Link Love Tuesday!

After a few weeks off, I am back with an all new LLT!  This week's love goes out to Matt.  Honestly, I don't know this guy that well, but I love his blog and his writing.  He has a thought provoking style that is both honest and loving at the same time.  There has not yet been a post that I have not enjoyed.

So...slide on over a check it out.  Leave a comment, let him know how you go there, and get spreading the love.  The Church Of No People!

Now, go get your Tuesday on!

God and American Idol!

Over the last several years, I have heard different views about how God works to advance his Kingdom on earth, or whether he still really does.  Would and could God use something like American Idol to reach people?  I have some friends that say no way, but I beg to differ.  I believe God is living and active and not above using any and all means to advance his Kingdom and draw people to Himself. 

This year on American Idol, there were at least two Christian singers, both of which are worship leaders in their local church.  There may have been others as well.  Last year, there were several Christians, and though it's not my favorite song, Shout To The Lord was a featured song on one episode and was performed on live national television.  

God wants to work, will use any available means, and simply needs us to be available.  Available to love someone, to talk about a television show, to address sin in a loving way, to feed someone who is hungry, or maybe just open the door for someone.  

Enjoy the video...

Fanatic?

"Think of people you consider fanatical. They're overbearing, self-righteous, opinionated, insensitive, and harsh. Why? It's not because they are too Christian but because they are not Christian enough. They are fanatically zealous and courageous, but they are not fanatically humble, sensitive, loving, empathetic, forgiving, or understanding--as Christ was. Because they think of Christianity as a self-improvement program they emulate the Jesus of the whips in the temple, but not the Jesus who said, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone" (John 8:7). What strikes us as overly fanatical is actually a failure to be fully committed to Christ and his gospel."

-Tim Keller

The Church, the State, Dobson, and the Supremecy of Jesus Christ!

Yea, I know, you all thought I was gone, never to blog again.  Well, you were wrong, and boy aren't you excited.  The truth is, I have been extremely busy, and have had allot on my mind. There have been so many things that I have wanted to blog about, but not enough time to get it all down. Just to let you know up front, this post will be kind of all over the place, so please read carefully.

Ready?  Here we go...

I posted a comment of Facebook a few weeks ago regard the separation of church and state, and the fact that those words do not exist in our constitution.  I also mentioned the fact that the author of the portion of the constitution where that idea comes from, really intended (at least as proven through my own research) to protect religious freedom from the government, and not the other way around.  Unfortunately, historical revisionists have had their way, and the truth of what our constitution really says and intended is found only through intense research and study. This of course garnered some attention from some of my Facebook friends, but the conversation was all civil and respectful.

Jump ahead a few days, and I became involved in a discussion string on a friends Facebook page regarding Focus on the Family's involvement in the National Day Of Prayer, and their seeming need to demonize and incriminate the Obama administration.  Now, before I continue, I would like to clarify a few things about myself and my positions in bullet points, and hopefully set the stage for a clear understanding of the rest of this post.

• I am a follower of Jesus Christ
• I am a conservative republican who feels strongly about the mandate to pray for rulers and all those in authority
• I did not vote for President Obama nor do I agree with many of his positions politically or morally
• Irrespective of the above point, I will continue to support our President in prayer
• I appreciate James Dobson and hi organization and their commitment to protecting the institution of family
• Irrespective of the above point, I do not agree with fear tactics and political game playing as a resort for Christian leaders who are supposed to be an example to a lost world.
• I do not support historical revisionism and feel that it is extremely damaging to our culture and to who we are as a nation and a people

OK, now that I have that out of the way, I shall continue.  The thread I became involved in regard Dobson became about the role that he and other Christian leaders play in spreading ear and playing political games, do push an "extreme right" and religious agenda.  The most important things about this thread was that we all remained friends at the end.  It did get heated however and eventually the conversation turned to a "Christians" role in society and the need for diversity or lack thereof.

