tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10249168389656034962024-03-13T03:34:39.414-07:00The Dead Parrot Society"This Parrot is no more!"
"No it isn't, its just resting"
I think it is time this (free)bird woke up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-24526427877070670392010-04-25T21:11:00.000-07:002010-04-25T21:13:32.351-07:00You know what's crazy?I'm writing this from a Waffle House in Madison, Ga at 12:13am and feeling absolutely disgusted with the state of things. Surprised?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-27174012812262160512010-03-24T08:50:00.000-07:002010-03-24T08:53:46.257-07:00Can't....take it....any...longer!I can't resist. I must comment, for my own personal edification if nothing else, upon the Health Care matter that has swept the United States. Firstly, let me just say that I am appalled by the perception that Conservatives, or rather, ANYONE not vehemently pro-Obama's health care plan DOES NOT CARE FOR POOR PEOPLE. The idea that Conservatives and opponents of this plan would go out of their way to make life more difficult is absurd. <br />Furthermore, the notion that National Security spending is less important than Welfare state spending is moronic. Equality is more important than defense? Is that even a question? If there is no nation, there is no nation of equality and justice.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-54488545239994779982010-03-19T22:16:00.001-07:002010-03-19T22:21:09.476-07:00L-O-V-ETonight was an incredible night. <br />I hate that I am so emotionally sensitive. It does no one any good. Luckily I didn't ruin too much. <br /><br />I played the Hard Rock Cafe in Atlanta, Ga tonight alongside my stunning girlfriend, Taylor Briggs, and a dear friend and musical beast, Mason Kelly. I could honestly play with them every night and be happy. They are so gifted, and to share the stage with them is such an honor. <br />Just to be beside Taylor brings me such joy. Looking over during a song and seeing her gorgeous face is a blessing. I think I have fallen in love with her all over again, the same way it started: on stage. Our romance isn't based on our music, but the music is part of it, just like music is apart of us as individuals. <br /><br />I am a blessed man to have her in my life, and I pray that God would give me the honor of keeping her in it for the rest of my life. <br /><br />Goodnight Atlanta.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-21037066258307517552010-03-12T18:55:00.000-08:002010-03-12T19:00:47.663-08:00And Joy Comes in the MourningThe light that shines <br />whenever open your eyes <br />bring me light, light<br />skin soft and delicate<br />brings forth the humanity<br />of such as me to feel<br />and grasp the power,<br />the beauty, the complexity of, <br />Love<br />Shimmering upon the waters, <br />of friendship, commitment, and correspondence<br />riding upon the waves of joy<br />under the crystal son<br />never perfect and never failing<br />joy comes in the mourningUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-22368131504727393552010-03-12T15:59:00.000-08:002010-03-12T16:03:09.209-08:00The SaddeningDarkness.<br />All it is, is darkness<br />A rejection of light<br />a shunning of kindness<br />and I hate it<br />Crippling the ones you love<br />and spreading the infection<br />Until no one, or anything<br />is standing uninfluenced<br />repeating the pattern<br />straining the bonds of love<br />Darkness. <br />All it is, is darknessUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-78112157517866537392010-03-08T08:00:00.000-08:002010-03-08T08:06:13.929-08:00At Long LastI sit and stare at a blank page<br />the cursor, like my heart beating, blinks<br />I conduct the movements<br />but the words I do not<br />because what I say goes<br />and what I want to say, flows<br />reading and writing, growing up<br />as the world turns, and all that rubble<br />drama, that is, of a nasty sort<br />those that participate treat it as sport<br />but when the fun is done <br />they lick their wounds<br />and pick up their toys and go home<br />blinking, blinking, beating, beating<br />this isn't making any sense <br />or at least, that last sentence didn't<br />but why should I do all the talking?<br />it's my blog after all....<br />beating, blinking, beating, blinking...beatingUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-59386416240111256752009-08-04T20:01:00.000-07:002009-08-04T20:02:35.916-07:00The Lonely Bridge...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/Snj2OPveoKI/AAAAAAAAAEM/uftrfVoFo6M/s1600-h/Band+Photos+TAD.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/Snj2OPveoKI/AAAAAAAAAEM/uftrfVoFo6M/s320/Band+Photos+TAD.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366309680616218786" /></a><br />The wind rushes through my soul<br />the piercing rain takes its toll<br />a faint calling distant I hear<br />is but a distant rumble in my ear<br /><br />I've watched as lover's parted ways<br />I have stood watch as friends idly gaze<br />Though my planks and rafters be abused <br />no passengers have I ever refused<br /><br />this night is different though for I can see<br />a glimpse of a shadow standing neath a tree<br />What business but heartbreak can bring him here<br />or per chance a vagabond I should fear?