. This is a personal decision that I am choosing to share publicly.
Here are a couple of verses that I found today. The first one is from Joel. Most of the time we don’t use the old testament to describe Easter. But as I read this verse today, it remind me that this season is a chance to change my life and relationship with God for the better, for a promise of more than just this life.
The second scripture speaks for itself.
Joel 2:12-14 (The Message)
Change Your Life
But there's also this, it's not too late-- GOD's personal Message!- "Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!" Change your life, not just your clothes.
Come back to GOD, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he'll do it now, maybe he'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust for your GOD!
Mark 14:22-26 (The Message)
"This Is My Body"
In the course of their meal, having taken and blessed the bread, he broke it and gave it to them. Then he said, Take, this is my body. Taking the chalice, he gave it to them, thanking God, and they all drank from it. 24He said,
This is my blood, God's new covenant, Poured out for many people. "I'll not be drinking wine again until the new day when I drink it in the kingdom of God." They sang a hymn and then went directly to Mount Olives.
Fat Tuesday
Today is Fat Tuesday. If you did not grow up Catholic or in the South you might not know anything about what today is all about. The only reason I know anything about this day is due to my parents having roots in the boot state (Louisiana) and growing up in the Episcopal Church. I actually had the opportunity to partake in Mardi Gras my senior year in college (a must do in anyone’s lifetime) So I found the follow background on this great tradition that leads up to Lent:
Mardi Gras, literally "Fat Tuesday," has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event. But its roots lie in the Christian calendar, as the "last hurrah" before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
That's why the enormous party in New Orleans, for example, ends abruptly at midnight on Tuesday, with battalions of street sweepers pushing the crowds out of the French Quarter towards home.
What is less known about Mardi Gras is its relation to the Christmas season, through the ordinary-time interlude known in many Catholic cultures as Carnival. (Ordinary time, in the Christian calendar, refers to the normal "ordering" of time outside of the Advent/Christmas or Lent/Easter seasons.
Carnival comes from the Latin words carne vale, meaning "farewell to the flesh." Like many Catholic holidays and seasonal celebrations, it likely has its roots in pre-Christian traditions based on the seasons. Some believe the festival represented the few days added to the lunar calendar to make it coincide with the solar calendar; since these days were outside the calendar, rules and customs were not obeyed.
Others see it as a late-winter celebration designed to welcome the coming spring. As early as the middle of the second century, the Romans observed a Fast of 40 Days, which was preceded by a brief season of feasting, costumes and merrymaking.
The Carnival season kicks off with the Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night, Three Kings' Day and, in the Eastern churches, Theophany. Epiphany, which falls on January 6, 12 days after Christmas, celebrates the visit of the Wise Men bearing gifts for the infant Jesus. In cultures that celebrate Carnival, Epiphany kicks off a series of parties leading up to Mardi Gras.
Epiphany is also traditionally when celebrants serve King's Cake, a custom that began in France in the 12th century.
Legend has it that the cakes were made in a circle to represent the circular routes that the Wise Men took to find Jesus, in order to confuse King Herod and foil his plans of killing the Christ Child. In the early days, a coin or bean was hidden inside the cake, and whoever found the item was said to have good luck in the coming year. In Louisiana, bakers now put a small baby, representing the Christ Child, in the cake; the recipient is then expected to host the next King Cake party.
There are well-known season-long Carnival celebrations in Europe and Latin America, including Nice, France; Cologne, Germany; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The best-known celebration in the U.S. is in New Orleans and the French-Catholic communities of the Gulf Coast.
Mardi Gras came to the New World in 1699, when a French explorer arrived at the Mississippi River, about 60 miles south of present day New Orleans. He named the spot Point du Mardi Gras because he knew the holiday was being celebrated in his native country that day.
Eventually the French in New Orleans celebrated Mardi Gras with masked balls and parties, until the Spanish government took over in the mid-1700s and banned the celebrations. The ban continued even after the U.S. government acquired the land but the celebrations resumed in 1827. The official colors of Mardi Gras, with their roots in Catholicism, were chosen 10 years later: purple, a symbol of justice; green, representing faith; and gold, to signify power.