Here is my conclusion.  I do not agree with many of the things that Dobson's organization has recently done on a political level.  I do however agree with the heart of the message.  Here is my issue though.  While diversity in thought and opinion is OK, we are called as followers of Jesus, to build community, and to be of like mind, intent on one purpose.  How can followers of Jesus pull this off when we constantly focus on pushing our own agendas, spreading fear and ignoring the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life and of our Nation?  We must come to a place where we understand that community is built through love, understanding comes when ears are open and mercy is given.  I feel like Christians have become so afraid, that we have forgotten to whom we belong and that His mandate is to love one another.  We do not have to agree, but we must love.  I do not ave to support President Obama with my vote, but I must support him through prayer and love.  I do not have to support homosexuality, but I must love homosexuals. I do not have to agree with or support abortion, but I must love the women who make the choice.

Our mandate is to love, period.  There is no fear in love.  We need to love as Christ loved and live as Christ lived, period.  End of story!

About Me...Part Deux

So, if you missed part one, check it out here.

So, I moved up here in 1992, which was the summer between my freshman and sophmore year of highschool.  Tough time to switch schools, but I was more than willing to make the sacrifice.  The move was a little rough.  I quickly jumped into a youth group with the Los Osos Vineyard church, made some great friends and quickly began enjoying the laid back central coast life.  I was never a big fan of highschool.  Highschool was rough.  I tried hard to fit in, make friends, be accepted, all the typical stuff.  Years later I found myself leadinga group of young highschoolers at the same church, and encouraging them to keep there eyes focused on God rather than external and temporary things.  

I graduated in 1995, and shortly before graduation, began working at Seashell Communities, which is a retirement home.hospital in Morro Bay.  After graduation, I put in my notice, and had plans to move to SLO and get a better job, maybe go to college, and whatever else.  Shortly after I gave my notice, I was told that I needed to sort of train the person who was going o replace me. Cool, right?  My replacements name was Cheryl Ranches, and you all now know her as Cheryl McCabe.  We bagan a short time of working together by her trying to set me up with a mutual firend, all the while I was trying to convince her that I was into her.  I asked her about 3 times I think, before she finally agreed.  We went and played tennis, and by the end, she was hooked.

To be continued...

Mom of the Year!

Mom Of The Year: Cheryl McCabe

Link Love Tuesday

OK, so I missed it again.  Well, here it is, short and sweet.  

This week's love goes out to Josh Mock.  We used to work together and still talk from time to time. I have really grow to appreciate Josh through his writing and I think you will too.  If you enjoy honesty and good music, then check it out.

Now, go get your blog on!

Stats Suck Sunday

If you don't know why, click here!  Here it is in bullet points...

• Totally stoked that the NBA playoffs are in full swing and that the Lakers are geared up for Houston in the second round
• Spent time praying the Brody would see the error of his ways and realize the amazing freedom found in being a Laker fan.
• I watched Chuck Liddell's last fight a couple weeks ago, and for some reason I can't stop myself from wanting him to fight one more time.  
• Watched the Tigger and Pooh musical with Aidan and Owyn this afternoon after grocery shopping.  Fell asleep and then was awakened by tigger's bouncing.
• I continue to be totally amazed by the amount of food my 1-1/2 year old consumes.
• Just checked the NBA site and saw that Denver beat Dallas.  I will pretty much root for anyone playing against a team from Texas or Sacramento, unless it's Boston.  Crazy, I know!
• Geared up for a busy and shorthanded week as my co-worker lounges in Maui.  The business starts tomorrow with a Venti Bold Roast!

Go get your week on!

Just a thought...

Well, I haven't had a ton to say recently.  Honetly, I mostly just haven't taken the time to sit and write anything worth posting, but since the title is Just a thought, here's a though for you.  Well, more of a question really.  What are "natural flavors"?  

So, I am sitting at the kitchen table with the fam, and I was reading the back of the ketchup bottle.  The ingredients went someing like this; tomato paste, water, corn syrup, huigh fructose corn syrup, spices, natural flavors.  So again I ask, what are these natural flavors.  They aren't spices, because that was already listed.  What is a natural flavor?

Now, I know you will be tempted to continue on and not comment here, but please consider the following.  First, I like comments, and secondly, I really want to know the answer to the question. Help me out here people!