Well I have finally crawled out of my hole having shed all the tears I could after the Jayhawks went down in flames to the Spartans of MSU. We can put THE CHANT on the shelf until until next season. Wait, my Tambourine Dance Team members so enjoy THE CHANT each week before practice that it is a must to get the ole juices flowing. Now some of the gals hate THE CHANT, others secretly admire (I think) THE CHANT and some think THE CHANT is kind of cool. But it does get the juices flowing one way or the other. So for my T.D.T. girls who get the privilege to hear it weekly they are blessed. For everyone else, one more time, close your eyes and listen - from God's country you begin to hear "rock chalk jayhawk, KU ....
Have you ever noticed how simple things seem to have an enchantment about them? Take water falling over a rock. A rather simple thing yet we take millions of pictures each year of this simple event. Now I know that Niagara, Victoria, and the other 'biggies" are what we immediately think about when waterfalls are discussed. But how many waterfalls of 1-3 feet are photographed everyday. You see pictures of them all around. Pictures of brooks and streams and even drainage ditches earn pictures of water running over and down rocks and other objects. Why? Because they are enchanting to behold. Every waterfall is like a kaleidoscope. Each different than the others yet each encompassing the same elements. Lest someone thinks this is meaningless, why then do we construct waterfalls inside buildings or outside in our gardens? Simple, it is because of the enchantment factor. Standing before a 5 foot waterfall is nothing compared to the awesome, mighty Niagara. Yet both hold our attention through their enchantment. Simply water falling over a rock. Oh how this world is filled with enchantment through and through. Today, may I find enchantment in some simple thing I come upon.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
WND Joke of the Day
What makes 'natural born' better?
Posted: March 25, 2009 11:55 pm Eastern © 2009 WorldNetDaily
In a Seattle, Wash., college classroom, students were discussing the qualifications to be president of the United States. It was pretty simple - the candidate must be a natural born citizen of at least 35 years age.
However, one girl in the class immediately started in on how unfair was the requirement to be a natural born citizen. In short, her opinion was that this requirement prevented many capable individuals from becoming president.
The class was taking it in and letting her rant, but everyone's jaw hit the floor when she wrapped up her argument by stating, "What makes a natural born citizen any more qualified to lead this country than one born by C-Section?"
Posted: March 25, 2009 11:55 pm Eastern © 2009 WorldNetDaily
In a Seattle, Wash., college classroom, students were discussing the qualifications to be president of the United States. It was pretty simple - the candidate must be a natural born citizen of at least 35 years age.
However, one girl in the class immediately started in on how unfair was the requirement to be a natural born citizen. In short, her opinion was that this requirement prevented many capable individuals from becoming president.
The class was taking it in and letting her rant, but everyone's jaw hit the floor when she wrapped up her argument by stating, "What makes a natural born citizen any more qualified to lead this country than one born by C-Section?"
Just Fiddling Around
Let me see if I get this straight.
THIS = A sub-committee of our Senate is holding hearings today on how to come up with a better system to determine college football's top team.
THIS is all we get?
THIS, at a time when President "O" today said there will be more unemployment to come down the tracks and no, the outsourced jobs are not coming back to the U.S.
THIS, at a time when no one in congress can read a stimulus bill.
THIS, at the time no one in Washington can explain how the bailout works. THIS, at the same time most pension and IRA plans have vaporized.
THIS, at the time the budget deficit is larger than any other times 3.
THIS, at the time North Korea is prepared to launch a missile to further their nuclear ambitions.
THIS, at the time Iran is putting the finishing touches on their nuclear program.
THIS, at the time when the U.S./Mexico border is in shambles.
Stop the madness. All we get is THIS?
Surely we get something else besides this from our elected elite? Ah, yes, of course there is. And what each of us gets I'm sure was designed to help the housing industry. We each get a screw!
THIS = A sub-committee of our Senate is holding hearings today on how to come up with a better system to determine college football's top team.