Mardi Gras literally means "Fat Tuesday" in French. The name comes from the tradition of slaughtering and feasting upon a fattened calf on the last day of Carnival. The day is also known as Shrove Tuesday (from "to shrive," or hear confessions), Pancake Tuesday and fetter Dienstag. The custom of making pancakes comes from the need to use up fat, eggs and dairy before the fasting and abstinence of Lent begins.
Mardi Gras, literally "Fat Tuesday," has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event. But its roots lie in the Christian calendar, as the "last hurrah" before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
That's why the enormous party in New Orleans, for example, ends abruptly at midnight on Tuesday, with battalions of street sweepers pushing the crowds out of the French Quarter towards home.
What is less known about Mardi Gras is its relation to the Christmas season, through the ordinary-time interlude known in many Catholic cultures as Carnival. (Ordinary time, in the Christian calendar, refers to the normal "ordering" of time outside of the Advent/Christmas or Lent/Easter seasons.
Carnival comes from the Latin words carne vale, meaning "farewell to the flesh." Like many Catholic holidays and seasonal celebrations, it likely has its roots in pre-Christian traditions based on the seasons. Some believe the festival represented the few days added to the lunar calendar to make it coincide with the solar calendar; since these days were outside the calendar, rules and customs were not obeyed.
Others see it as a late-winter celebration designed to welcome the coming spring. As early as the middle of the second century, the Romans observed a Fast of 40 Days, which was preceded by a brief season of feasting, costumes and merrymaking.
The Carnival season kicks off with the Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night, Three Kings' Day and, in the Eastern churches, Theophany. Epiphany, which falls on January 6, 12 days after Christmas, celebrates the visit of the Wise Men bearing gifts for the infant Jesus. In cultures that celebrate Carnival, Epiphany kicks off a series of parties leading up to Mardi Gras.
Epiphany is also traditionally when celebrants serve King's Cake, a custom that began in France in the 12th century.
Legend has it that the cakes were made in a circle to represent the circular routes that the Wise Men took to find Jesus, in order to confuse King Herod and foil his plans of killing the Christ Child. In the early days, a coin or bean was hidden inside the cake, and whoever found the item was said to have good luck in the coming year. In Louisiana, bakers now put a small baby, representing the Christ Child, in the cake; the recipient is then expected to host the next King Cake party.
There are well-known season-long Carnival celebrations in Europe and Latin America, including Nice, France; Cologne, Germany; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The best-known celebration in the U.S. is in New Orleans and the French-Catholic communities of the Gulf Coast.
Mardi Gras came to the New World in 1699, when a French explorer arrived at the Mississippi River, about 60 miles south of present day New Orleans. He named the spot Point du Mardi Gras because he knew the holiday was being celebrated in his native country that day.
Eventually the French in New Orleans celebrated Mardi Gras with masked balls and parties, until the Spanish government took over in the mid-1700s and banned the celebrations. The ban continued even after the U.S. government acquired the land but the celebrations resumed in 1827. The official colors of Mardi Gras, with their roots in Catholicism, were chosen 10 years later: purple, a symbol of justice; green, representing faith; and gold, to signify power.
Mardi Gras literally means "Fat Tuesday" in French. The name comes from the tradition of slaughtering and feasting upon a fattened calf on the last day of Carnival. The day is also known as Shrove Tuesday (from "to shrive," or hear confessions), Pancake Tuesday and fetter Dienstag. The custom of making pancakes comes from the need to use up fat, eggs and dairy before the fasting and abstinence of Lent begins.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Happy Valentines Day!
Happy Valentines Day! I don’t buy into this day at all. Just another day for me. I think the marking gurus like my self have done a great job to implant in our minds that we must buy into the hype of this day. So you say I am bitter, yeah maybe. But just because I don’t have a girl doesn’t mean that I don’t have a reason to celebrate. I just choose not to buy chocolate and roses for some girl I won’t even see in two months. I think that everyday should be Valentines Day. That is that we should tell the people that we care about how much we love them all the times.
Chocolate melts and flowers wilt, but love is forever.
Chocolate melts and flowers wilt, but love is forever.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Let the Games begin!
