tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37041972011-08-30T00:44:25.418-04:001 john 1:3 - proclaiming what we've seen, what we've heard, so that you might have fellowship with us, and with the Father and the SonRicknoreply@blogger.comBlogger12821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092967740234783312004-08-19T22:09:00.000-04:002004-08-20T17:05:31.770-04:00

I have changed the URL for this site - moving on to new things, so to speak. Please keep an eye out for "Rambling Adventures" - the new site, when all is said and done. UPDATE: I've moved over there, and I'll be tweaking the template to suit me, I'm sure. Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers - it means alot. Please update my URL if you've linked me - not taking any of that for granted at

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092919275426624162004-08-19T08:41:00.000-04:002004-08-19T08:41:15.426-04:00

The Gamecock: New dorm keeps it green Perkins was told they would have Internet by Thursday, but he remains skeptical. "They say Thursday, but does that mean the Thursday before Christmas or the Thursday after Easter?" the third-year criminal justice student joked. There's some really nice new campus housing going up around the USC system, and this article was published in today's school paper.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092848721253066492004-08-18T13:05:00.000-04:002004-08-18T13:05:21.253-04:00

CNN.com - Girl-power tools - Aug 18, 2004 Don't tell my wife and little girl. Ok? Promise?

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092833784139073012004-08-18T08:56:00.000-04:002004-08-18T08:56:24.856-04:00

There are two components that I find missing from the cultural definition of COURAGE today: Fear and Faith. Without Fear, courage is arrogance & cockiness. And without Faith, Courage wastes away to cowardice & indecision. There needs to be real Fear and real Faith, mixed in proportion, for Courage to be courageous.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092761761861912102004-08-17T12:56:00.000-04:002004-08-17T14:08:48.923-04:00

SI.com - Life in Athens: From songs about Dutch swimmers to watching wedgiesMost honest article on the Games so far...

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092757189710705422004-08-17T11:39:00.000-04:002004-08-17T11:39:49.710-04:00

Robert found himself at last at the edge of the cliff. His long hike and free-climb up the rock had taken all day, and he was hot and sweaty, and yet still anxious and exhilarated after the ordeal. He'd planned this trek for weeks - probably years, wanting deep inside to do something like this as long as he could remember.He'd first seen the peak while driving around one the of the park's

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092749666910049402004-08-17T09:34:00.000-04:002004-08-17T09:34:26.910-04:00

After a week of hurricane warnings and wind/rain, it's a beautiful day here. It'll be a little warmer - but I'm not going to complain about upper-80s in August around here. And we don't have any of the clean-up that's continuing on in Florida today - yet another reason to not gripe about a little extra humidity and to just enjoy the view.It's beautiful in other ways, too. My wife's birthday is

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092709387943464272004-08-16T22:23:00.000-04:002004-08-16T22:23:07.943-04:00

I was sick last year at this time. And I was sick two years ago at this time, just after starting this blog. And today I went to the doctor with my nose and sinuses still runny and stuffy and sniffly. Now that I'm adequately medicated I hope that this nasal infection will pass. For now, I'm thinking about taking the month of August off next year - stay away from all the sick people, nip this

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092687823560323592004-08-16T16:23:00.000-04:002004-08-16T16:23:43.566-04:00

Here are some links I want to save for election issues/coverage as we closer and closer to November '04:Petition @ Sojo.net - "Take Back Our Faith"Call to Renewal - dealing with povertyNational Voice - find out what's going on state-by-stateBread for the World - justice & hunger around the worldMy recommendation is to pray: who to vote for; for the candidates as they campaign to really get into

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092675459971981942004-08-16T12:57:00.000-04:002004-08-16T12:57:39.976-04:00

I'm a wee bit perturbed at NBC. After a summer-long promotion of the Olympic experience in high-definition, it's a definite disappointment. The pictures are great, the aerial views of Greece are stunning, and the action is very alive and real. But it's all a day late. What's up with that? I know that most of what we see will be tape-delayed, but c'mon - why can't you simulcast what's happening on

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092653065097272942004-08-16T06:37:00.000-04:002004-08-16T11:09:48.540-04:00

We have a winner - just barely. Only one person guessed right on my Obfuscation2 stories this past Friday. Congratulations to Sarah, who figured me out: Story One - "Construction Site": TRUE - I drove by that house yesterday while heading to my folks' house to feed their cats Story Two - "The Runaway Dog": FALSE - Muffin was too skiddish to cross the yard, much less the interstate Story Three -

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092484089681476472004-08-14T08:00:00.000-04:002004-08-14T07:59:29.160-04:00

My 1,271st post (Blogger.com's numbers) comes two years after I posted my first rambling rant on this site. It's funny to go back and read stuff from those first few months of online journaling. Back then, I knew everything, and now when I know nothing, I realize that I still struggle with the same issues (like why do I consistently get bogged down in four books at once), the same relationship

Ricknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092424253502446592004-08-13T15:10:00.000-04:002004-08-13T15:11:31.953-04:00

[rules here]High school is the time where you begin to discover who you are, what you like, who your friends are. And it's a time for driving all over the countryside, making the local governments regret giving you a license so early. I remember one such road trip. I don't remember where we were going - I've got in my mind that we were going to a football game in the Upstate, but the event that

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092409204264822832004-08-13T11:00:00.000-04:002004-08-13T11:03:41.466-04:00

[rules here]When I was in high school, we had a white wooly sheepdog mutt named Muffin. She was a very sweet dog, too big to be a lapdog but didn't care - she'd jump on you or the couch or the recliner just for the fun of it. She enjoyed the cats, got along with everybody - really, a great dog to have around.Once, she got out of the fence. She wasn't bold enough to dig out or jump over, so either

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092403119709452642004-08-13T09:18:00.000-04:002004-08-13T11:04:22.993-04:00

[rules here]When we moved to West Columbia in the late-70s, the neighborhood was still growing. Houses were being built along a few of the streets in the back, perfect places for young adventurous boys to wreak havoc. We were never destructive, just taking time in the evening after construction crews left to climb up into the dwelling shells to see what had been done, see how the place was coming

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092401058499357372004-08-13T08:44:00.000-04:002004-08-13T15:12:42.886-04:00

It's time to play Obfuscation2, where I will post three stories today and the lucky reader will get to decide which one/s are true and which one/s are false. Three stories - one will be true, one will be false, and a third will be... either. I think I'm supposed to pick 2 true or 2 false off the bat, but this is my site and [evil grin] I'll do it the way I want [/evil grin]. Leave your guesses in

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092400565343163642004-08-13T08:30:00.000-04:002004-08-13T09:30:15.913-04:00

Tranquility... the only time it's "tranquil" at our house is when someone's asleep... shhhhhhh... shot this morning before school preparations.[color shots of Cam & Trace from this morning on our photopage]

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092362268032497872004-08-12T21:57:00.000-04:002004-08-12T21:57:48.060-04:00

Ok, sports fans - we need a twelfth team owner for our fantasy football league. We're setting up at Fanball.com, where the cost is $60 for the league, or $5/team. Let me know if you're interested - leave a comment and I'll get back to you a.s.a.p.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092324456967154832004-08-12T11:27:00.000-04:002004-08-12T11:27:36.976-04:00

Just had a really good conversation with an old friend. Frank was a mentor of sorts during high school, teaching our Sunday School class for a couple of years before he and his wife moved away. He works here with me (I was applying for a job with him 14 years ago when I signed on under another manager), and we bump into each other occasionally. We talked about our families, kids growing up - his

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092316644478236922004-08-12T09:17:00.000-04:002004-08-12T09:17:24.496-04:00

I'm a freak when it comes to the weather. I really enjoy watching a weather event roll through. It started when I was working radio in college, DJing at a small AM Christian station here in town. I'd listen to weather reports when a storm was coming or snow was going to roll in, and I'd get to report it to the two or three faithful listeners. I could watch a storm roll across the open field

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092235892624184352004-08-11T10:51:00.000-04:002004-08-11T10:51:32.633-04:00

I've made my itinerary & plans for the business trip to Puerto Rico at the end of the month. I'm beginning to look forward to it. I won't be playing much, but the resort/hotel is nice and right on the beach. And while it'll be very busy, I'll also be travelling by myself - which means that I can do what I want in the evenings, go to the right restaurants, get lost in the tourist district, and

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092159198515343202004-08-10T13:33:00.000-04:002004-08-10T13:33:18.523-04:00

One of the things I took away from Uprising (the book, by E. R. McManus) is the need for gratitude in life, in my life. Right now, dealing with some pressure within and without, I really want to be grateful to the Lord, thankful that He is forcing my hand and extending an opportunity for some breakthrough, some movement forward.this is your life / are you who you oughta bethis is your life / are

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092147663121525772004-08-10T10:21:00.000-04:002004-08-10T11:13:49.470-04:00

Sacred Space - Tuesday 10th August, St LaurenceFound the Sacred Space site, and... I just really need this today. And coffee... a trip to Starbucks or something.[link via crcc.org]

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092140827469086472004-08-10T08:27:00.000-04:002004-08-10T08:27:07.476-04:00

Feel free to answer in the comments, or post responses on your blog/site and leave a link in the comments.1) Three things you wish you'd done when you were younger.2) Three things you wish you could be doing today.3) Three things you wish you can do as you get older.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092133976008171682004-08-10T06:32:00.000-04:002004-08-10T06:32:56.016-04:00

... tell you that I love my wife?

