I've decided to move this blog to my own servers. So in a few hours, http://jerrywelch.name will be the new home of http://mylifeinrockwall.blogspot.com.
jerrywelch.name has always been forwarded to this Blogger Blog, but now will be the only way to direct yourself to my site.
Here's the links to the old posts covering the renaming history and some transom links:
For what it's worth ...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
2,557 x 2,557 x 2,557
Today marks the 7 year anniversary of my marriage to Elizabeth. Pretty cool. To commemorate, I'm going to publicly list 50 things about her that I love. Hopefully, this does not embarrass ... I just feel like shouting my love from the roof tops like a hapless romantic.For a funny:
In the words of the great Burgundy/Corningstone romance ...
- always hunting to be better
- athletic
- Christmas angel - loves the holidays
- dedicated
- drinks beer with me
- drop dead legs
- enjoys discussing sermons
- good "mother hen"
- good bible study teacher
- good daughter
- good sister
- good story teller
- good taste in movies
- good traveler
- good with my friends
- great blue eyes
- great cake maker
- great cook
- great girl friend
- great hugger
- great kisser
- great singer
- has nice friends
- hates basketball (that's a good thing)
- heart for humanity
- helps do car work
- involved church member
- knows a lot of scripture
- likes football!
- likes golf!
- looks good in jeans
- loves animals
- loves Jesus
- loves serving people
- manages the house while I'm away
- modest
- nice skin
- our children cannot do without her
- picks up anything fast
- pretty smile
- really good at crafts
- savvy with money
- smart
- takes her walk seriously
- talented career admin (retired)
- turns me on
- understands and embraces technology
- very creative
- watches hockey with me
- works out religiously
Monday, March 9, 2009
Praying is for morrons ...
Yes it is.It's also for perverts, pukes, punks, junkies, jocks, nerds, metal heads, losers, Christians, posers, etc.
In case you were wondering, the misspell in the post title was intentional (unlike the patriotic gentlemen to the right.) It happens to be a direct quote of a Facebook member that is "friends" with my wife. I thought is was a comical comment considering the misspell. As I was giggling like a little school girl, I started speculating if the proclamation was an autobiographical testimony.
If that was the case, I could consider it a prophetic moment in my life since the term "moron" would certainly fit the bill of materials when cataloging my high jinks.
Perhaps he was insinuating that prayer is an avoidable pursuit in one's life in general. If that's the case, I should probably start praying for him. As Hendricks satisfies "Why should I read the bible?," I remedy "Why should I pray?" with the same resolve ... "Because you must!"Three months since my last post and I'm already picking fights and remarking about topics that not only bore but may have problematic positioning for some readers. Sigh.
So here's what I'll be focusing on to fill my life's free time: bible, Betsy, and biking. 752. That's it.
Here's some Transom links along those lines:
BibleBetsyBiking
- Mountain Bike (Trials Bike) Trickster - Danny Macaskill
- Bike Videos | LUCAS BRUNELLE PRODUCTIONS - DRAG RACE NYC is especially cool.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Where's the Corsendonk?
Indeed. I just can't get into the blogging mood. Long holiday (which was wonderful.) Lot's of family, extended family ... and our ABF is rocking.I do have a story to tell - but not today. Soon. Since it's been so long, here is the laundry list of sites that have flown through my transom since we last touched base ...
- Oovoo.com
- Heatsurgetv.com - the hilarious Amish electrical advancement!
- Wesabe.com
- David Hentschel’s BLOG
- Milton singing "The Man Song" by Sean Morey (video)
- Meaning of X-Mas: for those that felt the need to blast Angie Smith
- If programming languages were religions...
- The Escapist (game)
- Stixy Beta
- Peel p50 on topgear (video)
- The New Monastics? Hey Man, They're Trying
- Wing Suit Base Jumping! (video)
- We often don't think rather rearrange our prejudices. ~ Hendricks
- I've come to think that good parenting is about increasing the duration between timeout sessions. ~ Welch
- If you calmly take your pants off at airport while in the security line, others will follow in suit. ~ A comedian I saw over break ...
- Praying is for morons.
- My lyrics and where they may surface on the web.
- Box of sex.
- The great and powerful Oz knows why you have come!
- Agnostic definition.
Monday, December 15, 2008
United Abominations
From Mumbai to Illinois ... how can I post when the world is going to hell in a hand basket? If you haven't noticed, I'm just not going to be much of a blogger through the holidays. There has been plenty of inspiration though:
- 10 guys, 2 truck loads, 100+ burgers, and 10 cases of water made its way down to the bridges of Dallas late last Friday night. We ministered to a few hundred until 2 am.
- Joyous Christmas parties thrown by our good friends the Griggs & McIlraths - two fantastically gracious hosts.
- Stellar corporate and small group worship up at Lake Pointe with music and manna to die for.
- Team Tri-Prosoap posted several sub-4 times at the White Rock Marathon and qualified one team member for Boston! See the video link below.
- My wife is making the trek to Boxtown with me on Christmas Eve to sing carols - the first time she's been able to go since we started having kids.
- Sean Avery is no longer a Dallas Star ...
- IAMSECOND - Brian "Head" Welch's was my fav.
- Studylight.org - great study site.
- Next Bible Learning Environment
- For those of us parents that are potty training ... Tiny Toons - Henny Yougman Day - Potty Years
- How to Start Your Own Country
- Fantastic Art by Charles Reid
- This Is Sand
- Bike riders amazing recovery!
- Dallas White Rock Marathon 2008 Team Tri-Prosoap Video
- Check out our friend's AMAZING gift of photography - her blog often has the latest work.
- Good movie download site.
- Not as good movie download site, but OK as far as safety.