<br /><br />Tis soon I notice the figure once more<br />as I feel her feet upon my tired floor<br />I watch silently, and do not make a stir<br />to see what business doth bring her <br /><br />To my desolate river, swollen with rain<br />is she meeting, fleeing, or simply in pain?<br />My thoughts race, as she wanders within<br />Its then her tear filled song does begin <br /><br />the echoes of her voice calm my swaying <br />and I listen intent to every word she is saying <br />"love will come back to me" softly she cries<br />and pauses as the tears fill her eyes<br /><br />I stifle my weeping, for I know she is near<br />but my hollow heart breaks with every tear<br />If I had but words, I would comfort this miss<br />for my own life is a story such as this<br /><br />Overwrought with heartbreak, my story goes<br />but the hero I became, and overcame my foes<br />To tell her these things my heart would leap<br />but that story is just the secret that I keep<br /><br />I would tell her also, that the rain will stop<br />the sun always comes out and bunnies hop<br />Her tears will dry up, just like the rain<br />and most likely, they will well up again<br /><br />but life does not wait for these times nor pause<br />and we are foolish if to think love a lost cause<br />Though we are fragile people with breaking hearts<br />We find ways to make fresh starts<br /><br />She dries her tears beneath me I see<br />and quietly whispers "someday, love will come back to me"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-14474341860971251622008-10-08T06:55:00.001-07:002008-10-08T06:55:56.710-07:00FrustrationSince there was confusion last time, I will make certain that no one feels like I am pointing the finger of my words at any one person. However, there are certain people that have fueled my frustration for this issue. Mostly, this would be christians for Obama. <br /><br />Here is my question for all you Obama folks: How can you support a candidate that has repeatedly voted for the killing of unborn babies? <br />Does abortion not go against the bible? How is it possible to justify voting for someone who has been so pro abortion? Regardless of if you believe they are a reliable source, the National Right to Life foundation is waging a huge war against Obama because of his participation in voting for bills that decrease restrictions on abortion and allow more government funding for abortion. <br />Obama has said that he would want an abortion for his two daughters if they became pregnant before marriage. Is he not openly approving of abortion in that statement? <br /><br />Maybe I am wrong about this, and maybe I am miss interpreting the Bible on this. However, when I see this verse, Psalm 139 13-16, I have a big problem with abortion simply knowing WHAT is being aborted.<i> " For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.</i><br /><br />I don't know what the policy on abortion should be and I can't tell you when life begins. What I will offer you is this, if you find a bag full of kittens on the side of the road on your way home and you can't tell if they are alive or not, would you chuck them in the river and just kill them? I wouldn't and I HATE cats, but I couldn't justify killing something that had a chance. <br />Just sayin...<br /><br />as a last minute thing, here are some votes that Obama made in his stint as a lawmaker. I got this from Ontheissues.org. <br /><i><br />"Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)<br />Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)<br />Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)<br />Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)<br />Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)<br />Sponsored bill providing contraceptives for low-income women. (May 2006)<br />Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)<br />Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)"</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-20502317452350351832008-07-02T10:09:00.001-07:002008-07-02T18:14:03.114-07:00The America I LoveAs we near Independence Day, I feel compelled by the time and the situation to pen some thoughts on our country, its flag and the concept of American Exceptionalism.<br />It is becoming more apparent to me that people in this country, especially my generation, are very apathetic regarding respecting our country and the flag. Several people I have talked to, don't quite understand why the flag is such a big deal. Its just a material thing, they say. To me though, its more than a material thing that we proudly display at our homes, offices and other public places, its something bigger than that. Its what it represents. The history, the blood that has been spilled in defense of our country, and the God that we serve are all symbolized by that flag hanging outside your door. The flag of our country is something that is deeply important to me, especially when it comes to respecting it. The disrespecting of our nations flag is just something I cannot tolerate. <br />Our country is something great, something that has never happened before and may never happen again in the history of the world. If you don't believe that God orchestrated that and has blessed us tremendously by allowing us to be here, then maybe my words will fall flat. Patriotism is a word that has been tossed around frequently these days. Patriotism is when people are proud of what their country is and what it stands for: One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for All. <br />To me, thats what our flag stands for and I hope that all of you will think about that as we reach our Forth of July weekend.