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092095663999823562004-08-09T19:48:00.000-04:002004-08-09T19:54:24.000-04:00

Sojo.net: "Scared To Talk Politics In Church?" - Brian McLaren I don't know if there's a more divisive issue in the church today or not. Politics is right up there, but it's really bad when you find yourself disagreeing, or at least wanting to put forward another opinion/insight. Maybe McLaren's thoughts are on target, maybe not. I just want the dialogue to continue in a positive and

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1092020672819650392004-08-08T23:04:00.000-04:002004-08-08T23:10:41.243-04:00

Roy: "People think these questions are hard." Desmond: "They're not?" Roy: "Naah. These questions all have answers."We watched The Perfect Score this evening after the kids went to bed. Language was bad - too bad for Vicki to scren for her drama students later in the school year. And it wasn't The Breakfast Club, of course, even though it referenced the confession scene from that movie. But it

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091964459450781382004-08-08T07:27:00.000-04:002004-08-08T07:27:39.456-04:00

Well, whatcha think? I've changed the font around here a little this weekend, and I'm not sure if I like it or not. It'll have to grow on me - I'll give it the week for me to get used to it. It's a little easier on the eyes, but I've had the other itsy-bitsy way since the beginning. As anyone can see, I've been a little antsy over the design this week - moving a column here, changing a font

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091932649743588062004-08-07T22:37:00.000-04:002004-08-07T22:37:29.753-04:00

We left Phillips Arena early (shh - don't tell, ok?) and made it back home by 8pm. It was a good weekend - a little too evangelical and a little too politicized in spots, but overall a very good trip. I was rocked by Erwin McManus - he was really on his game Friday night, which is what I'd expect since it was his book we were themed out on the whole time, right? Brad Stine was really good, too -

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091855023197465532004-08-07T01:00:00.000-04:002004-08-07T01:03:43.196-04:00

Perfection This is a photo from our vacation a couple of weeks ago to Stone Mountain. The young man is a flatland cyclist, doing all kinds of balance-oriented tricks on two wheels. This guy was nearly "perfect", at least for this shot.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091854697504099572004-08-07T00:58:00.000-04:002004-08-07T00:58:17.510-04:00

We're back at the hotel, wrapping up a long day after the evening's PK program. Erwin McManus, author of UPRISING, the book that's themed out here at the conference, was the main speaker, along with Joe White. I'd never heard of him, but he's got a resume' that includes sports and other ministries. Good speaker, talking about bondage and how we don't really live in freedom until God wakes us up

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091796299009144902004-08-06T08:30:00.000-04:002004-08-06T08:44:59.010-04:00

It's 8:30am - an hour and a half before the van pulls out of the CWO parking lot for Promise Keepers in Atlanta, GA. I'm looking forward to it - the fellowship driving down and navigating the downtown traffic, standing together in lines to get anywhere, praising God with thousands of men from all over the southeast. I think I'm also looking forward to the anonymity in being such a small group in

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091701717315572022004-08-05T06:28:00.000-04:002004-08-05T06:28:37.323-04:00

I took a poll this morning and found out that I'm centrist with a pull towards conservatism - well duh. Labels me, but doesn't help me vote. Here's the original test [link via Consistently Chili].

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091646828874414832004-08-04T15:13:00.000-04:002004-08-04T15:17:13.553-04:00

This might be fun: Obfuscation 2. On Friday August 13, I'll post three stories - either two true and one false, or one true and two false (haven't made up my mind, but I'll let you know). In the comments, anyone can guess the true and false stories, and on Monday 08/16 I'll reveal the results. Hopefully interesting enough to keep me out of trouble that weekend, huh?

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091633691113198872004-08-04T11:34:00.000-04:002004-08-04T11:39:22.693-04:00

Salon.com News | Persecuted for their faith -- and ignored by the U.S.: "If Bush truly believes religion is the 'first freedom of the human soul,' why isn't his administration pressuring countries that persecute people for their beliefs?" Honestly, things like this are what keep me from whole-heartedly backing the President's re-election campaign. Yes, he's probably the closest candidate to my

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091630030916682502004-08-04T10:33:00.000-04:002004-08-04T10:33:50.923-04:00

Alright, guys - we're heading to Atlanta for Promise Keepers this Friday & Saturday. Weather looks great - both days in the mid-80s. I'm looking forward to hearing thousands of men singing together, watching teenagers see something new and humble in their dads, listening to all the speakers, and just hanging out together. Pray as we go (and for those not going, pray harder!) that we'll be open to

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091539092407105442004-08-03T09:18:00.000-04:002004-08-03T10:21:50.430-04:00

