The giggle of the week, You just have to click through and look.
Excuse me while I compose myself….
The Best Big 12 Related Costume You’ll See Today – Nebraska Football
Tozer Devotional :: The Alliance
A.W. Tozer is one of my favorite authors. At his heart he is a worshiper and I almost always connect with his thoughts. This one comes from his online devotional. It has an RSS feed so I get it every morning in my Google Reader. Here is the money quote:
Many of us spoil our prayers by being too “dainty” with the Lord (as some old writer called it). We ask with the tacit understanding that the cost must be reasonable. After all, there is a limit to everything, and we do not want to be fanatical! We want the answer to be something added, not something taken away. We want nothing radical or out of the ordinary, and we want God to accommodate us at our convenience. Thus we attach a rider to every prayer, making it impossible for God to answer it.
Click through and be challenged.
Tozer Devotional :: The Alliance
Thomas Sowell : Taxing Times
Another great article by one of our most articulate conservatives. Ask yourself the question; who owns the company I work for? and where would I work if that person or persons decided it wasn’t worth the risk anymore.
Chief Justice John Marshall said it all in one sentence: “The power to tax is the power to destroy.”
It is not the money that is taxed away that is destroyed. What is destroyed is the wealth that does not get produced in the first place,
Thomas Sowell : Taxing Times – Townhall.com
I have been reading the Fat Cyclist blog for a long time. I started reading when he and his friends built a teeter totter for their mountain bikes in the back yard. Eldon Nelson is the author and though I have not met him he is the kind of guy you just want to hang out with. He loves life, doesn’t take himself too seriously, and cares deeply for his family and friends.
A few months ago we found out his wife Susan has cancer. As I read the post I could feel the love he has for his wife and children and my heart went out to them. I felt like a trusted friend as he shared the internal struggle of how much to tell us because, after all, it’s a cycling blog.
A few days ago I rejoiced with him when they received a good report from the Dr. then over the weekend things took a turn for the worse. Eldon is telling us the final chapter of Susan’s life has been written. My heart is crushed today. I don’t know where they stand spiritually Eldon has tried to keep things light and humorous except for a few serious posts. I read a lot of blogs and today Dean Barnett passed away. Dean was a great thinker, light hearted, and gracious. I will lift up the Barnett family as well but the Nelson family is different. I don’t know why.
What I do know is my friends are full of faith and people of prayer. Not the type who are casual in their time with God but passionate and take God at His word. So I’m posting a link to the Fat Cyclist blog so you can read Eldon’s latest post and stand in the gap for this family. I want to do more but I don’t know what to do. I want to fix it but I know that’s out of my hands. No pressure. If something stirs in you go read the post and stand with them in prayer.
Bless you all.
I am sick of politics, though I am hopeful, I am discouraged today at the ignorance, I mean that not in the pejorative sense, of the American public. So I’m going to change the subject.
I don’t really know if anyone reads this blog and if anyone does I really don’t know why. Today I am going to do an experiment. I’m going to ask a question,
Here it is:
It’s about 58 and sunny today and since my work hours have changed to 6:00 am to 3:00 pm I get home around 3:45 with plenty of time to ride outside. I hate riding indoors and can’t seem to make myself. I would love to get a computrainer but I don’t have $1,000 and I’m not convinced if I bought one I would use it. Did I mention I hate riding indoors? I did? Sorry.
I don’t really have the gear for winter riding. I have one very light pair of full finger gloves, one pair of very cheap tights with no chamois, one long sleeved jersey, a very light jacket, good headcover, a pair of shoes full of holes, ventilation not worn out. 🙂
Do you ride in the cold?
Where do I start accumulating gear?
Should I buy tights or leg warmers?
Where should I spend my money? I’m thinking shoes but not sure.
So there it is. let me know what you think. even if your not a cyclist I would love to hear your thoughts.
Last night at about 7:00 PM I was nervous and excited as I waited for my oldest son to kick off the first song in his first public appearance in the Battle of the Bands competition. Then at 7:20 I was amazed.
Not that I didn’t think he would do a great job I just didn’t expect what I saw. I should have but I didn’t.