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kfz2XDXaeqc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kfz2XDXaeqc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-81074251723553878942008-06-03T07:03:00.001-07:002008-06-03T07:03:40.225-07:00Just a little something...for kathryn to read since I know she reads my blogs....<br /><br />Well, I am walking alone on the highway<br />all my friends done left me high and dry<br />all thats left for me now<br />is to sit and wonder just why?<br /><br />did I say something that hurt them?<br />did I do something that was offensive?<br />maybe it just wasn't about them<br />maybe I am just to pretentious <br /><br />but I can't wait any longer<br />for your sensibilities to come back<br />and I won't stand any longer <br />with this knife sticking out of my back<br />and i just won't hold out any longer<br />cause I know you are never coming back<br />but I will stand on this mountain and shout out<br /><br />I'm the last man standin', and my heart is in pieces <br />see me waiting in the darkness, cause I can't stand the light<br />I'm the last man standin', and while your knocking at my door, <br />I won't be there<br /><br />I have waiting these long hours sitting, wishing<br />but you just don't seem that interested in me<br />so maybe I just need to forget about you<br />take a good look now, and maybe soon you will see! <br /><br />I am not gonna just sit back, while the world goes passing by<br />I won't just, sit on down, and fall on my knees and cry<br />no no, I won't be silent, I will not submit, <br />I won't waste my time searching for a memoryUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-30740402696282589472008-05-20T06:46:00.000-07:002008-05-20T06:58:35.688-07:00Blogs and ChocolateSince I am pretty sure that nobody reads this anymore, its probably pretty safe to post here without fearing somebody reading it and ruining the whole thing. <br /><br />Since my first original song went so well at the battle of the bands, I think I definitely need to write some more and hopefully have a full original lineup prepared for next year. I also really want a band to play with me, but I will worry about that later. <br /><br />Also, I am a little disappointed in a lot of people who I thought were my friends. Just being real, but I feel like the people who used to be my best friends have forgotten me in a little over 2 months. Thats not friendship and I don't appreciate it. <br />But I think that chapter of my life is behind me, so I guess its best to let sleeping dogs lie, sometimes. <br /><br />"I came into this town,<br />searching across the ground<br />looking constantly to be found<br />but you were never really there,<br />where you? <br /><br />what you lost, I had<br />and what never will be never really was<br />and thats what I will live with<br />cause you were never really there,<br />were you?<br /><br />So sit with me, this hour,<br />till darkness comes and life passes us by<br />they may look us over, but I know what they don't "<br /><br />just a concept for a song...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-27200460821628875202008-03-17T08:23:00.000-07:002008-03-17T08:24:56.206-07:00President CoolidgeI had to write a paper on who I thought the Best President of the United States was (President Reagan and Abraham Lincoln were not acceptable answers). I thought I would share. <br /><br />In the history of our country, many men have been hallowed with the honor of serving their country in one of the most important and extraordinary way; to protect and serve as the President of the United States. While all men who hold this most prestigious office are historically of good character, one man in my mind stands out as the best President in the history of the office; that man is Calvin Coolidge, the thirtieth President of the United States. <br /> John Calvin Coolidge Jr. became President August 3, 1923, the day after President Warren G. Harding had died. Coolidge was sworn in by his father, a notary public, with his right hand on his family’s own Bible. While in office finishing Harding’s term, Coolidge pledged to carry on President Harding’s policies and cabinet members, even though Harding’s administration was scandal ridden and very ineffective. However, Calvin Coolidge was not a man who acted without reason or cause and thought it best to serve the rest of Harding’s term and seek his own election to the office afterward, because the people had elected Harding not him. <br />In 1924, President Coolidge won an overwhelming victory over his democratic opponent John W. Davis. It was during this term that President Coolidge, in my mind, became the best President of the United States. Coolidge cut taxes and refused to intervene in the affairs of the economy (This is known as a “laissez-faire” economic policy that would later become famous during the Reagan Administration), a decision that resulted in the prosperity that we now know as the “Roaring 20’s”. Not only did Coolidge decrease the tax burden on the American People, he also reduced the size of government dramatically. As President, Coolidge was a man who did not react to situations, he calmly responded to those which he thought required his attention. Because of this, people have accused him of not caring