I like to find amusing websites. This one is one of my new favorite blogs to read. It is called "StuffChristiansLike", however, if you are typing it in yourself, you'll notice an extra "f" in their website address.
Here is a sample posting:
#176. Giving open flames to kids on Christmas Eve.
Imagine if one night a year, your church held a special service and when you walked in, they gave you a Ninja Throwing Star. That would be a nightmare right? Just throwing stars stuck in hymnals and Bibles and legs as far as the eye could see. It would be a bloody mess. But it's not that different from what a lot of churches do on Christmas Eve.
My favorite part of this service is when we light the candles and sing a few songs with the lights off. It is honestly a really beautiful experience, but it's also funny. The other 364 days of the year, parents work diligently to keep their children away from torches. We put covers on our electrical outlets, hide matches and lighters in hard to reach places and yell if they get anywhere near a hot oven. But on Christmas Eve, it's fire time.
Here are a few ways to multiply the fun of having a lit Christmas candle in a church setting:
1. Blow out other people's candles.
I don't think I have to explain this one, but I promise, it is delightful. My brothers and I turned this into an art, because you can't just come on out and blow it. You have to do this weird, breathe out of the side of your face move in which you send a gust of wind with the accuracy of a sniper at someone else's candle.
2. Play with the wax.
In addition to melting your candle on the shoes of family members, it's also fun to see how long you can get the wax without it breaking off. You have to hold it at the right angle though. Tilted enough to make it all pool like one of those stilagtitesdifficulttospellcorrectly things in caves but not so tilted that the weight of the wax breaks it off.
3. Try to keep the candle.
As soon as that last song is finished, it's like the spell that convinced your parents it was OK for you to have fire in church is broken. And it's nearly impossible to keep the candle. I never actually executed this move, it's like the holy grail of candle tricks. There are three people you need to watch out for: Your parents, the ushers and that guy with the box that collects them all at the end. I don't like that guy. I think all that power went to his head. He didn't consider himself the "guy with a candle box," instead he was always kind of smug and seemed to think he was the "gatekeeper of flame."
Those were my tricks, but I am certain that when it comes to giving kids torches, I have missed quite a few.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Devil Post
This post is the mark of the beast.
Post number 666 in my blogging career.
It had to happen at some point.
Might as well be now.
On to bigger and better things... The bathroom project continues.
Post number 666 in my blogging career.
It had to happen at some point.
Might as well be now.
On to bigger and better things... The bathroom project continues.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Starting to Take Shape
The bathroom is starting to look like a bathroom again.
Tiles projected to start going on the wall on Sunday.
No energy!
Pictures of process after it is finished.
Tiles projected to start going on the wall on Sunday.
No energy!
Pictures of process after it is finished.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Putting Mom (and Jenny) on Notice
Mom cooked us a meal tonight. Asparagus was included. I don't like asparagus, but mentioned that the reason might be because it makes pee stink.
They had not heard this before, but I was sure I was right, so I researched it to find out.
It is asparagus that might cause your pee to smell funny.
Here is what MSNBC has to say:
"WHY DOES YOUR PEE SMELL WHEN YOU EAT ASPARAGUS?
Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan. It is also found in onions, garlic, rotten eggs, and in the secretions of skunks. The signature smell occurs when this substance is broken down in your digestive system. Not all people have the gene for the enzyme that breaks down mercaptan, so some of you can eat all the asparagus you want without stinking up the place. One study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that only 46 percent of British people tested produced the odor while 100 percent of French people tested did. Insert your favorite French joke here________________________________."
Mom assured me that she would check to see if she notices a different the next couple of days.
Let's all wait with anticipation.
Jenny has made no such promises.
They had not heard this before, but I was sure I was right, so I researched it to find out.
It is asparagus that might cause your pee to smell funny.
Here is what MSNBC has to say:
"WHY DOES YOUR PEE SMELL WHEN YOU EAT ASPARAGUS?
Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan. It is also found in onions, garlic, rotten eggs, and in the secretions of skunks. The signature smell occurs when this substance is broken down in your digestive system. Not all people have the gene for the enzyme that breaks down mercaptan, so some of you can eat all the asparagus you want without stinking up the place. One study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that only 46 percent of British people tested produced the odor while 100 percent of French people tested did. Insert your favorite French joke here________________________________."
Mom assured me that she would check to see if she notices a different the next couple of days.
Let's all wait with anticipation.
Jenny has made no such promises.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I Hate Wet Socks
It was a nice day out today. I got to the golf course to play around for a bit, and had a good time. Unfortunately, yesterday's rain had caused the ground to be moist, and my shoes allowed some water in.
That made my toes get wet through my socks. That is very annoying. I hate wet socks.
Good thing I was close to my actual home, and not the home I'm staying at, because I had plenty of socks there.
More bathroom work upcoming.
That made my toes get wet through my socks. That is very annoying. I hate wet socks.
Good thing I was close to my actual home, and not the home I'm staying at, because I had plenty of socks there.
More bathroom work upcoming.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Away From Home
The Bathroom project has been going strong for the last two days.
We aren't staying at home right now, just going there to work.
Won't have significant blog until I find significant energy!
We aren't staying at home right now, just going there to work.
Won't have significant blog until I find significant energy!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
A Little Like My Father
Jenny and I took apart some of the cabinets in our bathroom tonight. As we did so, we took of all the hinges and put them in a bag. We even saved the screws.
As I laid in the bathtub later, it dawned on me that such an act is something I have inherited from my father. I can't imagine that I will ever use those screws. I can't even think of a reason I would need the hinges. But we have them. In a bag.
The worst part is, if we do ever decide we need them or want to use them, we won't be able to remember where the bag is. We'll buy new screws, or new hinges, use them, and then as we find the old ones at a later date, we may still refuse to throw them away.
Why oh why do we still have these screws and hinges?
As I laid in the bathtub later, it dawned on me that such an act is something I have inherited from my father. I can't imagine that I will ever use those screws. I can't even think of a reason I would need the hinges. But we have them. In a bag.
The worst part is, if we do ever decide we need them or want to use them, we won't be able to remember where the bag is. We'll buy new screws, or new hinges, use them, and then as we find the old ones at a later date, we may still refuse to throw them away.
Why oh why do we still have these screws and hinges?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The "Weight"ing Game
Jenny has been waiting a long time to get the bathroom re-done in this house. This weekend we are beginning that project.
In fact, today I started playing the "weight"ing game when I began to take some of the existing tile off of the wall to get out into the trash this week. It is a challenge now to maximize the use of our trashcan this week without going too far over the weight limit they suggest.
It doesn't take a lot of tile to get a garbage can nearing the 100lb mark.
In fact, today I started playing the "weight"ing game when I began to take some of the existing tile off of the wall to get out into the trash this week. It is a challenge now to maximize the use of our trashcan this week without going too far over the weight limit they suggest.
It doesn't take a lot of tile to get a garbage can nearing the 100lb mark.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Cookies For Breakfast
Tomorrow, I actually have to gather some meals on my own.
I think I'll have some vanilla creme cookies for breakfast. Breakfast will be a roughly noon.
For lunch (around 5:45), I might need to warm up a frozen burrito and eat some chips and salsa. However, doing that would require buying chips, which means I'll likely just eat some more cookies, and maybe swing by McDonalds.
Dinner will come around 10:00. I'll probably cook some Ramen noodles. 3 Packages of either beef or chicken flavored noodles.
Jenny really doesn't get back until Wednesday huh?
I think I'll have some vanilla creme cookies for breakfast. Breakfast will be a roughly noon.
For lunch (around 5:45), I might need to warm up a frozen burrito and eat some chips and salsa. However, doing that would require buying chips, which means I'll likely just eat some more cookies, and maybe swing by McDonalds.
Dinner will come around 10:00. I'll probably cook some Ramen noodles. 3 Packages of either beef or chicken flavored noodles.
Jenny really doesn't get back until Wednesday huh?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Bachelor Time
Jenny is leaving me tomorrow for 4 days.
