never been here before

Steve Fuller over at A Better Way has a great post today about a college professor that chose to retire in order to take care of his ailing wife, who is suffering from Alzheimer's. There's a video you can watch on his post or here . Either way, watch the video. It's short and completely worth it. By the end, all I could say was "That's the most romantic thing I've ever heard." And as Fuller's post says, "Some of us have forgotten who God is; others of us have never known. Either way, he knows who you are, and he has promised to be there for you." And I asked myself, isn't all God's doing is romancing us? Trying to get our attention so we can see just how amazing he is? Sacrificing himself so I can live an blessed (not necessarily happy or easy) life? Isn't all he's doing is trying to open our hearts to his love? I've been reading a fiction book entitled The Art of Standing Still by Peggy Culliford. It was the title tha

For the lamest, most insensitive newspaper quote ever: the award goes to Lt. Dennis Lewis of the Kearney Police Department. Kearney's longest known transient died last weekend after being hit by a pickup. And what does the police department have to say about it? "It's like the end of an era." No, it's the end of a life, you idiot. Rest the rest of the story here .

An all Waterdeep mix is on my ipod. I cannot help but empty my head of the crap that's filled it today, sit back and let the mellow wash over me. Ah, how I've missed them. Please get back into the studio someday, Waterdeep. Speaking of music, I heard yet another cover of yet another worship song on the radio today. If I hear another version of "You're Worthy of My Praise" "In Christ Alone" "Shout to the Lord" "Above All" "Breathe" or "God of Wonders" I will throw up. As great as our God is, why do we keep recycling the same songs over and over again? There is so much more about him that has yet to be written. I will happily drift away to the sound of Don's voice. "... I finally found the way to live. In the presence of the Lord..."

Proponents of same-sex marriage have introduced an initiative that would put a whole new twist on traditional unions between men and women: It would require heterosexual couples to have children within three years or else have their marriages annulled. Initiative 957 was filed by the Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance, which was formed last summer after the state Supreme Court upheld Washington's ban on same-sex marriage. Read the rest of the story here . I love that this initiative is happening in Washington. Why? One of my close friends from college and his partner live there. And they just got engaged. I'm so happy that he's found someone who he loves and who loves him back. It's not easy to find that, no matter your sexual orientation. I hope this initiative spurs on the discussion that so many are afraid to have. What makes a marriage valid? Is it simply procreation to ensure the future of our planet? The idea is absurd. As someone who really doesn't care

For the better part of the evening, I felt free. I knew I would see someone tonight that hurt me. I would once again come face to face with a person who promised many things to me and didn't follow through. I knew this friend would be at a get together tonight. So I mentally and emotionally prepared myself - something I'd been unable to do previously because the encounters were chance. The preparation helped - I told myself I would not let it affect me like the previous times. I would not allow my night to be ruined this time. And things were fine. We were having a great time; rhere was laughter, joy, ease, love, fun. My heart was light. It was good, it was all good... until about 11:45pm, when the person who hurt me more than any other person has said to a very close friend of mine, "You should come over sometime." Is this stupid? The person who disappeared from my life when I needed my best friend the most is inviting my close friend over to place I haven't been

...that I can remember. I'm sure there are more. 10.) "If I could measure the beauty of her eyes, I was born to look into them and know myself." -Shakespeare in Love 9.) "The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe." -The Village 8.) "I loved people before and they went away, so a long time I made the decision I wasn't going to need anyone anymore. I"ve wasted most of my life that way. And I know I'm late and I know I don't deserve it. I need you. I love you." -Heart and Souls 7.) "The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds and that's what you've given me. " -The Notebook 6.) "I'd ask you about love, you'd probably quote me a sonnet. But you've never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on earth just for you.

I'm ashamed to say that back in 2003 I was mad at Natalie Mains for saying what she did. I was equally mad at Toby Keith for being stupid. I didn't buy either album as I'm not much of a country music fan (of the two artists, I definately like the Dixie Chicks music better - I think it's the fiddle I dig.) but I still had my opinion about their behavior. I favored Alan Jackson 's approach - the more sentimental "we're in this together" kind of song. I loved that Jackson won the CMA that year for Artist of the Year when he was up against both Keith and the Chicks. I'm never going to be okay with war. I'm just not. Does that make me left-winged or right-winged? I don't care. I'm sick of those labels, and I'm sick of what they stand for. And I love when the entertainment industry crossed into politics, because that seems to be the only genuine time everyone is willing to enter the dialog. The dialog we were all afraid to take part of

I finally broke down and got myself cable tv. I decided to stop bothering my friends and save myself the $1.99 charges from iTunes. Yes, I've finally entered the 19th century, even if it is a little late. So for the last few weeks I've been flipping through channels and I paused to watch Iron Chef America . And all I can say is - why did I wait so long to get cable? Seriously, this show is the funniest thing I've ever seen. From the stadium lights to the camaras on cranes to my delightful glee in seeing Ted Allen as a judge (Whee!) to watching Bobby Flay cook with chocolate (isn't his thing BBQ?)... I'm in love. But it's the hilarious music and the "sports-like" commentary are truly what make me laugh. I mean, it's a cooking show! And they are treating it like it's the NBA finals! Alton Brown sends us off to commerical, while checking his computers screens as if checking statistics on the players. Come on, that is seriously funny. And when the

"What department are you with?" "Miracles." "You mean like seeing Jesus' face in a tortilla?" "No, that's publicity." Love it.

Leave your politically correctness behind, and your offended sensibility at home, because I find this series ridiculously hilarious. But it's not for the faint of heart. God, Inc. Episode 1 There are five episodes total so far. Stephen Faulk (or stee, as many know him) is Pamela Ribon 's husband. While he doesn't appear until episode two, she mentioned these little jems on her website . It will probably offend you a little. I still find them funny.

Kansas Bob discovered this before me. No Super Bowl in Church I find this situation very irritating.

Ex-pastor called 'wolf in sheep's clothing' This makes me sad.

I find this very cool. As a graphic designer, I'm a bit of a font junkie. (You don't want to know how many I have loaded on my Mac). I just recently discovered a 64 page full-color magazine entitled Building Letters 3 . The project began in 2005 (and was finished just last month) in response to the South Asian Tsunami, and it contains contributions from noted writers on typography. Production costs were met, so all proceeds go to help victims of the disaster. The book also includes a CD that has 25 fonts by both established and up-and-coming designers. Very cool indeed.