The Ragamuffin Gospel

"When we laud life and blast abortionists, our credibility as Christian is questionable. On one hand we proclaim the love and anguish, the pain and joy that goes into fashioning a single child. We proclaim how precious each life is to God and should be to us. On the other hand, when it is the enemy that shrikes to heaven with his flesh in flames, we do not weep, we are not shamed; we call for more."

-Brennan Manning

Some Quotes

"Are those monks in your bedroom that I hear?" ~ Rebecca (yes they were by the way)

"I said to Sam, I said Sam, you want to win this case the only safe way is to prove God does not exist." "Hmm, that's easier said than done. I saw an article which said they'd soon be able to, apparently." "A science magazine was it?" "No Presbyterian monthly." ~ The Man Who Sued God ( a great movie if you don't mind beyond a ton of language)

"Anyone going to movies today looking for the next Harrison Ford had better have a high tolerance for disappointment. Ford shares a quality with Sam Jackson in that he... Read more’s cool without being cool. There’s nothing reserved or overly masculine about Indiana Jones or Han Solo. In both roles, Ford is frequently vexed, not immune to panic, and usually gets the worst of it in a fistfight. He is brains over brawn (or brains over blaster) at every turn, and he sells it in a way that no actor before or since has duplicated. I have almost completely lost hope that the next Harrison Ford will emerge in our lifetime."'
~ http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/well-miss-them-when-theyre-gone-7-aging-hollywood-badasses.php

You win some you lose some

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken ruled in favor of Brandon Mayfield, a lawyer wrongly arrested by the FBI in 2004 for possible ties to the Madrid train bombings, who challenged the secret searches of his home and office. The judge said the amendments made by the Patriot Act to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows the government to conduct searches and monitor American citizens without probable cause, which is typically required by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will cost at least $190 billion in 2008, the Pentagon said on Wednesday, making it the most expensive year in the conflicts since they were launched by President George W. Bush. Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked Congress to approve the funding after Bush this month beat back demands from Democrats for a quick end to the Iraq war and said the U.S. presence there would go on after he leaves office in 2009.

I liked this

"I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size)," wrote Tolkien to a correspondent in 1958. "I like gardens, trees and unmechanized farmlands; I smoke a pipe, and like good plain food (unrefrigerated) . . . I like, and even dare to wear these dull days, ornamental waistcoats. I am fond of mushrooms (out of a field); have a very simple sense of humour (which even my appreciative critics find tiresome); I go to bed late and get up late (when possible). I do not travel much."

I have been thinking of late that when I graduate I will give my computer to someone who needs it, and not own one anymore. I have thought about this a lot lately. No, this is not some rash I hate technology rampage. I have really seriously considered it. There is still such a thing as a post office, and you could still mail me. I might get rid of my cell phone and microwave too. I really hope that I do. I could handle going somewhere else and checking my email once a week, or once a month, or maybe not having it at all. And yet this is all so contradictory as I sit here and type this out using the technology I use all the time and simply can't get away from. Sometimes I wish that I was born in a different age. Maybe if I could choose, I would choose to live in a different land, a different world. It would be a very hard decision, but I think that I just might be able to make it.

Email from Logging Camp

"Wuz up, that would be slang for 7 and 8th graders"
~Lizzie

Excerpts

"Here is a nettlesome policy question: Is it fair for those of us who live comfortably to impose our preferences on individuals in the developing world? Economists argue that it is not, though we do it all the time. When I read a story in the Sunday New York Times about South American villagers cutting down virgin rain forest and destroying rare ecosystems, I nearly knock over my Starbucks latte in surprise and disgust. But I am not they. My children are not starving or at risk of dying of malaria. If they were, and if chopping down a valuable wildlife habitat enabled me to afford to feed my family and buy a mosquito net, then I would sharpen my ax and start chopping. I wouldn't care how many butterflies or spotted weasels I killed. This is not to suggest that the environment in the developing world does not matter. It does. In fact, there are many examples of environmental degradation that will make poor countries even poorer in the long run. And obviously if the developed world were more generous, then Brazilian villager might not have to decide between destroying the rain forest and buying mosquito nets. The point here is more basic: It is simply bad economics to impose our preferences on individuals whose lives are much, much different."

~Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science~

Of Josiah and Lightsabers

Josiah: "Volcanoes make blue diamonds and if you use a blue diamond you get a blue lightsaber"
Kaitlin: "So how do you get the red ones?"
Josiah (whispering): "you paint them"

Excerpt from long ago...

A blast from the past, check it out!

Quotation of the Day (well of yesterday)

While riding her bike in circles around me as I take pictures of the moon and we discuss the nature of planets, what of the little girls in our neighborhood said: "Scientists are wrong, Pluto is a planet!" Among other statements such as: "If it's not a planet... Pluto should be destroyed!" She made me smile.

This One is for Joy

Couldn't have said it better myself

Quote of the Day #12

"Good thing I'm the town drunk."
~Josh Wright

Has it really been this long?

It's been two years since Marian left, but it does not feel so long.


Your voice will forever remain protected in my mind
Your beautiful smile, and that simple warming 'yes' that was spoken so often
Kind, deep, loving gaze.
Forever you, the strong woman of God
In lifes frailty still loyal to your sisters and to your savior

Fall free away
Bring heaven to your feet
walk every day
Through pure and golden streets
But I'll still miss you forever and today

Where is America Going?

As seen on the back of a cereal box: "Did you know: Exercise that really gets your heart beating can help make your video game skills better. It's a super gamer's hint... a secret weapon that'll help you: have more energy, be more alert, raise your self-confidence. It's true!"

Indeed

Quote of the Day #11

Lamar: "She talks all proper english at home, you should see her on the street, she's a thug! I'm scared of Bethany!" "You just lost street cred, just wait till I tell your homies"

Dandelions

In a field of yellow flowers,
underneath the sun,
bluest eyes that spark with lightning,
boy with shoes undone.
He is young, so full of hope,
reveling in tiny dreams,
filling up, his arms with flowers,
right for giving any queen.

Running to her beaming bright,
while cradling his prize.
A flickering of yellow light,
within his mother's eyes.
She holds them to her heart,
keeping them where they'll be safe,
clasped within her very marrow,
dandelions in a vase.

She sees love, where anyone else would see weeds.
all hope is found.
Here is everything he needs.

Fathomless your endless mercy,
weight I could not lift.
Where do I fit in this puzzle,
what good are these gifts?
Not a martyr, or a saint,
scarcely can I struggle through.
All that I have ever wanted,
was to give my best to you.

Lord, search my heart,
create in me something clean.
Dandelions
you see flowers in these weeds.

Gently lifting hands to heaven,
softened by the sweetest hush,
a Father sings over his children,
loving them so very much.
More than words could warrant,
deeper than the darkest blue,
more than sacrifice could merit,
Lord, I give my heart to you
~Five Iron Frenzy~

Quote of the Day #10

Lamar: "It's always a racial issue. So, wadaya do?"

Dad: "Wear a Burka."

Quote of the Day #9

Mom: "ASS!!!!!!!"

(ok, so I took it completely out of context, but it's still funny!)