Ghosts on Camera

Last night I was photographing some decorated houses. I liked this house because it's original. Unlike traditional Halloween decorations, this one has an alien theme, and you can't tell, but the house is all wrapped in aluminum foil.

What's really interesting about this picture is that if you look closely, you can see that there were two ghosts standing in front of the house.

Happy Reformation Day!!

Girls we need your help PART 2

Thanks to all of you ladies who commented on my previous post entitled "girls, we need your help." Your comments were much appreciated and very insightful. I've actually had guys come up and thank me for provoking this wisdom from you and also expressing what many of us have a hard time understanding. I was not speaking for myself only.

[Before I get further into this, I'd like to mention to any married readers that this is mainly an appeal towards single readers, and since I know many married couples, I'd love for you to please leave comments from an "off the market" point of view that you feel may be helpful. ]

A comment on the aforementioned post brought up the question: "how can women guard guys' hearts?" This question has been quite a topic in my life as I've seen many close male friends of mine get their hopes up and tell me all about girls that were giving them the "signs," only to see them downtrodden later and hopeless about dating. So let's start by defining what kind of girl typically finds herself in this situation. It is my theory that it is usually one of two types:

1. The type of girl that is so attention starved and needy for male presence that she leads guys on left and right, (most often, these are the "damsel in distress" girls who suddenly become helpless whenever a guy's around)
2. The kind of girl that is genuinely just friendly, but unintentionally draws guys in. It is this group of girls whom I now address...

**Please understand that, much like was discussed on the previous post, if a guy develops a crush on you, he will be most obvious, usually, because we guys just aren't as good at "giving hints" as we are about being straightforward. If he begins to give you any special attention that is atypical of how he treats other girls (i.e. offering to get you coffee or pick you up lunch, going out of his way to walk you somewhere, offering little acts of service, etc) then there is a good chance that he has some kind of hopes, not necessarily for marriage (don't freak out here) but at least to get to know you better, perhaps thinking it may lead to a relationship. Being aware of this, it's important that you don't think that because he's doing these things, that he's just "being nice." Most guys don't have time to waste being THAT "nice".

So how do you prevent yourself from the awkward situation of having to tell him you don't care about him that way? One obvious strategy is to read the "signs" he gives you, and if you feel like he's beginning to offer you his heart, don't accept it. I know too many guys who are just a big disappointment when it comes to guarding their own hearts, and they "fall in love with every girl who gives them the slightest bit of attention" (quote from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). You can't really help it when this kind of thing happens; that's more a matter of immaturity on the guy's part. You can, however, usually see it coming a mile away.

It is also important that you realize that not all (and probably not even most) guys are like this. There are those instances when a guy is simply a friend of yours, and the next thing you know, he has a crush on you. What's the best way to approach this? I offer to you a non-exhaustive list of a few steps that can be taken to prevent the breaking of hearts, and could be applied to almost any kind of guy, whether he be the hopeless romantic or the "just friend" turned accidental crush (this list may grow as I think of more).

Steps to prevent having to break a heart (for girls):
1. Don't spend time alone with the guy who's interested in you (if you're not interested in him), under ANY circumstance.
2. Don't be the one who invites him to do stuff with a group of people, (and especially not alone) - find someone else to do it.
3. If he starts to act like you two have a special bond - play it off as though he's being humorous.
4. Don't talk about relationships with him. DON'T!
5. Accept compliments with "thanks" and leave it. Nothing more.
6. If he offers to go out of his way to do nice things (special attention) for you, don't accept it.

Keep in mind that in being careful of your own actions, you are also protecting your integrity and image, because most guys aren't romantically attracted to a girl who has a lot of guys around her all the time. Another thing to keep in mind is that it's best to give the guy the benefit of the doubt if you're not sure whether he's interested. If he's being ambiguous, continue on as though nothing were different, or you may insult him by rejecting him when he hasn't made any advances. (**The reason for this precaution mentioned above)

Finally, it's not your job to guard a guy's heart. It's his own job. A guy who is no good at guarding his own heart is not able to be a good spiritual leader in a relationship. It's your job not to take it into your own hands.

Coming soon...

Okay, I've almost finished this infamous "post" I've been working on, but it's way too late/early to decorate it and work on the aesthetics, so I'm going to take a nap.

Has anyone clicked on the "scary sounds" links in the previous post? Do you recognize it?