RELEVANT magazine :: Review - The VillageWhat we have here is a group of people, who have withdrawn from the wider culture to establish their own ideal society, the boundaries of which are reinforced by fear. Sound familiar? It should. Covington looks and feels very much like an Amish, Mennonite or Hutterite community if you don't count the bloodthirsty monsters prowling the borders, that is.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091538007874129272004-08-03T09:00:00.000-04:002004-08-03T09:00:07.873-04:00

DRUDGE REPORT 2004 - REPUBLICANS PLAN PUSH FOR ELIMINATION OF IRS Since I can't find anyone to really inspire me with their integrity and ethical clout, maybe I should vote with my empty wallet. Before I get totally $$$-loving on this, I think it's an idea worth pursuing - replacing the income tax with a national sales tax might be the best thing for all socio-economic classes, at least on my

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091474765400302822004-08-02T15:26:00.000-04:002004-08-02T15:26:05.400-04:00

CNN.com - Police arrest husband of missing Utah woman - Aug 2, 2004 Husbands, love your wives as Jesus loved the church - and do not kill them, ok? I can only imagine how painful it would be to have something truly terrible happen to my wife, and then all these people get emotionally involved in the story or in the actual physical search - when someone gets hurt or kidnapped, a little bit of each

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091453908784481782004-08-02T09:38:00.000-04:002004-08-02T09:38:28.793-04:00

CNN.com - Church bombs: Top insurgent blamed - Aug 2, 2004: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Deadly weekend attacks targeting Christian worshippers in Iraq bear all the footprints of insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his operatives, Iraq's National Security Adviser said Monday."GENOCIDE OF SUDANESE CHRISTIANS OF LITTLE INTEREST TO A PROSPEROUS AMERICA [Rightgrrl Article]China: Chinese Christians

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091405830741260382004-08-01T20:17:00.000-04:002004-08-01T20:17:10.746-04:00

The Village wasn't the best movie I've seen this year, and it moved at an Unbreakable-esque slow pace - but I enjoyed the story. No spoilers here - but I posted a comment with some spoiler stuff here at MovieBlog.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091297990004512722004-07-31T14:16:00.000-04:002004-07-31T14:19:50.003-04:00

Sunset The topic this week was "sunset", and it looked like everyone was posting pictures of... sunsets. All very pretty, but we don't have any real scenic views that are easy to get to for this one. But there's a Sunset Drive and a Sunset Blvd in town, and my sweetie had time to drive around and snap this one.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091272767271725872004-07-31T07:19:00.000-04:002004-07-31T07:19:27.270-04:00

This Day in History: "IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA DIES" Ignatius' The Spiritual Exercises is rich for meditation on Christ and our role as Christians. I've only read second-hand accounts from people who've studied them, and I might need to take up the cause myself.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091228486420617202004-07-30T19:01:00.000-04:002004-07-30T19:01:26.430-04:00

Real Live Preacher posted "There's Something About The Way You Use The Bible" - and he's right on. We reduce the scriptures to a guidebook, or a rulebook used to correct ourselves and others - when we might be better off living in relationship with Christ and letting that interaction then speak Life into us through the pages of the book on my nightstand....

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091200158274257952004-07-30T11:09:00.000-04:002004-07-30T12:34:32.563-04:00

my morning commutewatching the sunriselistening to waveswatching a baby sleeplistening to rain on a metal roofsleepan empty roomreading a good bookchecking emailfishingprayer in the woodsevening walkclassical musicthe lull after a tickle fight with the kidshum of the air conditionerblogging, more or lesssmilingtime right after turning the mower offwaiting patientlywriting a letter with real paper

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091158002923274802004-07-29T23:26:00.000-04:002004-07-29T23:34:25.893-04:00

John Locke: Second Treatise of Civil Government BenjaminRush.com Declaration Of Independence - a brief history Samuel Adams The Declaration of Independence - ushistory.org

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091119893784741872004-07-29T12:51:00.000-04:002004-07-29T12:51:33.793-04:00

CNN.com - Review: 'The Village' Shyamalan's best film yet - Jul 29, 2004I. cannot. wait. for. the. opening. Friday. 07/30. Woo. hoo.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091106256524837982004-07-29T11:46:00.000-04:002004-07-29T11:54:51.753-04:00

Blogs4GOD Birthday - woo hoo!I appreciate all the things Dean and Co. do to keep the blogs listed and cached each week. I'm not much of a participant anymore, but it's cool to see that people still peruse through the Journals listing and visit this site from time to time. Stop over there and wish them a HBD, and tell Dean I sent ya!Bruderhof Saving Childhood Forum - When is advertising to

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1091018908664739722004-07-28T08:48:00.000-04:002004-07-28T08:48:28.670-04:00

Today's going to be a good day, but only if I get busy and get things done. One of the problems with being out a few days is that the work doesn't stop around you. I've got some catching up to do, starting with a way-too-early conference call this morning. Then tonight I'm supposed to be doing movie night with Scott - maybe Anchorman, maybe Dodgeball - but not until I catch up on some things here

