NFBabble

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2008-01-01T19:29:00.000-06:00

HERE.

That is all.

Questions..

2007-10-15T20:40:00.000-06:00

Since when is "ministry" defined by what goes on inside our four walls?

Isn't "ministry" walking beside someone?

Wasn't Jesus' "ministry" defined by meeting the needs of thouse OUTSIDE four walls? The sick, hurting, poor, starving, outcast, widowed?

Is an amazing sound and light show with $$$'s of equipment a ministry?

Is an extravagent Christmas pageant a ministry?

Is meeting together, drinking coffee, and gossiping about other members of the church a "ministry?"

Just wondering.

Wow.

2007-05-06T17:03:00.001-06:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18522292/

(Title withheld from link to build suspense)

Wish I could have been there....

This is what's wrong with the world...

2007-05-04T11:39:00.000-06:00

I love this stuff...

2007-04-30T22:43:00.001-06:00

OK, I'm gonna need a brick wall, and about 12 dozen glass plates...

2007-04-23T22:37:00.000-06:00

I NEED TO LET OUT SOME FRUSTRATION!!

I am frustrated at my crappy computer and crappy Internet for neither one working.

I am frustrated that our AAF team placed 2nd to a team that was in no way superior to ours.

I am frustrated that Herschel has dreams(and somewhat of a plan), whereas I wonder aimlessly in the middle of a cornfield.

I am frustrated at what has gone on in our country in the past week, and the media's distasteful coverage of it.

I am frustrated that I do not have a job that pays a king's salary.

The list goes on...

This just won't get old..

2007-04-18T12:26:00.001-06:00

For the past week or so, I have been obsessed with this video..it's a great pick-me-up. Enjoy!

I'm off to Detroit at 3 AM for a student competition..wish me luck!

Forgive me, Pat.

2007-03-28T00:22:00.000-06:00

Man..I'm on a roll!

Last night I was channel surfing and I came across an episode of the 700 Club with Pat Robertson. Normally when this happens I let out a loud shriek and go grab a towel to wipe the blood from my eyes, but last night was different. I decided to watch a few minutes.

It was "Write Pat" time, as I like to call it. The first letter or email that was written in was as follows (and I'm paraphrasing here):

"Dear Pat,

My husband has worked for the same company for nearly 30 years. We have always spent every dollar that we make. Lately, we have began to fear that several jobs within his company will be eliminated, and he could be laid off in 6 months. What would you suggest we do to prepare ourselves in case this situation arises?

Cindy"

Well Cindy, I appreciate you writing in to me and making it look like the viewers of my show are a bunch of absent minded knuckleheads who counted down the weeks until their 16th birthday so they could drop out of school and join the team at the local Shop N Save!

My. Goodness...........Seriously.

Pat gave the usual advice, "Uhh, start saving you peabrain!"

Here's what REALLY struck me as odd. This is almost April, 6 months would lead us to October. Pat SHOULD have told her that it didn't freakin' matter because according to his "prophecy" most of America will be getting blown up this September!

Go on Cindy! Splurge til' your satisfied! Hell, whip out the plastic if you want to! None of it's gonna matter anyway; come October you and your husband will most likely be dust!

Who does he think he his prophesying the demise of the majority of the developed world and then keeping it to himself! Cindy, if I were you I'd void that support check you wrote last week and buy momma a new pair of shoes instead!

Me.

2007-03-27T19:41:00.000-06:00

Several weeks ago in my personality class I took a 400 some-odd questionnaire to determine my personality profile. Here are the results. Let me know how accurate you think it is.

1. Your answers to the test protocol suggest that you are an emotionally sensitive individual who is prone to the experience of feelings that are upsetting -- feelings like self-criticism, sadness, worry, guilt, or anger. You may feel "fragile" when stress occurs or when you imagine it is likely to occur.

2. You appear to be a person who is extroverted, outgoing, active, and high-spirited. You prefer to be around people most of the time. You probably are reasonably assertive or have the capacity to become so, and you have a good capacity for experiencing positive emotions.

3. Your answers on the test set further suggest that you are practical but willing to consider new ways of doing things. You seek a balance between the old and the new, avoiding the extremes of dogmatism and "new age" unconventionality.

4. You are generally warm, trusting and agreeable, but you can sometimes be stubborn or competitive, especially when your rights need to be defended.

5. Finally, your test answers imply that you are a well-organized and dependable individual. You generally have clear goals but sometimes set your work aside to pursue other interesting or pleasurable activities; you may occasionally have trouble getting the job started.

Blogger Interrupted

2007-03-26T23:02:00.000-06:00

March came.

Thank GOD its leaving.

Not much of a post really, just wanted to let you all know I was still alive and kicking. Several random thoughts lie ahead.

Spring is finally here! I realized that today when I was at Kroger and the fruit seemed so much fresher! I bought fresh(not prepackaged) oranges, bananas, tomatoes, pears, and a cantaloupe. The tomatoes are gone, oranges are half gone, and the cantaloupe was a great after dinner treat. I love spring.