I actually have about 5 posts in draft form - will be publishing them soon hopefully. My little sister and her husband will be in town this weekend. I'm going to subject them to Elizabethtown.

Today the Dawgs play the Gators. Depending on the outcome, I will be either severely upset and need consolation, or incredibly happy.

Reformoween or Hallowmation Day?

How do you celebrate Reformoween? I was never allowed to trick-or-treat growing up, because my mother told us that it was "celebrating the devil's birthday". It's da devil, Bobby Boucher!

So I was pretty sheltered. But looking back, it's probably for the better. Think about Halloween decorations. What is celebrated most during this time of year? What most stands out to me are all the images of death. Sure, there are the nostalgic memories (and I'm sure all of you can relate) of the smiley jack-o-lanterns and different cut-outs the teacher would pin up on the particleboard in elementary school, as well as other comforting images of Autumn. And then there's all those Peanuts cartoons and other Halloween movies/cartoons that take us back to the innocence of what was really not much more than "candy day" from a child's perspective.

Then there's the sadness of haunted houses. Each year, for the lofty price of about $12, roughly the gasoline cost of driving your car one mile down the road to Taco Bell, you can walk through a haunted house. I went last year to one called the "frightliner," a cruise boat at Waterfront dressed up like a haunted house, and was quite distraught at the celebration of death. Glorified in every room were images of human bodies being mangled, mutilated, and defamed in numerous dishonoring manners. Again I call to your attention that this is a celebration of the destruction of God's image (human bodies), an apalling thing to celebrate, all for the sake of trying to elicit a "scare" from the viewers.

"Will you escape Dementions, or will you become trapped in torment for eternity as yet another one of its soulless prisoners? Admission is $12.95"
See all of the ridiculous "attractions" that center around Halloween here in Louisville

So for $12.95 you can find out if you'll lose your soul or not. Neat. I'm just glad it's not 13 whole dollars. That would just be too much.

Isn't there a reason that these images are considered "scary?" It bothers one's psyche because it's not the way we were created to exist. We were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, not to celebrate the mutilation of His image which He's shared with us. It's amazing that people who whine about the bloody scenes in The Passion of the Christ (which are meant to represent the horror of sin's consequences) are the same people who go out and entertain themselves to the greater levels of gore and destruction at haunted houses.

This Halloween, let's make it about the reformation and liberation from the religious audacity of Papal rule. And if you're Catholic or "non-religious," I urge you to at least abstain from finding pleasure in human destruction.

Special Thanks to Jeannine for the sunset
Scary Sounds: Let Loose , Scary

Engagement Annoucement

Congratulations to David and LeAnn on their engagement! He proposed to her at Lake Tuscaloosa in her home state of Alabama about a week ago. We wish them the best as they plan for their wedding and prepare for a married life of full time service to God. Currently, they have plans to move to Scotland after their wedding.

Red & Black and Disappointing All Over

I'm so sad to report this, but I'm delaying our scheduled topic (to which I have been giving a great deal of thought) in order to address something terrible that Jeannine informed me about today. I want everyone to know how much it pains me to see the way so many women are allowing themselves to be mistreated and abused, selling their bodies for dollars.

Today, an article ran in UGA's newspaper, The Red & Black, concerning "strip clubs". The sad thing is that the article heavily promotes the use of these clubs and markets them as something wonderful that the general public is missing. Throughout the article, the author tries to normalize the frequenting of the clubs. He writes

the truth of the matter is that, from the standpoint of a guy with a girlfriend, going to a strip club is less about lusting after someone else and more about the visual enjoyment of what is, in reality, a pretty odd spectacle. There’s an interesting sense of camaraderie among friends who go to a strip club together, since you’re sharing such an absurd experience and saving each other the embarrassment of being that creepy guy who goes to the strip club alone.

Yeah... so now you're a group of eight creepy guys at a strip club together. It doesn't make it any better. Maybe these guys feel justified in their actions, but the bottom line is that they're promoting the exploitation of the women who work for the establishments. These women are selling their bodies for dollars at a time. A price is put on the image of God, a price that is disgracefully unworthy.

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:27

These women, these "image-bearers" of God, disgrace the One who gave them that image. And it's a two-way street. The guys who go there are fooling themselves into feeling fulfilled by an empty offering of flesh that will, like a drug, leave them even emptirer. A God-given desire for a meaningful relationship is distorted and the world's offering is a temporary fulfillment of carnal desires. As these anything-but-gentleman clubs present women in their humility, guys ogle them and make them into mere objects, dehumanizing them and viewing them as nothing more than "entertainment."

