"When you do common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." ~George Washington Carver
Archive for September 2006
So nearly every day I run by this park a couple blocks down from the house. There's always something going on there, people playing tennis, soccer practice, etc. But my favorite thing to observe as I run by happens to be the pre-school/kindergarden baseball boys. These guys are no taller than my waist yet they are out there giving it all they got for the team. Well, sorta... The thing I like about watching this group is the fact that their parents are all out there with them. At this age, the kids can't be dropped off and picked up later. Everyone's there together teaching these kids how to swing a bat, just how it ought to be. Anyway, yesterday I hear one of the dads say, "Come on now, Johnny, stand up off the ground and stop playing in the dirt. We're here to play baseball." (Johnny continues to draw shapes on the ground.) Then a little bit later on my way back by I glance over and there's a kid who actually made contact with the ball and sent it to the outfield. The ball rolls past the "pitcher" and past the short stop. The short stop, upon seeing that he's missed the ball and that his rival is rounding second base, has to do something. So he promptly sticks his foot out in front of the runner and trips the kid, sending him flying across the ground toward third base. One of those moments that is hysterical, merely cause you know the child didn't have evil intent, he just didn't want the other boy to score a run. Priceless. Lesson to be learned from the pre-schoolers? It's probably not the best idea to trip others up when you make a mistake, but nor is it best to simply play in the dirt all day. Find a happy medium and just swing the bat. So much can be learned from innocent children. More of those to come, I am sure...
Here's the latest:
What a great weekend! Katy and her Mom were in town and we got to spend some great time together. I am only further reminded of the incredible strength and love of the Hill family. I'm always encouraged and uplifted in their presense. Joanne had come up for a missions conference regarding the South Pacific, and I was blessed to get to hear of her experiences and things she learned over the weekend. One thing she mentioned was that someone at the conference had said that Christians today need to seek "lost people" instead of "church people." I really like that.
Work has been pretty busy lately. Recent clients include ESPN, Hummer, NASCAR, Best Buy, the Poinsettia Bowl, the Tampa Police Department, McDonalds, and Verizon. Yes, even McDonalds is after a Fossil watch.
Be praying for a family in Canyon who lost their only 2 children in a car accident last week. Though I didn't know them, they were part of my old youth group and were killed on their way home from church on Wednesday. Around 1300 attented the funeral yesterday and the entire town, especially the church, has been affected by this.
Started reading Three by Ted Dekker this week. He is my hero. You must read his books if you haven't already. I've got a good reading list going, so feel free to add to if you know of any I need to check out.
Recent to the big screen is Flyboy. It's a good one if you're headed to the movies. I was also reminded this weekend of how good Tombstone is. Katy and I watched the last of it at the hotel. "Why, Johnny Ringo, just the man I was lookin' for..." A classic.
I'm here to inform you today that there are 3 food items that no human being should consume and allow passage into their body. Though there are more than 3, these items are specifically harmful to one's health and inhibit proper digestion. In order, as follows:
Splenda: While I have tried to make the switch over to this "healthier" substitute for sugar, it's been discovered that upon the substitution, everything that includes such a substance begins to taste like it as well. Example: ice cream. How can you mess up ice cream, you might ask? A worthy question. I answer with a shocking discovery: ice cream made with Splenda is disgusting. Suggestion:
Sauerkraut: "cabbage cut fine, salted, and allowed to ferment until sour" Any food product that is fermented and/or sour is not only bad for your system, it's downright gross. Once this stringy-like vegetable is added to, let's say, a sandwich, it cannot be removed as can pickles or other items and still be edible. No, the smell and taste contaminates the entire meal until you choose instead to steer clear. No amount of ketchup can cover for this one.
Swiss Cheese: the least aweful of the three, swiss cheese still makes the list. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it had sauerkraut flavor mixed in when I attempted it, but there's still something not quite right with a food that tastes like rubber. Granted, I've never tasted rubber before, but if I did, I know it would taste like swiss cheese.
Be forewarned, friends.
Finished reading Freedom of Simplicity this last weekend and enjoyed the perspective of it all. A lot of radical thoughts presented, good ones. Most striking to me were the following quotes of Foster:
1. "What is our world like? Nearly two and one-half billion are culturally outside the present scope of Christian witness. They die without hearing, without knowing."
Does this mean that there are people who have "heard" the message, yet are unable to see it put into action? Have they heard of Christianity and some man named Jesus yet have never gotten to witness love, kindness, and encouragement from another? That being the case, I am struck at such a statement for it is in witnessing the love of Jesus that people truly meet Him face to face. There's more to it than just telling people about Christ; we must be true witnesses of what it means to know Him.
2. "You know it is possible to say 'No,' and it is possible to say, 'Lord,' but it is not really possible to say, 'No, Lord.'"
Many thoughts have entered my mind regarding these words over the last week. So many in fact that they can't really be explained. I'll just let them speak for themselves. Blessings~
Ok, ok, so it's been a while, but let's be honest, there's only a miniscule group of people reading this, at least based on the 2 comments a century that I get on here. However, I'll give the benefit of a doubt that there are those (identity kept secret) who are afraid to comment because the computer is too "high-tech" of a thing and they're not sure how all of that works anyway. Whatever. But a disclaimer on my part, I still have no internet connection at home except for those rare moments such as this when I can tie up the phone line, and I'm guessing I might not be sticking around at Fossil too much longer if I was taking time to post from there. So there you have it. I do what I can.
For now, I'll give a brief version of the latest adventure at work. A week or so ago, we had our Annual Sales Meeting, a 3 day long event that I didn't understand half of. Or much of any of it actually. But one afternoon we had a team builder which apparently used to consist of going to a ropes course. Here a sigh of relief was breathed after it was announced that we were actually trying something different this year: our own version of the Amazing Race. Now for those of you who don't watch this show, we need to talk. Cause they don't call it amazing for nothing. Anyway, our 4 teams ventured out to follow clues, complete tasks, and buy watches all around the Dallas area. Our team traveled to GolfSmith where one of us had to hit a drive and another sink a 10 ft putt. (Got that one, being the golfer that I am...!) We journeyed to a new Fossil store to seek out a certain t-shirt and then on to an apartment complex where our clue was waiting at the bottom of the swimming pool. Finally, we all met up at a bowling alley where the first team to get 2 strikes won the race. A close second place we were. In conclusion, it was a great way to spend an afternoon of "work." But I do believe it has made my desire to actually be on the show that much stronger. Over 40,000 miles in 30 days, never knowing where you get to go next. Pretty incredible. Until then, tune in next Sunday night, 8:30 pm on CBS, for the season premiere. Should be amazing.