I really love this spring. It represents the end of the DREADFUL winter I just went through. I don't know about anyone else but it was a hard winter, and I'm not talking about the weather. I was so on edge, so upset, so tired, just everything you didn't want to be. To make it worse I didn't really know why it was. I am becoming less miserable every day, thank God. I have slowly begun digging deeper into myself and attempting to figure out why I have some of the thoughts, feelings, hindrances that I have. More on that later.

There is a medium sized church down the street from my house here at school, on one of the main roads in town. Their sign reads "God knows about last week, and he wants to talk." For those of you a little on the thick side, they are referring to spring break.

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't envision God to be like the grade school teachers of years past who come and swat your hand with a ruler when you've done wrong. That's how I read this sign anyways. It sends this message across that what the college kids here in Carbondale may or may not have done over spring break is more of a disappointment to God than anything anyone else did. Maybe I'm reading too much into this. I don't believe any message of condemnation to be what Jesus had in mind for his church. Again, that's just me.

The starter went out in my car today. Apparently it was too much to wish for 3 months of no car problems. Why?

There are several thought blogs I've been thinking about for quite some time now (like since Christmas). I just haven't been able to put them together. This seems to be a trend in many parts of our bloggerworld.

My roommate and I watched American Beauty last night (sorry Jules). I had forgotten how much I loved that movie. It had probably been 2 years since I'd seen it. It's just one of those movies that I feel is so much more real than the polished happy endings junk that Hollywood churns out every week. It's not that I enjoy watching the struggle, I enjoy the recognition of its existence.

I am tossing around the idea of taking summer classes. Two in fact, a psychology class along with a philosophy class. 4 weeks long, 5 days a week, about 2.5 hours each. I need to make up my mind soon. What do you think?

I'm sorry if this blog disappoints. But like a wise woman sings 20 times a day on any pop music station, I'm not here for your entertainment.

Adios!

I know I'm not the only nerd...

2007-03-13T14:04:00.000-06:00

Is anyone else here as super duper uber-excited about Discovery Channel's upcoming mini-series Planet Earth?

The awesomeness begins in less than two weeks...I can't wait!

Metal Roof.

2007-03-01T01:35:00.000-06:00

You don't realize the impact your words and actions have.
Or their consequences.
You have made me question everything.
You're ruining my life.
I hate you for making me feel this way.
I don't even know who you are.

But I'm bitter.
Sitting.
Stewing.

It's easier to keep digging, than to climb out.
So I keep digging.
And digging.
A little more.

And then finally,
The rain, on my metal roof.
Washing the world.. my world clean.

It feels good.
It is good.

But it's over.
And I quickly forget the redemption it brought.

This metal roof. This exterior.
Always clean.
But what about what's underneath?
It longs for the rain.
And true redemption.

My shovel is worn.
But I keep digging.
With soaked hands.
Not from rain.
But tears.
I'm so tired of digging.

...

An interesting comment...

2007-02-14T23:35:00.000-06:00

I was reading some political/religion blogs tonight and came across this comment which I found interesting. It is yours to mull over and discuss.

"A Christ-Centered Left.

There has been a lot of talk over the past few years about faith from the Republican right -- particularly about the Christian faith. From Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell and James Dobson to their friends in Washington, we hear fiery brimstone about what Jesus said and what he would have wanted us as a country to do.

Well, like you and most other progressives out there, I know a little something about Jesus.

Jesus taught us to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and help the helpless -- he didn't tell us to give them short shrift, extend a hand out to the rich, and say "every man for himself."

Jesus taught us to work together for peace and understanding. He didn't ask us to scare each other, use half-truths to drive us into conflict with each other, and smear those who disagree.

And, if I recall correctly -- and I do -- two of Jesus' greatest teachings were to love our neighbors and to do onto others as we would have them do onto us. It's as simple as it is great. He didn't say hate one another. He didn't say "Love one another at photo-ops and dislike each other behind the scenes." He didn't tell us to exploit certain types of people who do no harm to achieve short term political gain. I'm sure of that last one. I know he didn't say that.

Those are the basic moral tenets we share, and they are shared by many faiths. It's a sensible, smart morality, proved to be true by experience, science, and just plain common sense. And it's no surprise such ideas -- having withstood the test of time -- are part of our nation's social and political fabric as well.

That's what we Democrats are all about -- living that morality and doing something about it. We don't just talk about it, or worse, twist it around to gain some fleeting advantages like so many on the other side do. We live it, we do it, we make it work.

Amen. "

One more thing, Giuliani has confirmed he's running. Finally a viable Republican (but somewhat moderate) candidate for President. But will the right wing agree with his stance on gay marriage?

I saw a man today...

2007-02-13T12:48:00.000-06:00

...riding an electric scooter. Now apparently riding an electric scooter entitles you to drive down the middle of the street and pass cars sitting at an intersection. It also entitles you do not have to obey a 4 way stop (4 lanes wide each way mind you) and just drive right through it. I sat there stunned, as did about 11 other cars who had been patiently taking their turns.

It was odd.

For those of you who haven't heard, my computer has seen better days. Sunday night, I was minding my own business, reading the news and my computer crashed. Complete hard drive failure. I took it to Best Buy, dropped about $130 for a new drive, and have begun the process of reinstalling programs and picking up the pieces. Nothing from my old drive could be recovered, so I lost everything.

