Outraged

Upon hearing the news out of Penn State this week, I was horrified, disgusted and outraged. As I heard news reports about it, I couldn't get over what strong emotions it evoked and then it finally struck me. It puts a spotlight on my own sins. I realized that my sins are just as much of an outrage to God.

So, I pray for forgiveness. I pray that I feel as much outrage toward my own sin that I seem to minimize as I feel at those who wronged so many in the Penn State situation.

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3-4 ESV)

Send the Ark

I guess I asked too soon! It wasn't plagues and locusts, it was a flood!

Sadly, there was loss of life and property damage to many.

What next, plagues and locusts?

Two natural phenomenon in one week. If it's okay, I could take a calmer week.

This past Tuesday, August 23, we had a 5.8 earthquake whose epicenter was in Mineral, VA, which is about 90 miles from the Washington, DC area. I was actually walking outside back to the office and didn't feel the tremor. However, people running out of buildings was a big clue. Although no major damage, it was a bit unnerving.

Then, this past weekend, Hurricane Irene decided to swirl up the east coast. She provided lots of rain and a downed tree a block away from our house. It did damage the back of a car, but did not hit a house. Lots of leaves and a few branches, but nothing major at our house.

What you don't see in this picture are their neighbors sitting in lawn chairs watching the clean up. Just a little odd, in my opinion.

Here's the trunk and roots from the remaining portion of the tree.

I am the nail in Your wrist ... But You love me anyway

I subject you to songs every now and then.

You Love Me Anyway

The question was raised
As my conscience fell
A silly, little lie
It didn’t mean much
But it lingers still
In the corners of my mind

Still you call me to walk
On the edge of this world
To spread my dreams and fly
But the future’s so far
My heart is so frail
I think I’d rather stay inside

But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
How You love me

It took more than my strength
To simply be still
To seek but never find
All the reasons we change
The reasons I doubt
And why do loved ones have to die?

But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me

I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas’ kiss
But You love me anyway

See now, I am the man that called out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground
Yes then, I turned away with this smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night, I still called out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life

But You love me anyway
Oh, God… how you love me

You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me

You love me, You love me
You love me, You love me
How You love me
How You love me
How You love me

~Sidewalk Prophets

Blog Slacker!

OK, so let's not pretend anyone really follows or cares about my blog. I haven't actually posted since May. Travesty! Honestly, I've shifted a little more toward Facebook and Twitter.

So, why do I keep it? Because, as I periodically look back at some of the posts, I find that they are a little time capsule, the pre-Facebook and pre-Twitter, and I suppose I'm not quite ready to scrap the whole thing.

Closing a Chapter

Yesterday, Osama bin Laden was killed.

My first thought was not to "celebrate." It was not "cheer." I could only think of the 2,977 victims of 9-11. The emotions flooded back. I remembered the fear of the day in DC. When I was finally able to get out of the city, we spent the rest of the day with friends in shock with the rest of the nation.

Last night, I think I felt a little sense of relief. Not in a "there will never be any terrorism again," but that a chapter has been closed. Not the book.

Thank you to the U.S. military. You are true heros.

Christ Is Risen Indeed!

Oh to see the dawn of the darkest day,
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This the pow'r of the cross.
Christ became sin for us,
Took the blame, bore the wrath.
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh to see my name written in the wounds,
For through your suff'ring, I am free.
Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live,
Won through your selfless love!

This the pow'r of the cross.
Christ became sin for us,
Took the blame, bore the wrath.
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Good Friday

I will glory in my Redeemer
Whose priceless blood has ransomed me
Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails
And hung Him on that judgment tree

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who crushed the power of sin and death
My only Savior before the Holy Judge
The Lamb Who is my righteousness
The Lamb Who is my righteousness

I will glory in my Redeemer
My life He bought, my love He owns
I have no longings for another
I’m satisfied in Him alone

I will glory in my Redeemer
His faithfulness my standing place
Though foes are mighty and rush upon me
My feet are firm, held by His grace
My feet are firm, held by His grace

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who carries me on eagle's wings
He crowns my life with lovingkindness
His triumph song I'll ever sing

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who waits for me at gates of gold
And when He calls me it will be paradise
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold

"I Will Glory in My Redeemer", by Steve and Vikki Cook.

Our Hearts Are with the Japanese

These are just mind-blogging. All of that devastation in less than six minutes. There just doesn't seem like there's anything you can do against a tsunami.

Charitable organizations responding in Japan:
http://www.usaid.gov/japanquake/index.html#help
Mission to the World www.mtw.org

Super Bowl XLV Champions

Mom sent some pictures from the grocery store in Wisconsin

My awesome brother sent me the long-sleeve t-shirt and the Green Bay Gazette Extra special edition from the NFC championship win against the Chicago Bears.


Super Bowl XLV Champions
February 6, 2011

Milwaukee Sentinel Journal
Green Bay Press Gazette website

Green Bay Press Gazette special edition

Packers Pro Shop

The Lombardi Trophy is coming home to Lambeau

The Vince Lombardi Trophy is hoisted as the Green Bay Packers celebrate winning Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on February 6, 2011. (Gary A. Vasquez/NFL)

GO PACK GO!

Your Tax Dollars Hard at Work

I interrupt this blog silence with breaking news. The government released new dietary guidelines yesterday, and their advice:

"Government’s Dietary Advice: Eat Less"
Read more

Yep, that's it, folks. How many tax dollars do you think went into that finding?