Pick A Pet

So the other day, a co-worker put up pictures of a litter of kittens they were giving away to a good home. I have to admit, they were extremely adorable. However, I have thus far resisted adoption.

Which got me thinking about another question though. If you could safely (for you and the animal) have any animal from the zoo as a personal pet, which would you choose?

Personally, I was enamored with the giant elephant shrew when I visited the Philadelphia Zoo.

100K

This past weekend, I passed the 100,000 mile mark on my car. Go little Saturn!

Not So Sure It's Over

So the popular news headline of the day is that it's all but over for Hillary, that she's taking "her last stand at the Alamo", blah, blah, blah. Um, yeah, the only problem with that is that she and Obama are only something like 70 delegates apart and there are several hundred delegates up for grabs in the next big primary day alone and over a dozen states left down the line.

Don't get me wrong. I would be very pleased to see the Clinton machine implode and her shrill voice quieted. I'm just not convinced it's happened and it's all wrapped up for Obama yet. Yes, he is on a roll and is winning in places he trailed just a few weeks ago, but the race is still too close to call and it doesn't appear that either one will have reached the required level of delegates before the convention.

Besides, this is the Clintons we're talking about here. Do you really expect them to fight fair?

Let the candidates (on both sides) run their race, let everyone vote, and then declare a winner. How does that sound?

Oh, and McCain needs to drop the Clinton-esque attack lines of "we need solutions not empty speeches" and start talking about his own proposals if he's going to garner any support from me. And while he's at it, he can stop talking like he knows more about when to change interest rates than the Chairman of the Federal Reserve does. There's a reason why that position does not report directly to the President.

Been Shopping at the JesusMart?

I have mentioned before that I get kind of annoyed with Christian trinkets. (Like when the front 1/3 of the local Christian bookstore is filled up with this stuff and doesn't have a single book on global poverty.) I was recently clued into the website, A Little Leaven, which chronicles some of the worst of the worst.

Remember when the craftsmen at Ephesus got really mad because they knew Paul's gospel could ruin their idol trinket business? Turns out they could have just opened a Christian bookstore.

In all honesty though, the fault doesn't lie just on the bookstore owners. They're at least partly responding to consumer demand. Please, don't encourage Christian retailers to fill up their shelves with this kind of thing. Don't buy it!

I understand that having religious symbols and instruments can be helpful in redirecting our thoughts and hearts to Christ. But this kind of thing seems to go way beyond that. We don't need a "Christianized" version of everything the world has.

Performance Review

So I was thinking the other day. Wouldn't it be kind of neat to sit down for an annual performance review with Jesus? Why do I have to wait until the end of my life to know whether or not I'm going to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant"? It's a little like going from kindergarten through college and not knowing what any of your grades are.

I don't know if this means anything or not, but I was pondering this before work yesterday, and I felt a tug that I needed to grab something from the Word before I left. I was like, okay, well it's the 15th so I'll go to Psalm 15. Turning there I quickly realized this is like my life Psalm. I first felt challenged by it when I went to Longwood Gardens for one of my birthday personal retreats. Scribbled in the margin of my Bible I wrote, "Lord, make me into this kind of man. (5/3/02)."

O LORD, who may abide in Thy tent?
Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth from his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against a friend;
In whose eyes a reprobate is despised
But who honors those who fear the LORD;
He swears to his own hurt, and does not change;
He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.

Almost six years later, I don't know what my "grade" is on this yet. But I know I still want to become unshakable. And maybe that's more important than my grade anyways.

The Usual

Oh look, another blog post where I refer to an article in the Economist that talks about the political race and Barrack Obama, and where I post another video from Youtube.

Another Tragic Loss

For those grieving another terrible act of violence and loss at Northern Illinois University, my heart and prayers go out to you.

If I may dedicate this song, it speaks of the loss of young, hopeful lives:

Happy St. Valentines Day

This is a repeat post but fittingly it was on my mind today. Happy Valentine's Day.

Because I am as yet weak in love, and imperfect in virtue, I have need to be strengthened and comforted by You; visit me often therefore, and instruct me with all holy discipline. Set me free from evil passions, and heal my heart of all inordinate affections; that being inwardly healed and thoroughly cleansed, I may be ready to love, strong to suffer, steady to persevere.

Love is a great thing, yes, altogether a great good; by itself it makes light every thing that is heavy, and it bears evenly all that is uneven. For it carries a burden which is no burden, and makes every thing that is bitter, sweet and tasteful. The noble love of Jesus drives a man to do great things, and stirs him up to be always longing for what is more perfect. Love wills to be on high, and not to be kept back by anything low and mean. Love wills to be free, and estranged from all worldly affection, so that its inward sight may not be hindered; that it may not be entangled by any temporal prosperity, or by any adversity subdued.