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090983636492640092004-07-27T23:00:00.000-04:002004-07-28T08:25:58.666-04:00

Why Christians Should Not Vote for George W. BushThis is a very political week in USAmerica, and I'm enjoying the Democratic Convention from Boston. I enjoy listening to rhetoric, trying to hear what they're saying and what they're *really* saying. I can't morally vote for John Kerry & John Edwards, since they and the political platform they represent are in so many ways opposed to what I hold as

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090983071602475202004-07-27T22:51:00.000-04:002004-07-27T22:51:11.606-04:00

We're home again - hooray - and I'm really really tired. The past two days I've fallen asleep in the afternoon. I enjoy a good nap, but I rarely get one, and when I do it's usually planned. Not these - I fell asleep yesterday afternoon in the hotel room, waking to find a note that the family had gone to one of the attractions and that I could meet them in a hour. Today, after the long trek home,

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090783854964226572004-07-25T15:30:00.000-04:002004-07-25T15:35:38.490-04:00

It was really hot yesterday, but there's a breeze to move the humidity around a bit today. We've been to the Purina Dog Show, to the top of Stone Mountain, and to the Great Barn. Still looking for that Starbucks trip though.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090783152623939942004-07-25T09:54:00.000-04:002004-07-29T11:47:29.076-04:00

We arrived yesterday afternoon - very long drive with two getting-bored-and-more-bored children in the back. But it was a good drive, and we were all glad to finally get to Stone Mountain Park. We went to the Barn first - basically, a three-story sponge ball attack game. You're supposed to be gathering the balls and doing things that would build points on the computer system, but instead of

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090665506617146602004-07-24T06:34:00.000-04:002004-07-24T06:38:26.616-04:00

Mother My wife does so much around here, and still finds time to smile. Our daughter would do well to learn from her mom how to live and serve, and how to enjoy the moment when you can.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090636884294383522004-07-23T22:41:00.000-04:002004-07-23T22:44:13.300-04:00

Bag Borrow or StealPlease, please - do not tell my wife and/or daughter about this.[link via kathryn]

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090617686347588832004-07-23T17:21:00.000-04:002004-07-23T17:21:26.346-04:00

MSNBC - Enough of NASCAR dads, soccer moms: "Howard Stern, blogs and voter virgins hold the key" That's what I'm talking about.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090578829201851382004-07-23T06:33:00.000-04:002004-07-23T06:33:49.206-04:00

It's been a long week:My wife has been in classOur kids have had to get up early for day campI had that sick day WednesdayMother-in-law continuing treatment post-hip replacementGetting ready/packed for upcoming vacationI don't think I appreciate that it's Friday quite yet, because almost all-of-the-above is still in progress. From this early point in our day, it still looks extremely busy. But

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090524172020602542004-07-22T15:22:00.000-04:002004-07-22T15:22:52.026-04:00

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.... Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God. Watch out that

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090515419303038872004-07-22T12:56:00.000-04:002004-07-22T13:02:44.050-04:00

CNN.com - 911 panel report: 'We must act' - Jul 22, 2004 My statement is bold and highly generalized, but no less true in my opinion: Every sermon from every pulpit this weekend should have this ploclamation as its title, "Failure of Imagination". On so many levels, the weaknesses within the administration that allowed the tragedies of 9/11 to take place are also a major part of the problem

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090495048311687252004-07-22T07:17:00.000-04:002004-07-22T07:17:28.310-04:00

The Portico: Rodger Sellers' Travel Logs I wanted to make sure I saved this link off for further reading as he gets closer to home. Rodger is taking a trip through the country, visiting and studying emerging churches and conversations and reporting to those in his home community so they can move forward. That's so cool - wonder if he needs someone to travel next summer on the follow-up tour? [

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090466720666300222004-07-21T23:21:00.000-04:002004-07-21T23:25:20.666-04:00

I just couldn't pass this up. I was surfing around and came across a site I'd enjoyed before - the Church Sign Generator. This time, I actually came through a link to the page of real church sign photos from around the country. Too funny. Of course, I had to generate my own sign:

Ricknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090451095095932912004-07-21T19:04:00.000-04:002004-07-21T19:04:55.096-04:00

U.S. Newswire - Labor Department Launches Web Site to Help the Homeless This is wonderful. I expect to see homeless people all over the country booting up their laptops to get to this website, filmed for broadcast on FoxNews tonight after Hannity & Colmes. I spent today at home getting over a stomach flu bug (eeww, and let's leave it at that). I've slept most of the day, and have successfully

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090357823072687462004-07-20T17:10:00.000-04:002004-07-20T17:10:23.083-04:00

