Pity Party

I'm having a pity party and you are invited. Please attend.

You know, I don't know if I'm getting tired of blogging or I just feel like I'm talking to myself or what. Some days, I feel like what's the point of keeping my thoughts out there. Other days, I remind myself why. Other days, that reason isn't enough.

Today, I am wondering if anyone would notice if I never posted here again. But, I think that's me just having a pity party. There's important work to be done here, right?

Why do I blog? I'm not a political ranter, though I do enjoy discussing political ideas. I don't wax poetic on the news of the day. And I really don't want this to be a blog that talks about every stupid detail of my day. Please do me a favor and shoot me if I am doing that.

So, what's the blog for? At this point, I honestly just hope that my thoughts on God, Jesus, faith, etc... well, i can only hope that it makes a difference to some one at their time of need.

I imagine some lost soul googling something and tripping they way to my blog only to read a post like this or this. And, that somehow that person's life is changed for the better - like showing my faith made a difference.

In fact, that's something I pray for. I ask God to give me the opportunity to show one person the next day what His love and mercy is. I don't mean I want the chance to browbeat a non-believer into believing. But, I do want to show that person God's kindness and maybe loosen a brick from the wall that's keeping them from God.

But, then I look at the archive list and see on average I've posted less than three times in the past eight months. Obviously, something ain't right. I'm not sure what it is. Is it me being lazy? Have I run out of things to say? Is it me seeing stats that say maybe 4 people visit this place a day (and I'm not 100% sure that it's not just me visiting)? Is my message turning people away? Am I *gasp* boring? You tell me.

In a previous post, I wrote:

"Ecclesiastes 12:10 says, “The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.” When it comes to blogging, I can think of no better level to aspire to. When it comes to writing about Christ and God’s truth, I relentlessly pray God will help me find the right words and that they will be interpreted as true. That’s all I hope for this blog to be."

I'm still down with that idea. I just don't seem to be following through. You tell me, am I?

40 Some Odd Days of Sacrifice

I decided to give up something for Lent this year. I haven't done that in ages, and I can't honestly remember actually giving something up in my Catholic childhood. What I do remember is having some form of boiled seafood every Friday since meat was out. It's Friday today and I wish I had a big old pile of boiled crawfish in front of me, but alas, it's PB&J for me today.

Anyway, Lent... The purpose is to make a sacrifice and devout that extra time or what have you to God. That's the simple version. So, I thought about it and the best thing I think I can "sacrifice" is non-work related television viewing. I watch a lot of prime time TV and the more I thought about it, the easier it was to give up.

Here's my weekly television schedule:
Mondays - Not much on for me, but I'd watch "How I Met Your Mother" with the family and suffer through "The Class." I say "suffer through" because while it's actually a pretty funny show (don't tell my wife I said that), it really bothers me that I'm supposed to laugh at people having affairs, making horrible life decisions, etc. I don't know why it does. I guess I just don't want to get into ANOTHER TV show because I probably could get into "The Class" if I let myself (again, don't tell my wife). No, I refuse to watch Heroes.

Tuesdays - Well, American Idols' back and it's right before one of the two favorite shows, "House." The latter is one of two shows we tape if we're going to miss. I don't like to miss it. It's a great show you should be watching.

Wednesday - It was Beauty and the Geek (Thank goodness Cecelia didn't win). Now that Season 3 is done, America's Next Top Model will be on. Its a show I don't need to watch, but the family likes it so I'll watch with them. Then, we'd switch to American Idol and then Lost. At this point, I'm over Lost. It was a can't miss show, but I'm over it.

Thursday - Earl, The Office, then Grey's Anatomy. I can miss Earl or the Office because while they are hysterical, they don't matter that much. Grey's Anatomy is the other show I can't miss. Fans of Grey's Anatomy can understand how much of a sacrifice I'm making for Lent. If you saw last week's cliffhanger, then you know. I haven't watched last night's end to a three episode arc and I didn't have it taped, so if I see it, it'll be in reruns.

Friday - As much as this pains me, I'll just have to miss WWE Friday Night Smackdown.

That's a healthy 9 hours a week of TV watching. I didn't even include weekend TV, which isn't much now that football is over, nor did I include early access or late fringe syndication. I am going to really miss nightly South Park reruns. All in all, I probably watch at least 12 hours of TV a week. That's a lot of time I can sacrifice and devout to God. It is, after all, only TV.

And that's the attitude I'm waking up with this morning. Grey's Anatomy was the most watched TV show in Indianapolis last night and considering last week left Meredith Grey dead on the table, last night's episode was sure to be riveting. But, I don't really know because I didn't watch it. And I woke up this morning not really caring if she lived. I'm sure she did, the show's called "Grey's Anatomy" for a reason. But, my point is my time was better spent in the company of God doing good things.