when he did not visit the damaged areas of Mississippi Flood, because he viewed a potential visit as not helping anyone and would only be political pandering, which is not what the people needed at that time. <br /> On this note, I am reminded of the one specific thing that draws me to propose that Calvin Coolidge was the best President of the United States. Calvin Coolidge did only what was best for the country at the time. President Coolidge bolstered the post war economy by reducing taxes when it should have been suffering, He allowed america to recuperate from the first World War by not being as involved in foreign affairs, and he did nothing when action was not necessary. Instead of trying to fix a country that was not broken and secure his name in the history books as the man who <br />did this or that, President Coolidge was secure in his place in history as the man who was one of the least active Presidents and as a result, the country progressed into the future safe and sound. Below are some of my favorite Coolidge quotes that will show how a man of few words made those few words mean as much as possible. <br />“Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery” “Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.” “Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil. Our great hope lies in developing what is good.”<br />“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”<br />“Perhaps one of the most important accomplishments of my administration has been minding my own business. “<br />“The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-64753436208808148812008-03-12T07:22:00.001-07:002008-03-12T07:32:11.351-07:00The Vietnam WarThe past month I have watched several interesting movies set during the Vietnam War. One of them is "We Were Soldiers" staring Mel Gibson. The other is "Good Morning Vietnam" staring Robin Williams. Having watched these movies, I believe I have stumbled onto something that has disturbed me deeply and has also inspired me. <br />The Vietnam War has been distorted by the media and in the minds of the people is the darkest time of our country. We were so close to defeating the Communists in Vietnam and yet surrendered right when we were close to victory. <br />I am not going to pretend that I know all the facts behind the Vietnam war just from watching two movies, but what those movies depicted is a great injustice that I would never EVER want to see happen again. However, I see on the horizon another "unpopular" war in Iraq today. Trust me, losing should not be an option to the United States, because if you open the door even a crack to evil, they will charge into your house and tie you up before you know what happened.<br />Because of the surrender in Vietnam, it took another 20 years to defeat communism. It took a Reagan to defeat communism. I know for certain that unless the hand of God moves upon our election, that the next Reagan is not going to be in the White House for at least another 4-8 years. We have to win in Iraq and we have to remember history. Vietnam was ours and Iraq is also ours, the troops believe in what they can do now just as another generation of freedom fighters did back in Saigon. <br />Don't let darkness fall on our country again...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-5935901370933634932008-03-05T07:07:00.001-08:002008-03-05T07:07:30.572-08:00To keep you posted...I'm not overly zealous<br />maybe thats my problem <br />i am overly jealous<br />but that isn't enough to bother him<br /><br />"I never meant to cause you trouble<br />I never meant to do you harm"<br />my little world is lost inside a bubble<br />blown by the winds, billowing and warm <br /><br />thats right, you've figured me out<br />the key to unlocking me is not that far<br />we are currently remodeling, so do watch out<br />the world looks different when its upside down<br /><br />Ever wonder what it all meant? <br />the answer is not what you think <br />though it is heaven sent<br />it will be gone within a blink<br /><br />enjoy dinner, it won't be here long<br />and please drive safely, we hope you enjoyed your stay<br />everything isn't entirely long gone<br />but it is being blown that way<br /><br />what can and could have been<br />are almost as important as what never will<br />but the difference in the end <br />is what winds up on your bill...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-40730648322333030962008-02-21T08:54:00.000-08:002008-02-21T09:28:38.603-08:00Here's how it works:<br />1. Go to www.photobucket.com (don't sign in)<br />2. Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box<br />3. Use only the first page<br />4. Copy the html and paste for the answer<br /><br /><br />1. What's your name?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72yI6U2IyI/AAAAAAAAAAo/0-kZ5lnGWss/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72yI6U2IyI/AAAAAAAAAAo/0-kZ5lnGWss/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169483813456585506" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2. What's your favorite thing to do?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72yVKU2IzI/AAAAAAAAAAw/fpc3Ijs5HqY/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72yVKU2IzI/AAAAAAAAAAw/fpc3Ijs5HqY/s320/images-1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484023909983026" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />4. What is your relationship status?