Because of a God-given desire to connect to another human being in a deep, committed, meaningful relationship, (Gen 2:18), sex has become something that is openly marketed. Respect for the opposite gender is being thrown out the window as women become more aware of men's inability to control their physical passions, and men continue to view women as nothing more than objects for entertainment.

They are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. Phil 3:18-19

This author has evidenced that he finds "glory in his shame" as he deems something that is truly unrespectable and shameworthy to be "quite an attraction" and "well worth the money." And so another tasteless journalist influences the minds of young college students at another state university.

For a more informed and different gender view on this topic, go to Jeannine's Site

To see an actual picture of the article, click here.

Girls, we need your help

The other night I went to eat with some friends (before we went to see Elizabethtown) and a discussion came up about how guys compliment girls. Girls, we need your help...

Okay, so a basic characteristic that is common to most girls is starting to be understood; that they need to be reminded regularly that they are beautiful, sweet, kind, intelligent, etc, because of the fact that every day they are being bombarded by tv, magazines, and ads about the ways that they are "not good enough" or don't measure up to societal standards.

Now, here's the problem we encounter as men: As a godly man and desiring to be a good example to our female friends of how a gentleman should treat them and respect them, how are we to approach the whole complimenting aspect of our friendships?

See, this is where it gets tricky: we know that in order to "guard the hearts" of the girls we're friends with, we can't be too loose with compliments, because that will win them over, to an extent, and maybe even to a dangerous extent where they begin to have unexpected romantic feelings or whatever. So how do we, as guys, encourage and build up the self-esteem of the girls around us, expressing that we appreciate them, yet without them thinking we're doing that because of alterior motives?

How is a Christian man to compliment his female friends without sounding shallow or dishonest, yet in a way that doesn't lead them on?

Guys who believe they have something to add are welcome to comment as well.

Evening Flight

Some of you already know this, but I had an interview this weekend at a church in Atlanta. I left Saturday evening and flew out of Atlanta. It was an awesome day: Florida LOST! Notre Dame, however, was robbed. So leaving Louisville, I had an amazing view of the moon over the city from my plane window, as at the time I was facing East.

When the plane turned around, there was a beautiful sunset just waiting on me. For those of you who know me, you know I'm a bit of a sucker for beautiful sunsets. This one was great. What a glorious creation. This sunset picture was taken over Nashville. Quite a populated city, as you can see from the photo.

Speaking of populated, it was dark when I arrived over Atlanta (see picture) and you can see how lit up the city is.




I got to my hotel room and there was a KING size bed waiting on me. It would only be cooler if there was a picture of "the king" from Burger King on the pillow. I can count the times I've had the opportunity to sleep on a king size bed, and that number doubled this weekend I think.

I had to jump on it before I took this picture, which is why it's not made. I've always had a twin bed, and I can tell you that as a single person there's really no need for a huge bed. I mean, seriously. Maybe those of you single people with huge beds can tell me why I'm wrong. This is up for discussion, but I personally just found the rest of the bed to be a big waste, to be honest.

Elizabethtown reviewed

Well, I got to go see it last night. The settings of a movie can really affect an experience. First of all, I'm in Louisville, and most of the scenes were shot here in town, so as everyone saw the same old streets they drive on everyday suddenly lit up on the Big Screen, they all clapped and cheered. It was like seeing a home movie almost. Can I just say, one of my pet peeves is people who clap in a theater. The actors/director CAN'T HEAR YOU, stop applauding. Applause has to be given to someone.

Secondly, there was a huge girl behind us that kept trash talking the movie, making fun of Kirsten Dunst (calling her ugly and psycho etc - yes, the pot was calling the kettle black), and relentlessly snorting. Yes, snorting. It reminded me of the story of when Jesus sent a legion of demons into a herd of swine. She wouldn't stop cussing about the actors, story line, etc. She was just trying to get attention, but people didn't come to the theater to give her attention.

Aside from external factors, I also had my own biases influencing my experience. Having lived here for over 3 years, and knowing the town very well now, I have to say it was rather exciting to see my world from the point of view of someone who doesn't live here. Crowe really brought out a lot of the beauty of the area.

Concerning the movie: Kirsten Dunst, who I typically don't like (I think she's often overrated) did a great job with the Southern accent, really brought life to the character, and after the movie I'm a bigger fan of her now. Orlando Bloom also acted the character he was portraying well; a guy on a downward spiral after a big crash in his business.