THIS is all we get?
THIS, at a time when President "O" today said there will be more unemployment to come down the tracks and no, the outsourced jobs are not coming back to the U.S.
THIS, at a time when no one in congress can read a stimulus bill.
THIS, at the time no one in Washington can explain how the bailout works. THIS, at the same time most pension and IRA plans have vaporized.
THIS, at the time the budget deficit is larger than any other times 3.
THIS, at the time North Korea is prepared to launch a missile to further their nuclear ambitions.
THIS, at the time Iran is putting the finishing touches on their nuclear program.
THIS, at the time when the U.S./Mexico border is in shambles.
Stop the madness. All we get is THIS?
Surely we get something else besides this from our elected elite? Ah, yes, of course there is. And what each of us gets I'm sure was designed to help the housing industry. We each get a screw!
Monday, March 23, 2009
WND Joke of the Day
Posted: March 22, 2009 8:50 pm Eastern © 2009 WorldNetDaily
The Department of Defense briefed the president this morning. Officials told President Obama that two Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq.
To everyone's surprise, all the color drained from Obama's face. Then he collapsed onto his desk, holding his head in his hands, visibly shaken and almost in tears.
Finally, he composed himself and asked, "Just how many is a brazilian?"
The Department of Defense briefed the president this morning. Officials told President Obama that two Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq.
To everyone's surprise, all the color drained from Obama's face. Then he collapsed onto his desk, holding his head in his hands, visibly shaken and almost in tears.
Finally, he composed himself and asked, "Just how many is a brazilian?"
Courage Among Mortals
Yesterday was a remarkable day in our church and I was privileged to be in attendance as two young persons and an elderly lady pointed us to higher ideals than we normally observe throughout the week.
The two young persons, girls by the name of Rebekah Davidson and Whitney Yosten, chose to spend two weeks in Mexico this summer working at an orphanage. As a result of holding to their commitment to go on this mission trip they lost their spot on the school's cheer leading team. Cheer leading camp came at the same time as the mission trip and both girls had committed to the mission trip long before the cheerleader's camp schedule came out. After trying to work around the conflict they were given the choice - either attend the cheerleader camp and qualify for team or miss the cheerleader camp and cease being a cheerleader. Both girls chose the mission trip over being a cheerleader next year.
This was a major decision for these two young ladies. Both have been cheerleaders "all their lives." In small towns, cheerleaders are placed in the upper echelon of school society. To fore go this status takes courage. Making a hard choice is a rare commodity in our society. Our leaders too often model expediency rather than making the hard choice.
How was the girls decision the right choice? In this case both girls sought the Lord's desire regarding the mission trip and believe the Lord wanted them to go on this mission trip. Thus they responded in obedience by committing to be a part of the mission team. Now when the conflict arose and a choice had to be made, both girls made decisions to honor their word previously given. When the consequences of their choice was revealed to them, lesser mortals would have caved in. But not these two! Both showed the courage (and trust in their Lord) that was modeled for us by Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego.
This scenario was quickly followed by an elderly lady (75ish) who left the U.S.A. for Honduras around the age of 62. Why did she go so willingly to Honduras? Because God spoke to her as a 16 year old calling her to do mission work. Forty-five years later this was her first real opportunity to go do mission work. Now from nothing - which means no land, no building, no support, nothing except a willing, obedient heart - comes an orphanage with 36 children! Way to go Georgia Lamont! Jim and Georgia Lamont are great examples of living for the greater good of others.
Mere mortals, yet infused with divine courage. Continue to lead the way Rebekah, Whitney, and Georgia.
The two young persons, girls by the name of Rebekah Davidson and Whitney Yosten, chose to spend two weeks in Mexico this summer working at an orphanage. As a result of holding to their commitment to go on this mission trip they lost their spot on the school's cheer leading team. Cheer leading camp came at the same time as the mission trip and both girls had committed to the mission trip long before the cheerleader's camp schedule came out. After trying to work around the conflict they were given the choice - either attend the cheerleader camp and qualify for team or miss the cheerleader camp and cease being a cheerleader. Both girls chose the mission trip over being a cheerleader next year.
