never been here before

Has anyone else noticed this? About a month ago, while washing dishes and listening to the TV in the other room, I noticed I was hearing a lot of familiar songs. Once I noticed, I couldn't help it. Each time a commercial break come on, I paid attention to the music. And it's became so common to hear pop songs, I started a list to see what would happen. Target - Hello/Goodbye by the Beatles Pantene - Unwritten by Natashia Beddingfield Crumble Kraft Cheese - Unbelievable by EMF Swifer Wet Jet - One Way by Blondie KFC - Sweet Home Alabama by Lynrd Skynrd Bali - There She Goes by The La's Venus Razors - Venus by Bananarama (kind of an obvious one) Gillette Soleil Razors - Let the Sun Shine In from the musical Hair. (Also used in the Kia Rondo commericals) GMC Acadia - I'll Melt with You by Mest Zales - A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton Lending Tree - O ne Thing Leads to Another by The Fixx Lipton Tea - This Little Light of Mine (I have no idea who originally r...

I'm scared. Nope. I take that back. I'm terrified. I don't know why it just hit me this weekend. Probably because I've been looking for housing options up in Minnesota, trying to figure out how this going back to school thing is going to work. The academic part I'm not worried about... but being 10 years older than everyone else there does. And I don't know why. Bethel is a large school, with an undergraduate & graduate school plus a seminary. I don't know how many students they have, but I joined the Bethel network on Facebook to get an idea of what it's like a. The college network has over 5,000 members, and I grew up in a town of 300. I went to college in a town of maybe 2,000, and I currently live in a town of about 35,000. I lived in a fairly big city after right after I finished undergrad, and I did okay, I guess. I didn't like it there, but it wasn't because the city was big. But this fear is more than just about being older and going...

I struggle with the idea of the prosperity gospel. Thankfully, I didn't grow-up with it; I've only encountered it as an adult and old enough to understand the premise. John Piper has a great sermon on it you can listen to at the University Christian Fellowship blog in the November 2005 archives . Joel Osteen's ministry is reported to spend over 20 million dollars ALONE buying television time. I feel sick to my stomach when I hear a number like this. I know in my heart it's wrong, and maybe my head just hasn't caught up with it all yet. Do I think God has a better plan for me? Yes. Do I think I deserve it? No. Do I think that if I pray God will make me rich he will? No. I'm not into believing that God will change his mind just because I ask him to. What more could I get that I don't already have? I have salvation in Christ. I am his co-heir in heaven. It doesn't get any better than that. A Little More (anyone know the artist?) Turn Your eyes from on th...

The doctors determined my dad did need a stent . They performed the procedure this afternoon and all is well. They decided to keep him overnight so they could run a few more tests tomorrow, in order to determine why he's keeps having these small strokes. The speculation is that he has a small hole in his heart, which they believe can be fixed. It feels like good news. It's just still scary. Thanks to all of you who prayed. And just for fun, a classic video for you all to enjoy.

7/9 Update: My parent's local doctor referred us to a neurologist at St. Elizabeth's in Lincoln. After those doctors reviewed the MRI they did on Thursday and his past medical history, they determined he for sure had a stroke and they want more tests done at their hospital. (Something called doplar tests.) It's possible that after getting the results of those tests they will put stents in his neck. If they decide to do this, he should be able to go home the next day. We are meeting with these doctors next Monday and hoping for the best. Thank you all for your prayers. It's weird. I spent the entire weekend at my parents house, enjoying a very large fireworks display (previously planned that my dad wouldn't cancel) put on by the local pyromaniacs club (man, do I live in a redneck state) and painting their basement. He seems fine. Nothing is different, other than an obvious exhaustion in his eyes. I am thankful both my parents are home together, because my mom knew ...

Blame it on The Very Left Reverend . “5 things I dig about Jesus” 1.) He taught me how to love. Christ loves me no matter what. That freaks me out a little. But that love is the greatest example of what love really is - to lay down one's life for a friend. To be there when no one else is. To forgive the unforgivable. To go beyond justice to mercy. This love, his love to me... it's unconditional. And he taught me to love others the same way. Ultimately, love comes from Jesus and to try and control it is futile. I get love because he gives love. And I am able to give love because I was loved first. 2.) He worked with his hands. I love that Jesus was a carpenter. As Bonhoeffer once called him, "a man for others". He'd hang out with all kinds of people. He didn't live the life one might expect a King to live; he lived the life given to him. We can all take a lesson from that. 3.) He puts up with my crap. Over and over. I don't get it, I don't un...

Mr. Bean rocks my sauce. You know... I just realized I went to high school with a guy who looked exactly like Mr. Bean. But my classmate wasn't funny.

My hair's not this red, but they didn't have a brown option. But otherwise, yeah, this is me. Man, I am really bored.