There's alot going on right now, and it's only going to get busier before it calms back into a school/work/church rhythm in a few weeks:My mother-in-law's having problems with her hip replacement. There's an infection in the incision - thankfully not in the replacement area itself - and the nurses and techs are having a tough time putting in a port for the antibiotics. She's in a rehab center and

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090329349156979052004-07-20T09:15:00.000-04:002004-07-20T09:15:49.163-04:00

Over on the 1J13 Email List, we congregate every week for the TUESDAY3, and today it's spilling over into blogdom. Feel free to answer - in the comments, or leave a comment that you've got answers at your site. Thanks for playing!1) What's the last thing you listened to on the radio?2) What's the last program you watched on TV?3) What's the last thing you prayed?===My responses:1. Morning

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090265373176432312004-07-19T15:29:00.000-04:002004-07-19T15:29:33.176-04:00

CNN.com - 'X-Men' director to take on 'Superman' - Jul 19, 2004 Sweet. Bryan Singer's going to take over here, and if he does as good a job with the DC character as he has with the Marvel X-Men, this is going to be good. If he ends up dropping out, at least get Sam Raimi to stand next in line (director of Spider-Man flicks).

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090256852167669022004-07-19T13:07:00.000-04:002004-07-19T14:18:33.270-04:00

One of the things I notice in my life right now is a lack of gratitude. I'm not a very thankful person, at least from my perspective. I don't know why - there's so much to be thankful for, and so many people who are such integral parts of my life. I'm just not generally one to give voice or real action to my "thank you".I'm challenged by At The Feet Of Jesus, by Brian Shipman, where in Chapter 7

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090250620209860432004-07-19T11:21:00.000-04:002004-07-19T11:24:36.033-04:00

Maybe I'm a Constituionalist? A little to heavy-leaning towards states' rights for me, but otherwise Peroutka says some sound things, superficially at least. More research needed.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090191960790732842004-07-18T19:06:00.000-04:002004-07-18T19:06:00.806-04:00

Surfing around the 'net, I came across the news of Sam C's impending cancer treatment. Sam is 4-yrs-old, and his mom & dad are going through it right now. Lift them up.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090149412759616362004-07-18T07:16:00.000-04:002004-07-18T07:16:52.770-04:00

Here's an audio page for Tavis Smiley, where Jim Wallis of Sojo.net was interviewed with Jerry Falwell on the values that are important to them in this year's election. Nothing like a little debate to get the juices flowing, huh?Also, I received this link from a friend - makes me think twice about my upcoming flights to Puerto Rico in the fall. It's scary when whatever form of government or

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090068763823308622004-07-17T08:52:00.000-04:002004-07-17T08:52:43.830-04:00

Watching the weather this morning, waiting to see if it's going to rain or not. Rain is good, keeping the normally mid-90s July heat subside to the mid-80s. But not raining would be good this morning, too: my Dad wants to take T-boy and I to play mini-golf up the street. Hard to putt while it's pouring down though.Vicki is at the church already, getting ready for FashionShare. Ladies from the

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1090011909618875682004-07-16T17:05:00.000-04:002004-07-16T17:05:09.616-04:00

I am the best dad in the whole world. Vicki's got women's outreach stuff at church, so I am Daddy-man tonight. Just ordered our evening meal - pizza & a DVD from Papa John's. We'll be playing SceneIt Jr. before the pizza even has time to get cold. I am the man.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089987618136651382004-07-16T10:18:00.000-04:002004-07-16T10:20:18.136-04:00

Ocean This is from T's class trip to Kiawah Island this past May.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089984014028325632004-07-16T09:20:00.000-04:002004-07-16T10:11:18.040-04:00

Holding It Together, Sojourners Magazine/May-June 1999Sojo.net - Election IssuesIt seems that the only two issues being fought today by Christians are related to homosexuality and same-sex marriage and the continuing fight against abortion (there also might be a third cause - defending the Bush Administration against liberals - but I don't think it's reached the level of the first two yet). If

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089981784274344312004-07-16T08:43:00.000-04:002004-07-16T08:43:04.280-04:00

[Let me say first that I *know* I'm not alone - it's just that in the midst of it all, the sweeping generalization makes more sense emotionally...]I did not want to get bogged down in politics this year, but was chastised on not wanting to vote. So I became one of the most politically-minded people I know - and find myself alone because I still don't want to vote and now I'm better prepared to

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089900416526641382004-07-15T10:06:00.000-04:002004-07-15T10:18:01.516-04:00

Life is never as bad as you think it is, and it's never going as well as you think it is, either. I was talking to someone yesterday, and she was commenting on how there are so many people who are so much worse off than she is. In her own pain and circumstances, she's still comparing herself to others and seeing that her own situation isn't so bad.But I wanted to tell her that we still can't