So in a few hours, on tape delay, the work will get a glance at the opening ceremonies of the XX Olympics in Torino, Italy. I always like watching the Olympics. But the older I get the cooler I think they ate especially the winter Olympics (minus ice skating). And now that the Olympics have embraced Xtreme Sports as real sports, I can enjoy them even more. Maybe it was a move by the Olympic organizers to make the Olympics cooler and make more money well they did. I mean who can blame them snow boarding is so cooler than Curling. I don’t get me wrong Curling is cool and all but think about it. Some might say that sports like snowboarding take the prestige and tradition out of the games. I say that snowboarding adds some edge to the Games.
On a side note there is a guy named Jason Smith who is competing in Snowboard cross. Smith is from Durango. Although would probably not claim to know me. But still I am routing for this guys. So hopefully, in the next 14 days you will turn your boob tube to NBC and root for your favorite country or athlete.
On a side note there is a guy named Jason Smith who is competing in Snowboard cross. Smith is from Durango. Although would probably not claim to know me. But still I am routing for this guys. So hopefully, in the next 14 days you will turn your boob tube to NBC and root for your favorite country or athlete.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Miller's Picks
So if you read my blog at all you know that I am a big Donald Miller fan. Miller is the author of 3 soon to be 4 books. Books that I have read and that have changed my outlook on Christianity. I some times say that I would go as far and read the Funday Sunnies if Miller wrote one. Recently on his website Donald Miller words, Miller makes himself out to be quite the sports journalist. Living in Portland Miller seems to be an avid Seattle Seahawks fan. Miller even goes out on the limb and picks Seattle by 10. Bold prediction considering the point spread is only 3. I love the guy and love his books. But I think I will go the other way with my Super Bowl prediction. I say Steelers by a touchdown. But if Miller is right I will consider him the smartest man alive!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Nothing is Sound
So I was listening to the new Switchfoot album (Nothing is Sound) on my MP3 player today and I am really digging the song Happy is a yuppie word. I have to admit I really did not like alum when it first came out. Actually I really hated. I was such a big fan of their last album The Beautiful Letdown. I thought nothing could top what they had already done. But when I really started to listen to the lyrics of the tracks on this new album I really started to Jones for it. Its kind of like you get a ugly sweater from you grandma the longer it sits in you closet the more you wonder what it really looks like when you wear it. And then you start to get a lot of nice compliments about it from your friends. I guess what I am trying to say, Nothing is Sound is growing on me.
I don’t know if I was just having a rough day, but when I listen to Happy is a yuppie word I mean really listen to each and every word it really helps me. I am going through a time that I am having to make some big life changing decisions. But what this song is saying to me: Nothing is Sound. No matter what decision I make, the only thing that will be there for me in the end is God. And His love. My decisions might not work out the way that I think they will, but God will never fail me.
Reading the lyrics of this song reminds me so much of the book of Ecclesiastes. I am actually going through it with my small group right now. I really feel that this book is so relevant for life. In particular my life.
Ah!
Everyone dies
Everyone loves a fight
Nothing is sound
Nothing is right side right
Evening comes, when the sun goes down in red
Nothing is cool
When will all the fighting end
When will all the fighting end
Happy is a yuppie word
Nothing in the world could fail me now
It's empty as an argument
I'm running down a life that won't cash out (cash out)
Everything fails
Everything runs it's course
A time and a place, for all of this loving war
Everyone buys, everyone's gotta price, and nothing is new
When will all the failures rise
When will all the failures rise, rise!
Happy is a yuppie word
Nothing in the world could fail me now
It's empty as an argument
I'm running down a life that won't cash out
Happy is a yuppie word
Blessed is the man who's lost it all
Happy is a yuppie word (word)
Looking for an orphanage
I'm looking for a bridge
I can't burn downI don't believe the emptiness
I'm looking for the kingdom coming down
Everything is meaningless
I want more than simple cash can buy
Happy is a yuppie wordHappy is a yuppie word
Happy is a yuppie wordHappy is a yuppie
Nothing is soundNothing is soundNothing is sound
Nothing is sound
Nothing is soundNothing is soundNothing is sound
Happy is a yuppie word
Nothing in the world could fail me now
Happy is a yuppie word (word) So calm down, yeah!
So calm down, yeah!So calm down, yeah!
