Sunday, December 30, 2007

wisdom in psalm...

1 "Blessed is the man who walks
not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers."

Psalm 1:1-3



sometimes it is best if a post is just straight scripture...

Friday, December 28, 2007

Random thoughts, or maybe Artwork... ?

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

writing to resolve...


I know with Christmas wrapping up (pun intended), our thoughts immediately focus towards the New Year.
No doubt some of you out there already have some noble New Year's Resolutions in mind....

Well, before you get too far - allow me to introduce the best list of Resolutions my eyes have ever seen:

the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards.


His resolutions were not like the ones we so often hear today; to start exercising more or to change to a new diet, Nope, his list consisted of spiritual things - full of wisdom, zeal, serious sincerity, and focused on increasing his desire for the Lord, they are all saturated with biblical truth.

Edwards committed himself to read over his list of Resolutions at least once a week to keep them fresh in his mind. He started the list in his youth and he kept adding to them well into adulthood.

Some of my favorite Resolutions of Edwards' list include:

#1 Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

#6 Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

#25 Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

#56 Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.



if you want to see more,
then check out this complete list of all 70 of his resolutions...

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Don't diss Denim...


The top 5 reasons on why I
enjoy going with the all-denim look
-

Take note:


1.
Denim looks great and is appropriate for any holiday. (e.g. Labor Day, Presidents Day, Christmas, the 4th of July, Birthdays, etc. - it's all good with denim.)
2. Denim lasts long, period.
3. It's American.
4. Having a solid all denim outfit means that you are 'down to earth' - a true gentleman.
5. And Lastly, but maybe most important: Sportin' the all-denim outfit is true style b/c that is what the CATS used in '96 to win the Nat'l title. (the best college basketball team in history...)

Friday, December 21, 2007

this is "the" classic...

The book I'm pumped to be reading right now:
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.

A pilgrimage is an arduous journey,
not a cross-continental flight.



This is not a devotional classic (it is an allegory). It is a dangerous tale: a call to the high stakes of every Christian's journey. Do not pick it up expecting quaint amusement - it is a story woven through with undeniable truth, great cost, and overwhelming joy.
One of the most widely read books of all time, this adventure reveals John Bunyan's intense grasp of the Scriptures. Penned while in prison for refusing to compromise the gospel. The Pilgrim's Progress is a guide for the journey from death to life. The times have changed, but the landmarks and adversaries are very much the same.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Paintin' like a pro... (or like a kid)


Today I was wondering why almost every computer has a Paintbrush program. (?) It seems kinda primitive. If you have ever tried to use it - you know how tough it is to actually paint something you want. I think it is probably just one of those features that is only meant to be used when you are bored. Or maybe it is a trap for kids to keep them occupied for hours. Or - I guess it could just be one of those perks that you get without even realizing it is importance, kinda like free napkins at a restaurant. I dunno... Anyway, rather than spend another day wondering why I have it, I decided to just act like a kid again and paint on somethin' !

It all came together when I found one of my Cancun pictures with a paintbrush in my hand! Mere coincidence - I don't think so.
So, for lack of a better post: the above picture is the product of 15 minutes of pure paintbrush bliss. Enjoy the masterpiece. Better yet - go Paint your own!!!

I highly doubt that you've forgotten how to use this amazing program on your pc. But if you did just follow these steps:

1. click start
2. highlight your mouse on "all programs"
3. click "accessories"
4. look at the list, then click on "paint"
5. Make a masterpiece.
6. repeat step #1


wow, this post was really lame... oh well, it's winter break - my mind is on vacation...

Sunday, December 16, 2007

The Ugly Sweater Party - (top studs)

These guys were certainly bringin' it strong at the Ugly Sweater Party.... Enjoy
(Below in order) - Canler, Wehrle, & Wiley obviously set the tone for the evening:


these guys are lookin' good...

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

talk to me & you'll see...

(I must give props to Jessica
Hagy for the idea of this drawing.)

Monday, December 10, 2007

Cryin' for the Cats... I don't think so.




For the most part, if you live in Kentucky then you love college basketball. If you live in the heart of it all: Lexington, KY then you have to love college basketball. (if your one of the .05% that disagree then I would politely ask you to stop reading this post, for you will not understand.)

My intentions for this post are fairly straightforward - I have 2 thoughts/opinions I hope to dish out, then I want to offer some encouragement via video to all the Wildcat fans out there.