I would almost say that this was the Garden State of the South, but I'm not going to because I actually think that as a story it upstaged Garden State, although Zach Braff did a much better job than Orlando Bloom. The soundtrack is, I think, my new most favorite soundtrack of all times in any movie. I'm going to have to go buy it.

I left the movie realizing that I was falling for the idealistic, overly romanticized fantasy of relationships that never really happens. Chick flicks don't do that to me because they're always so unrealistic, but I wouldn't classify this movie as a chick flick because there was too much depth in the storyline, and some of it's almost realistic (specifically when they're up all night talking on the phone - we've all been there). It definitely made my car a lot emptier and lonelier on the way home. However, I would recommend it to everyone.

Grade: A-

AMENDMENT: You may entirely disagree with me, because according to my cousin Sara and a couple of friends of mine, this movie wasn't that great, and I'm overcrediting it. Well, you make the decision and let me know what you thought. Like I said, I have a biased opinion.

Here's a funny site making fun of romance novels

Chili's Babyback... Metal Shards?

Okay, a couple nights ago I went to Chili's with a buddy, and we were served a metal strip in our chips & salsa. I have included a picture of it. This is NOT A HAIR.

The manager came out and justified that such may be a result of the deep fryers stripping from the wear of time, but had I bitten into this, it might have scratched my 24k Gold tooth. Be cautious of what you are eating next time you dine out.

pre-Elizabethtown

I really want to see Elizabethtown. It comes out tomorrow night. Anyone up for going?

Does anyone know where Elizabethtown (referred to as "E-town") is?

Elizabethtown is about 45 minutes south of where I am in Louisville, and they actually filmed some of the movie there. Now, I'm sure there's a good chance they make southerners look like a bunch of mentally challenged morons, but that's Hollywood for you (consider the similarities between a mentally challenged Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump and a southern Tom Hanks in The Green Mile).

Regardless, I really enjoy movies set in the South... I guess because the settings remind me of home, no matter how inaccurate the actors are at portraying actual people from there.

The worst fake southern accent in a major movie that I've EVER heard: Nicole Kidman in Cold Mountain, although I'm sure that some of you have probably seen worse. So where's the worst fake southern accent you've ever heard (in real life or on a movie)?

See this article about Elizabethtown. (Saturday I will edit/add to this post a review of what I thought of the movie.)

Saturday: See my review

What was your blankie?

Growing up, my sister always had to have her "blankie" at night so she could go to sleep. Do you remember The Brave Little Toaster? Blankie was such a wuss. Anyway, she had it until she was in about late elementary school, I guess. Some people grow out of needing something to cuddle with, but some don't. Sara actually had a teddy bear she cuddled with, "Mr. Bear," until she was well into college. In fact, it was replaced by her husband, Scott, although I bet she secretly still takes naps with Mr. Bear when Scott's not around.

I never needed anything to sleep with. I found that I was always uncomfortable with anything more than a couple pillows. I did, when I was very young (before kindergarten), have a little stuffed otter that I'd gotten from Sea World, but I don't think that I ever kept it in the bed with me, because it would've woken me up, or at best ended up on the floor.

I have always had some kind of strange fascination with otters, though. Well, until I was at a high school prom and this weird guy named Mike got the brilliant idea that even though everyone was eating dinner, he should break the silence (which he misinterpreted as an "awkward silence") so he shouted "I'm an otter!" ... no response. Man... high school can make or break your self-esteem, and outbursts like that can cost you a lot of popularity (i.e. Howard Dean).

The next morning we told Uncle Philip (aka Beasley) about it, and he said, "well, what do you expect from a guy who is odder?" That Bease!

So what is it about holding something familiar that makes you sleep better as a child? And why is it that some people never grow out of this? Specifically, why is it that girls are not made fun of for having stuffed animals in bed with them, even when they're in college, but if a guy had a teddy bear at, say the age of 21, his college buddies would probably make fun of him relentlessly.

Well, either way, I'm glad for the differences. Maybe women get used to holding fuzzy teddy bears so that when they get older it will be more comfortable for them to have their arms around their fuzzy husbands when they're asleep.

Flesh vs Stone

In an article by Dr. Zaroff, M.D., he describes the process of removing a dysfunctional valve from the circulatory system of an elderly jew. He describes the valve as one that is "made of stone," and the interesting thing is that he replaces it with that of a pig.

