"I believe that each work of art, whether it is a work of great genius, or something very small, comes to the artist and says, 'Here I am. Enflesh me. Give birth to me.' And the artist either says, 'My soul doth magnify the Lord,' and willingly becomes the bearer of the work, or refuses."
-Madeleine L'Engle
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
The Weekend Report
This weekend Kari ended up sick again, so that led to more poker playing for me. We did watch Bubble, but I wasn't too excited about it. I did play in a live game(not on the internet) on Saturday night, and Kari actually felt good enough to join me by the third game. I took 2nd all three games, so I broke even(counting Kari's buy-in for the third game). I heard there was some visiting of MN that went on. What else did everyone do?
Friday, February 24, 2006
I love Police Officers
Today I got pulled over for speeding. No license. No current proof of insurance. I got off with a verbal warning.
I don't think it had anything to do with me making out with him, either.
Hooray! I thanked him profusely, thanked the Lord even more and headed onto Sam's Club.
Eric, have you seen my license?
I don't think it had anything to do with me making out with him, either.
Hooray! I thanked him profusely, thanked the Lord even more and headed onto Sam's Club.
Eric, have you seen my license?
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Bally's For The Mind
Say What?!......
"The intelligent design movement belittles God. It makes God a designer, an engineer," said Vatican Observatory Director George Coyne, an astrophysicist who is also ordained. "The God of religious faith is a god of love. He did not design me."
-From CNN
"The intelligent design movement belittles God. It makes God a designer, an engineer," said Vatican Observatory Director George Coyne, an astrophysicist who is also ordained. "The God of religious faith is a god of love. He did not design me."
-From CNN
Monday, February 20, 2006
Roasted Lebanese Chicken
First toast on stovetop:
2 tsp whole cumin seed (or 1 1/2 ground cumin)
1/2 tsp coriander
Grind in food processor or smash in plastic bag with rolling pin.
Combine with:
3/4 C fresh lemon juice
6 lg garlic cloves- coarsely chopped
2 t dried thyme
1 T paprika
3/4 t cayenne pepper
Rub 3-5 chicken breast halves (depending on size) with olive oil and salt and pepper.
Marinade in lemon/seasoning mixture in plastic bag for 4-12 hours.
Bake at 425 for 25-30 min.
Serve with couscous.
2 tsp whole cumin seed (or 1 1/2 ground cumin)
1/2 tsp coriander
Grind in food processor or smash in plastic bag with rolling pin.
Combine with:
3/4 C fresh lemon juice
6 lg garlic cloves- coarsely chopped
2 t dried thyme
1 T paprika
3/4 t cayenne pepper
Rub 3-5 chicken breast halves (depending on size) with olive oil and salt and pepper.
Marinade in lemon/seasoning mixture in plastic bag for 4-12 hours.
Bake at 425 for 25-30 min.
Serve with couscous.
The Weekend Report - I'm a Dork
So this weekend was spent relaxing. Kari was getting over being sick, and I don't really go out and do anything around here without her, so we both stayed in. We watched Cinderella Man(finally), and I love you to Death. Both were good movies. I also dorked around a lot. What did everyone else do?
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Bally's For The Mind
Church was really good this morning. We are going through Hebrews. Today was 10:26-31. The following lyrics are from the closing song:
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song.
This Cornerstone this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled when strivings cease.
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in hepless Babe.
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death ofChirst I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again.
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the pow'r of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand.
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song.
This Cornerstone this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled when strivings cease.
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in hepless Babe.
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death ofChirst I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again.
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the pow'r of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand.
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Weather
Hooray! The temp went up 18 degrees since yesterday. It's 2 degrees now. You poor souls in Chicago... you don't know what real winter is.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Old and Wrinkly
I have crows feet. How did that happen? When I apply my bronzer (my new tactic to avoid looking like I haven't see the sun in months, which I haven't) it actually highlights my crows-feet.
What's next? Arthritic toes and hot flashes?
What's next? Arthritic toes and hot flashes?
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Thursday, February 09, 2006 - My Name, My Life, My Family.