I did have a lot backed up. About half of my music(which shouldn't be a problem, I can rip it back off my iPod), however I lost quite a few documents, and I am not sure on my pictures. I had backed up my pictures a while ago, so recent ones may be gone.

I am running into problems however. My "new" computer does not want to open either my Gmail or Hotmail email accounts. I have tried multiple browsers. I can load my Gmail inbox, but not messages. My Hotmail inbox will not even load completely. It has to be something with my McAfee software I'm thinking but I have not found any "extra" protection enabled. I used this software before with no difficulty.

Life is just grand I tell ya. First my car practically dies, and now my computer. I'm afraid to leave the house, it might burn down while I'm gone!

Booyakasha!

2007-02-10T12:16:00.000-06:00

The next Kennedy's?

2007-02-08T15:27:00.000-06:00

Anna Nicole Smith Dies After Collapse

Boo Life.

2007-02-07T23:54:00.000-06:00

Boo life right now.

BOO LIFE!

Ugh.

Boo #1 - Due to financial reasons and a conflicting schedule this fall, my internship is being pushed back to next summer.

Boo #2 - I will graduate May 2008, not December 2007.

Boo #3 - My car, still not fixed.

Boo #4 - Classes.....getting harder.

Boo #5 - I am still sick.

Boo #6 - A $50 charge shows up on my credit card today for a service I canceled days ago.

Boo #7 - My tuition bill (which was due the 7th) somehow did not go through when I paid it a week ago. I was never contacted about it.

Boo #8 - I am increasingly finding it difficult to get along with those around me.

Boo #9 - I got a $40 parking ticket Tuesday. (In a lot I have parked in for over a year.)

Boo #10 - It is colder than a witch's....

I think my toe just froze off...

2007-02-05T15:53:00.000-06:00

I guess I should be glad it's not...

Meanwhile...

Sorry Hersch..

2007-02-02T11:09:00.000-06:00

I just couldn't resist.

Click thumbnail to view larger size.

Shame on You! Cartoon Network!

2007-02-01T12:54:00.000-06:00

A post related to my field of study...A first!

As you all SHOULD know(unless your under a rock), there has been quite a bit of controversy within that last few days regarding this little feller.

For those of you under a rock, what is it you ask?

Aqua Teen Hunger Force is a cartoon that airs during Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. Turner Broadcasting(CN's parent company) hired a marketing firm to create these little buggers that light up at night. They placed them in most major metros across the United States near highways so that it appears to be flipping off passers by.

The devices were up for three weeks, and evidently it made authorities in Boston a bit scared. They believed that these displays were bombs planted by terrorists to blow up the city. Soooo.. They practically shut the city down. Highways, bridges, you name it. Bomb squads were sent in, the whole shebang. Authorities in all the other cities, however, thought nothing of them.

So the city of Boston is out a quarter of a million dollars in police fees. The two gentlemen who placed the displays in Boston have been arrested, and the Mayor, and D.A. of Boston plans to prosecute them as criminals and for disrupting the peace.

I think this whole situation is just hilarious. I realize that we live in a Post-9/11 World and we can't sit here and think we are invincible, but the Boston P.D. probably overreacted. Furthermore, to charge these guys as criminals and to sue Turner Broadcasting is just silly. They claimed that they looked like bombs because there were batteries and wires. By that standard you could say that any electronic device could be a bomb. If I threw a VCR out on the highway should the town shut down?

Opinions?

Sigh...

2007-01-25T12:13:00.000-06:00

A third of our country...ignorant. Sad.

Brace Yourself

2007-01-24T00:53:00.000-06:00

This blog is in response to two you will find at Katie's Blog

I was halfway through a response to the latest blog which I will agree with both Herschel and Penny is well researched, thought out, articulated, and scripturally based. All of which I agree with.

Thus leads me to my revelation. I realized we are arguing two completely different points.

Buckle Up.

The Bible CLEARLY states that eventually, the earth will be in ruin. Again I say that it may be near, or it could be 2000 years from now. Noone knows.

We learn in several books of the Bible (Genesis, Job, Psalms, Romans...) That God is the creator of ALL things. We are all equal in our origin. God. However, he makes a distinction for man because it is US who are made in his image. Not the trees, not the muskrats, but man. All God's creatures glorify Him by their very existence, but only one is able to worship and serve Him by an act of will.

I think the reason why many in the Christian community believe environmentalism to be a "New-Age" issue is they think that the verse in Genesis in which God gives us the land to use and subdue is the "end all be all" doctrine for our environmental care. Furthermore, to be bestowed the priveledge to "subdue" does not mean to recklessly exploit. We do not have sovereignty over creation. God does. It's his creation. God told Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:15 to cultivate and keep the garden, and that we could use nature for our benefit, but only use it as God intends.

I believe that God originally indended for us to live in harmony with nature. Increasingly, we have become at odds with it. This tells me that man did not fulfill its orders. Our ecological crisis has come as a consequence to our fallen nature and abuse of the land God freely gave us. Our uncontrollable greed and haste has led to a devastating deteriorization of the environment.