- Santa's JigSaw Puzzle - this one is for Logston.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The System Has Failed
Good bye November - Hello December. Jack Frost is making his annual sabbatical to Texas ... finally. As the year winds down, my blog-preneurship is certainly taking a turn for the worse. Numbers will certainly fall. Besides, I don't want to have an unreachable number for next year's Q4, YoY.
The good news is that the dollar is gaining, I survived the Griswold-roof-climbing-Christmas lights-hanging endeavor, the tree is lit, and our wagons are full of clothes, blankets and socks for Boxtown. We'll be making 2 trips in December ... on Christmas we plan to do an ad hoc service under the Good Latimer bridge behind Pilgrim's Pride. Pray the strings of my guitar don't snap in the cold, dry air as we fill the dark night with Christmas music.
So I blame the system for this boring post ... nothing profound to pontificate ... nothing alarming to assail ... nothing demoralizing or in need of fortification ... nothing to resuscitate.
Not even Sean Avery being unsavory could get me riled up. I blame the system. When you suffer a sports year like I have (Stars lose in the Western Conference Finals, Mets mishap, Notre Dame's debacle of a season, Bears barely hanging on, and one of the worst starts in Stars franchise history) and find yourself surrounded by Texans talking about Romo's momma, there becomes no vacancy for vexation in one's life.
Just try to derail me from having a marvelous, miraculous Holiday. I dare ya! There's no news story, apocalyptic premonition, political uprising, financial crisis, or Debbie Downer that's going to reduce this holiday to rubble. The system has caused me to go from cynical to critical in one fail swoop! I've become critically inane. What were they thinking, turning this jaded lad into a happy-go-lucky cheer monkey full of childish sensibilities? Lights, trees, ministry and happiness?
No no no. Not even the State Trooper that pulled me over the day after Thanksgiving as Billy and I returned from visiting our homeless friend, Teardrop, on his birthday could put the sour back in this puss. Click here for my response.
Is it the system? Have I gone off the deep end scatter shooting again? Before you leave this post in disgust and remorse for having wasted 5 minutes of your precious life, please do me one favor.
Stop. Take a deep breath. Go to that place. Who's there? Do you have peace?
If the answer is no or no one ... click here.
I hope to bring more of a balanced post next time with less free hand. But I promise you that these Transom Links won't disappoint:
The good news is that the dollar is gaining, I survived the Griswold-roof-climbing-Christmas lights-hanging endeavor, the tree is lit, and our wagons are full of clothes, blankets and socks for Boxtown. We'll be making 2 trips in December ... on Christmas we plan to do an ad hoc service under the Good Latimer bridge behind Pilgrim's Pride. Pray the strings of my guitar don't snap in the cold, dry air as we fill the dark night with Christmas music.So I blame the system for this boring post ... nothing profound to pontificate ... nothing alarming to assail ... nothing demoralizing or in need of fortification ... nothing to resuscitate.
Not even Sean Avery being unsavory could get me riled up. I blame the system. When you suffer a sports year like I have (Stars lose in the Western Conference Finals, Mets mishap, Notre Dame's debacle of a season, Bears barely hanging on, and one of the worst starts in Stars franchise history) and find yourself surrounded by Texans talking about Romo's momma, there becomes no vacancy for vexation in one's life.
Just try to derail me from having a marvelous, miraculous Holiday. I dare ya! There's no news story, apocalyptic premonition, political uprising, financial crisis, or Debbie Downer that's going to reduce this holiday to rubble. The system has caused me to go from cynical to critical in one fail swoop! I've become critically inane. What were they thinking, turning this jaded lad into a happy-go-lucky cheer monkey full of childish sensibilities? Lights, trees, ministry and happiness?
No no no. Not even the State Trooper that pulled me over the day after Thanksgiving as Billy and I returned from visiting our homeless friend, Teardrop, on his birthday could put the sour back in this puss. Click here for my response.
Is it the system? Have I gone off the deep end scatter shooting again? Before you leave this post in disgust and remorse for having wasted 5 minutes of your precious life, please do me one favor.
Stop. Take a deep breath. Go to that place. Who's there? Do you have peace?
If the answer is no or no one ... click here.
I hope to bring more of a balanced post next time with less free hand. But I promise you that these Transom Links won't disappoint:
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Still Alive... And Well?
I haven't been around to a good brain dump session in almost 2 weeks! So this one will probably cause a good deal of scatter shooting.
Every time I peel a layer off myself some other flaw rears its ugly head that I must come to terms with ... anyone else feel that way? It disrupts my walk, my marriage, my friendships and my work. And it is frustrating.
I rarely have the patience to recognize that everyone must go through a refining process from time to time when they are discovering how jacked up they are ... and the love of Jesus is enough. Look around - all this and Jesus too?
An old friend hunted me down and we connected on the phone last night. Alex Glass. The better half of our acoustic group in college that went by the name of Glass Weazel. Guess who the Weazel was?
Alex was the only person during my time at Ohio Northern University that shared Christ with me. I remember getting upset with him refusing to sing one of my songs that reflected my jaded views on religion. I though he was NUTS!
Not to mention my sacrifice in accompanying him for his song about prayer! The nerve! To be honest, I would do anything to record and Alex is one of the few that had the patience to deal with me.
It was seriously Flanders and Homer living directly across from each other in the freshman dorm. But we could both play and he was a great singer. And even though I probably made his life miserable, he was always there to jam, talk, hike, or whatever. A good friend is what he was. And he planted a seed. I'm still baffled at how he endured my tirade for 4 years as we played to hundreds (thousands?) of people on the Tundra.
Last night as we both found out we're each alive and well, he also got to witness the full rebirth of someone he never gave up on even as far from the cross as I was.