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089812999159623222004-07-14T09:49:00.000-04:002004-07-14T09:58:18.076-04:00

CNN.com - Marriage amendment expected to die in Senate - Jul 14, 2004CNN.com - McCain: Same-sex marriage ban is un-Republican - Jul 14, 2004I'm conflicted. I know that something probably needs to be done, but either this is too much, as McCain is saying, or it's not nearly enough. The "sanctity of marriage" is an ideal that's not an actuality at a national and cultural level, as observed in the

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089767373638587152004-07-13T21:09:00.000-04:002004-07-13T21:09:33.636-04:00

CNN.com - Bush twins break silence - Jul 13, 2004 What should scare me is that I'd probably vote for Barbara & Jenna before their father.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089753197085195962004-07-13T17:13:00.000-04:002004-07-13T17:13:17.093-04:00

Praying for Sam, and for Rudy & Kafi.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089724897067362002004-07-13T09:21:00.000-04:002004-07-13T09:21:37.073-04:00

Once upon a time, there was a village in the highlands where everyone spoke in questions. Whether it was the particular lilt of their accents or not, no one is sure - but every sentence ended distinctly higher pitched, the perfect place for a question mark. A typical conversation would be as follows:Mother - "Son, have you been outside playing?"Son - "Do you think I have?"Mother - "Indeed, was I

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089717291020688022004-07-13T07:14:00.000-04:002004-07-13T07:14:51.026-04:00

Here's a story that is really, really sad:11alive.com - The widow of a murdered church deacon and an associate pastor are on suicide watch in the Floyd jail, where they are being held on conspiracy and murder charges. [linked by Bryan @ SpareChange]Apparently, the wife and her husband's best friend are charged with conspiracy to murder. The victim was a deacon, serving at the church where the

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089650841663690052004-07-12T12:47:00.000-04:002004-07-12T12:49:01.623-04:00

MSNBC - Exclusive: Election Day WorriesCNN.com - Officials discuss how to delay Election Day - Jul 11, 2004This really bothers me. I don't think that anything could be done on such a level as to disrupt entirely the election process in this country. At local precincts, perhaps, things could go whacky - but on a national scale, the Constitution's date/timing would still be pretty much in force.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089635679441367012004-07-12T08:34:00.000-04:002004-07-12T08:34:39.446-04:00

Looking back on this past weekend, it was good - relaxing, encouraging, restful, maybe transformational. Sometimes, the weekend can sneak up on us and fill our daytimers with all those pesky chores that have gone undone through the rest of the week. We got some of those things done while having time to still just enjoy living, enjoy friends and family, enjoy God's presence among His people.As I

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089579251836914502004-07-11T16:54:00.000-04:002004-07-11T17:13:49.623-04:00

I blogged a few weeks ago on "my stand" - writing down a little about what I stand for, how I see Jesus and the Bible and Life and such (links @ top right sidebar). I had some interaction here on the blog, a little more on our email list where I cross-posted to folks there, but no other real conversations outside of those electronic mediums. I know that "flesh-n-blood" friends read my stuff

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089500555746339192004-07-10T19:02:00.000-04:002004-07-10T19:02:35.766-04:00

It's my weekend to mow the church yard, and it was way too easy for me. With the "official" mower down until it can be repaired, Brother Joel brought his landscaping equipment for me, and we did it "together". He did all the work while I rode the riding mower and proceeded to have the church weed-eater crap out on me (tangled twine) and the church blower run out of gas, too. Honest. He had all

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089465546387072062004-07-10T09:19:00.000-04:002004-07-10T09:19:06.386-04:00

CNN.com - Glen Campbell entertains fellow inmates - Jul 10, 2004 You just know that there's going to be some bad 70s-style TV movie made from this whole thing... And that if he sang "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" one more time, someone was going to take him out.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089382007566021262004-07-09T10:03:00.000-04:002004-07-09T10:06:47.566-04:00

Cool Ladybug's the only one in the family who doesn't wear glasses for physical reasons, but she likes to go stylin' with her sunglasses. We liked the "coloring page" aspect, adding to the coolness factor from a six-yr-old's perspective.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089377987837764402004-07-09T08:59:00.000-04:002004-07-09T09:15:12.090-04:00

CNN.com - Famous Burr, Hamilton duel to be reenacted - Jul 8, 2004I'm reading about this right now in Founding Brothers, by Joseph J. Ellis, a book built around the premise that all of these men knew each other, and that USAmerica and its Constitution were born out of their relationships and conversations. The duel between Hamilton and Burr seems to be the exception to the rule that they admired

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089376206252067792004-07-09T08:30:00.000-04:002004-07-09T08:30:06.263-04:00

If you want to identify me,ask me not where I live,or what I like to eat, orhow I comb my hair;but ask me what I am living for,in detail, and ask mewhat I think is keeping mefrom living fully forthe thing I want to live for.[from Bruderhof.com - Source: "My Argument with the Gestapo" by Thomas Merton.]