Christians MUST treat nature as having value in itself. We may have dominion, but not the right to destroy. There are several verses in the Bible in which God tells us to care for the land. Lev. 15:1-12 being one. The Lord judges those who misuse the land in Isiah 5:8-10. Jesus even on two occasions spoke of how much God cared for the sparrow in Matthew. The Christian responsibility goes beyond the initial verse in Genesis.

As Christians, we have responsibility to care for this earth that should exceed that in which is given by the unsaved. We are RIGHTLY related to the creator of all things. Lets show that.

By failing to fulfull our responsibilities of taking care of this earth, we have lost a great witness. Many today seek to improve our environment, yet they think that most Christians don't care about ecological issues. One reason is becuase people look at the verse in Genesis and say "Hey, God gave it to me and I'm gonna use it!"

Others, who choose to delve deeper look at the scriptures Katie quoted in Part #2 and say "Hey, its gonna end someday, theres nothing we can do!"

Both are wrong in their own right. Yes, the earth will eventually be gone, but until that day comes, we are ordered by God to take care of that which was bestowed to us. Otherwise, he wouldnt have said it.

Christians have unfortunately allowed the New-Agers to steal environmentalism from us. Because of this, Christians are hesitant to get involved because they confuse the interest in environmentalism with that of pantheism. The leadership in this area is rightfully ours. Whether or not it will soon be gone, we should still take care of God's creation. It was created out of his wisdom.

Again I say that Jesus came to redeem and reconcile all things. Our relationship with God, other people, and with creation. Though the earth and the heavens will eventually be gone, we should still work to heal it now. (Echo.......)

It all comes down to sin. (Doesn't it all..)Greed being the biggie. Using our country as an example, we make up a small percentage of the worlds population, and we use the majority of it's resources. When I think of this, I am reminded of a verse in Chronicles.

2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will HEAL THEIR LAND"

What people like Gore are trying to make known is that the greed of America cannot continue. We cannot continue to consume what we want. Waste what we want. Dig where we want. Kill what we want. Just so that our lives are easier, fuller, richer..(insert political jab here) AKA the oil tycoons who run our Executive Branch *cough* *cough*.

Environmentalism is not the #1 thing in God's eyes. Maybe not even #10. However, we are CALLED by him to take care of the earth. That is my only point. Just because Al Gore made a movie about environmentalism does not mean he believes it's more important than the salvation of souls(After all, he's a Southern Baptist). Many dedicate their lives to abortion, to cancer, to aids, etc. etc. etc. It's just one piece of a very large pie.

Hilarious video of the week.

2007-01-19T15:39:00.000-06:00

Those of you who know me should know that I love Ellen DeGeneres. Earlier this week on her show she called an elderly woman who wrote the show concerning a plant that Ellen had on her set. Ellen decided to call the woman(as she does often) and this is the conversation that took place.

Warning: You might want to remove your teeth and put a diaper on. I laughed so hard I fell out of my chair.

What? What's this nonsense?

2007-01-13T23:50:00.000-06:00

Cloudy skies.

35 degrees.

3 inches of rain/sleet/snow.

Flood watches.

*sigh*

Loss for words...

2007-01-11T17:03:00.000-06:00

There are some things in life I just don't understand.

I just got off the phone with my mother. I am pissed.

Those of you who know me well know the recent issues I have had with my car lately. When winter came, and the temperatures fell, my 2000 Nissan Maxima started acting funny. When I first started the car it would jerk a little bit. The entire car. If I would put it in drive and sit idle, it would jerk a lot more, bigger jerks..back and forth. If I let the car sit and warm up about 10 minutes, all would be fine. It would drive smoothly just as it always did.

This problem continued and I did nothing about it for about 2 or 3 weeks. I never had time to take it into a shop since I needed it for school and the mechanics do not work on weekends.

Then the temperatures fell some more. To the single digits in fact. The first morning I went out to start my car and it immediately died. It ran about 3 seconds. I continued to restart it and have it die about 10 times. I eventually began starting it and giving it gas. I had to do this for about 15 minutes to get the car warm enough to stay running. I decided it was time to get it fixed so I took it down the road to Marion Nissan.

Marion Nissan had the car for 10 days. They told me with absolute certainty that the problem lied within the Mass Air Flow Censor. A part that I had had replaced in the car not 3 months beforehand by a mechanic at home. Since the part was under warranty, the part was free. I did have to pay $180 for computer reprogramming and whatnot. Problem solved... Not.

I drove to Mississippi. Car ran great during the drive, the week we were there, and the drive back. (Keep in mind the weather was in the 50's the entire week.) Once I arrived back home to the mid 30's weather, the car once again would jerk when it was not warmed up. I was on the phone with Marion Nissan immediately and told them they did not fix the problem. This conversation occurred on December 26th and the car went back into their shop on December 28th.

They. Still. Have. My. Car.

They have no clue what is wrong with it. They told us the battery needed replaced. They did it. No improvement. They say they have done every possible test they can to the car and still do not know what is wrong. HOW CAN THIS BE?! How can a car have such an obvious problem and mechanics not be able to diagnose it? Can someone explain this phenomenon to me?!?! I am at a loss.