This was a major decision for these two young ladies. Both have been cheerleaders "all their lives." In small towns, cheerleaders are placed in the upper echelon of school society. To fore go this status takes courage. Making a hard choice is a rare commodity in our society. Our leaders too often model expediency rather than making the hard choice.
How was the girls decision the right choice? In this case both girls sought the Lord's desire regarding the mission trip and believe the Lord wanted them to go on this mission trip. Thus they responded in obedience by committing to be a part of the mission team. Now when the conflict arose and a choice had to be made, both girls made decisions to honor their word previously given. When the consequences of their choice was revealed to them, lesser mortals would have caved in. But not these two! Both showed the courage (and trust in their Lord) that was modeled for us by Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego.
This scenario was quickly followed by an elderly lady (75ish) who left the U.S.A. for Honduras around the age of 62. Why did she go so willingly to Honduras? Because God spoke to her as a 16 year old calling her to do mission work. Forty-five years later this was her first real opportunity to go do mission work. Now from nothing - which means no land, no building, no support, nothing except a willing, obedient heart - comes an orphanage with 36 children! Way to go Georgia Lamont! Jim and Georgia Lamont are great examples of living for the greater good of others.
Mere mortals, yet infused with divine courage. Continue to lead the way Rebekah, Whitney, and Georgia.
Savor the sound of THE CHANT as the Jayhawks soar into the 'Sweet 16'.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Jayhawks, Harvey and Mud Holes
Fortunately for the KU Jayhawks there were not two Ben Woodsides on North Dakota State U. team yesterday. Ben ran between, around, under, and over the Jayhawks. He made every defender (6 Jayhawks took a shot at slowing him down) look like they were wearing ankle weights. Ben Woodside would be deemed one of the super elite guards of this season if he were playing on a team in a major conference.
In the end as the clock moved to 0:00, the Jayhawks heard THE CHANT and all was well in the 'Land of Milk and Honey'.
What a glorious week this has been. For those who were able to spend time outside the past 5 days found that it will be hard to top this week for perfect weather in North Texas. Thursday was so beautiful that I did something I have never done before. I grilled out by myself. I do not recall grilling hamburgers on the ole grill without having company over here at our place. Now don't read this to mean I am starting a new trend. It just so happened that the two couples scheduled to come over Thursday evening canceled leaving me free to grill alone.
Now on to more enlightened talk. Last night Joyce and I watched the movie Harvey. You know, the movie staring James Stewart and Harvey, the Pooka. Of course, if you are so into the 5 senses thing (i.e. if I can't see, smell, taste, touch, or hear it - then it doesn't exist) you will think Harvey is a total waste of time because you won't 'get it'. This is so like our culture today. Our physical senses dominate all that we are about. Reading our culture's literature and watching our culture's TV and movies can lead a person to conclude life must revolve around the physical senses.
Or does it?
Perhaps the spiritual dimension of life has been short changed and neglected by our culture. It is far easier to live by sight than to live by faith. Perhaps we have lost the spiritual dimension of life and as a result are now wallowing in a mud hole. This mud hole only gets deeper the longer we revolve our lives around the physical senses while neglecting the spiritual side. We hear politicians and others invoke this spiritual side when they talk about values (when this use is convenient for their argument). But then we see them run back to their self-created mud holes. The capitals of mud hole creation - Washington (power), New York (money), and Hollywood (sex) - will only dig us deeper in our mud hole until we once again choose to embrace the spiritual. Embracing the spiritual is only the first step in the journey, mind you. For it is possible to be 'spiritual' and still miss the "Author of Life". But without this first step we will forever be stuck in the mud hole.
