Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Sunday, April 02, 2006
special guest blogger, matthew anderson
note: The following is a post by preachin' don't pay's first guest blogger, Matthew Anderson. Matthew visited the preacher and his family last week for a few days. Much whiskey was reviewed.
Since Joel lost the cord for his camera, I’ll attempt a word picture.
Most of my time spent with Joel in the past included discussions regarding religion, politics, and general life experience. Our skeptical attitudes toward the previous list included criticism and sarcasm mostly, occasionally we would offer a solution or two. In one sense we are good for each other, it’s nice to know someone like you, especially since that someone knows you are full of male bovine fecal material. In another sense, we were precarious. We ran rough-shod over most topics because we knew just enough to make us dangerous. Our buddy Josh kept us on the straight and narrow.
Joel and I have both married (married up I might add), we’ve both done some extra education, and both moved into a career since we met. Joel has added two beautiful children, I await that blessing. This was the first trip to see Joel in a number of years, the first time seeing his children. We still talk about politics and religion as a hopeless mess twisted beyond recognition and the perils of life, but our discussions are different.
Here’s the picture-its not the same as before. Today, my buddy Joel likes people to think, he likes to agitate for the sake of critical thinking and irritate to challenge firmly held opinion. He holds his opinions loosely and compares them to others with interest. His thoughts about life are more informed, I guess that comes with just being around longer. For Joel, life has become precious, too precious to live half-gluteus maxima. Thanks to his wife and wonderful children, Joel sees life with fresh eyes. He sees a reason to discuss the details, motivations, and agendas in politics, his children bring the future into view. Joel has a renewed sense of the importance of a right view of God because he, along with his wife, will teach their children. Life has become different because Joel has been entrusted with life. The picture of my friend has changed. I’m not talking about the size of his physique, its Joel singing the “clean-up” song with his daughter that has changed. It’s a pleasant picture, one that includes a beautiful wife, curly haired daughter, and chubby-cheeked son. Life is precious.
JB is my friend. We missed you Josh.
Since Joel lost the cord for his camera, I’ll attempt a word picture.
Most of my time spent with Joel in the past included discussions regarding religion, politics, and general life experience. Our skeptical attitudes toward the previous list included criticism and sarcasm mostly, occasionally we would offer a solution or two. In one sense we are good for each other, it’s nice to know someone like you, especially since that someone knows you are full of male bovine fecal material. In another sense, we were precarious. We ran rough-shod over most topics because we knew just enough to make us dangerous. Our buddy Josh kept us on the straight and narrow.
Joel and I have both married (married up I might add), we’ve both done some extra education, and both moved into a career since we met. Joel has added two beautiful children, I await that blessing. This was the first trip to see Joel in a number of years, the first time seeing his children. We still talk about politics and religion as a hopeless mess twisted beyond recognition and the perils of life, but our discussions are different.
Here’s the picture-its not the same as before. Today, my buddy Joel likes people to think, he likes to agitate for the sake of critical thinking and irritate to challenge firmly held opinion. He holds his opinions loosely and compares them to others with interest. His thoughts about life are more informed, I guess that comes with just being around longer. For Joel, life has become precious, too precious to live half-gluteus maxima. Thanks to his wife and wonderful children, Joel sees life with fresh eyes. He sees a reason to discuss the details, motivations, and agendas in politics, his children bring the future into view. Joel has a renewed sense of the importance of a right view of God because he, along with his wife, will teach their children. Life has become different because Joel has been entrusted with life. The picture of my friend has changed. I’m not talking about the size of his physique, its Joel singing the “clean-up” song with his daughter that has changed. It’s a pleasant picture, one that includes a beautiful wife, curly haired daughter, and chubby-cheeked son. Life is precious.
JB is my friend. We missed you Josh.
photographs: ETA 3 days
I ordered a cord for my digital camera. Ordering a new one was easy. I have a kodak camera. I went to kodak.com, intered by camera model into the "search kodak.com" box, and clicked "accessories for your camera." After shipping and handling, losing the original cord only cost me $23.17. Kodak has assured me that I'll will receive the new cord via ups in 2-3 business days.
life
My best man is recently engaged. Congratulations JPK.
The fifth season has ended...finally. Thank God.
Samuel is getting teeth. He sleeps no longer than 20 minutes without crying.
Ana has decided she's "little bossy," but daddy is "big bossy."
I secretly hope K moves back so the Cedar3 can be re-united.
Relationships are ending, beginning.
The fifth season has ended...finally. Thank God.
Samuel is getting teeth. He sleeps no longer than 20 minutes without crying.
Ana has decided she's "little bossy," but daddy is "big bossy."
I secretly hope K moves back so the Cedar3 can be re-united.
Relationships are ending, beginning.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
smile of the week #3
I've lost the cord that connects my digital camera to my computer. I'd buy a new one, but I keep hoping it will turn up. In the meantime, I've got 462 pictures on my camera. Maybe it's time to spend the $13.43 and just buy a new one.
An old friend is arriving tomorrow. He's staying with us until Thursday. I'm excited. You know a true friend when you can get together after not seeing each other for months or years, and you talk about things other than what you used to do together; your conversations are fresh and vibrant, not a simple rehashing of good times now long past.
Pictures to follow...cord allowing.
An old friend is arriving tomorrow. He's staying with us until Thursday. I'm excited. You know a true friend when you can get together after not seeing each other for months or years, and you talk about things other than what you used to do together; your conversations are fresh and vibrant, not a simple rehashing of good times now long past.