I don’t know if I was just having a rough day, but when I listen to Happy is a yuppie word I mean really listen to each and every word it really helps me. I am going through a time that I am having to make some big life changing decisions. But what this song is saying to me: Nothing is Sound. No matter what decision I make, the only thing that will be there for me in the end is God. And His love. My decisions might not work out the way that I think they will, but God will never fail me.
Reading the lyrics of this song reminds me so much of the book of Ecclesiastes. I am actually going through it with my small group right now. I really feel that this book is so relevant for life. In particular my life.
Ah!
Everyone dies
Everyone loves a fight
Nothing is sound
Nothing is right side right
Evening comes, when the sun goes down in red
Nothing is cool
When will all the fighting end
When will all the fighting end
Happy is a yuppie word
Nothing in the world could fail me now
It's empty as an argument
I'm running down a life that won't cash out (cash out)
Everything fails
Everything runs it's course
A time and a place, for all of this loving war
Everyone buys, everyone's gotta price, and nothing is new
When will all the failures rise
When will all the failures rise, rise!
Happy is a yuppie word
Nothing in the world could fail me now
It's empty as an argument
I'm running down a life that won't cash out
Happy is a yuppie word
Blessed is the man who's lost it all
Happy is a yuppie word (word)
Looking for an orphanage
I'm looking for a bridge
I can't burn downI don't believe the emptiness
I'm looking for the kingdom coming down
Everything is meaningless
I want more than simple cash can buy
Happy is a yuppie wordHappy is a yuppie word
Happy is a yuppie wordHappy is a yuppie
Nothing is soundNothing is soundNothing is sound
Nothing is sound
Nothing is soundNothing is soundNothing is sound
Happy is a yuppie word
Nothing in the world could fail me now
Happy is a yuppie word (word) So calm down, yeah!
So calm down, yeah!So calm down, yeah!
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Make the Most of What God Gives
I read this early this week. If I lived my life this way I think that I would be pretty well off. As humans I think that we make life too complicated. Instead of letting God take care of us we put too much of the burdern on ourselfs.
Ecclesiates 5:18-20 18After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. 19Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! 20God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.
Ecclesiates 5:18-20 18After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. 19Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! 20God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
30 Days!
In my quest to snowboard my brains out this winter; today was a milestone. Today was my 30th day snowboarding this season. This mark surpasses all of last season. I had 30 days in all season. Some would say that I am nothing but a ski bum, but as my friend Matt reminds me ski bums don’t work in the winter. All they do is ski. But I am enjoying myself this season. I am also getting to see a lot of the state of Colorado that I have never seen. In fact 12 of my days this season have been at 4 different mountains including: Copper Mountain, Winter Park, Wolf Creek, and Telluride. Not knowing what next winter will bring I can’t but board as many days possible. And the best of all is there is still 68 more days of the season!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
To Own a Dragon
Two post in one day! World record for me, yeah I know, sorry I have been busy. So my obsession with Donald Miller goes on! Miller is releasing a new book in early February tilted
To Own a Dragon. This book is different from Miller’s three previous works, but from what I have read in the first chapter of the book (Free Download from his website) it is a great book. The book is about growing up without a father. Although I grew up with a father I know this work will be a great read for anyone.
To Own a Dragon. This book is different from Miller’s three previous works, but from what I have read in the first chapter of the book (Free Download from his website) it is a great book. The book is about growing up without a father. Although I grew up with a father I know this work will be a great read for anyone.
Son of Man
Those of you that know me, know I am passionate about a lot of things. But two things are on the top of my list. Jesus.
And Africa.
I came a cross a film that is debuting at the Sundance Film Festival this week that is sure to stir up some controversy in the Christian community. Which is good.
It seem every time I turn around guys like Jerry Farwell are having heart attacks about anything that is new and innovative. Son of Man is such a film.
I have posted the synopsis below. You should check this movie out at your impendent theater or if you live in the sticks like me see it where ever you can.
Also check out the Sundance website for other great movies.