In the end as the clock moved to 0:00, the Jayhawks heard THE CHANT and all was well in the 'Land of Milk and Honey'.
What a glorious week this has been. For those who were able to spend time outside the past 5 days found that it will be hard to top this week for perfect weather in North Texas. Thursday was so beautiful that I did something I have never done before. I grilled out by myself. I do not recall grilling hamburgers on the ole grill without having company over here at our place. Now don't read this to mean I am starting a new trend. It just so happened that the two couples scheduled to come over Thursday evening canceled leaving me free to grill alone.
Now on to more enlightened talk. Last night Joyce and I watched the movie Harvey. You know, the movie staring James Stewart and Harvey, the Pooka. Of course, if you are so into the 5 senses thing (i.e. if I can't see, smell, taste, touch, or hear it - then it doesn't exist) you will think Harvey is a total waste of time because you won't 'get it'. This is so like our culture today. Our physical senses dominate all that we are about. Reading our culture's literature and watching our culture's TV and movies can lead a person to conclude life must revolve around the physical senses.
Or does it?
Perhaps the spiritual dimension of life has been short changed and neglected by our culture. It is far easier to live by sight than to live by faith. Perhaps we have lost the spiritual dimension of life and as a result are now wallowing in a mud hole. This mud hole only gets deeper the longer we revolve our lives around the physical senses while neglecting the spiritual side. We hear politicians and others invoke this spiritual side when they talk about values (when this use is convenient for their argument). But then we see them run back to their self-created mud holes. The capitals of mud hole creation - Washington (power), New York (money), and Hollywood (sex) - will only dig us deeper in our mud hole until we once again choose to embrace the spiritual. Embracing the spiritual is only the first step in the journey, mind you. For it is possible to be 'spiritual' and still miss the "Author of Life". But without this first step we will forever be stuck in the mud hole.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
When a 105 Can Still Be Good
Last week I went golfing with a good friend and fellow life traveler Glen Kersey. Glen and I have a wonderful time golfing. Glen doesn't take the game as seriously as he should (or as I do). Most of the time we end up laughing at ourselves when we start to get serious about this game. It had been 5 months since we were together on a golf course so naturally expectations were not too high. Nevertheless, as we were heading out to the course I commented that even if I hit a poor shot I was still going to enjoy the game. Glen kind of chuckled and muttered something like, "Yeah, sure."
After the first hole was finished and we had by then dusted off 6 months rust, we (read I) was ready for some real golf. My tee shot headed right where I aimed - at the large tree on the left side of the fairway. The tree was far enough out that by the time my ball would reach it the natural fade I hit would move my ball right of the tree and would roll down the hill into perfect position for my approach shot to the green. And then it happend. For some unexplained cosmic reasoning, the ball went straight and stayed going straight. No amount of coaxing or appealing to the ball seemed to have any effect. The ball bounced twice on its approach to the tree before climbing up the trunk of the tree 3 feet before falling straight down coming to rest (and I'm not making this up) touching the trunk of the tree. As we are walking off the second green, ball in hand, yours truely was bitterly protesting to himself (and any others who would listen) the fate of my tee shot and all I could do to relieve the angst of the moment was to give a primal scream of protest before driving off to the third teebox.
Pulling up to the third teebox I looked over at Glen laughing to himself at my pitiful theatrics. Our eyes met and without a word needed spoken, he communicated, "It sure didn't take long." Then we both laughed and hit our next shots - causing us to laugh again and again.
Many blessings and have a wonderful, laugh filled day.
Question: Where do you go to see a grown man cry? Answer: On a golf course where he 3 putts 8 out of the 18 holes!