Thought/Opinion #1
There are way, way, way too many UK fans out there who are purely fair-weather fans. Ya, I said it! Of course I (just like all of you) realize that this season isn't quite what we want it to be. However, all of the whining and complaining is really not necessary. I'm not saying that we can't critique the team and intelligently express our concern to others - but the petty whining I have recently noticed is completely unacceptable. Please, do me a favor: the next time you watch a game with friends make sure that you throw up at least 2 or 3 positive thoughts about the team before each negative critique you give... After all, if you can't even find a few good things to talk about during the game - then consider yourself a fair-weather fan - who only supports the team strictly when we win.

Thought/Opinion #2
One thing I would like to see out of the CATS this year is a game played with heart. H-E-A-R-T from the first whistle to the last. It's simple, but it's what Kentucky is all about. But for some reason we're not showing very much of it right now. Regardless of talent or tradition - Having heart on the court is a personal choice that must be made by each player. It's not something that just happens, you have to want it. Until a few more of our players make that choice to play with passion, it will be a long season. > One of my old basketball coaches used to tell me, "It takes no talent to hustle, only a heart." or maybe I just made that quote up myself... Either way, I feel that heart is a missing ingredient that the Cats quickly need to find.

Encouragement:
I know watching our team might be tough for you right now... but here are some short clips that might cheer you up. click on each one... GET HYPE!!!

This one will lift your spirits and get you hype for any game!

This one has a great song and a great ending.

This one is quickly becoming a classic.

This one just makes you feel really, really good inside.

Holla at cha boy! This is how we roll...

Just for kicks...

Sunday, December 09, 2007

oaks of righteousness...


You know those nights were you just cannot go to sleep? Not the kind where your restless for 30 min or so and then you drift off in slumber. Not the kind where your cold and only after warming up under the covers you soon doze off. No, I'm talking more about the times when you feel wide awake, you have full mental alertness until 4 am - those kind of nights. Well, that is what happened to me last night.
I know why it happened. It wasn't because of the looming finals I will have tomorrow. Nor was it due to the recent pitiful performances by the wildcats on the hardwood? Nope, none of those... To go ahead and sound really spiritual here > it was one of those nights where you just get HYPE! readin' the bible.
Has that ever happened to you?

In my opinion, I think it's purely a miracle of God in itself that we even have the ability to go to sleep at night. There are a billion different things running through our minds during the day, truly it is only by His design that our bodies become still, submit, and quietly recharge for 6 - 8 hrs a night. (not to be naive - I do realize that some folks busy themselves senseless during the day so that they practically collapse when it is time for bed. -- they never decide "to go to bed", it just happens from sheer exhaustion. )

Anyway, last night was great b/c I did a lot of thinking about trees. Yup, trees. The thoughts started in my head after reading Isaiah 61:3 "...that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified." What an awesome metaphor for God's people! They reach up high, but their roots go way down deep. They are secure, solid, firmly planted. Moreover, they bear fruit - they are useful and have a specific purpose...All throughout scripture we (true believers) are compared to trees.
Take notice of passages like Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17: 5-8 - ideal pictures of what our righteousness looks like. Awesome metaphors. It's a beautiful thing.

> my mind ran with thoughts during the night like this: He (God) rather than trees, could have just made boring brown boxes that just sit motionless on the earth sucking in carbon dioxide and pumping out oxygen. He could have...Thank goodness he didn't. However, this thought is silly, b/c everything He makes is beautiful. Ok, in all of this blabbering here's my point >> I encourage you to take time and dive into God's word and think about his colorful metaphors - about Himself, about life, about us. They are awesome. They are all over the place. They are beautiful.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

a Christmas wish...


This is certainly #1 on my Christmas list right now...





Here's a taste of what is on the DVD:

Pole to Pole
Follow the sun as it touches the lives of creatures across the planet, bringing a fresh understanding of how the world is interconnected. From African herds migrating hundreds of miles in search of water to desperate animal hunts, Pole to Pole examines how the seasons produce the greatest spectacles on Earth.

Mountains
Tour the planet's mightiest mountain ranges and meet the rare animals that inhabit them. From a never-before-seen hunt by snow leopards on the treacherous slopes of the Himalayas to a family of pumas struggling to survive the unstable weather of the Andes, Mountains reveals life on the planet's highest peaks.

Deep Ocean
Explore the depths of the planet's oceans and discover some of this mysterious world's most spectacular species. From light shows performed by squids to the blue whale, the largest animal to ever exist, Deep Ocean investigates the waters that cover two-thirds of the Earth's surface yet remain largely unknown.