Nothing is sweeter than Love, nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in Heaven and earth; because Love is born of God and cannot rest but in God, above all created things. A lover flies, runs and rejoices; he is free, and is not holden. He gives all for all, and has all in all because he rests in One Highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds. He respects not the gifts but turns himself above all goods unto the Giver.

Love often knows no measure, but is fervent beyond measure. Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of labors, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; for it thinks all things possible for itself and all things lawful. It is therefore strong for all things, and it completes many things and brings them to effect, where he who does not love faints and lies down. Love is watchful, and sleeping slumbers not. Though wearied it is not tired; though pressed, it is not straitened; though alarmed, it is not confounded; but as a lively flame and burning torch, it forces its way upwards and securely passes through all. If any man love, he knows what is the cry of this voice. For it is a loud cry in the ears of God, that ardent affection of the soul when it says, 'My God, my Love, You are all mine, and I am all Yours.'

Enlarge me in Love, that the inward palate of my heart may learn to taste how sweet it is to love, and in Love to be dissolved and to bathe myself. Let me be holden by Love, mounting above my self, through excessive fervor and wonder. Let me sing the song of Love, let me follow You, my Beloved, on high; let my soul spend itself in Your Praise, rejoicing through Love. Let me love You more than myself, nor love myself but for You; and in You all that truly love You, as the law of Love commands, shining out from Yourself.

Love is swift, sincere, kindly-affectioned, pleasant and delightful; brave, patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, manly, and never seeking itself. For where a person seeks himself, there he falls from Love.

Love is circumspect, humble and upright; not yielding to softness, or to lightness, nor attending to vain things; it is sober, chaste, firm, quiet and guarded in all the senses.

Love is subject and obedient to its superiors, to itself mean and despised, unto God devout and thankful, trusting and hoping always in Him, even when God is not sweet unto it: for without sorrow none live in love. He that is not prepared to suffer all things, and to stand to the will of his Beloved, is not worthy to be called a lover. A lover ought to embrace willingly all that is hard and bitter, for the sake of his Beloved; nor for things that fall out against one to turn away from Him. - Thomas A' Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

Places To Talk

So Sunday evening I went over to Border's and quickly read through Sissy Nation. One of the things the author described was the absence of places today where people meet to meaningfully discuss different views and opinions. He cited an incident where he observed an older gentleman and younger gentleman (perhaps a son and father-in-law) talking at a bar. The older man asks the younger man what he thought of the radio station he suggested to listen to, which was NPR. The young man mentioned that he was interested at first but then noticed that most of the stories were from the same perspective and that he questioned some of the things that were being said. The older man went into a tirade on how NPR is all he listens to and is always right and so on and so forth which effectively ended the conversation. (Note: you could change the word NPR to Fox News and get the same conversation.)


The whole segment really resonated with me. I wish there was more open public discussion and dialogue. I wish there was a coffee shop I could go to where people were gathered around open tables and you could drop into the conversation at random. Where there was give and take in discussion and meaningful, edifying, substantive conversation that influenced and altered people's behavior. I mean, really, where can you find something like that? You can't talk in the library. People at Barnes and Noble and Borders are either in small, tight couples or groups or alone and listening to their I-pod. (I've been guilty of this too.) And even if a discussion would get generated in a larger group, are we civil, kind and open minded enough to keep it going for even five minutes?

I think that's why I love the Kairos lunches so much. (And probably why I too often leave chastising myself for talking too much.) We really do have these really great conversations there. The only somewhat negative is that we tend to be a fairly homogeneous group. A little more diversity would add something to the conversation.

The only other place I feel like I get this is in blogs. But it's not the same when it's not in person or in real time.

Know what I mean?

Political Hypothetical

Let's assume that (1) Obama wins the most delegates but (2) enough super-delegates go to Clinton which pushes her into the nomination and (3) they don't run on the same ticket (4) would Obama run as an independent?

I don't think this bizarre scenario will actually unfold, but it's kind of interesting.

Request

I have a request to make. Can it be Spring now?

Please.

I jumped on a fork because I'm sexy and I do what I want

I don't believe in forwards so I'm posting this on my blog. It was going around our group at work the other day. Simple pleasures for simple minds.