Hollister isn't lying...

2007-01-09T16:31:00.000-06:00

Everything IS Better in California!

The first 24 hours here in SoCal have been absolutely amazing! There is a reason 20 million people live in the Los Angeles metro.

Is it the 82 degree weather in January? (I hear they got sleet back in IL)

Is it the restaurant/cafe on every corner?

Is it the beach on one side, with snowy mountains on the other?

Perhaps.

Yes, SoCal is magical. But it's not just the perfect weather, beautiful sunsets, or abundance of shopping malls that draws me here. Here are a few things I've noticed about California:

It is home to the friendliest people I've ever seen in a city. Not only are they friendly, but they are also...

Friendly drivers! Unlike the cities of the Midwest, the drivers here understand that everyone is in a hurry and everyone has somewhere to be. If you need to change lanes, they let you over. No cutting off and flipping of the finger like you'd experience in Chicago. I think its the 360 days of sunshine...it makes people happier.

I've spent the day exploring Orange County (there's a lot to see!) The public transportation system here(voted #1 in America) has been very good to me. Bussing me from mall to mall, stadium to restaurant, and everywhere in between.

Last night I watched the sunset at Huntington Beach (birthplace of surf). I could watch that every night for the rest of my life and it wouldn't get old.

Yes, I have fallen in love with SoCal, and it only took a few hours. I finish school in December, I'll be relocating here in January ;)

People are so silly...

2007-01-07T00:40:00.000-06:00

Reports: Man tried to extort $1.5M from Oprah.

*SLAP*

Hitch up the 'ole wagon..

2007-01-06T00:32:00.000-06:00

I'm Headin' West!

Five days in sunny Orange County, California could not be the better finale to this crazy Christmas Break!

I love having a dad who travels. I learned today that he was leaving Monday morning for Anaheim to work at the Orange County Gazette/Herald something or other and after a moment of pleading the folks are allowing me to accompany him!

Beautiful Huntington Beach is but moments away. Where shall I go first? Disneyland? The International Surfing Museum? The Block at Orange? The Hills? In less than 65 hours I'll be soaking up all the SoCal my body will handle.

Did I mention I'm flying first-class? I hear its full of half-naked ladies and free massages!

Oh the things I'll see!

FEEDS!

2007-01-05T01:15:00.000-06:00

In an attempt to make NFB Undone your new homepage, I have installed something new and exiting into the side navigation bar...

FEEDS!

What are feeds you ask? I'm not really sure. All I know is that they allow you to take new updated content from a site and place it on your own ;)

If you'll scroll down you will see what I am talking about. Now you're able to see if those in our little "blogger world" have updated without having to go to each site individually. How convenient!

If you are wondering why your feed is not included, it is because I was unable to get yours to work. If you feel left out, please either update to the new Blogger, or login to your account, go to "Settings" and "Site Feed" and enable "Full Feeding."

I have also chosen to include Latest Headlines courtesy of CNN.com into the navigation bar. NFB Undone allows you to stay on top of not only Blogger world but the real world as well! The pot doesn't get much sweeter!

On a different note...

2007-01-04T15:38:00.000-06:00

I woke up at 2 o'clock this afternoon without a voice, a massive lump in my throat, and a headache...

I am sick.

Who do I blame?

My sister who was sick a week ago with similar symptoms?

The town of Fairfield for always acting as a breeding ground for such bacterial infections?

The 200 Urbana attendees that were diagnosed with the flu throughout the week?

Katie (allergic to red dye) Vaughn for getting sick not 2 hours after I drank from her bottle of water?

The odds were against me, and now I must pay my dues. 2 glasses of Emergen-C later my vocal chords will at least produce sound, not a pretty one but beggars cant be choosers. At least I'm able to tell the countless telemarketers who call that "Nah-thon-uwl Brendahl" isn't home right now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On yet another note, from my time in Arbonne I received a $150 gift certificate to Hammacher Schlemmer. H.S. is a ridiculous extremely over-priced catalog order company that offers such novelties as a $45,000 race car motion simulator for the home. It took me 5 months to finally cash in the certificate. What did I receive for my $150?

Earbud Headphones & an umbrella.

The umbrella looks like I went out back and stole my parents patio umbrella. IT'S MASSIVE! It does fold up nicely and can sustain winds of up to 35 MPH! When I get to feeling better I might venture up to the roof and see how she does.. ;)

The Headphones are Bose. "Very Niiice!". I am faced with a dilemma however. Should I place the headphones on eBay (where I can get around $80 for them), or should I keep them and use them for myself?

Stock the Concrete Bunker

2007-01-03T00:42:00.000-06:00

ARMAGEDDON IS COMING!

Says Pat Robertson.

Pat Robertson, host of the 700 Club news show has announced Tuesday that God revealed to him at a prayer retreat that a terrorist attack of massive magnitude will cause "mass killing" in the United States in late 2007.

"The Lord didn't say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that." Robertson said. He also claims that God told him that major U.S. cities will be impacted and that millions of lives will be affected. The event is believed to take place sometime after September.

Robertson is known for his predictions. He predicted that President Bush would "easily win re-election" over challenger John Kerry. Bush received 51% of the popular vote. Easy?