Tom - check. Sally - check. Leah - check. Richard - thank you. Becky - thank you. Where's the rest of ya?! :0
Valentine's Day
What did everyone do for Valentine's day? I fed Kari chicken noodle soup and tylenol and played poker while she slept on the couch.(She is sick)
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Valentine's Day Fun
Today I am going to go grocery shopping. Nothing special, but I am wearing my red shirt. Hope you are all going to be smothered with love.
The Calster
The Weekend Report
This weekend I attended a re-bachelorization party for my good friend Rob Kring. We played 3 poker tournaments(Friday and Saturday combined) and I finished 1st(out of 12), 2nd(out of 10), and 2nd(out of 5). I'm pretty proud of my accomplishments in the poker world this weekend. Wrigley got the police called on him at 1 AM on Sunday morning, because he was in Rob's backyard(where he stays when we visit) and had been barking for the last 3 hours. He got to sleep inside. Lucky him!
What did everyone else do this weekend? Sorry for the delay I was home sick from work yesterday and I didn't really do much on the internet.
What did everyone else do this weekend? Sorry for the delay I was home sick from work yesterday and I didn't really do much on the internet.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Bally's For The Mind
Ever notice the best moments make you feel insignificant?
Arlo & Janis Cartoon, a quiet moment in the woods, Jimmy Johnson January 15th, 2006
Found at Staublog
Arlo & Janis Cartoon, a quiet moment in the woods, Jimmy Johnson January 15th, 2006
Found at Staublog
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Where's Scott?
Hey, Scott. Where are you? We are missing out on the genius innards of your mind. I'm not sure if that made sense, but I'm not a genius, so it's okay.
Sally's a Genius!
OK, well, maybe Richard is the genius. But, I too, am glad to be here. Thanks Richard.
Bally's For The Mind
Two of my faves from Calvinism In The Las Vegas Airport:
"...I [do not] want to impose "Christian culture" on everyone. God desires that people freely acknowledge His rule and that they freely offer their lives of obedience to Him. Nothing is gained when we impose specifically Christian standards on people who do not acknowledge God as the ruler over all things. The Mennonites have a nice phrase. They say we are presently living 'in the time of God's patience.' That's right. Someday every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Unbelievers will be forced to acknowlege where the true authority resided all along. But that Day -- the Day of Judgement -- has not yet come. So we are in a time of waiting, of longing for the day when the rule of God will be made obvious to all creatures. The Christian community is called here and now by God to be a witness to the larger world of what it is like to live out lives in open acknowledgment of God's sovereign rule over all things."
pp. 69
And:
"Although heaven can only be entered by the holy, yet such, we are assured, is the infinite provision made for human salvation, and such the intense love for human sinners therein exhibited, that the multitude of the redeemed will be incomparably greater than the number of the lost. My father [Charles Hodge], at the close fo his long life spent in the defense of Calvinism, wrote on one of his conference papers, in trembling characters, a little while before he died, 'I am fully persuaded that the vast majority of the human race will share in the beatitudes and glories of our Lord's redemption.' Remember that all who die before complete moral agency have been given to Christ. Remember that the vast populations of the coming millenniums are given to Christ. Then shall the promises of Christ to the great 'father of the faithful' be fulfilled to the letter: 'Thy seed shall be like the sands of the sea-shore'." Quoted from A.A. Hodge
pp. 89
"...I [do not] want to impose "Christian culture" on everyone. God desires that people freely acknowledge His rule and that they freely offer their lives of obedience to Him. Nothing is gained when we impose specifically Christian standards on people who do not acknowledge God as the ruler over all things. The Mennonites have a nice phrase. They say we are presently living 'in the time of God's patience.' That's right. Someday every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Unbelievers will be forced to acknowlege where the true authority resided all along. But that Day -- the Day of Judgement -- has not yet come. So we are in a time of waiting, of longing for the day when the rule of God will be made obvious to all creatures. The Christian community is called here and now by God to be a witness to the larger world of what it is like to live out lives in open acknowledgment of God's sovereign rule over all things."
