Do not be afraid. Only Believe.
I just wanted to let everyone who cares know that I finally made it below 300. The gym scale weighed me 299.3 twice in a row. I knew 300 was going to be a pain to get over, and I won’t be too excited until I’m like 295, but it’s good to see that 2 in front of my weight again.
-j
If you don’t know anything about computers or Abbott and Costello, this post is completely lost on you. But because it’s funny to me, I’m hoping someone else will find it funny. This is what the “Who’s On First” skit (video) might have sounded like if it was performed today…
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks. I’m setting up an office in my den and I’m thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name’s Lou.
ABBOTT: Your computer?
COSTELLO: I don’t own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name’s Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don’t know. What will I see when I look at the windows?
ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals and track expenses. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO: You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let’s just say I’m sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue “W”.
COSTELLO: I’m going to click your blue “w” if you don’t start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That’s right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What’s bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT: One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn’t it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!
(A few days later)
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?
ABBOTT: Click on “START”…………
I just got back from a most wonderful funeral service for a good friend, Gregg Martin. He’s my sister’s father-in-law. What makes this so nice is that when he was diagnosed with cancer, his faith became real to him.
As far as I can tell, Gregg had always gone to church, always took his family, loved Gospel music, and had a very good head knowledge of who Jesus Christ is. But it wasn’t until he was told he had mouth cancer that he realized the head knowledge wasn’t good enough. He began to make preparations for his life to end, because somehow he knew that was going to happen when he had his surgery. Listening to his pastor give the service and TJ talk about conversations, I began to see a beautiful story unfolding of a life completely being put in the Master’s hands.
Well over three months ago, Gregg knew he was going to die soon. He wrote a letter to his family and exhorted each one of them to completely allow God to work in their lives and Christ to be their Lord and Savior. This peace that he had about dying was a testimony to the family as it allowed them to say goodbye, knowing that he would soon be with the Lord. “He’s the best tenor voice the angel choir has now,” his mother said at his wake last night. Pastor Tom said someone asked him if they had bluegrass in Heaven. The first thing I thought was “well, if they didn’t before, they do now.” After Gregg surrendered his life to the Lord, he decided that if he got better, he wanted to use his talent playing for His glory. Gregg lived and breathed playing his guitar, and he was even buried with a pick in his hand (he looked really good in his “pine box”).
So this entry is in memorial of Gregg Martin. A good man, a good friend, and now someone I look forward to seeing again when I finally reach my reward. See you later Gregg. I’ll miss you.
-j
I haven’t heard of this before, but apparently there’s a search engine that gives away prizes. It uses Google’s engine, so the results are the same. I would never sign up with something like this, but a very web savvy, geeky, skeptical friend of mine did a lot of research into the company and still decided to post a link. I figured “what they hay?”
You can win various things from iTunes gift certificates to movie tickets to iPod Nanos to Playstation Portables. Their website has the details. Plus, if you use Firefox (which you SHOULD be using anyway!) you can add it to your quicklink box. They have a toolbar for IE also.
Basically, you just search. They say the best way to win is just to search like you normally do. If you want to search something, use Blingo. You might just win something! The guy who hepped me to this jive has already won some gift certificates. Plus, if you win something, I win that something too! It’s great.
Go ahead, Check it out.
Just don’t forget to use my link. 
-j
I got to thinking last night, and when I get to thinking, especially at night, good things rarely come of it. I really hope I can clearly convey these thoughts.
Let’s say you know someone who’s dying of a terminal illness, and I’m talking they’re “supposed” to die like in a few days. The doctors all say it, and most of the laypeople surrounding the situation have resigned to this fact. But for some reason, you feel a clear word from God to pray for healing for this person. “They’re not dead yet,” you reason, “God can still work this miracle.” So you have this really strong conviction that God will heal this person and they will not die in a few days. It seems very unreasonable, but then again since when is God “reasonable”? You pray healing for this person because you believe that’s what God’s directing you to do. You know God can heal this person if He wanted to, but do you have the faith that He will?
After a couple days, you’re given clear direction from God to go to the hospital to visit this dying individual. Your job is to speak to this individual and tell them that God has led you in prayer for them and that you believe God will heal them. You need them to know this so you can pray with them about it. God can still provide this healing, but do you have the faith to claim victory over this illness such that this person will walk out of the hospital alive and without blemish?