He writes
I would remove his old-as-he-was valve, which was like a locked door. I would replace it with a new one that would allow the blood to freely move from his heart to his body.

He describes the process
The heart is exposed. Then the disease, a talus. More rock than I would have guessed. I remove the valve of rock and suture in the pig valve. A nice fit, I think. Perfect for his heart.

This whole procedure reminds me of what is described in Ezekiel 36:26
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Screen Cleaner

If you need the inside of your computer screen cleaned, use this Screen Cleaner; it's really effective and will get every last bit of dust out. You don't have to register or download any software, and it only takes a second.



The word for today:

24 For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER."
1 Peter 1:24-25 (NASB)

The dog isn't mine - this picture was emailed to me by a friend. Hope you are all having a great day. It's beautiful this time of year in Kentucky.

Victoria's Secret: The New Look

In Amsterdam, where prostitution is legal, women stand in windows in red light districts and display their bodies in order to attract "business." These women are presenting their bodies as merely objects, and all for money.

Victoria's Secret has begun to simulate this already. They have a new display; it is no longer women in lingerie in posters but lifelike mannequins that decorate the store's window display. Here is a video link from msn.com to a news review of one of these displays. I didn't realize the severity of this problem until I went to Chick-fil-a in the mall and passed Victoria's Secret where sure enough, they have the same display. I was honestly appalled.

It's not simply that plastic figures are wearing the negligee, it's the positions they are in, and the fact that they are lifelike, with realistic faces. How does a company that spends so much time portraying women as nothing more than objects pull in so much business from women?

It's because of the men in our culture who have for so long placed women's worth on their bodies, and neglected their hearts. Again, like the show "Extreme Makeover" or "the Swan" where women are told they are not attractive, and made to feel that they were worthless until they were made "beautiful" by getting facial reconstruction, breast implants, lyposuction, and several other physical alterations, Victoria's Secret is portraying the idea that in order to be attractive to a man, a woman should sell her body. Remember the slogan on the commercials for Victoria's Secret: "What is sexy?" No longer is a woman's heart valued.

If men would become men and adore and cherish the women in their lives for their character and integrity, we would see a decline in this objectification of the female body, as well as an incline in the movement towards integrity in the women in our society.

In the words of Switchfoot:

Everyone's a lost romantic

Since our love became a kissing show

Everyone's a cassanova

Come and pass me the mistletoe

...

Every advertising antic

I've been a ways with a neon glow

War and love become pedantic

We wage love with a mistletoe

...

[sex], is easier to love

It's easier to lie

-Easier Than Love, from "Nothing is Sound"

***

Proverbs 7:10-27

Behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart... at every corner she lies in wait. She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face says to him, "... Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home." With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare, he does not know that it costs him his life... let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death."

***

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

~If you have a minute, check out Bradley's Controversial Blog about sex~

Other relationship oriented posts: A Beautiful Heart, Attn: Young Singles, When Did We Grow Up

Big Brad Wolf

I awoke to a THUD on the floor next to me. Apparently my roommate had once again rolled off of the top bunk instead of just getting up like a normal person.
“you alright?”
“Yeah, today’s gumbee some cause Big Brad Wolf today againsm…”

That was about all he said. Then he started eating his coffee. This was his first time ever having coffee. Said someone had told him that you’re supposed to eat it, because it’s a disgrace to God to mix it with water. Well, if there's anything I've learned in my time, it's to not question a sleepy man wearing tiger print.

He got a little spastic, and started looking all around the apartment saying “wheremy wheremy whermy whermy”? It was like he was seeing colors that haven’t been invented yet. This is what I look like when I go into guitar shops.

I tried to orient him by asking, “what do you have to do today, Bradley?” He started telling me all about his plans until 2007, but it only took him 45 seconds, so I handed him a guitar, thinking maybe he could get his energy out on it.

It got a little violent. He started screaming, “AND I THINK TO MYSELF, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD” - a song by Louis Armstrong.




The song took him about 7 seconds to play.



He didn’t like my critique of his musical abilities. Actually, I don’t think he understood me at all.
He said “youretalkingwaytooslowmakenosense!” then smashed the guitar.

I should have known better than to leave him alone. I came in and the room was ablaze, but he was sitting perfectly still. I was speechless. He just looked at me and said “What?” and blinked a couple times.

I turned to leave the room and heard the bookshelf tip over, felt a sharp punch in the kidney, and saw him running out of the room. I didn't get that on camera.