Robertson also predicted that early last year that major storms and a possible tsunami would crash into America's coastline. This did not take place however he claims that the New England floods partially fulfills that prophecy.

Now my question is...how much stock do we put into this? How does the U.S. respond? How does the Christian world respond? I am not a huge fan of Pat Robertson, and his record obviously shows him to not be completely accurate(false prophet?) Should this be taken seriously?

Discuss.

Back to Normalcy

2007-01-02T14:04:00.000-06:00

Honey, I'm home!

Yesterday I returned home from a week long missions convention at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis called Urbana. It was attended by over 23,000 college-age students from practically every country in the world. I will admit I had my reservations about it, and did not go into it hoping to learn or grow, but thankfully I did. (I also won an iPod Shuffle...Yay for me!) I can't put into words the experience I had, perhaps soon.

I spent 4 days at home prior to Urbana to celebrate Christmas with the family. Since November my friend Cheryl has been telling me in regards to the Lost hiatus "They can take away our Lost but they can never take away our Christmas!" "They" referring to ABC and no, they didn't take my Christmas but something else almost did. A few days before the 25th an event took place that caused me to completely rethink my faith, life, and view of the world. It was the first of it's kind that I had ever had. It wasn't fun. I was challenged in a way I had never been challenged before, and instead of seeking answers and trying to understand it all, I wimped out. Did nothing but cry about it and made no attempt at progress.

Luckily after a lot of thought, prayer, and phone calls to/from friends I began to work my way through it. I know what Dena is talking about when she speaks of the "tilling" we all go through. It's painful, but necessary for the end result...a beautiful, meaningful creation that can provide happiness, comfort, and nourishment to those around it.

Thankfully, as my title now states, "I am not forgotten."

Continuing our "in reverse" road trip through December, Katie and I spent a week in Gulfport, MS doing every kind of work imaginable. We cooked, cleaned, and even rewired a house. It was very encouraging to me to know that there are people who realize the need for help on the Gulf Coast and have sacrificed all they have to help the people in the destructed areas. A lot has been done, but there is a long way to go. Continue to pray for these people...they desperately need it.

I have posted a few images from our Gulfport trip on my Flickr.

Happy New Year!

Attacked

2006-12-24T12:32:00.000-06:00

From all sides. From all angles. Friends, Family, the World.

Too much is expected of me. I cannot do this.

I want out.

Should I Feel Bad?

2006-12-13T08:34:00.000-06:00

I am not sure how exams are run at your institution, but at SIU when the first person finishes his or her exam, there will be no more handed out. So if you're late, too bad.

I finished my final this morning within 30 minutes and was the first person done. As I walked out the door of the building I noticed a guy that is in several of my classes (including the one I just finished the final in) outside smoking. He asked me if I had already finished the exam and I told him yes. Therefore, he missed the final which is worth 25% of our grade.

Is it my fault that he put his nicotine habit before our final exam? No. Should I feel bad I caused him to potentially fail the course?

I kinda do.

Off to Gulfport!

2006-12-11T12:37:00.000-06:00

This Friday, Katie and I will be headed to Gulfport, Mississippi for a week to do more work and cleanup of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated! I am sure I'll have plenty of stories and photos to post so stay tuned!

This is fun...

2006-12-06T12:33:00.000-06:00

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Would the Soundtrack Be?

The Rules:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc.)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

Opening Credits: “You Make Me Wanna" /Jadakiss ft. Mariah Carey(Oh my...)

Waking Up: “Goodbye to You" / Michelle Branch

First Day at School: “Push It" / Salt N Peppa (Oh yes!)

Falling In Love: “Santa Baby" / Eartha Kitt

Fight Song: “Waiting for the Tape to Change" / Waterdeep

Breaking Up: “Back in His Arms Again" / Mark Schultz

Prom: “Mountain Music" / Alabama (You've GOT to be kidding me!)

How to Handle A Disaster…"Defying Gravity" / Wicked Original Broadway Cast

Mental Breakdown: “Shake that Ass for Me" / Eminem Ft. Nate Dogg

Driving: “Trouble Sleeping" / Corinne Bailey Ray

Flashback: "I Need a Hero" / Bonnie Tyler

Getting Back Together: “It's All Coming Back to me Now" / Celine Dion (Could not have been more lucky with that one)

Wedding: “Not in Love" / Enrique Ft. Kelis (Ouch)

Birth of Child: I "Turn Me On (Remix)" / Kevin Little Ft. Sean Paul

Final Battle: "Im So Into You" / Fabolous

Funeral Song: “Here and Now" / Luther Vandross

End Credits: "One I Love" / Coldplay

Good Grief......

2006-12-04T13:38:00.000-06:00

So Friday was fun. Wasn't it?!

My dear friend Katie (bless her heart) calls me up and tells me that there is a "Charlie Brown light display" in Flora this year. She has read this announcement in the always dependable Wayne County Press. I figure since they have that park (which I know is named after someone else) that perhaps they are embracing the Charlie Brown name.

I was wrong.

