a challenge

Last night I opened the book of Daniel and decided just to read till I got tired. I made it through the first four chapters, but came across something in chapter 3 that really made me think and has challenged me. You know there are some Bible stories that you know like the back of your hand and sometimes you skim through them because you feel like there isnt anything new you can learn.....well, i found something new last night. Please read Daniel 3:16-18. "16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up'." Read that again. After I read it, I had to read it again, and then again for it to really set in, "But even if he does not......" Shad, Mesh, and Abe (new nicknames) have completely come to grips with the fact that God might not save them from the fire. They know He was able to, but also know that whatever happens is God's will even if that means they stand up for their faith and are martyred in the fire. This recognition is truly Amazing!! Not everyone gets this (and that includes me most of the time), and if Christians would live out this kind of faith on a daily basis, how much better of a witness would that be. I can go on about this longer and will get into it more soon. Just read that passage and think about the ramifications.

long break

been a few days (weeks) since i've found time to express my opinions or share what's happening in my life on a web journal. Not too much has been going on, just been busy with work. Steph went to Cali for 5 days this past week because Ali had another baby boy (Landon) on Friday. I stayed home in OK and worked alot. I dont really have much info or had time to really think of something to discuss, basically this post is just to add another one so my page is dormant for too long.
I wont get into my thoughts on the NBA because I will get upset. I'm tired of how things go.....ie, the stars getting an obscene number of calls (or non-calls on the defensive side) in their favor, certain teams seeming to get a benefit, and the completely and utterly inconsistent officiating and disciplinary measures being handled by the NBA front office. It makes me not even want to watch the NBA. Enough on that subject before i get upset.
One other random note, my body was able to handle eating Chipotle burritos for consecutive meals on Sunday (lunch and dinner). Ok, I'm out for today. Be back with something better soon.

a growing realization

while watching tv last night, i realized something that i've thought before but was excellently affirmed in the particular show. Timely music/song clips in tv shows or movies make scenes really come to life and prey on your emotions more than people realize. I love to listen to music, and when i hear a song i like play in the background of a scene, my eyes/ears kind of perk up, or I am more apt to remember a certain scene if I really like the music in the background (ie. the first episode of the Black Donnelly's, there's a scene at the end of the movie after the two brothers just shot the rival gang members and are walking down the street realizing what the consequences are and what they just did and in the background Snow Patrol's "Open Your Eyes" is playing.......that scene is etched in my mind and every time i hear that song, which i love by the way, i remember that scene from that show). So anyway, last night we (steph and I) were watching Cold Case on CBS, and the following songs played....Coldplay - Speed of Sound, Aqualung - Brighter than Sunshine (also happens to be one of the songs on our wedding video), Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars and Open Your Eyes, and then they finished it off with Jet - Shine On. This was a music lover's paradise of a show, i spent more time singing along with the songs in the background than I did listening to what the characters were saying on the show. So I think i found something that would be a really fun job, to be the guy/girl who gets to watch this stuff and decide what music to overlay the scenes with that would put the entire thing over-the-top. Plus then I could have an excuse to listen to music 24-7.

may day

today is May Day. Nothing exciting has really happened, just another day of work and the usual. I just thought i'd post instead of waiting another week. This past weekend was nice, the weather was good, i worked 11 hours on saturday, and then just relaxed all day with my wife on sunday. we went up to Mt. Scott for a picnic dinner, then waited for the sun to set so she could take pictures with her new camera. the turned out really really good! (http://nwc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2014536&id=110901402 if you want to see the pictures :))
one thing of interest, this morning i happened to turn on NBC today show and they were doing a special where Matt Lauer was in Ireland this morning. He was in Galway (i've been there) and then was going to the Cliff of Moher (been there numerous times). The Cliffs of Moher are easily in my top 5 (of places i've actually been too) most beautiful places in the world/best showcases of God's beautiful creation. (in an upcoming blog, i'll name the other 4 places in that said top 5, so be looking for it).
another link for you, http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons, is a funny article about the nba playoffs. time and again i've said Simmons is one of my favorite sports writers. I keep turning people onto him because i find his stuff so funny to read and and overwhelming majority of the time I agree with his opinions, either A. because i thought of them too and then he put them in print, or B. because it is something no one has said and makes alot of sense and is funny. either way, he's a must read. And because i'm in a list mood, maybe i'll dedicate a whole blog to lists of things. coming soon............