We made sure to stock the house with cookies before she left. I think there is even a frozen pizza. Besides that, I'm looking to bum meals off of other people (hi mom and dad) and accomplish as little as necessary.
Here's to hoping the Master's remains entertaining. I hope it comes down to the last couple of holes regardless of who ends up winning.
We made sure to stock the house with cookies before she left. I think there is even a frozen pizza. Besides that, I'm looking to bum meals off of other people (hi mom and dad) and accomplish as little as necessary.
Here's to hoping the Master's remains entertaining. I hope it comes down to the last couple of holes regardless of who ends up winning.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Cruelest News
Next week, temperatures are supposed to get into the 70s. That was wonderful news.
Unfortunately, from tomorrow afternoon until late Friday night, we are in a winter storm warning. Possibly 8 inches of snow.
That is the cruelest news ever. Especially since I had not heard it until I began to probe the possibility of golfing this weekend.
Bummer
Unfortunately, from tomorrow afternoon until late Friday night, we are in a winter storm warning. Possibly 8 inches of snow.
That is the cruelest news ever. Especially since I had not heard it until I began to probe the possibility of golfing this weekend.
Bummer
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Go Kansas/Tiger
I picked Kansas to win the NCAA tourney and they did.
I'm hoping Tiger will win the Masters tournament this weekend.
Not a bold prediction, but I do hope it happens. If he manages not to win, my second hope (though doubtful) would be for Aaron Baddeley to win it.
I'm hoping Tiger will win the Masters tournament this weekend.
Not a bold prediction, but I do hope it happens. If he manages not to win, my second hope (though doubtful) would be for Aaron Baddeley to win it.
Monday, April 07, 2008
1st Grade Seminary Education
In my elective studying the book of Deuteronomy we focused for a large part of today on the 10 commandments.
As many of you might know, you can find the 10 commandments in Exodus 20 and also in Deuteronomy 5. Today, we were looking at the differences between those two accounts of the commandments themselves.
It was funny to me. We teach the 10 commandments to kids at a young age. They are rules most people would aim to live by. Yet, few people have probably studied their actual accounts.
I found the differences in the commandment regarding the "sabbath" to be most severe and interesting. The other differences were only minor, if there were differences at all. But the differences listed in the two accounts between Exodus and Deuteronomy were obvious.
I'll put the text here:
First is Exodus 20:8-12
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Next is Deuteronomy 5:12-15
12 "Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
As you look at the two differences in these versions, how do you harmonize them?
I had a lengthy discussion about this in class, so i'll save my comments for a little while so that others might think on their own.
As many of you might know, you can find the 10 commandments in Exodus 20 and also in Deuteronomy 5. Today, we were looking at the differences between those two accounts of the commandments themselves.
It was funny to me. We teach the 10 commandments to kids at a young age. They are rules most people would aim to live by. Yet, few people have probably studied their actual accounts.
I found the differences in the commandment regarding the "sabbath" to be most severe and interesting. The other differences were only minor, if there were differences at all. But the differences listed in the two accounts between Exodus and Deuteronomy were obvious.
I'll put the text here:
First is Exodus 20:8-12
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Next is Deuteronomy 5:12-15
12 "Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
As you look at the two differences in these versions, how do you harmonize them?
I had a lengthy discussion about this in class, so i'll save my comments for a little while so that others might think on their own.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
A Normal Sunday Morning
As I was walking to the church Sanctuary this morning (after teaching 1st grade Sunday School), I ran into the worship leader.
How are you doing? She asked.
Sleepy!
Yeah, it's one of those days isn't it. (She mentioned because of the rain outside)
Yes, its a Sunday. 9:00 in the morning always means I'm sleepy, 9:00 and then first graders guarantees it. I didn't think she would expect any different.
How are you doing? She asked.
Sleepy!
Yeah, it's one of those days isn't it. (She mentioned because of the rain outside)
Yes, its a Sunday. 9:00 in the morning always means I'm sleepy, 9:00 and then first graders guarantees it. I didn't think she would expect any different.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
It's All Looking Up
We bought tile.