We drive to Flora and I ask "So this is in the Charley Brown Park, right?" She responds, "Oh, I'm not sure, the newspaper didn't say." I respond, "Well surely it is, I cant think of anywhere else it would be."

We arrive at the always enchanting Charley Brown park only to discover this piss ant white trash light display made up of a few Wal-Mart strands and some displays. Charlie, Linus, Schroeder, Woodstock...nowhere to be found. The whole time I'm thinking.."Surely this isn't it. There has got to me more."

Wrong Again.

Adding insult to injury..as we pulled out of the park there was a little man with a bucket and a sign that said "Suggested Donation $5 Per Car."

Good Grief.

This is why I love live television..

2006-11-07T12:16:00.000-06:00

Last night's CMA's...check out Faith Hill's reaction when they announce the winner!

I LOVE IT!!!!

Extra Credit Opportunity

2006-10-24T22:11:00.000-06:00

Let this be known beforehand..this post is all over the place...you've been warned. :)

I am an environmentalist. Yes, I said it an ENVIRONMENTALIST! I am a firm believer that we are to take extreme care of our planet. I believe that as Christians, we are called to do so! Unfortunately in our own selfishness (and stupidness), we've lost touch with this and environmentalism has somehow become labeled as an idea that only tree huggin' hippies support. The reality is it was us, the followers of Christ, who were originally called to be green.

I have always had a heart for the developing world. Sickness, poverty, disease, unnecessary murder and death runs wild not far from where you and I sleep comfortably each nite in our 600 thread count sheets and goose down duvets. I have never felt a calling from God that I was to pick up and move somewhere, but I know that these problems exist and it is also our calling as Christians to sacrifice all that we can to assist those who desperately need us.

This evening I was presented the opportunity to hear a guest lecturer hosted by the Public Policy Institute here at SIUC. I would recieve extra credit in a class for attending, and I'll be honest, that was my entire motivation for attending. The guest was Gillian M. Sorensen, an amazing woman who has spent more than two decades working at the highest levels of the United Nations.

I'll be upfront and honest. I've never had an opinion on the United Nations. I always believed that they did good things, however anyone who watches the news knows that its been the center of a lot of controversy lately especially in its relationship with the United States. I have already established that I'm a fan of taking care of our earth, along with those less fortunate. Unfortunately, the strife between the U.N. and the U.S. is over issues such as these. (Kyoto Treaty being an example).

I was saddened and strongly empowered tonight. I am saddened that the nation that the rest of the world views as the "House of Christians" is one that prioritizes revenge(Which Christ tells us not to do) before assisting the oppressed(Which Christ calls us to do). The speaker tonight named off so many initiatives that do not have the support of our nation. I sat there in disbelief that we actually have the audacity to come before the U.N. and ask for their support in finding something we have absolutely no proof exists(WMD's?) and yet we are unable to support initiatives that have more than enough evidence to their existance. Thank God for the American people who realize this, and continue to give in their own ways to these causes. If it weren't for them, we'd be a nation completly comprised of selfish, self-righteous, hippocrytes.

I do not believe that an organization has to be religiously based to do the work of Christ. The U.N, UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, among others all exist to help eradicate world poverty and sickness, and promote education and peace. It's time for Christians to influence our government in ways that bring honor to the father by actually touching human lives, not by keeping his name on our dollar bill, our pledge or avenging lives lost. It's time we step up and become the environmentalists we're called to be, the humanitarians we're called to be. It's time we band together and support these causes because Christ has told us to!

Cue the Violin...

2006-10-24T15:20:00.000-06:00

NFB's Tribute To Those Blogs That Are No Longer With Us.

Terr-Bear
A fellow pioneer to the blogging era, Terr-Bear came into the world of blogging when it was hot, new and fresh. Unfortunately, her blog is no more fresh than a one liner you'd hear on Leno..

Codeman
I thought after camp it looked like there was some life still left in Codeman..alas, I was wrong.

Chesnut
My dear sister. What happened? Your blog was one for comic releif. I loved it, and as I tell you quite often, to bring it back would be the greatest gift ever!

Chetman
Poor guy couldn't even conjugate a verb let alone update his blog. R.I.P.

IL Gal
She provided some good thought provoking posts, as well as a panty wetting one if memory serves me correctly.

It's Me, Matt
The dude went and got himself a woman and thinks that is reason to close down his flagship blog. I can't complain too much, they've begun one together. I still enjoy reading the old posts at IMM, good stuff.

Holy Crap Gruen
Such a waste of an original name. Similar situation to Matt, only this guy got a woman and a child! I guess I cant blame him but those who only know him in bloggerworld are left in sweet wonderment if that beautiful nursery ever got used...

Mr. Marsh
Poor guy never even made it out of training pants...moving on.

Dragonfly
What began as an insult to your's truly, soon became a haven for the memoir of the unruly Dragonfly, you'll be missed...kinda.

Bethany At Bethel
The only blog on my list that I still believe there is hope for! I know a revival is in the future..I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Nansola
The lady from Texas, a few posts here and there but never a dedicated blogger. She went and got preggers and that was the last we heard from her.

Mr. Rush
Mr. Rush got an iPod Shuffle...thats about all I remember learning from his web presence.