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72yfqU2I0I/AAAAAAAAAA4/zoeJIDJ97Gg/s1600-h/images-2.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72yfqU2I0I/AAAAAAAAAA4/zoeJIDJ97Gg/s320/images-2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484204298609474" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />5. What is your favorite color?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R720YKU2I_I/AAAAAAAAACQ/Ye4IjlKftUk/s1600-h/images-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R720YKU2I_I/AAAAAAAAACQ/Ye4IjlKftUk/s320/images-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169486274472846322" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />6. Who is your celebrity crush?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72yvqU2I2I/AAAAAAAAABI/kAjer3OGIyA/s1600-h/images-4.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72yvqU2I2I/AAAAAAAAABI/kAjer3OGIyA/s320/images-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484479176516450" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />7. What band/artist are you listening to right now?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72y5KU2I3I/AAAAAAAAABQ/6YghlqV7sxc/s1600-h/images-5.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72y5KU2I3I/AAAAAAAAABQ/6YghlqV7sxc/s320/images-5.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484642385273714" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />8.What is your favorite movie?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zH6U2I4I/AAAAAAAAABY/31jzbak9lLA/s1600-h/images-6.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zH6U2I4I/AAAAAAAAABY/31jzbak9lLA/s320/images-6.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484895788344194" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />9.What is your favorite Disney Princess?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zH6U2I5I/AAAAAAAAABg/RFTHnWzvDKI/s1600-h/images-7.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zH6U2I5I/AAAAAAAAABg/RFTHnWzvDKI/s320/images-7.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484895788344210" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />10. Name your favorite beverage?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zIKU2I6I/AAAAAAAAABo/7GP83z-Eigc/s1600-h/images-8.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zIKU2I6I/AAAAAAAAABo/7GP83z-Eigc/s320/images-8.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484900083311522" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />11. Where do you want to live?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zIaU2I7I/AAAAAAAAABw/DorWTWNQng8/s1600-h/images-9.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zIaU2I7I/AAAAAAAAABw/DorWTWNQng8/s320/images-9.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484904378278834" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />12. What is your favorite dessert?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zIaU2I8I/AAAAAAAAAB4/QzzAOP-4EdU/s1600-h/images-10.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zIaU2I8I/AAAAAAAAAB4/QzzAOP-4EdU/s320/images-10.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484904378278850" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />14. What do you love most in life?<br />God is obviously a number one, but I don't have a picture of my family with a bunch of my friends in the background. If I did have one, it would look something like this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zr6U2I9I/AAAAAAAAACA/ZfUQHVE6F3M/s1600-h/images-11.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zr6U2I9I/AAAAAAAAACA/ZfUQHVE6F3M/s320/images-11.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169485514263634898" /></a><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />15. One word to describe yourself?<br />This sums it up...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zsKU2I-I/AAAAAAAAACI/MlhNRJ0_kLc/s1600-h/images-12.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J8fcMsHuG2A/R72zsKU2I-I/AAAAAAAAACI/MlhNRJ0_kLc/s320/images-12.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169485518558602210" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-58485685546015327492008-02-07T06:46:00.001-08:002008-02-07T06:46:16.107-08:00RantI have been kind of down by the outlook of our country for the past two days. I guess you could call it a "red funk". The party which normally most closely represents my convictions in government is moving away from me. The Republican party is ignoring the conservative voices shouting for a candidate that represents them. I don't care what anyone in the mainstream media tries to tell me, John McCain is not a conservative and has spent most of his career voting what he had to to get re-elected in Arizona. Other than those votes, McCain has tried to grant amnesty to the millions of Illegal Alliens in this country as well as jepordize the right of free speech, and to top it all off, he wants to legalize "carbon taxes" (look up McCain-Lieberman and you will see what I mean). Should this tax hike get signed into law, it would basically raise our taxes monumentally, which would severely wreck our economy. For obvious reasons, I could not possibly vote for McCain in the general election. I would rather stay home. <br />As for Huckabee, well, I can't vote for him either. Huckabee raised taxes in Arkansas more than he lowered them. Huckabee's current tax plan is the fair tax. While I support