After the first hole was finished and we had by then dusted off 6 months rust, we (read I) was ready for some real golf. My tee shot headed right where I aimed - at the large tree on the left side of the fairway. The tree was far enough out that by the time my ball would reach it the natural fade I hit would move my ball right of the tree and would roll down the hill into perfect position for my approach shot to the green. And then it happend. For some unexplained cosmic reasoning, the ball went straight and stayed going straight. No amount of coaxing or appealing to the ball seemed to have any effect. The ball bounced twice on its approach to the tree before climbing up the trunk of the tree 3 feet before falling straight down coming to rest (and I'm not making this up) touching the trunk of the tree. As we are walking off the second green, ball in hand, yours truely was bitterly protesting to himself (and any others who would listen) the fate of my tee shot and all I could do to relieve the angst of the moment was to give a primal scream of protest before driving off to the third teebox.
Pulling up to the third teebox I looked over at Glen laughing to himself at my pitiful theatrics. Our eyes met and without a word needed spoken, he communicated, "It sure didn't take long." Then we both laughed and hit our next shots - causing us to laugh again and again.
Many blessings and have a wonderful, laugh filled day.
Question: Where do you go to see a grown man cry? Answer: On a golf course where he 3 putts 8 out of the 18 holes!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Time for the Tip-Off
My last post left several wondering what the initials 'DMD' represented. It always amazes me how most of us humans so easily fall prey to Diminishing Memory Disorder. It strikes whenever, wherever and whomever if we're not careful. None are immune from some stage of this disorder. Symptoms to watch for that alerts one to the early stages of 'DMD' are 1) sour mood, 2) unwillingness to laugh, and 3) seeing the bogey man waiting at every turn.
Yes, we take life too seriously too often. Perhaps this is why we need the artists of the world to remind us of the beauty and goodness of life. Like ice sculptures. Few things have less permanence than ice sculpture. Yet what an awesome ability to create beauty out of nothing special. Guys who take chain saws to logs and make carvings of various animals like bears and buffaloes amaze me to no end. I can just stand in amazement looking at the beauty carved out of an ordinary log. Before I forget here is a marvelous video of ice sculptures that are exceptional.
Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn0QBIJyt3Y for pure enchantment.
Now it is time for the tip-offs to begin. Rock Chalk JAYHAWKS!
Yes, we take life too seriously too often. Perhaps this is why we need the artists of the world to remind us of the beauty and goodness of life. Like ice sculptures. Few things have less permanence than ice sculpture. Yet what an awesome ability to create beauty out of nothing special. Guys who take chain saws to logs and make carvings of various animals like bears and buffaloes amaze me to no end. I can just stand in amazement looking at the beauty carved out of an ordinary log. Before I forget here is a marvelous video of ice sculptures that are exceptional.
Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn0QBIJyt3Y for pure enchantment.
Now it is time for the tip-offs to begin. Rock Chalk JAYHAWKS!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go
I just had my first false start. After finishing my first ever blog (it was a masterpiece) I got up the nerve to hit the 'publish post' button. As I was admiring my first ever blog I noticed a misspelled word! I had left an "l" out of blog so it read bog instead. This will never do for my very first blog so I went to edit out this mistake and somehow completely deleted my first masterpiece. I can't get it back! aarrrrrgh!
So here we go again.
In the grand scheme of things this blog (or attempt at blogging) does not seem all that important. Yet here I am, a non-writer giving it a go. Why blog when writing is an incredibly laborious task for you? Several reasons come to mind. First, because blogging requires you to think clearly, be creative, and exercise discipline. I am one of those guys who end up staring at the screen or paper wondering what to say and how easily others make it appear. But now it is my turn to crawl out of the cave and enter into the 21st century. The second reason for this blog is simply because I can do it and it appears to have the potential to be fun. Now you know that this blog is simply about me having a good time. So if blogging ever ceases to be fun, I'll shut it down because I am not getting a nickel for this venture. The third reason for this undertaking is to help those with 'DMD' remember that life is good.
So in future postings, I hope you come to enjoy life more and more. Until next time. Blessings
Wait...you were wondering what 'DMD' stood for. Wait for the next post.
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