Iris Myandowski
Not only is Iris's blog stagnant...she went and deleted it! Not found...so sad.

I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised...

2006-10-24T01:24:00.000-06:00

Yes, its 2:17 A.M. No, I am not finished with my homework. I am finding other things to do...obviously.

Have you been to http://www.fairfield-il.com lately?

Wow. Kudos.

The Litter..

2006-10-22T22:46:00.000-06:00

I'm bored, and messing with pictures on my hard drive. Thought you might want to see my two favorite furry critters.

Aren't they prescious!!

I want it....all.

2006-10-21T21:41:00.000-06:00

Anything from the Global Fund "Red" campaign.

Photo

2006-10-08T14:30:00.000-06:00

Weekly Laugh.

2006-10-03T21:54:00.000-06:00

This wouldn't be near as funny if I didn't buy them in bulk at SAM'S...

Aw Crap.

2006-10-03T00:37:00.000-06:00

Isaiah 29:13a
"Because this people draw near me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me..."

SLAP!

I'm tired of this...

2006-10-02T16:15:00.000-06:00

I remember watching an episode of Oprah last season about our education system and that our govornments spend more money per inmate in prison than per student in the public school system. This statistic disgusts me, we are holding murders, rapists, theives, etc in higher regard than our own children and those who are the future of our nation.

This week however, it has taken a new meaning. It is very sad that one is probably much safer in a prison building than a public school. Seriously, three deadly school shootings in the last week?! What is wrong here? Something has to be done! I expect our respective state and federal govornments to get together and come up with a plan to prevent this. If it's metal detecters in every doorway at a school building then so be it. It no longer believe it is up to the individual school districts to pay for such installments. It's a matter of National safety and interest and should be provided by the government. Its absurd, and an outrage that we have let this go on as long as it has! So far the war in Iraq has cost our federal govornment $331 billion dollars. Maybe we should advert some of our war spendings to ensuring the safety of our children. I want a solution. Bush, Blagojevich, Obama, Durbin...get off your a$$es and come up with one!

Yeah...I got the time.

2006-09-27T12:14:00.000-06:00

I have spent more time doing nothing this week than I've spent doing something constructive in the past month.

It's interesting how you can think about your life and the things you struggle with, and you pray and seek help in those areas. You think you know yourself but many times we don't even realize the mess we are in. I never seriously thought about how I spend my time until earlier this week. It occurred to me that I am pretty much don't accomplish much on a daily basis that betters my life, this world, or the Kingdom. I get up, go to class, come home and watch tv and sleep some more.

It's a routine I have somehow gotten myself into. I don't know if it is a result of technology and making it easy to access any information I would need within minutes..Or if it's my school who does not really require much of my time outside the classroom.. or if it's simply my laziness and inability to see the things around me and the things I need to be doing.

Appearantly my communication with God is like a baby monitor. He's sitting up there with the reciever while I'm down here crying all the time. I have no problem telling him my junk but for some reason I'm not open to hearing how he wants to fix it. I'm never able to just listen to what he has to say. If I were, I would probably be doing more. I wouldn't be this earthly lump taking up space and using valuable oxygen. He has a plan, and I need to be willing to listen.

P.S. Also, head over to Dena's Blog, she's speaking volumes these days.

P.S.S. Lost is back in 1 week! (I couldn't resist)

It's my birthday!!

2006-09-07T16:04:00.000-06:00

YYIIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So you really need to...

2006-08-12T08:14:00.000-06:00

Go pick up this cd:

Passion Worship Band : Everything Glorious

I'm not kidding. Go right now. Go buy it RIGHT now. Walmart, Amazon, eBay, Barnes & Noble, iTunes.. wherever you prefer to do your music shopping get in the car RIGHT now and buy this cd. (Unless you choose iTunes)

Why are you still reading this?!?! I told you to go get this cd!

STOP READING!

GET YOUR FANNY IN THE CAR AND GO!

Appearantly you're not one to just get up and go. But in all sincerity, this is probably my favorite cd of the decade. I can listen to it over and over and its like I am listening to it the first time each time. The music is incredibly inspiring and just...good. Did I mention that you should go out and buy it right now? Let me know how you like it.

An Inner Ear Problem

2006-08-04T19:47:00.000-06:00

Ok so I seem to have a problem with my right ear. (Or left if you were looking at me). Pretty much the problem is that the skin inside has grown as if there is something growing underneath it, and my ear is almost closed shut becuase of it.

I don't believe its an infection per se, becuase there is no pus, just a large growth of skin or something. I have narrowed the situation down to three things:

1. I have a giant mosquito bite inside my ear.
2. I have one of those nasty hateful "under-the-skin" pimples that hurt like the dickens and last for weeks.
3. I have a tumor growing in my ear.
4. (This is Herschel's analysis) I have a worm growing beneath the skin inside my ear.

Is there a doctor in the house? Honestly...it really hurts. If its not better soon, I'll be visiting my family doctor. But I hope they don't stick that ear observer thing in there because there isnt room for it...and it will hurt really really bad. Gooday.

Undone!

2006-05-18T22:39:00.000-06:00

A new blogging experience from NFB. Stay Tuned....