pp. 69
And:
"Although heaven can only be entered by the holy, yet such, we are assured, is the infinite provision made for human salvation, and such the intense love for human sinners therein exhibited, that the multitude of the redeemed will be incomparably greater than the number of the lost. My father [Charles Hodge], at the close fo his long life spent in the defense of Calvinism, wrote on one of his conference papers, in trembling characters, a little while before he died, 'I am fully persuaded that the vast majority of the human race will share in the beatitudes and glories of our Lord's redemption.' Remember that all who die before complete moral agency have been given to Christ. Remember that the vast populations of the coming millenniums are given to Christ. Then shall the promises of Christ to the great 'father of the faithful' be fulfilled to the letter: 'Thy seed shall be like the sands of the sea-shore'." Quoted from A.A. Hodge
pp. 89
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Thursday, February 09, 2006
My name, my life, my family.
My Name: Tom
childhood ambition: Many and varied - all centering around the Arts, Entertainment and Jesus.
fondest memory: Spending the night with Richard (my big brother) at Grandpa and Grandma McDowells and Grandpa taking movies.
soundtrack: Glenn Kaiser, Deliriou5, Larry Norman.
retreat: Out on the deck with Sally and a cigar.
wildest dream: Carrying a major motion picture and winning an Oscar
proudest moment: Still to come
biggest challenge: Really knowing God.
alarm clock: Jimmy A CD the first cut
perfect day: Eternity
first job: Flippin' Burgers at Mister Swiss in Zion
indulgence: Oat Maple Scone/Culver's Heathbar Concrete Malt
last purchase: The Machinist DVD
favorite movie: It's A Wonderful Life
inspiration: God's Word
My Life: Jesus
My Family: McElroy/McMilton
See if you can copy below and use for your answers!
My Name:
childhood ambition:
fondest memory:
soundtrack
retreat
wildest dream
proudest moment
biggest challenge
alarm clock
perfect day
first job
indulgence
last purchase
favorite movie
inspiration
My Life:
My Family:
childhood ambition: Many and varied - all centering around the Arts, Entertainment and Jesus.
fondest memory: Spending the night with Richard (my big brother) at Grandpa and Grandma McDowells and Grandpa taking movies.
soundtrack: Glenn Kaiser, Deliriou5, Larry Norman.
retreat: Out on the deck with Sally and a cigar.
wildest dream: Carrying a major motion picture and winning an Oscar
proudest moment: Still to come
biggest challenge: Really knowing God.
alarm clock: Jimmy A CD the first cut
perfect day: Eternity
first job: Flippin' Burgers at Mister Swiss in Zion
indulgence: Oat Maple Scone/Culver's Heathbar Concrete Malt
last purchase: The Machinist DVD
favorite movie: It's A Wonderful Life
inspiration: God's Word
My Life: Jesus
My Family: McElroy/McMilton
See if you can copy below and use for your answers!
My Name:
childhood ambition:
fondest memory:
soundtrack
retreat
wildest dream
proudest moment
biggest challenge
alarm clock
perfect day
first job
indulgence
last purchase
favorite movie
inspiration
My Life:
My Family:
Bally's for the Mind (Quotes, Comments and Questions from and about the things I read and view)
From the book "God is the Gospel" by John Piper
"The critical question for our generation - and for every generation - is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?"
"The critical question for our generation - and for every generation - is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?"
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
What's everyone reading?
Most recent reads have been: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller; Showdown by Ted Dekker; Knowing God by J.I. Packer; and Calvinism In The Las Vegas Airport by Richard J. Mouw.
Currently I'm working my way through God Is The Gospel by John Piper and Christ The Lord by Ann Rice.
What are the rest of ya readin'?
Currently I'm working my way through God Is The Gospel by John Piper and Christ The Lord by Ann Rice.
What are the rest of ya readin'?
I need suggestions
What does everyone want this site to become? What links would you like in the sidebar, pictures can be added to every post, and everything is archived, but I can't really develop sections like on the last site. I think I can get a search feature going though. Let me know what I can do.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
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