this, Huckabee's other short comings make me weary of him. Huckabee is not very presidential, and has not proven himself as a tried and true conservative. As of right now actually, he is just a lap dog for McCain. Huckabee knows he is out of it, even with his unexpected showing on Super Duper Tuesday. Huckabee is doing to the country what he did in West Virginia: keeping Mitt Romney from catching McCain in the delegate count. <br />Romney is the closest thing to a conservative. While people think he is too slick or too rich or they don't like his hair, he is the only conservative in the race as of today. There is still time, I know. But John McCain and Mike Huckabee are going to lead this Republican party split in two if they get the nomination, and that worries me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-20297782597440327782008-01-28T08:19:00.000-08:002008-01-28T08:32:57.402-08:00Self ConfidenceI have interesting conversations with my friends. When those conversations and the <a href="http://evotional.com/2008/01/incompetence.html">blog topics of certain respected bloggers</a> coincide, I think it is probably something that God is either trying to tell me, or is trying to tell somebody close to me. So here it goes. <br />II Corinthians 3:4-6:<br /><br />"Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."<br /><br />If any of you have known me for long, you will know that I am extremely self confident, almost arrogant (though I am truly not arrogant or egotistical, I just joke about it). However, I see a lot of people day in and day out, some people who are even good friends of mine, who don't have any confidence in themselves. This pains me, because they struggle as a result and often bad mouth themselves. I am not saying that everyone should be as confident as I am or be as outgoing as I appear to be. Far from it, the thing I would love to see is that everyone would realize that we are all worthless, however, we have worth because God finds us worth his love. <br />Self Confidence, self esteem, competence, its basically all the same thing. As a friend of mine put it one time "America is just one big self esteem factory". Don't like something about yourself? Get some plastic surgery. Feel like you are worse than everyone else? well, you probably have a clinical disease. There is probably a pill for it. Thats America for you. Have low self esteem? Well, we can probably fix that with the WRONG THINGS!! Drugs, alcohol, there really is an endless list of things that people use to give themselves a boost. The truth of it is, there is only one thing that can really give you the kind of confidence in yourself that people want. The confidence that God died for you. <br /><br />I know that sounds cliche, but its the truth...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-15826545395079336112008-01-28T06:26:00.000-08:002008-01-28T06:27:26.751-08:00Finally!Its about time the music industry figured this out! <br /><a href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3261591.ece">Qtrax</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-13200621043651764662008-01-18T06:59:00.000-08:002008-01-18T07:02:06.462-08:00Wow...I don't care if you believe in Global Warming or not. I love God's Irony. It seems to me, that ever since Global Warming has sprung up as the new "cause dejur " that every time a global warming protest happens, its snows. <br /><a href="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bay_environment/blog/2008/01/global_warming_protest_snowed.html">Join in the Fun</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-70522800447144510792008-01-10T08:48:00.001-08:002008-01-10T09:08:07.702-08:00Just real quick...Because in the last post, the question was raised, I thought I would do some research and explain why Washington D.C. does not have Representatives or Senators in the U.S. Congress. <br />The answer lies in one of my favorite documents, the United States Constitution, Amendment 14 Section 2, and Amendment 17. I will paraphrase for your convenience. "The U.S. Senate/House shall be composed of Senators/Reprasentatives elected by each state." <br />The reason the District of Columbia cannot be represented in either the House or Senate is because the District of Columbia is not a state. If Districts could be represented, Congress would have the power to create districts wherever they please. This would cause increased turmoil because it would decrease the power of the states in federal government and increase the power of the controlling party of congress (because they could bolster their power by creating districts that would elect more democrat or republican representatives or senators). <br />This is why Washington D.C does not have representation. I do not condone the "taxation without representation" of these people. Unfortunately, "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration." This gives congress free reign on taxes. <br />Another interesting part of our constitution regarding D.C. is found in the 23rd Amendment: "The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct:<br /><br />A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment"<br />Say what you will about what is right or wrong regarding the lack of representation for D.C., but I think that President Bush and the Congress has done the right thing by not granting D.C. voting rights because it is not constitutional.