He only started playing with these guys a couple of weeks ago. He would come home from practice and tell me how great it was and how great they were going to do. He is an eternal optimist, like me, sometimes to a fault. So I didn’t really know what to expect.
Since he was very young his mother and I could see that he would be a leader. Not because he’s aggressive he is not a type “A” personality. He does however have a very strong personality very charismatic and magnetic. Wherever he goes he draws a crowd. His style is confusing to kids his age and to adults. Part skater, part emo, part hardcore, whatever that means. I’m just going by what I’m told. At his previous school those who didn’t take the time to get to know him looked at him with misgiving. They assumed he was a rebel and not to be trusted. Those who got to know him however immediately fell in love with him. Most people do.
So I shouldn’t have been surprised when he stood center stage encouraged the students to come to the front and engage, not merely observe. Then I stood in amazement and wonder as I watched him confidently start the songs, sing the lead part, and lead the band . I shouldn’t have been but I was.
When it was all said and done I stood full of pride, seeing what I knew was inside him emerge with such confidence and strength. So today my heart is full and yet there is some sorrow at the thought of him growing up and moving on. Hoping I have put into him all I should have as his dad. Hoping I was a good steward and faithful to train him up in the way he should go?
Ultimately I know he belongs to the Lord and He will bring to completion the good work He has begun in him. I pray the good he received from me will bear fruit and the bad will die on the vine.
Thank you God for my sons. As I did when they were babies I give them to you and trust you to do in them what you created them to do and to be. Give me the wisdom to step up when I should and step down when I should.
Amen.
Help a friend in need
My friend Ken Verheecke is a full-time musician who travels to churches all over America playing concerts and selling his CDs. He’s got a huge heart for people and is a fantastic musician.This past weekend he was driving to a gig in Cody, WY when the engine blew on his car. He drives a Toyota Corolla, nothing fancy. The repair costs are astronomical ($8600 for a new engine from Toyota, and so far the cheapest used engine they’ve been able to find will run $5900).
As you can imagine, that kind of money is hard to come by, especially given the economic circumstances of our time and the high cost of fuel.
That said, I’m inviting you all to check out Ken’s site at http://kvmusic.net and prayerfully consider giving to his ministry. Prayers for this situation are, of course, also needed.
BTW, he doesn’t know I’m posting this around the internet. I believe in his calling and believe God will take care of this need once people are aware.Thanks, friends.
Hat tip: The Journey: Help a friend in need
This is note from my pastors facebook page. The money quote:
The whole note is below. Be blessed and encouraged.
Fear and Panic
ShareYesterday at 6:19pmMatthew 7:24-27 NIV”Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Panic and fear are horrible houseguests and lousy motivators. With the current unease in the financial markets and the uncertain political future in our country, even mature believers are finding it difficult not to panic or make decisions based on fear. I believe these times are meant to shake everything that can be shaken and to reveal those things that have been established on biblical principles. Jesus told us this would happen. This is the hour to put the teachings of Jesus to the test. It does seem like the rain is coming down in buckets and the wind is blowing with hurricane force. These storms will reveal what is established on Christ. The only reason we should be afraid is if we have not established our families, our finances and our faith on the proven principles of Scripture. I am convinced this is the finest hour for the local church.
Remember, without faith, it is impossible to please God. Now is the time to pray fervently, give generously, serve willingly, love always and stand firm. The testing of our faith will produce a pure and spotless bride, free from the corruption of our world. Make no decisions that are based on fear and refuse to panic. The Rock has never been swept out to sea or destroyed by the winds of chaos. While institutions and governments may crash, God is faithful to provide and defend His church and His bride.
This is why I want Ron Brown on the NU coaching staff, and oh by the way he’s a great coach.
Wow, God is so good.
I had a great time in Kansas City helping to lead worship for the Stonecroft Ministries Impact 08 conference. The speakers were excellent Sara Groves was excellent and the women who attended were so gracious.
The team was very talented, full of love for God, HIs presence, and His people. What a privilege to be a part of it. Here are a few pictures:
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