He found me on a blog somewhere in cyberspace. Now we can share our walks, our awesome wives, beautiful children, and exciting travels that separated the past 11 years. (Chalk that up as one good reason for the Internet and one other reason why I journal digitally.)
And those layers? Well ... let's just say I'm ready to press on. It may be the end of the world as we know it, but I feel loved. And that's enough for me.
Ok ... enough sappy, anecdotal crap. Wake up readers and learn something ... Gmail Theater: Why Use Gmail? Thanks to Good 'ol Billy Boy for sending this one ...
If you want a Gmail account, shoot me a note and I'll forward an invite to your old, decrepit email.
And here are some Transom Links:
Ok ... here are some Interactive Transom Links:
Then I said: 'O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. 'Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.' Nehemiah 1:5-9 NIV | Listen
Every time I peel a layer off myself some other flaw rears its ugly head that I must come to terms with ... anyone else feel that way? It disrupts my walk, my marriage, my friendships and my work. And it is frustrating.
I rarely have the patience to recognize that everyone must go through a refining process from time to time when they are discovering how jacked up they are ... and the love of Jesus is enough. Look around - all this and Jesus too?
An old friend hunted me down and we connected on the phone last night. Alex Glass. The better half of our acoustic group in college that went by the name of Glass Weazel. Guess who the Weazel was?Alex was the only person during my time at Ohio Northern University that shared Christ with me. I remember getting upset with him refusing to sing one of my songs that reflected my jaded views on religion. I though he was NUTS!
Not to mention my sacrifice in accompanying him for his song about prayer! The nerve! To be honest, I would do anything to record and Alex is one of the few that had the patience to deal with me.
It was seriously Flanders and Homer living directly across from each other in the freshman dorm. But we could both play and he was a great singer. And even though I probably made his life miserable, he was always there to jam, talk, hike, or whatever. A good friend is what he was. And he planted a seed. I'm still baffled at how he endured my tirade for 4 years as we played to hundreds (thousands?) of people on the Tundra.Last night as we both found out we're each alive and well, he also got to witness the full rebirth of someone he never gave up on even as far from the cross as I was.
He found me on a blog somewhere in cyberspace. Now we can share our walks, our awesome wives, beautiful children, and exciting travels that separated the past 11 years. (Chalk that up as one good reason for the Internet and one other reason why I journal digitally.)
And those layers? Well ... let's just say I'm ready to press on. It may be the end of the world as we know it, but I feel loved. And that's enough for me.
Ok ... enough sappy, anecdotal crap. Wake up readers and learn something ... Gmail Theater: Why Use Gmail? Thanks to Good 'ol Billy Boy for sending this one ...
If you want a Gmail account, shoot me a note and I'll forward an invite to your old, decrepit email.
And here are some Transom Links:
Ok ... here are some Interactive Transom Links:
- I can't tell which side of the argument this shirt represents ... can you? CLICK HERE.
- Definitely check out the entire Woot! Shirt Reckoning List.
- And I will ship you a free FaceWash from ProSoap.com (Right, Billy?) if you can interpret this binary ... 01001101 01100001 01100100 01100101 00100000 01110101 00100000 01101100 01101111 01101111 01101011
Then I said: 'O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. 'Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.' Nehemiah 1:5-9 NIV | Listen
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Rude Awakening
Attended Man Church last night ... the topic was Sexual Purity. I can't handle the subject matter here so I will simply say this:
I highly suggest visiting Dr. Young's website - there are some poignant pod casts available and other pertinent media.
Fellas - you need to hear this stuff. I needed to hear this stuff. Stop spinning your wheels.
The good news? Light doesn't manage the darkness - it eliminates it! Which is why I have complete optimism for the Humanist movement. Yup ... switching gears.
So the latest $40,000 ad campaign to confuse (as if there is another kind of ad campaign) simply states "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," (from the article, "Group's new Christmas message: Be good, not godly" on CNN.com.)
Good argument. Good argument. OK.
There is no doubt that the #1 thing that a Satanist prays for is the destruction of Christian homes. Nice and slow. And it works too! Otherwise they wouldn't pray about it so much.
So let me list some other items that major religions and Christian groups are up in arms about and fighting for the abolition of this ad expenditure:
(Again, from the article, "Group's new Christmas message: Be good, not godly" on CNN.com.)
"Our reason for doing it during the holidays is there are an awful lot of agnostics, atheists and other types of nontheists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion."
"... the purpose isn't to argue that God doesn't exist or change minds about a deity, although "we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."
And my personal favorite ... (drum roll, please)
"There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."
Christians are really freaking out! You know what I see? Sorry folks - I'm going to abandon facts and go for opinion here.
Love covers a multitude of sins. Can I make a call out to the DC brothers and sisters? Check out these bus ads, show up to the meetings, and share the Light. It will eliminate the darkness. It will eliminate the need for something new just because they weren't reached.
Rude awakening ... Humanists are not the problem. Christians are the problem. Too harsh? Than why do the same percentage of Christian men struggle with pornography as non-Christian men?
I despise ending with a question so here are some Transom Links:
- Dr. Tim Young is a brilliant speaker.
- Thank you Mr. Beauchamp for hooking that up.
- I will never forget that you can't spend the same dollar in two places - sounds simple but we forget such trouble-free conventions.
I highly suggest visiting Dr. Young's website - there are some poignant pod casts available and other pertinent media.Fellas - you need to hear this stuff. I needed to hear this stuff. Stop spinning your wheels.
The good news? Light doesn't manage the darkness - it eliminates it! Which is why I have complete optimism for the Humanist movement. Yup ... switching gears.
