Smile!!!

Love is friendship on fire...

Okay, I admit it... I'm totally girly, but this little phrase sticks with me everytime I hear it.

I just like the idea... I realize there is a lot more to enduring love in relationships, especially the biblical "agape" love we are called to show others as followers of Christ. There are all sorts of verses and studies and books and sermons and websites dedicated to the different aspects of love. There are theological perspectives on love and God's character, His sovereignty, and His love for man. There are millions of resources and ideas out there.

But for now, I just want to have a purely naive, idealistic, unintellectual moment to dwell on the possibility that maybe it isn't nearly as difficult as we tend to make it...

I think there is a lot of truth in this little statement.

The Music Genome Project

I feel like I first read about this on someone else's blog (probably someone reading this now), but I've just had the chance to actually explore it recently...

Let me just say Pandora is VERY cool... You just type in the name of an artist you like, and you have your own personalized station that plays songs with similar "genes" which you can tag as "liked", "didn't like", "favorite" and they customize their recommendations for you even more...

All in all, I'd definitely say this is a fun way to find new music and entertain yourself during the day (of course while you are working)! :)

TGIF!!

"If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."

http://www.despair.com/viewall.html

Back in Action...

For those of you who had given up all hope or were afraid to keep checking for fear of further disappointment, I am pleased to announce that Joel Bain is back in action!!

Thank you to all those who diligently answered the call and faithfully campaigned for his return... Your tireless efforts, ruthless harrassments, and shameless bribes/threats were not in vain.

Check out his latest post!

Don't even think about licking me!!

My 2 1/2 year old godson Andrew meeting his first baby calf at the Houston Rodeo this weekend. Neither of them were sure what to think of the other one...!

Although the calf tried to "taste test" Andrew with a lick or two, at least he didn't try to chew on him like the baby goats at the petting zoo. :)

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

Who is St. Patrick?

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was actually one of the first missionaries to Ireland sent with a dual mission—to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish people practicing a nature-based pagan religion.

Check out this short video to learn more about his life.


The Legend of the Shamrock...

According to Irish legend, St. Patrick chose the shamrock as a symbol of the church's Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) because of its three leaflets bound by a common stalk.

Origins of Saint Patrick's Day...

Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

One of my favorite Irish blessings...

"May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields and, Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

Reading between the lines...

One of the things that I've become more and more aware of over the past several years is how easily my mind is influenced by what I read or hear and how important it is to be discerning that even the "Christian" books I am reading are based on the whole counsel of God's Word. Anything else is not only wasted energy and time that I could be spending on something more edifying, but also potentially dangerous to the renewal of my mind, hindering my walk with Christ by allowing false doctrines to seep into my thinking.

Given the many warnings in scripture to not be taken captive or led astray by false doctrines or the wisdom of the world, here is one resource I've found helpful in researching books or authors that I run across.

Diet of Bookworms - "This site is a collection of links to discerning reviews of Christian books. It is a resource for Christians to research books and authors. We collect reviews written by discerning readers and link to them from this site. Once our editors have reviewed the book, we generally provide a consensus view of the book."

I'm sure there are several other great resources out there as well as this one; I'm always interested in recommendations if anyone else has a favorite!

THINKING BIBLICALLY

For the women in positions of biblical influence in small groups or discipleship relationships, the following is an excerpt from an article titled "Thinking Biblically" by Linda Smookler. In it, she articulates 10 considerations when choosing a book for a topical women's study. (These points are probably useful to the guys as well!)

1. IS SCRIPTURE THE CORE: How much Scripture does each chapter contain? The best books are full of Scriptural quotations and are built around Scriptural principles. Then Scripture is used to explain and support Scripture in a clear pattern of building precept upon precept. One truth builds on another, and the Word of God makes its own case. Contrast that with books that give you a hypothesis and then pull one or two Scripture quotations out of context to support it.

2. HOW IS SCRIPTURE TREATED: Is it the final authority? Is it put on the same level as experience or emotional response? Are the Scriptures the only authority or is some person's "new revelation" treated as equally valuable with Scripture? Is experience evaluated by Scripture or Scripture subjected to varying interpretations and experiences?

3. Is the PREMISE AND FOCUS of each chapter the Word of God? Is each principle "provable" by Scripture or is the premise someone's theory, discovery, or opinion? a. Is the subject matter of each chapter appropriate for our use? b. Is it easily taught? c. Will our leaders be able to communicate the ideas in each chapter? d. Is there a workbook or can lesson plans be easily composed from the chapters? e. The focus of this book will equip our women to ..........

4. WHO IS THE AUTHOR: What do you already know about the author? a. What is their background or reputation? b. Is the author a "personality" or a theologian? c. What else have they written? (Are you recommending all of their other work by choosing one of their books?) d. As you read the book, what is revealed about the author's worldview, personality, decision-making skills, charter qualities, maturity, and giftedness? e. How does this author view women and women's role in the church? f. What is their agenda? Do they state their purpose? g. What is the level of writing... basic, easy read, in-depth? Does it require an understanding of difficult vocabulary? h. Who do you "hear" as you read - Do you just hear the author, or is the book written in such a way that the Scriptures speak primarily and the author clarifies, explains, and illustrates?