Pictures to follow...cord allowing.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
roses for my friends
when you're driving down the road, you can drive off the road into the ditch on either side.
on the road of life, there's two ditches you can drive into - concentrating too much on helping people, concentrating too much on helping yourself.
there's got to be balance somewhere.
and if you're thinking helping people is such a pain in the ass, maybe you're burnt out because you've been neglecting to help yourself.
on the road of life, there's two ditches you can drive into - concentrating too much on helping people, concentrating too much on helping yourself.
there's got to be balance somewhere.
and if you're thinking helping people is such a pain in the ass, maybe you're burnt out because you've been neglecting to help yourself.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
smile of the week #2
Free coffee at Starbucks. When I first saw this story I was afraid it was a hoax. No way would Starbucks really give away coffee for free. On Wednesday morning I cautiously entered my local starbucks at 10:30 A.M., looking for the "FREE COFFEE UNTIL NOON" sign. My heart sunk. I saw no advertisement, and there was not a line out the door. Surely if Starbucks was really giving away coffee people would be lined up down the street!
I sheepishly walked to the counter and placed my order. "One small coffee please."
I refuse to say "tall" "grande" or "venti" when describinng what size of coffee I want. And I especially enjoy when the "barista" repeats my order using the starbucks language.
As my local "barista" was pouring my coffee, I reached into my pocket for two $1 bills. As my "barista" set my "tall" coffee on the counter, she told me there was no charge. Whoa!
Sunday, March 12, 2006
my smile of the week
A wonderful blogger buddy is doing a really great reoccuring column - Timbu's annoyance of the week. Blogging, like music, is essentially stealing. You steal other people's ideas, try to make them your own, fail to mention your inspiration, and pray your readers/hearers don't catch on. I know these things; I was in a band. Now I write a blog; I've given up stealing melodies for stealing words.
But I'm not going to completely steal Timbu's idea. Instead of my "annonyance of the week," I'm going to attempt to write about my smile of the week. Those who know me best will recognize this as a stretch. I'm an accomplished pessimist. For me, annonyance are easy. Smiles are a bit harder.
My smile of the week:
Ana, although only two, is starting to display some of her beautiful mother's cleanliness habits. We were outside today. She walked through some mud. She found a stick and attempted to remove the mud from her shoe. And we have a picture to spread the smile:
But I'm not going to completely steal Timbu's idea. Instead of my "annonyance of the week," I'm going to attempt to write about my smile of the week. Those who know me best will recognize this as a stretch. I'm an accomplished pessimist. For me, annonyance are easy. Smiles are a bit harder.
My smile of the week:
Ana, although only two, is starting to display some of her beautiful mother's cleanliness habits. We were outside today. She walked through some mud. She found a stick and attempted to remove the mud from her shoe. And we have a picture to spread the smile:
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
the secret handshake
Thanks to the folks at postsecret, I'm finally able to poignantly describe my seminary experience.Or, as friend once asked me: "Is seminary like watching the Wizard of Oz for the first time, and finding out that the wizard is really just a little dude hiding behind a wall?"
Yes. I'm in on the joke. God is much smaller than she used to be. Why do we equate "small" with weak? Should it be?
hobbies
I work with fascinating people. I especially enjoy learning about people’s hobbies—the things they would do if it paid. I work because preachin’ don’t pay. Today I talked to a woman who works because dog-sleddin’ don’t pay.
Did you know that if you go dog sledding in Northern Minnesota (She goes near Ely), you get to spend the nights in a yurt?
Did you know that if you go dog sledding in Northern Minnesota (She goes near Ely), you get to spend the nights in a yurt?
jars of clay
A friend recently hit me up for the original Jars of Clay album.I had forgotten how much I used to listen to it. So I fired up on my new iPod (my wife really does love me). More about my shiny new iPod later.It’s hard to believe the album is 10 years old, for a couple of reasons:
1) The music still sounds unique and original, albeit many others have attempted to duplicate their style. Of course, all music is essentially stealing other people's ideas, so whatever.
2) It’s been 10 years since I first started listening to it. I’m getting old. I remember playing this album in my car stereo while at a campsite after I graduated from High School. And listening to it while driving to Lutsen for a weekend of golf the same summer. And listening to it some more during road trips in college, when it was one of the oldie but goodie cd’s we’d pop in.
I like the entire album, but especially the song “He.” I never really thought about the lyrics until today when I was listening. It’s quite dark. Which is no surprise—I usually like the dark ones.
Daddy, don't you love me?
Then why do you hit me?
Momma don't you love me
Then why do you hurt me?
Fearful tears are running down
The pain you've laid don't speak a sound
Don't take my heart away from me
And they think I fell down, again
Friday, February 17, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
help!
I'm on a quest for new music! Loyal readers, please suggest albums I need to check out.
I've recently purchased:
1) Jeff Foucault, Miles from Lightning
2) Coldplay, X&Y
3) Sarah McLachlan, Afterglow
Help! I'm craving good new music!
I've recently purchased:
1) Jeff Foucault, Miles from Lightning
2) Coldplay, X&Y
3) Sarah McLachlan, Afterglow
Help! I'm craving good new music!
happy valentine's day
From Daily Candy:
carniwhore:
n. a girl who puts out for carnations.
valentiny tim:
n. a man who's masculinity is put into question by his overenthusiasm for V-Day.
carniwhore:
n. a girl who puts out for carnations.
valentiny tim:
n. a man who's masculinity is put into question by his overenthusiasm for V-Day.
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