So the latest $40,000 ad campaign to confuse (as if there is another kind of ad campaign) simply states "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," (from the article, "Group's new Christmas message: Be good, not godly" on CNN.com.)
Good argument. Good argument. OK.There is no doubt that the #1 thing that a Satanist prays for is the destruction of Christian homes. Nice and slow. And it works too! Otherwise they wouldn't pray about it so much.
So let me list some other items that major religions and Christian groups are up in arms about and fighting for the abolition of this ad expenditure:
(Again, from the article, "Group's new Christmas message: Be good, not godly" on CNN.com.)
"Our reason for doing it during the holidays is there are an awful lot of agnostics, atheists and other types of nontheists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion."
"... the purpose isn't to argue that God doesn't exist or change minds about a deity, although "we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."
And my personal favorite ... (drum roll, please)
"There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."
Christians are really freaking out! You know what I see? Sorry folks - I'm going to abandon facts and go for opinion here.
- Those that don't have Jesus are looking to cling to someone/something as we, the fortunate ones, celebrate His birth ... separated from those who really need Him.
- Humanist apologists are turning towards planting seeds of rational thought in the absence of Christians who have turned their backs to a flailing culture that desire the Truth seed.
- Apathy is so prevalent that we've given up searching for something different just because there probably is not a God.
Love covers a multitude of sins. Can I make a call out to the DC brothers and sisters? Check out these bus ads, show up to the meetings, and share the Light. It will eliminate the darkness. It will eliminate the need for something new just because they weren't reached.Rude awakening ... Humanists are not the problem. Christians are the problem. Too harsh? Than why do the same percentage of Christian men struggle with pornography as non-Christian men?
I despise ending with a question so here are some Transom Links:
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The World Needs A Hero
Desperately! I'm mean ... putting your faith in Jesus is crazy, right? Christianity is just a random, fabricated religion full of legalistic rhetoric and conformity disguised as tradition. Right?
So says the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster! What would Flying Spaghetti Monster do anyway? They'd tell us but we wouldn't believe what's in it.
This is what happens when Jerry's cynicism rears it's ugly head. Please be kind though. What started out as an argument against intelligent design in school really has caught on in a massive movement across America.
So the very thing that FSM argues against, is proving the inner desire for people to worship ... something bigger than themselves. Someone bigger than themselves. It certainly is warranted when reviewing Christians as a whole to box us in with those that jerk verses from the bible and use the Good Word for agenda driven apologetics.
But our God is not so wishy-washy. And He is the God of the World.
Call Jesus crazy ... I can buy that. Claim God not to be the creator of the World ... I can buy that. But substantiate your argument. Pure mockery just comes off as dimwitted nonsense.
My point? I am willing to dress up as a pirate and concede that there will be a stripper factory and keg parties in heaven if ONE (just one) FSMer is willing to discuss the real God, His Son, Jesus Christ, and what that really means based on the Scriptures.
Who knows - we might find some neutral grounds around topics such as religiosity, legalism, fundamentalism, and traditionalism. I have no idea where I'm going with this other than I hope you take a look at the Flying Speghetti Monster followers and educate yourself on this little movement.
How do they celebrate the Holidays anyway? Looks like Christmas to me!
So enjoy these links and try not to be cynical like me:
So says the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster! What would Flying Spaghetti Monster do anyway? They'd tell us but we wouldn't believe what's in it.
This is what happens when Jerry's cynicism rears it's ugly head. Please be kind though. What started out as an argument against intelligent design in school really has caught on in a massive movement across America.So the very thing that FSM argues against, is proving the inner desire for people to worship ... something bigger than themselves. Someone bigger than themselves. It certainly is warranted when reviewing Christians as a whole to box us in with those that jerk verses from the bible and use the Good Word for agenda driven apologetics.
But our God is not so wishy-washy. And He is the God of the World.
Call Jesus crazy ... I can buy that. Claim God not to be the creator of the World ... I can buy that. But substantiate your argument. Pure mockery just comes off as dimwitted nonsense.
My point? I am willing to dress up as a pirate and concede that there will be a stripper factory and keg parties in heaven if ONE (just one) FSMer is willing to discuss the real God, His Son, Jesus Christ, and what that really means based on the Scriptures.
Who knows - we might find some neutral grounds around topics such as religiosity, legalism, fundamentalism, and traditionalism. I have no idea where I'm going with this other than I hope you take a look at the Flying Speghetti Monster followers and educate yourself on this little movement.How do they celebrate the Holidays anyway? Looks like Christmas to me!
So enjoy these links and try not to be cynical like me:
- The Vote Boat (this is pretty cool)
- BeerButtBubba.com
- Remember Ike?
- Dave Mustaine Coffee
- On-line Boat Auctions
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Capitol Punishment
Now that all the bleeding heart liberals can breath a sigh of relief, Oprah has had a good cry, and Tina Fey's career is back in the crapper, we are free to return to our customary complaints and excuses about why the upshot of our lives is at the foot of another man's bed.
Not sure what that means but here's what's up this week with me - we're headed back downtown this weekend - the first midnight trip of the year. The big stop gap this time is not manpower or lack of physical distribution.
How do we avoid playing the adult version of the popular children's game, Duck, Duck, Damned? For those of you reading Radical Reformission right now, you know what I'm talking about.
If we can dodge that rut, how do we swerve back without simply stating "Go on and save yourself?" How do we keep the Message straight while walking among the forgotten drunks, junkies, and prostitutes of our city?
I'm going to take a stab at this - Prepare ourselves in the Word. Pray that God goes before us and the Spirit guides our hands. Repeat.
Let's get to work. Here's a link to the new site:
https://sites.google.com/site/boxtowndfw
Transom links ...