What I’m trying to reason in my mind is the difference between faith and expectation. If I’m led by God in something, should I have the faith that it will work out the way I think it ought to work out? If I’m praying for healing for someone, should I expect that person to be healed? What if they’re not healed? Has my faith been in vain? If I really love this person, and I feel led by God to pray for their healing, and they die because of it anyway, what went wrong? Why would God want me to pray for healing only to have my loved one die?
In Luke 11:9-13 Jesus says if we ask it will be given to us, if we seek it we’ll find it, and if we knock the door will be opened to us. Is that talking about Salvation, or is that any petition we ask of the Lord? In other verses (that I can’t think of right now), we can read that if we ask God for something in His will, He will give it to us. Are we really trusting God if we pray for something we know God is leading us to but still keep our expectations low so we don’t get hurt? Am I the only one who feels that doing this cheapens the power of God in my life? So what if my expectations aren’t met? If I’m really doing what God is leading me to do, then there is a reason beyond my understanding for why things didn’t turn out the way I wanted, and I will know that reason in time. Maybe, just maybe, keeping my expectations low will keep me from reaping the blessings that God has in store for me as I follow His will.
Tell me your thoughts about this. I really want to hear them, especially if you have experience to back up your claims.
-j
I suppose I should provide some clarification for my last post. It seems there has been some speculation as to the state of my love life based on the song by Chris Rice. I just want to say that I’m not about to propose to someone right now. I just really like that song. Many of you know me…you know I’m a romantic fool. When I heard this song, I really liked how it sounded, and the lyrics are so cute. I suspect that I will be in a very similar situation as the song describes when it’s time for me to pursue marriage with someone, but this song is not necessarily an indication that it’s happening right now.
I promise you, if you’re family you’ll know when that time comes. And I won’t make you find out on the internet. It’s a good thing I didn’t post the lyrics to “When Did You Fall”! But that song is ubercute too.
-j
I’m in a song lyric displayin’ mood. I’ve always enjoyed Chris Rice’s lyrics. He’s a Christian artist who’s incredible at singing and playing guitar and writes really great songs. I like the songs he writes that use nature to describe God’s power and His awesomeness (like “Wind and Spirit” from Past the Edges). In his most recent project, he dabbles in a couple songs about love. This one is my favorite, Lemonade.
So go ahead and ask her
For happy ever after
‘Cause nobody knows what’s coming
So why not take a chance on loving
Come on, pour the glass and tempt me
Either half-full or half-empty
‘Cause if it all comes down to flavor
The glass is tipping in my favor
Life gave me lemonade and I can’t imagine why
Born on a sunny day, beneath a tangerine sky
I live life without pretending
I’m a sucker for happy endings
Thanks for the lemonade!
Now take your time to answer me
For the beauty of romancing
Is to calm your trembling hand with mine
While begging love to fill your eyes
I can hardly breathe while waiting
To find out what your heart is saying
And as we’re swirling in this flavor
The world is tilting in our favor
I’ve got it made
Rest in the shade
And hold my love
While God above
Stirs wiith a spoon
We share the moon
Smile at the bees
More sugar please
He really loves us after all
We’re gonna need another straw!
Copyright 2004 Clumsy Fly Music (ASCAP)
-j
Who doesn’t like Sinatra? Here’s a little diddy I am listening to now. It’s nice and swingin’.
You see a pair of laughing eyes
And suddenly your sighing sighs
You’re thinking nothing’s wrong
You string along, boy, then snap!
Those eyes, those sighs, they’re part of the tender trap
You’re hand in hand beneath the trees
And soon there’s music in the breeze
You’re acting kind of smart, until your heart just goes wap!
Those trees, that breeze, they’re part of the tender trap
Some starry night, when her kisses make you tingle
She’ll hold you tight, and you’ll hate yourself for being single
And all at once it seems so nice
The folks are throwing shoes and rice
You hurry to a spot, that’s just a dot on the map
You’re hooked, you’re cooked, you’re caught in the tender trap
And then you wonder how it all came about
It’s too late now there’s no gettin’ out
You fell in love, and love is the tender trap
Ahhh…good ol’ Frank.
-jaynatra
I'm Jason, and I like to write.