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089338327083413522004-07-08T21:58:00.000-04:002004-07-08T21:58:45.946-04:00

Wow, what an honor. Thanks, Ginkworld.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089313923217696362004-07-08T15:12:00.000-04:002004-07-08T15:12:03.223-04:00

Time just keeps moving forward, and I just keep getting older. I blow off the notion that my kids will be leaving the house soon (promise?), and forget to spend time with them now so that the future separation will be something they're prepared for, or spending time with them now so they'll miss us, too. I love watching them grow up, seeing them change and blossom into individuals with

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089257844364413472004-07-08T00:00:00.000-04:002004-07-07T23:37:24.363-04:00

Thirty-six years ago, on a warm day in Hickory, NC, the world got a little more sarcastic, a little more sardonic, a little more ironic, a little more cynical, and a bit funnier... I think.

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089215573124970052004-07-07T11:52:00.000-04:002004-07-07T11:57:55.166-04:00

sacbee.com -- California -- Riordan calls kid a 'stupid, dirty girl' at book event: "Riordan apparently thought the girl was asking whether he knew what her name meant and, with a camera rolling from a local news station, made an inexplicable quip he would immediately regret. 'It means stupid, dirty girl,' he said."Without generalizing too much - is it okay to say that we have collectively lost

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089214529264821322004-07-07T11:35:00.000-04:002004-07-07T11:35:29.263-04:00

CNN.com - James Doohan, 'Trek's' Scotty, has Alzheimer's - Jul 7, 2004: "'His longterm memory seems to be intact,' said Chris Doohan, 45. 'If you ask him how he got his role on 'Star Trek' or (about) D-Day, he can talk for an hour about that. But if you ask him what he had for breakfast,' he can't say." I grew up with Star Trek, from the reruns that used to run every weekday afternoon on channel

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089204735184715382004-07-07T08:52:00.000-04:002004-07-07T08:52:15.193-04:00

Child of Divorce - Ari Goldman[today's Daily Dig from Bruderhof.com]To my mind, divorce is a deplorable breach of contract, and I say without humor that children should be allowed to sue.Consider the facts: Two people agree to create a human being and promise to give it love, a home, security, and happiness. They take this step with the best of intentions, to be sure, but then something goes awry

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089126257960098742004-07-06T11:04:00.000-04:002004-07-06T11:38:44.653-04:00

We've got new snapshots up on our fotopage. My daughter's becoming quite the photographer...

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089121715093072602004-07-06T09:46:00.000-04:002004-07-06T10:14:05.316-04:00

CNN.com - Kerry announces Edwards as his running mate - Jul 6, 2004"John Edwards is ready for this job," Kerry told a cheering crowd (CNN.com). The implication is, of course, that Edwards is ready for the VP job, just not the P job for which they were both campaigning against each other earlier this year. Of all the Democratic candidates, I think I liked Edwards best, maybe Leiberman. I find

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089121597544251382004-07-06T09:45:00.000-04:002004-07-06T10:02:56.003-04:00

I was up late last night, couldn't sleep - so I googled a few things in research for church this Thursday. Pastor preached on "Keeping America Great", taking his text from 1 Timothy 2:1-4, challenging the congregation to pray for our leaders (regardless of party affiliation), to live in holiness as Christians, and to share Christ with those around us. One of the leaders spoke to him afterwards

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1089045775867147502004-07-05T12:42:00.000-04:002004-07-05T12:42:55.876-04:00

Right now, I'm on a history kick. Part of it has to do with the "Reclaim America" stuff we're doing at church, I'm sure. As I've been doing some of my own internet research into the founding fathers (I'm also really intrigued to get a new book I saw the other day called "The Founding Brothers"), I've also been flipping through the History Channel, documentaries on PBS, some extra stuff on

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1088938995441633552004-07-04T07:03:00.000-04:002004-07-04T07:03:15.450-04:00

Today is Independence Day, when we as Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence as our charter for countryhood. But I'm looking at "This Day In History" online this morning, and finding other remarkable things:On this day in 1826, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died. It was the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence: "Jefferson had authored it, and Adams, who was known

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704197.post-1088906103508806642004-07-03T21:55:00.000-04:002004-07-03T21:55:03.513-04:00

Mean Dean @ Blogs4God is asking for fireworks stories - here's mine:We lived down the street from Carl D on one side of the street and Stephen R on the other side of the street. Carl's dad was ex-marine, and Stephen was into the whole military thing, too - so any time anyone bought firecrackers, there was a huge supply of bottle rockets. That's right, shooting bottle rockets from bunker to bunker

Ricknoreply@blogger.com0