Not sure what that means but here's what's up this week with me - we're headed back downtown this weekend - the first midnight trip of the year. The big stop gap this time is not manpower or lack of physical distribution.
How do we avoid playing the adult version of the popular children's game, Duck, Duck, Damned? For those of you reading Radical Reformission right now, you know what I'm talking about.
If we can dodge that rut, how do we swerve back without simply stating "Go on and save yourself?" How do we keep the Message straight while walking among the forgotten drunks, junkies, and prostitutes of our city?
I'm going to take a stab at this - Prepare ourselves in the Word. Pray that God goes before us and the Spirit guides our hands. Repeat.
Let's get to work. Here's a link to the new site:
https://sites.google.com/site/boxtowndfw
Transom links ...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Risk
Election Day is upon us! Will it be McCain or Obama? Pretty risky either way ... just an opinion. But which is more precarious: the outcome of the election or this picture?
Funny People Pictures!
Phew ... I still say the election. For all I know, this marriage could defy time. What can I possibly gain by posting stuff like this? Nothing really. I was listening to Mozart's La Finta Semplice: Overture (otherwise known as "The Counterfeit Simpleton") and could not stop thinking about the candidates and this picture.
So call me short like everyone else. There's nothing wrong with standing short - it's good enough because everyone else is sitting. Before you head to the polls or brag about your early vote, my desire is that we do something less arbitrary than praying to the Flying Spaghetti Monster or claiming you felt the Dallas earth quake last Friday.
Say a prayer ... ask the Lord to go before you ... meditate on some scripture. I believe if this nation could do that before going to the grocery store, let alone voting, we would be more pleasing in the presence of the Lord.
And no matter what happens, here's something that has stood the test of time and precedes all presidents of the past ...
Daily Manna from the 'Net for Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself. You said, 'I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.' ' Selah The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD ? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? Psalm 89:2-6 NIV | Listen
Transom Links ...
So call me short like everyone else. There's nothing wrong with standing short - it's good enough because everyone else is sitting. Before you head to the polls or brag about your early vote, my desire is that we do something less arbitrary than praying to the Flying Spaghetti Monster or claiming you felt the Dallas earth quake last Friday.Say a prayer ... ask the Lord to go before you ... meditate on some scripture. I believe if this nation could do that before going to the grocery store, let alone voting, we would be more pleasing in the presence of the Lord.
And no matter what happens, here's something that has stood the test of time and precedes all presidents of the past ...
Daily Manna from the 'Net for Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself. You said, 'I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.' ' Selah The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD ? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? Psalm 89:2-6 NIV | Listen
Transom Links ...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Cryptic Writings
Good title for Halloween, eh? Beaucoup to cover ... my awesome wife, local jerks, Thriller remakes, and maybe a few non-related jabbers. Let's see where this goes ...
Right now I'm sitting at work disguised as giant iPhone. I am iJerry. And for the first time ever, I'm going to post a picture of myself. Allow me to explain. I despise Halloween. Mostly because if I just didn't feel like dressing up in the past, EVERYONE would be scolding me for being a party pooper. God forbid we celebrate the birth of Christ as exuberantly. I don't care if you get into it - it's just not my bag baby!
Despite that, my employer gets pretty tangled into the tortuous ordeal known as costume partying ... contests, prizes, etc. My VP is having an extra give away for Thanksgiving Day Cowboys tickets - as long as you are dressed up. Upon hearing this, my wife told me to get my derriere in the car and get over to Hobby Lobby. We discussed Benny the Bellhop, the retired Hotels.com mascot.
This was too difficult. But what she churned out between the kids bedtime and 1 am this morning ... let's just say she may have been selling herself short. I have a good chance to win (JD@kronos, eat your heart out). Go ahead and give them a click - it's even more impressive with the picture blown up - it will open in a separate window/tab.
Thanks babe (Elizabeth) - you rock!
Finally proud of something to wear for Halloween ... so allow me to digress and talk about a local cryptic photographer who decided to take my good buddy down a notch for no good reason. Now - Billy should never have copy and pasted a news article directly into his blog, but the ensuing "holier-than-thou" attitude just blows my mind.
Kinda like the pompous radio station personalities, these media babies are getting out of hand. Masquerading as grown men, they are nothing more than the old ladies in the hair salon that just have to be the first to bring the dirty news to the Grey hairs. And if the don't get proper credit ... watch out. The result is childish whining. Have a gander:
From: Mark M. Hancock
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 4:44 PM
To: billy@tri-prosoap.com
Billy,
I noticed unauthorized use of one of my images on the blog http://www.blogger.com/profile/18205350178441371908. I need a physical mailing address to the owner of this blog.
-- Mark M. Hancock
Photojournalist
Plano, Texas
www.newseagles.com
http://markhancock.blogspot.com
----------
From: Billy Self
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 6:19 PM
To: "Mark M. Hancock"
Hi Mark, I'm the owner of the blog... Which photo are you talking about? Also, if I ask for your permission (albeit a touch late), will you allow it?
----------
From: Mark M. Hancock
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 6:30 PM
To: Billy Self
Billy,
I can't express how angry your note makes me. You want use of one of my images after I've found YOU'VE VIOLATED MY LEGAL RIGHTS. You should know which one(s) are mine. It's your legal OBLIGATION to know the origin and make proper payment for content you publish before it's published.
Remove the image(s), don't ever post them again and I won't have Blogger kill your account for copyright violations.
-- Mark
----------
From: Billy Self
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 6:35 PM
To: "Mark M. Hancock"
Mark, please forgive my ignorance to blogging. It is not intent to anger anyone. www.tri-prosoap.blogspot.com the photo has been removed.