Deserts
Voyage to the world's harshest environments and learn how life manages to keep a precarious hold in every desert. From the llama-like guanacos of Chile's Atacama Desert that survive by licking dew from cactus spines to lions that scour arid Namibia for antelopes, Deserts unravels the secrets behind survival in unimaginable conditions.

Ice Worlds
Venture to the poles of our planet and find the harshest wild lands, where seasonal change is extreme. From emperor penguins which defy the coldest conditions on Earth to the polar bear that emerges from hibernation with her new cubs, Ice Worlds explores an ecosystem in which few could survive.

Shallow Sea
Dive into the planet's shallow waters where sunlight reaches the seabed and find an explosion of life. From the rarely seen cooperation between snakes and fish hunting for food to the journey of a humpback whale and her newborn calf traveling thousands of miles in search of food, Shallow Seas explores the rarely seen sights of the world's mighty oceans.

Great Plains
Trek to the Earth's largest land habitats, where vast open spaces play host to the biggest groups of animals in the world. From the 2,000 mile migration undertaken by three million caribou in the Arctic tundra to a pride of 30 starving lions hunting elephants, Great Plains reveals the most impressive migrations and boldest hunts on the planet.

Jungles
Delve deep into this ecosystem, beyond the flourishing plant life, and find an environment that tests each animal's survival skills. From the elaborate mating rituals of New Guinea's birds of paradise to the territorial battles of chimpanzees, Jungles examines an environment that occupies only three percent of the planet and yet is home to more than half the world's species.

Fresh Water
Follow rivers as they course from mountain to the sea, nourishing unique and dramatic wildlife. From the world's deepest lake inhabited by the only species of freshwater seal to a stunning look at the world's highest waterfall, Fresh Water offers a unique perspective on the secret lives teeming in our purest waters.

Seasonal Forests
Investigate these temperate regions and find some of the most elusive creatures and well-adapted plant life on Earth. From the giant sequoia tree ten times the size of a blue whale to the trackless Siberian forests where just 40 Amur leopards remain, Forests brings to life a seemingly familiar world that remains largely unexplored.

Caves
Descend into the only habitat not directly driven by sunlight to discover some of the most peculiar creatures on Earth. From Borneo's Deer Cave where five million bats roost to cave swiftlets that build nests from saliva, Caves digs deep into an underground world few people have ever explored.





what's on the top of your list?

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

anyone need links?

I don't know why, but I thought it would be a good idea to make a post with a lot of links. Some of the links will be about snakes, others about snails - but that is only the beginning. I the ultimate point I want to get across is this - Truly, one of the marks of a mature blogger is the to know when to include a useful well-timed link. The appropriate placement of a link is not something that can be overlooked if your blog is going to be respected. (Although, it should also be noted that not all posts deserve a link.) The post's link must be fitting in its context and should never be forced within the post. To be blunt, it just looks downright stupid when a blogger neglects the proper usage of including a link. Especially when they overdo it. Ugly.
However, the good news is that with ingredients like time, practice and the helpful comments of faithful readers - a novice blogger will start to learn the ropes, and be on his way to establishing a credible blog. Some have already figured things out: Justin Sok, Dave Blake, etc. Yet there are some (like me) who still have quite a bit of work to do. But hey, that's kinda what I like about blogging - the rules are fuzzy, and just about anything goes. For example: I could spend time making posts that talk about pizza. I could spend time talking about the weather. I could even talk about the poor team performance of UK playing against N.Carolina. Or - I could simply hurry up and end this ridiculous excuse for a post. But no matter how you slice it = I'm proud to say that this post has set a new record in my local blogsphere for random links.
get hype!

Monday, December 03, 2007

fresh thoughts - profound implications...

As noted in Smitty's blog Cloud Chasing:

a preface to this conversation, I would like to declare RACE to be two very important things:

  • A biological myth
  • A social reality
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

* For some reason I feel led to mention the recent thought provoking posts of Jonathon Smith. His blog Cloud Chasing has always been fresh - yet currently his topic/discussion on "race" is certainly something that I think everyone should go check out & read on their own... I definitely feel like some profound thoughts can [and are] manifested out of the post/comments.
who knows? Maybe YOUR comment may be part of the solution...
-may the Spirit continue to lead & conform us to the image of Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria (despite the limited pictures in this post-
I certainly realize that the issue goes far beyond
just black & white in Kingdom)