In fact, last night I got a call from Pastor Dave asking if I had a few hours to help the new pastor move into his house. Last week, I would have made an excuse not to go. Heavy labor or Grey's Anatomy? Hmmmm... Easy choice. This week, I went with heavy labor and it was the better choice by far. I helped a person in need and likely started laying the foundation for a possible friendship.

So, while I might be missing out on the mystery of the island that never gets freaking solved, I am answering other questions about who I am transforming into and what kind of person I want to me.

The real question is what do once Lent is over. Do I go back to watching TV? Honestly, I don't know right now. I'd like to say that 3 days into Lent that don't think I will. But I also know that I am human and I know how easy it is to give into old enjoyable temptations. Not that watching TV is a sin. No, I just mean I could be doing something much better.

denyPOD

Excuse my ignorance, I don't have an iPod or mp3 player. But what's the point of an iPod if you make it illegal to use one while walking?

Ban Proposed On Walking While Talking, Listening To iPod

Seriously, I gotta think one of the best uses of an iPod is while you're walking, running, getting exercise. So, in New York City, where they are banning trans fat for health reasons, they don't want you to exercise now? Sorry, I really don't get that...

Everything Blue

To celebrate the World Champion Indianapolis Colts, Everything Grey is now Everything Blue, at least temporarily.

I'm happy for Peyton. But I want sleep. After the game, I had to come into work and put together a "Congrats on winning the Super Bowl" spot. I've been up since 8 a. m. Sunday Morning. Going on 24 hours. Likely to be more. The VO guy didn't send my audio for another spot on Friday and that one was due at close of business Friday. So, I still have to edit that as soon as we do get his audio. That's all it needs - the audio. But, he's on Pacific time so the earliest I'll get the audio is NOON. I'm hoping my boss will get someone else to slap the audio on those spots so I can sleep today. Now, I'm waiting for the boss to come in... ZZZ zzz ZZZ zzz...

I'm sorry this post sucks... but give me a break... I'm literally falling asleeping typing this..........................

Chin up, Saints Fans

My pastor came up to us after worship yesterday. He, being a Chicago Bears fan, told us that (*cue the harps and bright light*) an Angel of the Lord came to him last night in a dream. That angel told him to comfort my family with the knowledge that, while the NFC Championship game pitting Da Bears against the New Orleans Saints (America’s and God’s team) would be disappointing for Saints fans, God wants us to know He has greater plans for the His Team. We shared a good laugh because he didn’t really have an angel appear to him; we were just fans of opposing teams trash talking. But, the more I thought about it, the more I see how he is right.

For the first time in the history of the Saints franchise, I believe they have something they never had before – a future. They’ve had a few winning seasons, a few playoff games, but never before have they had the opportunity they have before them now. Right now, this team has the chance to become a modern-NFL dynasty. And, truthfully, that’s better than a one-time Super Bowl trip for the city of New Orleans. Ask Tampa Bay, Atlanta or Carolina, how they feel about their Super Bowl trips and the next season(s). What have they done since their Super Bowl trips? Nothing.

In today’s NFL, a dynasty cannot be defined as it was in the past – multiple Super Bowls in a row. Gone is the dominance of the Steelers in the 70s, 49ers in the 80s, Cowboys in the 90s. Today, a dynasty is better defined as getting to the Conference Championships consistently, winning most of them to get the the Super Bowl and winning it. For example, the Patriots are a modern-day NFL dynasty. The only dynasty the Saints have had is the Ain’ts Dynasty. But, with their youth, heart and fire, they have the opportunity to become a true dynasty for the first time in history. Isn't that what the Katrina-ravaged city needs more? A dynasty brings more to the New Orleans economy than a one time trip. Plus, being a perennial winner brings more hope than say a perennial loser. I mean, did you feel hopeful last year when the Saints ended their season 3-13? I'm betting nope.

While many saw the Bears dominate the Saints, I saw something different. I saw a team that for the first time in it’s history play to win rather than play to control the margin of loss. I saw a team of youth learn valuable lessons that only come with experience. I saw a coach make decisions to help give his team a chance to win and challenged them to do so. I have never seen a Saints team play with the heart and determination I saw this season. Regardless of what the scoreboard said, the Saints kept fighting. And, that’s what makes this team different than any other team in its franchise history.

So, Saints fans, while your heart aches this morning, take comfort in the future. This team is poised to do wonderous things for the city. They no longer are the Ain’ts. We don’t have to wear paper bags on our heads. We have a truly blessed team. This is only the beginning.