Pick the month you were born:
January...... I kicked
February... I loved
March....... I karate chopped
April......... I licked
May.......... I jumped on
June......... I smelled
July.......... I did the Macarena with
August...... I had lunch with
September. I danced with
October..... I sang to
November. I yelled at
December.. I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:
1............. a birdbath
2............. a monster
3.............. a phone
4............. a fork
5............. a snowman
6.............. a gangster
7............. my cell phone
8............. my dog
9............. my best friends' boyfriend
10............ my neighbor
11............ my science teacher
12............ a banana
13............. a fireman
14............ a stuffed animal
15............ a goat
16............ a pickle
17............ your mom
18............ a spoon
19............ a Smurf
20............ a baseball bat
21............. a ninja
22............ Chuck Norris
23............ a noodle
24............ a squirrel
25............ a football player
26............. my sister
27............ my brother
28............ an iPod
29............ a surfer
30............ a llama
31............ a homeless guy

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:
White...... because I'm cool like that
Black........ because that's how I roll.
Pink.......... because I'm NOT crazy.
Red......... because the voices told me to.
Blue......... because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green...... because I think I need some serious help.
Purple..... because I'm AWESOME!
Gray........ because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow...... because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange .... because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown..... because I can.
Other........ because I'm a Ninja!
None....... because I can't control myself.

Funkadellic

The following post is best viewed while listening to this:

Some people say they bring sexy back. I just bring the funk.

I need to accesorize these groovy threads.




Far out, man.

Lyrics On The Loose

I saw this on Courtney's blog and thought it was pretty groovy.

Step 1: Put your (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc) on shuffle.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 20 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 3: Strike-out the songs when someone guesses the song and artist correctly.
Step 4: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is CHEATING!

** I made two additional caveats. I did not play two songs from the same artist or include a song which contained the title in the first line. **

1. I'm not the hero who will always save the day.
2. If God had a name, what would it be?
3. This could be the saddest dusk I've ever seen.
4. What if the armies of the Lord picked up and dusted off their swords?
5. Ooh you get me ready in your '56 Chevy, why don't we go sit down in the shade?
6. I met a man locked away for things he hadn't done.
7. Faded flowers in her room, as black as night without a moon.
8. You're like a lonely statue, the wind and rain come at you.
9. Well it's such a shame to let this go to waste, there's little time here for saving face.
10. Cynical, it's just your way. You play the doubting Thomas, feels the scars and wipe the stains.
11. Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high and the dreams that you dreamed of once in a lullaby.
12. All my life is changing every day, in every possible way.
13. And now we're just like old friends, we just can't pretend that lovers make amends.
14. I'm what you're looking for, no need to search anymore, I'm in need of your saving.
15. I've got another confession to make, I'm your fool.
16. Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead.
17. It's the song of the redeemed, rising from the African plain.
18. Hope dangles on a string like slow spinning redemption.
19. Here comes my faith to carry me on.
20. What did you say? I know I saw you singing.

Good luck. Some of these are obscure songs, and I don't think I would even get some of the more common ones myself. Oh, and what a smooth transition from songs 4 to 5. Yikes.

Oh, and how do you do strikethrough on Blogspot?

Vote

I voted today. I have to admit, I find it thrilling. For all of the rancor and stench of politics, there is still something glorious about our process of government. I feel so humbled and grateful that I get to vote in free elections. Say all you want about money, power and corruption, for that one moment when you press "Vote" you wield all the power in the free world.

I remember having a British gentleman as an instructor for my American history course in college. I have never gotten over how he marvelled at this aspect of our country. Where else in history has the most powerful person in the world peacefully left his position every four or eight years based on the will of the people? I mean, it really is marvelous. Whoever wins, there will be no threat of coups or violent riots. I don't have to worry that a military dictator will assume power or refuse to relinquish it.

It's a beautiful thing this liberty of ours.

Dude, Mind If I Borrow A Couple Trillion Dollars From You?

So I was doing a little research for the next Good Sense budget course. Unfortunately some of the numbers in the leader's guide only go up to 2000, and I wanted to get more recent data. The results are astounding. Did you know that consumer debt in the US climbed from $1 trillion in 1994 to $2.5 trillion last year? Of that $2.5 trillion, $938 billion is on revolving debt (i.e. credit cards). This is just consumer debt which doesn't even include mortgages! You can tack on another $11 trillion for that.

Does anyone else see that just maybe this could be a problem? Let's think about this. So if the general population owes $11 trillion in mortage debt, $2.5 trillion in consumer debt and the federal government is about $5 trillion in debt ($9 trillion if you want to get technical), guess who we owe the money to?

Oh what am I worried about? That $386 billion the government owes to China could never come back to haunt us.