Oh Mark. I understand protecting your work. But are such threats really necessary? I mean ... it was a picture of kid that we all know in a triathlon article on the triathlon blog of the team that the boy's father is a member of. Sheesh ... what a T-I-R-D, tird.
Mark - if you want to look like a chump, look no further. I have a knack for finding imperfection in just about anyone - probably because I'm so full of them myself! You know what we do though? Lighten up and laugh about it. I'm sure you could find plenty of grammatical errors and none-too-good Franglais right here. Give it a whirl ...
But if you don't want to have fun we can always go see my buddies up at the Intellectual Property offices of ... well, we'll see if you even pick this up.
Happy Hunting ... here are transom links to some hauntingly horrible video remakes of MJ's Thriller - enoy (all from Glumbert):
Right now I'm sitting at work disguised as giant iPhone. I am iJerry. And for the first time ever, I'm going to post a picture of myself. Allow me to explain. I despise Halloween. Mostly because if I just didn't feel like dressing up in the past, EVERYONE would be scolding me for being a party pooper. God forbid we celebrate the birth of Christ as exuberantly. I don't care if you get into it - it's just not my bag baby!
Despite that, my employer gets pretty tangled into the tortuous ordeal known as costume partying ... contests, prizes, etc. My VP is having an extra give away for Thanksgiving Day Cowboys tickets - as long as you are dressed up. Upon hearing this, my wife told me to get my derriere in the car and get over to Hobby Lobby. We discussed Benny the Bellhop, the retired Hotels.com mascot.
This was too difficult. But what she churned out between the kids bedtime and 1 am this morning ... let's just say she may have been selling herself short. I have a good chance to win (JD@kronos, eat your heart out). Go ahead and give them a click - it's even more impressive with the picture blown up - it will open in a separate window/tab.Thanks babe (Elizabeth) - you rock!
Finally proud of something to wear for Halloween ... so allow me to digress and talk about a local cryptic photographer who decided to take my good buddy down a notch for no good reason. Now - Billy should never have copy and pasted a news article directly into his blog, but the ensuing "holier-than-thou" attitude just blows my mind.
Kinda like the pompous radio station personalities, these media babies are getting out of hand. Masquerading as grown men, they are nothing more than the old ladies in the hair salon that just have to be the first to bring the dirty news to the Grey hairs. And if the don't get proper credit ... watch out. The result is childish whining. Have a gander:
From: Mark M. Hancock
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 4:44 PM
To: billy@tri-prosoap.com
Billy,
I noticed unauthorized use of one of my images on the blog http://www.blogger.com/profile/18205350178441371908. I need a physical mailing address to the owner of this blog.
-- Mark M. Hancock
Photojournalist
Plano, Texas
www.newseagles.com
http://markhancock.blogspot.com
----------
From: Billy Self
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 6:19 PM
To: "Mark M. Hancock"
Hi Mark, I'm the owner of the blog... Which photo are you talking about? Also, if I ask for your permission (albeit a touch late), will you allow it?
----------
From: Mark M. Hancock
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 6:30 PM
To: Billy Self
Billy,
I can't express how angry your note makes me. You want use of one of my images after I've found YOU'VE VIOLATED MY LEGAL RIGHTS. You should know which one(s) are mine. It's your legal OBLIGATION to know the origin and make proper payment for content you publish before it's published.
Remove the image(s), don't ever post them again and I won't have Blogger kill your account for copyright violations.
-- Mark
----------
From: Billy Self
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 6:35 PM
To: "Mark M. Hancock"
Mark, please forgive my ignorance to blogging. It is not intent to anger anyone. www.tri-prosoap.blogspot.com the photo has been removed.
Oh Mark. I understand protecting your work. But are such threats really necessary? I mean ... it was a picture of kid that we all know in a triathlon article on the triathlon blog of the team that the boy's father is a member of. Sheesh ... what a T-I-R-D, tird.
Mark - if you want to look like a chump, look no further. I have a knack for finding imperfection in just about anyone - probably because I'm so full of them myself! You know what we do though? Lighten up and laugh about it. I'm sure you could find plenty of grammatical errors and none-too-good Franglais right here. Give it a whirl ...
But if you don't want to have fun we can always go see my buddies up at the Intellectual Property offices of ... well, we'll see if you even pick this up.
Happy Hunting ... here are transom links to some hauntingly horrible video remakes of MJ's Thriller - enoy (all from Glumbert):
- Punjabi Thriller - http://www.glumbert.com/media/thriller (truly disturbing)
- Prison Thriller - http://www.glumbert.com/media/prisonthriller (scary or cool?)
- Thriller Acapella - http://glumbert.org/media/thrilleraca (see comments)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Hidden Treasures
Hidden Treasure #1
Deep in the mass of Dallas' concrete commercialism lies a sliver of paradise ... the Dallas Arboretum. Me, Elizabeth and the 3 A's made the trek downtown this past weekend to enjoy the final fall festivities with our good friends, the Grimey family. My 2 oldest ...
Don't let me fool ya - I complained on entrance and exit. The Disney-like mob of humanity yelling at their kids and hip checking me like Sean Avery over the best pumpkin pile was distracting. But when I could open my eyes and soak the beauty in, it was quite a serene stroll through the inner city's blossom brigade.
Hidden Treasure #2
Christians from Cairo ... I met a new friend over coffee this Monday morning. His name is Michael. He hails from a Lake Pointe sister church in Egypt. As we discussed the ways of the Lord and shared our testimonies, I arrived at a moment where no words could be uttered for a few moments ... just silent reflection. What comment would cause such an instant? How about the difference between Michael and me when it comes to bringing the Gospel to the culture.
Let's skip me and go straight to Cairo ... you will be (not maybe) disowned and possibly killed for your faith. And he is at peace knowing that if he is killed, that Jesus' name will become more famous.