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-11188831212463610852008-01-08T06:17:00.000-08:002008-01-08T06:21:31.891-08:00Calling All Conservatives!A lot of people are being fooled by the rise of Mike Huckabee and what looks like a Christians dream president. It is my belief that Huckabee is not what a lot of people think he is. While I do not endorse Fred Thompson just yet, I think that this blogger has raised sufficient evidence and proof of evidence to show that Huckabee is not a Conservative and is not going to govern as such. <br /><a href="http://blogsforfredthompson.com/open-letter-all-conservatives-evangelicals-and-homeschoolers">An Open Letter to Conservatives and Evangelicals</a><br />I will blog more on this subject in the future, especially as the primaries continue, but for now I will let the above article speak for itself.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-21612081945483564202007-12-30T08:20:00.000-08:002007-12-30T08:27:03.963-08:00A Commentary on the Church<div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lGo9Xe5dPos&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lGo9Xe5dPos&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /></div>Now, after watching that, most of you will probably think this is a joke. If you really know me and how I feel about that movie, you will be guessing that I am no more joking than I am being serious. The truth is, while you would think that is just a bunch of good acting, think about it. According to the Bible, that is what church is supposed to be like! Dancing, singing, rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord! Of course, James Brown is not going to be the Pastor that leads us there, but that is a glimpse, I think, of what church should really be. <div>Lets face it, the church today is in a pretty disorganized mess. I don't think it is going to get much better till our generation takes control and even then, we will have our hands full. My question to you guys is this, What can we do? How can we make church what it should be?</div><div>I personally think that there needs to be more concentration on the arts. Not just music, but film, painting, photography etc. I think if the church wants to have a chance, we need to use the weapons that God gave us to fight for the lost souls of unbelievers. </div><div>I would like to read some of your thoughts on this. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-29949064459527281272007-12-20T07:06:00.000-08:002007-12-20T07:44:43.230-08:00And Now for something, well, you get the picture!I think things in the culture side have been covered well enough to take a break from that. Today I want to move into another subject that I am passionate about: politics. <div>As you may know, it is Election time and the whole country is wrapped up in the debate over who will get their party's presidential nomination and who will be president overall. While I could blog about that, I think instead I will write about something a little more interesting to me: My platform as a candidate. </div><div>Over the years, I have watched and listened, trying to learn as much as I could from the gifted thinkers around me. One thing in common that I find increasingly important in a candidate is character. People don't want the person that will tell them what they want to hear just to get their vote. They want someone who will take a stand. That is what I want to bring to our nations government. Realism. However, it is easy to say one thing and do another, so let me demonstrate by putting out my "platform" issues. Keep in mind, these issues are liable to change as the years progress, but for know, lets assume I am running for office in this years election on the issues of the time. </div><div>1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Taxes</span>. Our government takes in and spends trillions of dollars every year. It is my opinion that too much of that money is taken in, and a hugely excessive amount of money is being wasted. The answer to this is to abolish the IRS and institute a "Fair tax". I would tell you all about the Fair tax and how it could better our country, but for times sake, I will move on. If you are interested in the Fair Tax, got to <a href="www.fairtax.org">Fair Tax.org</a></div><div><br /></div><div>2. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Immigration</span>. I look at the state of our country today and I see a huge problem. Our country is being overrun by people we don't know. We have people coming into our country and sucking the life out of our infrastructure and causing huge problems. Its not just the fact that people are coming in, its the fact that we don't know who they are and its the fact that because we don't know who they are, we don't know what type of person they are and if they have a criminal record or not. I think it is extremely important that we take control of our borders before we become a province of mexico. </div><div><br /></div><div>3. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The War</span>. A lot of people may not think that this is as big an issue any more. I, however, think it is important that we finish what has been started by our president. Regardless if you believe the war was "just" or not, I think the important thing to do now is to finish it. We are on the verge of a great victory that is striking fear into the hearts of our enemies. The fact that we still have the power to unseat a regime in less than 24 hours scares countries that wish us harm. I think it is important that we finish what we have begun in Iraq, if for nothing else but to not let anyone ever say that America quit or that America cut and run. </div><div><br /></div><div>Other Important Issues: </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Abortion</span>. I am Pro-Life, but I don't think that Federal legislation is necessary. I believe it should be up to the people of this nation. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Education</span>. I believe that the Government School system is a failure and should be abolished. I think the government should shut down its government schools and then sell its school facilities to private and christian schools. This will lessen the money spent by the government and will ensure a better education for our children. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Corruption in the Government</span>. I believe that the current U.S. Government needs another McCarthy to clean up corruption. I believe there should be harsher penalties for people who are taking bribes and are granting favors. I do not see how any government can govern justly with corrupt individuals are in it. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Gay Marriage</span>. It is my belief as a Christian that Gay Marriage is wrong. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I do not think our constitution grants its citizens the "right" to gay marriage. I believe, however, that our citizens, not our Federal Law makers should decide on a ban of Gay marriage. </div><div>Congratulations on reading that. </div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-46987971840789673822007-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:002007-12-15T15:59:36.100-08:00Raspberry BeretContinuing on the subject of influencing culture, I think I should post on the "secular" art and "christian" art. <div>Lets look at music first. If you listen to christian radio, as I do, you would know that just about everything on christian radio that isn't a cover of a previous hit, is probably a copy of something in the secular realm. A popular choice amongst christian bands is to imitate, wether knowingly or unknowingly, the sound of great secular bands like U2. When christian artists aren't copying a popular band, they are probably copying a previously successful christian song. How many different versions of Open the Eyes of My Heart have you heard? Chances are, quite a few. </div><div>Now, time for a show of hands. Who here likes overly fake and totally unrealistic music? </div><div>Thats what I thought. </div><div><br /></div><div>I like music. I listen to some form of music all day almost every day. I like music that is different, creative and entertaining. Most Christian music does not fit many of those requirements. There are a few artists who do (David Crowder Band, Casting Crowns and of course, Steven Curtis Chapman) but that is really it, and unfortunately, nobody is following their path. Third Day is another artist that comes to mind. The sad thing is, instead of creating new music that is different, christian artists are just copying (or covering) any of the actual creative music. </div><div>Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi etc etc. In the realm of secular music, you almost HAVE to be different and unique and creative in order to survive as a band. Even an artist like Coldplay, while extremely similar to U2, has to differentiate themselves in their sound, in order to be themselves. </div><div>If we as christians want to ever really impact culture, we HAVE to be ourselves and let me just tell you, who you truly are is not who somebody else already has been or is being. You are different, so be different. </div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024916838965603496.post-86160007765947680562007-12-14T08:40:00.000-08:002007-12-14T08:57:11.619-08:00Purple Rain...An earlier post begs me to follow up in a post of my own. How active in culture are we really supposed to be? I for one am someone who could care less about actors and actresses and people who make dumb decisions and don't get in trouble for it. To me, the people who are famous and in the news all the time, are less worthy of my attention than people who aren't. Think about it. When was the last time someone got recognition for doing a good deed? No, all we ever hear about is the bad stuff. <div>I personally don't care, even about the musicians of today. Few of them are worth looking at on a personal level. Their music may be great, but their personal lives suck. </div><div>How do we fix this? We, the media saturated generation. How do we fix something that is growing every day into a monster we can't control? Follow the money. "Its all about drugs and money" is one of the most interesting quotes I have ever seen on a T.V. show. Two cops, understand the evil motivations of people. I think, while the show is fiction, the wisdom is not. What does the media look for when it is publishing its news articles etc? What makes them money. That seems to be what anybody ever cares about these days. </div><div>How do we fight the culture trends we don't like? Cut the head off the snake. Stop the money flow. People have been screaming it, but are we all too infected to realize the disease that is going to eventually kill us? </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1