Random Thoughts on a beautiful day

I really do mean to blog more, but sometimes I feel like I don't have much to blog about. That's no excuse, so here goes:

1) The job hunt continues. I've put in for some jobs in the meantime to at least get some form of paycheck, waiting to hear back from them. Also found something in the paper that may be right up my alley. All prayers being offered are much appreciated.

2) I am a material man. It's a weakness. This whole "not spending money" thing really has me looking at how much I spend when I am making money. I'm a pretty impulsive person, if I see something I want and I can afford it I get it. That's not to say I'm a bad saver, or that I manage my finances terribly. I taught Dave Ramesy. In fact until he went the route of shredding credit cards I was ready to sue. Sometimes I just hate the idea that money is just sitting in the bank, waiting to be used. When I know it can be used for whatever reason I have a hard time holding it back, especially when I think that reason can benefit my ministry in some way.

3) Friday nights have un-officially become "Dude's night out." I head out to GLCC and hang out with my future brother-in-law Erik Kreh. He needs the guy hangout time as he is swamped this semester. Sophomore year is usually your "make it or break it" year. I am glad for the opportunity to encourage him, spend time with him and grow closer to someone who is clearly going to be an awesome addition to the family. There is no doubt in my mind that the love he and my sister share will never perish, but what really amazes me is how well we have connected and got along as brothers in Christ.

4) My Lions are doing terrible. I just found out today that team President and CEO Matt Millen is no longer in Detroit. My suggestion from 3 years ago finally happens. Maybe Bill Ford Jr, who ran his mouth about Millen Sunday night, has more pull than we thought. If I was right about him needing to go good things will happen in my beloved football franchise.

5) This is not due to any recent sermons I have heard, but I wanted to state that certain scriptures out of context start to bother me. For example, 1st Corinthians 13 and its discourse on love is much broader and wider than a context of dating. Jesus' message of "turn the other cheek" and the accompanying verses have a far deeper meaning than "stand there and take it" as it is often interpreted. This will probably be a separate blog at some point.

6) Reading! Sunday a book from Christopher Paolini's "Inheritance Cycle" was released. Originally intended to be a trilogy, the third book turned out to be so long he expanded it into four. I read Eragon before the movie came out, and of course the book was far better. I had planned to read the second book (Eldest) before the third one came out. Much to my surprise that happened, so I am now reading through Eldest. Not the best writing, but it is interesting. It's hard not to enjoy the book though. As a loyal Star Wars geek I find its fantasy interpretation worth reading. Had to get one pot shot in.

7) In my own writing world, Lainthia, were I to ever write and publish my own "fantasy setting" I have decided that the actor who played "Murtagh" in Eragon would play my main character Earnoch. Bet you didn't know I had written a litle something something did you? Bet you didn't know you I wrote a supplementary blog that takes place 20 years after this story did you? Bet you didn't know you can get to that blog from my Xanga did you?

8) I've been up early every morning this week, believe it or not. Why? We've been having problems with our internet for well over a week. Monday the tech was supposed to come out in the morning. At 2 we called to see what was going on as he hadn't visited. It turns out there were so many internet complaints in our area they ended up working on one of the central sections of the internet all day Monday. Tuesday they were supposed to come out, but I was out to lunch when they called so they couldn't. They have a respectable policy of not coming if someone is not home. Finally, this morning, the tech guy made it out and fixed our internet.

9) I feel bad for the guy. It really sounds like he is run ragged all over the county and then some to fix people's internet and cable problems. In fact, he tells me that often when he is working on stuff outside people will walk up to him and yell at him, demanding that he drop everything, come to their house and fix their internet problems. The system works people. We have always had someone come out personally and fix our issues when we call. As frustrating as this past week has been, when I consider their side of it I can't be angry. Broadstripe certainly delivers much better service than I would ever expect Comcast or anyone else to.

10) Video Game Business sidenote: I don't have proper citation for this, but certainly you have heard of the computer game World of Warcraft. A massive online multiplayer computer game that claims to have 8 million active players. It is possibly the most successful game ever. Here's where I need my citation. A company recently did a study and concluded that if any company wanted to make a game that could have the potential to top this one, they would have to invest over half a billion dollars into it. That's crazy!

11) This post's verse of encouragement: Matthew 12:50 "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." Once I realized the larger implications of this verse it startled me a lot. I can't imagine what it would be like to be Mary, or one of Jesus' brothers and hear that. I can't imagine what it would be like to be one of the disciples and hear that. Very powerful. Are you doing the will of God today? That seems cheesy but I honestly can't think of a better question.