Perspective ... more to come on Michael later.
Hidden Treasure #3
I like New Yorkers. Especially smart New Yorkers. Add in the pledge of allegiance, a prayer, current economics and some free breakfast. That equals another great morning with the Rockwall Breakfast Rotary Club. I did notice that some of the grey-beards were not so thrilled with the Federal Reserve representative's views on the historical importance and resurgence after the sub-prime mortgage implosion. The ones that spoke up sounded like the Darrell Hammond version of Sean Connery on SNL's Jeopardy spoof. Was it that Mr Duca's pill is hard to swallow or Texans would prefer not to concede to a Yankee?
Either way, thanks to Mr. Self for having me as a guest. Have I mentioned they now have black ProSoap.com t-shirts for $5?
All's well that ends well - but I aim to disappoint. So here are some transom links and a picture of the human hippo. Cheers!
Deep in the mass of Dallas' concrete commercialism lies a sliver of paradise ... the Dallas Arboretum. Me, Elizabeth and the 3 A's made the trek downtown this past weekend to enjoy the final fall festivities with our good friends, the Grimey family. My 2 oldest ...Don't let me fool ya - I complained on entrance and exit. The Disney-like mob of humanity yelling at their kids and hip checking me like Sean Avery over the best pumpkin pile was distracting. But when I could open my eyes and soak the beauty in, it was quite a serene stroll through the inner city's blossom brigade.
Hidden Treasure #2
Christians from Cairo ... I met a new friend over coffee this Monday morning. His name is Michael. He hails from a Lake Pointe sister church in Egypt. As we discussed the ways of the Lord and shared our testimonies, I arrived at a moment where no words could be uttered for a few moments ... just silent reflection. What comment would cause such an instant? How about the difference between Michael and me when it comes to bringing the Gospel to the culture.
Let's skip me and go straight to Cairo ... you will be (not maybe) disowned and possibly killed for your faith. And he is at peace knowing that if he is killed, that Jesus' name will become more famous.
Perspective ... more to come on Michael later.
Hidden Treasure #3I like New Yorkers. Especially smart New Yorkers. Add in the pledge of allegiance, a prayer, current economics and some free breakfast. That equals another great morning with the Rockwall Breakfast Rotary Club. I did notice that some of the grey-beards were not so thrilled with the Federal Reserve representative's views on the historical importance and resurgence after the sub-prime mortgage implosion. The ones that spoke up sounded like the Darrell Hammond version of Sean Connery on SNL's Jeopardy spoof. Was it that Mr Duca's pill is hard to swallow or Texans would prefer not to concede to a Yankee?
Either way, thanks to Mr. Self for having me as a guest. Have I mentioned they now have black ProSoap.com t-shirts for $5?
All's well that ends well - but I aim to disappoint. So here are some transom links and a picture of the human hippo. Cheers!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Youthanasia
You know that with Halloween coming up that our youth are going to be bombarded with all sorts of imagery, parties, rituals, traditions and ... fun, I guess. There is a percentage of the population that deems this time of year to be demonic.As my family and our friends descend on the parking lot of Lake Pointe Church for a fun-filled evening of carnival rides, candy and food, I can't help but think this is a great alternative to Halloween for our community.
At the same time, it could be an awful excuse for us to ignore the rest of the local culture who will be out on the following weekend. I encourage you to participate in your neighborhood's Halloween festivities with one simple goal - find someone new and establish a relationship with them and their family.Give our Lord the chance to work through you. Demons hate light. Kids aren't demons (no comments from the Moms that read this blog) - the kids will respond to anything as long as you pay attention to them!
So enjoy all the festivities. And if you get a chance to stop by tonight ... come join us for some fun. Here are the details ...This is not a church-only event. Come one, come all, come as you are! Email me and I'll hang with you. And if you are a visitor, there is no charge to enter.
Enjoy these transom links:
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Countdown To Extinction
Or last week's signs of the apocalypse? Either way, we must be near the end.
I can't claim these stories for my own but was in awe ...
DISCLAIMER: The second one is not necessarily kid friendly. So heads up. This first one is just sad ...
I can't claim these stories for my own but was in awe ...
DISCLAIMER: The second one is not necessarily kid friendly. So heads up. This first one is just sad ...
The Illiterate State Fair of Texas
I can’t tell you how proud this sign makes me. (Wife to self: “You better tell everyone that I’m the one who caught it!”) No child left behind. Go, TAKS!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Rust In Peace
I often hang my head in despair after making the decision to listen to sports radio in any length. Last week was no exception. The babble I ingested claimed that having Brad Johnson as the #2 QB for the Cowboys is a blessing (?!) based on the fact he does not need to take a lot of snaps in practice ... because he's so veteran. They claim this would allow the coaches to make a better game day decision on whether Romo could be effective with the bad pinky.We all know how that worked out.
Two good buddies and my wife backed me into a corner last week and forced me to list out the members of society that I am either unwilling to reach out to or carrying around to much hatred to effectively be Christ-like.
The result of my prejudice and the hatred I must repent from is as follows (otherwise known as the Grimey Cultural Limitation): "Gay unicyclists covered in tattoos who hate babies cause they can't have them and sit around all day wasting their life watching Oprah and fantasizing about Brad Johnson's butt in his uniform."
Sounds extreme but at least my hatred is specific and easily overcome. So just to smooth things over, I plan to go out to http://www.ogreshirts.com/ and purchase one of these awesome unicyclists t-shirts to wear on a night out at a gay bar in tote with pictures of my kids and a bible.
Now I'm in real trouble ... sigh.
Not to take hatred and prejudice lightly, allow me to pull a page from the Radical Reformission and confess a real cultural block that I ran into this week.
