This affected me today

Link

Don't know how I feel about the dream stuff (in the second video on this page), but I know God spoke to me through it mainly because of the topic. I happen to be passionate about it. What do you think?

Car Time

When in a relationship, I've found that getting that "car time" is so crucial, just to get those extended conversations and really catch up.* It's hard in the busy-ness of life, to fit that in otherwise; so when you get the chance to go on a long trip or go drive across town together, it is so great to get that chance to catch up, but also discuss deeper issues or ideas. With Rachel and I, this has been the case. I look forward sometimes to the drive more than the actual place or event we're going to, because I know we'll get to the bottom of some things, or discuss a topic for an extended period of time, unlike our normal quick phone calls interrupting each others' work days. It's helpful, too because when you are in "close quarters" like that, as my mom used to say, and an issue or conflict comes up, you can't really avoid it, you have to deal with it:) Someday I'll learn to carve out some time to have these important conversations, but for now I'll make use of our car time and take what I can get.



*this was even key back when i started dating in high school. I remember once I asked a girl out on a date to a movie, and she said she'd "meet me there"..."Meet me there?" then what's the point? We're gonna have no "car time," thus no conversation or even debriefing of the movie afterwards, so might as well just call this what it is--a free movie night for you. Wasn't thrilled about that, but I think I did it anyway, 'cause a meet-at-the-movie date was better than no date, right?

What do you think this verse is about?

Proverbs 13:5

My footnote implied something "stinky"

Recent Thoughts

Has anyone else noticed that all of TNT's shows fit into just two categories? Apparently "We Know Drama" = shows about cops or hospitals. Is that all people care about watching? Seems to be plenty of drama at my office, but maybe people wouldn't want to watch that. Guess that's what happened to "Trust Me." Stick with what works, eh?

Speaking of work (sort of), I've realized recently that in America it seems like we really only have a 3-day work week. Mondays seems to be full of meetings, which although intended to help organize, actually keep you tied up and keep you from getting things done; plus you leave the meeting with more "action points" but less time to do it. Then we work Tues-Thursday for the most part. Then on Friday everybody works a half day at most, checking out early (esp. during the summer) so it's hard to get business done then. Do you agree with this? Seems like even if your office or you decide to work a full week, it might not even matter because most offices are structured this way, thus the decision makers are not available and you can't get things done even though you want to. Am I right or no?

I need to learn to play guitar. Or even just piano. Seriously. Depending on others to provide instrumentation is really hindering my rockstar career. I gotta get on this or I'll never take off.

I have great friends

My bday was last wk, and my friends showed me lots of love -- they always do. Went to a pub with the guys one night, some of whom I hadn't caught up with in awhile -- always good to do that.

And one particular young lady treated me especially well with some unique and special gifts over several days.

Isn't this little photoshop wonder awesome? It came with the caption "I would jump out of a cake for you anyday!" cracked me up...had to share it with ya'll.

Thanks Rachel and everyone for all the gifts and birthday wishes.

Big Red Commercial

Here's a blast from the past...remember these commercials?

Proverbs for Sanford

So we've all heard about the drama swirling around South Carolina's governor, Mr. Mark Sanford. I must say I was bummed out hearing that, especially because he's a Furman Alum...

but what was interesting last week was that as I watched all of this play out, I just happened to be in my Bible study around Proverbs chapters 5-7. Don't know if you've read it lately, but it's all about warning again the "strange foreign woman" and her scandalous eyelids. It's pretty strong language, and rightfully so...Sanford's probably wishing he had hidden it in his heart instead of these lies about his Argentenian mistress, who was also married, i think. Anyway, check it out yourself...first from Chapter 5:

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths are crooked, but she knows it not

and...what Sanford must be thinking now...(from Chapter 5, starting at vs 11)

At the end of your life you will groan,
when your flesh and body are spent.
You will say, "How I hated discipline!
How my heart spurned correction!
I would not obey my teachers
or listen to my instructors.
I have come to the brink of utter ruin
in the midst of the whole assembly.

there's no larger assembly than a nationally televised press conference...

Then another stern warning from Chapter 6, vs 25

Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes,
for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread,
and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
So is he who sleeps with another man's wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished....
But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment;
whoever does so destroys himself.

I told you it was strong...but fitting isn't it? Didn't Sanford's weepy, bumbling, press conference (in which he first apologized to his mistress, then South Carolinians, THEN his family) make him look like a fool? He truly had been reduced to a loaf of bread.

But what I also noticed there and in some of the news coverage was the destructive nature of adultery...obviously it destroys the marriage and lives involved around it. But one psychologist interviewed mentioned how men involved in adultery have lots of deeper issues of self-hatred, and cheating is one of many destructive habits they have. Think about that, and take for instance Ephesians 5 that speaks of healthy marriage and love...quite a juxtaposition to these verses and habits in Proverbs. There Paul writes, and God says "He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church..." So does it follow that if one is not loving his wife, and even committing adultery, it's because he doesn't care for and love himself? I don't know, just noticing these things...what are your thoughts?

I'll leave you with one final admonishment...
God says, and Solomon in Chapter 7 writes:

Do not let your heart turn to her way,
or stray into her paths.
Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.

Sadly, we must add Sanford to her list of victims...

On Twitter

As I mentioned in my MJ post the other day, this has been a big week for the intraweb...specifically twitter. Check out what the creator of twitter said about it;) I'm especially interested in this because I've been thinking about it some for work and how we can use it to stay connected to clients; but also I just signed up for my own account; you can follow me here. Let the tweeting begin!

A Day in the life

I need to vent.

Every week (sometimes a few times each week) I'm required to go pick up a check from some of my clients for their ads. It's just part of the job. Well, as of late (you might've heard something about the state of our economy on those news stations) most folks are not especially excited about paying their bills. Also, because the economy's in the crapper and hardly anyone is buying, we greatly reduced rates and increased options to encourage people to buy. Some have...but often the smallest ad at the best rate, which is great for them, because their marketing payment is smaller...but it's not so great for me. We've helped them out that way, and you think they'd repay us, well...by paying us, quickly, or on time at least. Not the case. This little situation usually leaves me trapesing all over town for these measly little peon clients and then waiting and waiting to get them to give me a check.

You'd be amazed at how people act when you come in to get money....they'll scoot out the back, hop in the car and drive away! What...have I got the plague or something? Or worse, they'll make you wait and wait forever til they "find their checkbook." My favorite thing to do then is walk around their store "shopping," feigning interest in their birdseed, or cat litter, or whatever widgets they are selling. Eventually I get a check though, and then I'm on my way to sell another little ad to another little client.

Oh for the good ol' days of big ticket clients who were billed and paid their bills on time; and if they didn't they were our accounting department's problem.

I'm too young to be wishing for the good ol' days....