5. RECOMMENDATIONS: Who recommends this book? What do they say it about its usefulness?

6. PUBLISHER: Take notice of the publishers. Some are almost always good. Some are very careful about what they publish. Some will publish anything.

7. QUOTES: Whom does the author quote? Are they secularly or theologically known? What is the denomination of the person quoted? What are their primary theological beliefs? Do they quote the Giants of the Faith, the Puritans, the Classics, or familiar trusted names like Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Edwards, Packer, Sproul, Ferguson. Are ALL of their writings generally trustworthy? You want to know whom your author reads.

8. Is the writing MAN-CENTERED or GOD-CENTERED? Is it about how man can get what he wants from God, from the world, how he can be satisfied, happy, etc., or is it about finding ways for man to become more conformed to the image of God and give God the Glory? Is it about living comfortably or fathering fruit for the kingdom?

9. DOCTRINE: Does it compromise anywhere on the essentials of the faith, creation, fall of man, virgin birth, sinless life of Christ, atonement, physical resurrection, etc. Does it violate any of the "solas" Scripture alone, grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone?

10. SALVATION THROUGH GRACE: Does the book compromise on or support the NEED FOR REPENTANCE, RECONCILIATION, AND RELIANCE? Does it confront the sin nature, focus on our fundamental need for reconciliation and our responsibility to be a witness to a lost world? Does it make clear the reality of the necessity of total reliance on grace as a lifestyle and using various means of grace (worship, prayer, Word, fellowship, communion, meditating, memorizing, Biblical mentoring/counseling)?

"Save Joel's Blog"

Once upon a time, there was a blogger named Joel. Joel was a good blogger. His posts were funny, yet inquisitive with just the right mix of wit and intellectualism... He made you think. He made you laugh. He made you look at the world a little differently each day. Let's face it - he made you want to be a better man/woman. :)

Then one day, Joel met a girl named Taylor. Joel liked Taylor (a lot). Joel pursued Taylor. Taylor liked Joel (a lot). Joel asked Taylor to marry him, and they are now engaged!!! Go Joel!

Obviously Joel is a quite a cool guy for someone as fantastically cool as Taylor to agree to marry him. They will make a VERY COOL married couple. :)

Unfortunately, there is a hidden sadness in this story. Despite all of this innate coolness to be shared with the world, Joel's last "Random Thought" was posted on September 10th, 2005. That's right my friends... By my count, we have been without Joel's "Random Thoughts" for 178 days as of today.

For the sake of continued coolness within our circle of friends, I feel it is my duty to launch the "Save Joel's Blog" campaign. I'd like to enlist the support of all readers and lurkers alike. There may still be a chance to bring him back if we unite together. Don't let his blog be permanently abandoned... This might be our last chance to save it with graduation to the "3rd floor" on the horizon...

Please join me in this fight!!!

http://joelbain.blogspot.com/

And they call it Puppy Love....

Every weekend on Allen Parkway across from our house, cars line up on the edge of the road next to this one area of Bayou Park that has become an informal dog park to a lot of dog lovers in Houston.

It is hilarious to drive by or walk over and watch the dogs jump in the bayou, chase balls, chase each other, and enjoy their freedom exploring. As all dogs do, they each have their own personalities, but the funniest part is the voice-over commentary that you notice yourself taking part in as you watch them play. Katie and I walked over on Saturday, and it really is a mini soap opera... The funniest character we saw this time was Mafia dog. He was short, muscular, could chase down any dog in the park, but reminded us of one of those guys who worked out a bit too much during his developmental years. He was rather feisty overall, the kind of dog who wouldn't think twice about putting a hit out on an unsuspecting Cocker Spaniel who mistakenly played with the wrong tennis ball... If he could talk, we figured his voice would be unusually high-pitched, similar to the brother on "50 First Dates".

As you might can tell, I'm in a period of severe dog withdrawal right now... It would be fun to bring an actual dog to the dog park, so if any of you dog owners out there want to check it out, let me know!

"Christ Alone"

O GOD,

Thy main plan, and the end of thy will is to make Christ glorious and beloved in heaven where he is now ascended,
where one day all the elect will behold his glory
and love and glorify him for ever.
Though here I love him but little,
may this be my portion at last.
In this world thou hast given me a beginning,
one day it will be perfected in the realm above.
Thou hast helped me to see and know Christ,
though obscurely,
to take him, receive him,
to possess him, love him,
to bless him in my heart, mouth, life.
Let me study and stand for discipline,
and all the ways of worship,
out of love for Christ;
and to show my thankfulness;
to seek and know his will from love,
to hold it in love,
and daily to care for and keep this state of heart.
Thou hast led me to place all my nature and happiness
in oneness with Christ,
in having heart and mind centred only on him,
in being like him in communicating good to others;
This is my heaven on earth,
But I need the force, energy, impulses of thy Spirit
to carry me on the way to my Jerusalem.
Here, it is my duty to be as Christ in this world,
to do what he would do,
to live as he would live,
to walk in love and meekness;
then would he be known,
then would I have peace in death.

The Valley of Vision - A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

In the Jungle...

Happy Hump Day!! :)

http://www.hahahumor.com/funny-movies/hippo.htm