Moral of the story - roommates are awesome.

I'm gonna go have a waffle now.

The waffles are all over the floor.

Pompous Religious Leaders

In 2001, when the towers fell, Jerry Falwell, backed by Pat Robertson said, "I really believe that the pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who try to secularize America...I point the thing in their face and say you helped this happen." Since then, Falwell has apologized. But in the wake of Hurrican Katrina, we're seeing this happening still.


"There's been satanic worship. There's been sexual perversion," Graham said Monday in an appearance at Liberty University. "God is going to use that storm to bring revival. God has a plan. God has a purpose." This much gentler approach still has accusational implications. Implied in Graham's words is that New Orleans was more sinful than other places in the U.S. and is experiencing God's judgment. It may be possible that such is the case, but who are we to say that for sure? These leaders sit on their high horses and condemn places suffering from tragedy. What about the God-fearing, Christ-loving Christians in the New Orleans area that perished? What about New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary? Was God raining down judgment on them?

Job said it best:
I have heard many such things; sorry comforters are you all. Is there no limit to windy words? Or what plagues you that you answer? I, too, could speak like you, if I were in your place. I could compose words against you and shake my head at you. -Job 16:2-4


However, it is just as pompous and pretentious to deem yourself the authority on God's motives by giving an unauthorized promise that the disaster has nothing to do with God's judgment:"the Roman Catholic leader reassured the congregation that God did not cause the hurricane to punish evildoers." (see link above)


Everyone is going to such extremes! The hurricane is a result of the sinful nature of mankind. See the verse at the top of my blog: nature groans against itself in longing for restoration to God. However, the hurricane is not an indicator that New Orleans was the most sinful place or that God has some special purpose for New Orleans that He doesn't have for the rest of the United States, or more importantly, the rest of the WORLD.

Long ago, towers fell and killed some Galileans. Jesus said

Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish -Luke 13:2-3

The message: that we must all equally turn from our sins and to Christ, because judgment is coming, but applying the hurricane to an act of God's judgment on this city specifically is uncalled for. Any comments or divergent viewpoints are welcome, so long as they are mature, tasteful, and free of expletives. I reserve the right to censor comments, or remove inappropriate ones.


NOTE: Literally MINUTES after I posted this, CNN updated this article with new info that Graham part 2 has given the statment that he DOES NOT believe that this was an act of God's judgment. See how effective my blog is? The link will take you to the updated article. Thanks to Del Shaffer for catching that!

The Sudanese Genocide: A Brief Synopsis

I was originally going to write a post reminiscing about the days of 12-minute worldwide news on Channel One in middle and high school, but then when I went to their website, I became aware of the genocide going on in Sudan. How is it possible that I wasn't even aware?!

Then it occurred to me that maybe some of you aren't aware either, so take this link to Channel One's website, and it will give you a very quick tutorial of what's going on. It won't take much of your time.

If you're already aware, take this link to see how much you know about gas consumption (a neat, quick quiz).

Please pray for Sudan. It breaks my heart to see that these people are being killed.

Invest in Disney?

Legal Disclaimer: I have no stock investments in Disney, nor am I in any way a company owner or shareholder.

Throughout my life, I've thought of things I wish I could go back in time and tell my parents to invest in. Have you ever wished you could do that? For instance, back in the 80's I wished my parents would have invested in Gatorade and Nike, because at school I noticed that everybody who was anybody had a pair of Nike Air shoes, and you started seeing Gatorade everywhere, because for a while it was the only sports drink on the market. I also wish my parents could've invested in Coca-cola; think of all the people now who are related to someone who "has a bunch of coke stock" and is wealthy now. I personally know of quite a few of these people. If you look at the ring in the picture, you'll see "CocaCola" in the markings.

Then in 1997, Dell was released on the market. No one had heard of it, HP and Gateway were the big deal, if you weren't using Apple products. My econ teacher told me to invest in it. "Invest what?" I thought. Now look at Dell. Everyone I go to school with has one.

Now about Disney; Eisner has just been replaced, and a new CEO will be stepping in. His name is Iger (kinda like "Igor"). For you Southern Baptists, remember that there is no longer a boycott (although many of you might not have even realized that there was one to start with). Iger comes in trying to jumpstart Disney's business. Here's why it's probably a good idea to invest: On top of the fact that there will be a change in management, the stocks are at a low right now, and this is just before the release of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

For more about Disney's power transfer, see http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/P131161.asp