I played with my new clubs at the driving range.
Kansas' win secured my bracket pool victory.
Things are all looking up.
The tile and basketball are pretty self-explanatory.
Along with playing at the driving range, came a camera. I was videotaped for a while so I could then watch my swing. It was valuable. I could see some things I was doing in my swing that I couldn't tell you (from feel) that I was doing. It will be interesting to see what i might have to do to fix those things and how they might help.
I'll have to have myself videotaped later in the year to compare.
Swedish Meatballs on the way.
I played with my new clubs at the driving range.
Kansas' win secured my bracket pool victory.
Things are all looking up.
The tile and basketball are pretty self-explanatory.
Along with playing at the driving range, came a camera. I was videotaped for a while so I could then watch my swing. It was valuable. I could see some things I was doing in my swing that I couldn't tell you (from feel) that I was doing. It will be interesting to see what i might have to do to fix those things and how they might help.
I'll have to have myself videotaped later in the year to compare.
Swedish Meatballs on the way.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Too Sleepy
I simply forgot to blog last night. I read 400 pages worth of material (from 3 different sources) and had to interact with all three sources in different papers.
By the time I was done, I was simply too sleepy to remember to blog.
Now it is 8:00 in the morning and I'm in my "Perspectives on Evil and Suffering Class."
At 8:00 a.m. I have a lot to say about evil and suffering.
By the time I was done, I was simply too sleepy to remember to blog.
Now it is 8:00 in the morning and I'm in my "Perspectives on Evil and Suffering Class."
At 8:00 a.m. I have a lot to say about evil and suffering.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Things This Beautiful....
Things this beautiful deserve pictures. It was a wonderful day. I always know it is going to be a wonderful day when one of these plastic masterpieces is involved.
Fortunately for me, I got more than one plastic masterpiece today.
For those of you still confused, maybe the flipside of the tab will start to clear things up.
Even further help might be seen by seeing one of these tabs in context.
And now, the most beautiful of all.
Weeeeeeeeee!!!!!! I had to have a farewell ceremony for some of the only golf clubs I had ever known. The 5 wood that got me through many hard times finds himself sitting in a closed box in the garage. That might make some of my playing partners happy, as that club was good to me, but I hope to find these new clubs more useful as I look to improve my golf game.
Fortunately for me, I got more than one plastic masterpiece today.
For those of you still confused, maybe the flipside of the tab will start to clear things up.
Even further help might be seen by seeing one of these tabs in context.
And now, the most beautiful of all.
Weeeeeeeeee!!!!!! I had to have a farewell ceremony for some of the only golf clubs I had ever known. The 5 wood that got me through many hard times finds himself sitting in a closed box in the garage. That might make some of my playing partners happy, as that club was good to me, but I hope to find these new clubs more useful as I look to improve my golf game.
My Fun E-Mail"
The tourney pool has been updated. I received this in e-mail last night...
"Looking at what is left, it appears that Dad and Nate are the only two people who have a chance to win at this point."
I am currently ahead, so if Kansas beats North Carolina, I win. I can still win a backdoor way as well. If UCLA wins it all (I have them losing to Kansas in the finals) I will still win by the skin of my teeth.
Fortunately, both Dad and I were going to pick Swedish Meatballs. It will only change the side items as I'm fairly confident that the dessert would be the same as well. If either of those assumptions are incorrect, Dad can notify us here. Otherwise, we can purchase some key ingredients for the prize already :)
"Looking at what is left, it appears that Dad and Nate are the only two people who have a chance to win at this point."
I am currently ahead, so if Kansas beats North Carolina, I win. I can still win a backdoor way as well. If UCLA wins it all (I have them losing to Kansas in the finals) I will still win by the skin of my teeth.
Fortunately, both Dad and I were going to pick Swedish Meatballs. It will only change the side items as I'm fairly confident that the dessert would be the same as well. If either of those assumptions are incorrect, Dad can notify us here. Otherwise, we can purchase some key ingredients for the prize already :)
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