SON OF MAN
South Africa, 2005, 86 Minutes, colorDirector: Mark Dornford-May
Screenwriter: Mark Dornford-May, Andiswa Kedama, Pauline Malefane
The story of Jesus reclaimed as an African fable: a simple concept becomes a remarkable cinematic experience in Son of Man. This is the second installment from the collaboration of director Mark Dornford-May and the South African theatre company, Dimpho Di Kopane. The moniker means "combined talents," and it aptly describes the incredible creative energy on both sides of the camera. Shot against the backdrop of a violence-riddled township and with text updated to modern time, Son of Man delivers one indelible impression after another. Mary conceives the Christ child during a militia attack on a grade school, Jesus asks for the surrender of handguns from his apostles, and the angel Gabriel is a precocious child marked with simple white feathers. Equally intriguing is the melding of the crucifixion and resurrection–alluding to the fact that in today's Africa, political dissidents, as Jesus was, are conveniently made to disappear. In song and originality, the spirit of Son of Man is contagious, a life-enriching elixir for Christians and non-Christians alike who feel mired in the unyielding bigotry of fundamentalism. By modernizing one of the world's most famous stories, Son of Man creates lasting resonance and imparts a significance that is truly glorious.— John Cooper
And Africa.
I came a cross a film that is debuting at the Sundance Film Festival this week that is sure to stir up some controversy in the Christian community. Which is good.
It seem every time I turn around guys like Jerry Farwell are having heart attacks about anything that is new and innovative. Son of Man is such a film.
I have posted the synopsis below. You should check this movie out at your impendent theater or if you live in the sticks like me see it where ever you can.
Also check out the Sundance website for other great movies.
SON OF MAN
South Africa, 2005, 86 Minutes, colorDirector: Mark Dornford-May
Screenwriter: Mark Dornford-May, Andiswa Kedama, Pauline Malefane
The story of Jesus reclaimed as an African fable: a simple concept becomes a remarkable cinematic experience in Son of Man. This is the second installment from the collaboration of director Mark Dornford-May and the South African theatre company, Dimpho Di Kopane. The moniker means "combined talents," and it aptly describes the incredible creative energy on both sides of the camera. Shot against the backdrop of a violence-riddled township and with text updated to modern time, Son of Man delivers one indelible impression after another. Mary conceives the Christ child during a militia attack on a grade school, Jesus asks for the surrender of handguns from his apostles, and the angel Gabriel is a precocious child marked with simple white feathers. Equally intriguing is the melding of the crucifixion and resurrection–alluding to the fact that in today's Africa, political dissidents, as Jesus was, are conveniently made to disappear. In song and originality, the spirit of Son of Man is contagious, a life-enriching elixir for Christians and non-Christians alike who feel mired in the unyielding bigotry of fundamentalism. By modernizing one of the world's most famous stories, Son of Man creates lasting resonance and imparts a significance that is truly glorious.— John Cooper
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Bring it on!
Sorry about my absence from the blog this week. I was out of town at a conference. The conference was great but I got more out of the four days of snowboarding that anything else. So down to the business at hand. Tomorrow is the AFC Championship game. For those of you that have no clue, this game is between the Denver Broncos and Pittsburg Steelers which determines who goes to Super Bowl XL in Detroit. In attempt not to jinx my team I am not going to trash until the game is over.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Need More Sleep?
I wish I could say my absence from blogging had to do with something important. Instead I have been snowboarding and working for the past six days. So not trying to make any more excesses I will try to be better at updating my blog.
On a completely different not I just read a great article by an author named Lauren Winner. Here is the link. It is a great article.
On a completely different not I just read a great article by an author named Lauren Winner. Here is the link. It is a great article.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
The Fall of Troy
For those of you that know me, you might be aware that I am a huge Oklahoma Sooner fan. On top of that I am a just a big football fan. There are probably only two teams in all of college football that I despise. The USC Trojans and the Texas Longhorns. Those two teams played last night in the BCS National Championship game. So oh course I had to pick one or the other. Going against my better judgment I picked the dreaded arch enemy of my Sooners. Now before any Sooner faith take me out back and lynch me let me explain. For the past two years my Sooners have been humiliated in the National Championship game. Two years ago by the Tigers of LSU (by the way that year USC shared that Championship) and last year by the Trojans. So my decision to pull for Texas comes from my deep rooted anger and wanting a little revenge. Plus you gotta pull for the Big 12 even if the Tea sippers are playing. “Hook’em Horns” Here is a link to a full report on the game last night.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year
Happy New Year! So another year. Well if 2006 is good as 2005 was it should be a new year. I am not much for resolutions, but I am determined to pay off my debt this year.
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