Downtown, at the Greenville and Lovers Borders Books, I found myself at the information kiosk searching for a Max Lucado book for my wife. I heard the shadow of a congenial, red-bibbed, employee getting ready to pounce. Keeping my eyes on the screen, I played dead as if a bear were approaching.The ploy did not work ... and I heard the words that we all fear based on every car buying experience known to man - "Can I help you?"
As I raised my brow and thought the words "No, you retail, paperboy freak - I'm an idiot that can't figure out how to press the big, red Search button" my imagination flashed a few possibilities of the poor soul standing across the table from me trying to execute the futile company training they received in their first week on the job.
- Would it be the lonely, heavy-set, pale female that finished some college but was only there to find a man until she found out that wasn't working?
- Or the young, not-quite-out-of-the-closet male in nicely pressed Gap clothes that still lives with his parents and desperately wanted to be downtown but could only find this flexible, lazy scheduled uptown job?
Considering where I am it could just be the post-Goth, scrawny genius girl that hates everything but really needs the paycheck to fund her exotic butterfly collection and 19th century original print poetry books.
This wasn't just tattoos ... I like tattoos ... the colorful, full-coverage body art just rounded out the Pin-Head-esque piercings and Ethiopian stretched out ear lobes. As he took me back to the Max Lucado book, his ears were flapping like a lab chasing a squirrel. I was walking behind the human form of Goofy.
As he turned and said "hear you are" I knew I needed to say something. This is what came out: "Cool ears. Why did you do that?"
His response: "That's a really long story. I'd tell it to you, but I have a hard enough time keeping my day job."
Finding myself wondering what his night job was, I soon realized that my poor attempt at building a relationship was futile and no longer possible at this juncture. I thanked him, paid for the book, and left defeated.
I didn't think there was much out there I haven't seen. Which is true except that I don't see enough of it that my brain is trained to expect only clean, white, lake community folk.
This is a problem ... if I am to live out the rest of my life not being able to see everyone as a person, I will surely never find peace. But if I can ask God to go before me, even when entering the book store, I can at least have Christ on my mind and ready to share the ministry.
The babbling for today is over ... enjoy yours and have a link or two if you're bored:
Thursday, October 16, 2008
So Far, So Good... So What?
Did you ever wonder why someone was doing something only to find out you'd rather not have known? You keep asking because you care and know the person enough that something is amiss. They don't want to tell you ... but they crumble knowing they need to tell someone out of their comfort zone. Then they feel better (probably.) But you wished you kept your mouth shut and never said anything. Happened to me a few days ago.Its part of the joy of getting to know people and not crossing the gossip/griping line. I went away for 24 hours this past weekend on a mens retreat. Pegged as a time of reflection and spirituality, I've been questioned by a few close to me (male and female) as to what I thought about the weekend's festivities.
In a round about way - what do I think was accomplished?
Well .. my opinions have not been well received at any point in my life - high or low, young or mature, work or home. What? A post from Jerry void of opinion or irreverence? Bollocks! Why would I do that? A refreshing change perhaps. To wet your appetite for conflict, I dodged the female queries because women are smarter than me and cause more damage. To the fellas, I recommended removing their thumbs from what should only be used to turn out excrement.
But I will tell you what I pulled together and, in some cases rediscovered while retreating with 14 other dudes from Lake Pointe that have committed to study the Word together on a weekly basis.
- Duke is lending his home to the Boxtown Mission.
- Robert is serving - always without hesitation.
- Kevin desires more action.
- Eric wants more interaction.
- Tucker is young and fishing.
- Grimey is on the brink and completely open and honest.
- Billy is ready, can't get there, but willing to work at it.
- Wes is wrapping it up.
- Brandon is rebuilding.
- Ryan is opening his abode.
- Nick is looking for difficult answers concerning fatherhood.
- Ben is working it out.
Everyone was pondering on the Holiest of Holies. We even had a guy catch his first fish! I have obviously taken that for granted.
I am in awe of these men as they take the first step towards a better way to live - an authentic manhood focused on Leading Courageously, Accepting Responsibility, Rejecting Passivity and Expecting God’s Greater Reward.
We've come a long way ... this rag-tag group of weirdos from the bowels of the mega church on the Wall. There is no argument that we all received a great understanding of where each other is in our personal walks and where we will be going as a group. If not ... well, you just weren't paying attention.
Do we get the picture? Probably not yet. But it's coming into focus. And amazing things will be accomplished for the Glory of God.Click here for a small web album of the trip thanks to Billy ...
And don't forget to get-cho-Self the ONLY cool ProSoap shirt ... click here. There is a dude and dude-ette version. Back in Black.
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“Good Christian Bitches” Might Be Making Dallas Women A Little Nervous
I’m looking forward to reading this, mostly because it feels like a tell-all. I’m sure Gatlin would say that the characters are fictional, but I’m wondering how much is based on fact. I’m guessing Dallas women will be curious too, especially since the descriptions of the characters are fairly specific, and a little brutal (like Sharon Peavy, Amanda’s former best friend, who works in the hospitality industry, has the “best chest” in Hillside Park, and who “isn’t marriage material”). In the first chapter, Gatlin — I mean, Amanda — hears herself being discussed during Bible study at “Hillside Park Presbyterian” by a bunch of ladies she thought were her friends. In a prayer request, no less. Sounds like a great way to get back at a few people who’ve wronged you, and if that’s the case, there are a few of us who’d like to buy you a drink at the real Al’s. Stop by Barnes and Noble to pick up a copy. (Report from the field: It won’t be at NorthPark Barnes and Noble until Oct 31. Boo.) It’s already out of stock on Amazon.
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Let the hate mail roll in!