Sunday coffee

There is nothing like Sunday Morning Coffee. Relaxing, catching up on things. But mainly relaxing. 

Interesting array of searches and topics transpire on these relaxing morning. 

Some on the search list today......Damascus gas attack. Really sad and leads one to question the world. 

Also the sink hole in Assumption Parish. Crazy video on trees literally getting sucked into the earth. http://youtu.be/cp7no2B322E

This lead to looking at some news headlines. Strange stories: worlds tallest cat. A Massachusetts dentist who used paper clips instead of stainless steel posts for root canals.

On the search was a map of Damascus and thoughts of the time of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. 

The Tigris River was looked at. 

That is really an impressive river. It brought on thoughts of (which I have often) where exactly was the Garden of Eden? Could it still be there, hidden and tucked away?

I know there is only one true way to know.

Testing blogger app

Random pics. Now looking for spell check.  Maybe is I misspell a word. Like technology . Wow this thing works. 

Lance, Lance, Lance

The stories came out the other day that Lance Armstong will openly admit he used banned substances during some or all (not sure on the time frame) of his cycling career. 

When I read that he was thinking about it a while back! My first thought was "why didn't you just admit it a long time ago." 

Now that he says he will admit it, I have the same thought.

You see, when he first came into professional cycling, I did not care for the brash, young cocky kid from Texas. He had star potential, but he was cocky. In fact, his first Tour De France was not very successful. He did win a stage, but he finished 97th overall and he quit after stage 12.

But he stuck it out and trained hard and as most know, in 1996 he developed testicular cancer. In 1997 he was declared cancer free. 

His amazing story of cancer survival would have been enough for many to look up to and look for him for moral support and inspiration. But he took it many steps further. In 1997 he started the Lance Armtrong Foundation for Cancer support. And in 1999 he won the first of his record 7 Tour De France titles.

That was an incredible ride. Millions of people were inspired by his wins. And the notoriety helped springboard his foundation in massive ways.

Then the doping allegations began.  If you know cycling, doping allegations are a big part of it. If you win, trust me someone will accuse you of cheating. That's the way it is. And if you win 7 in a row, look out.  Armstong never failed a doping test. The proof, to me, was in the pudding. I was flabbergasted at the allegations. I was even disappointed in and had negative vibes against Greg LeMond who spoke out against Armstong. Greg LeMond was one of my cycling heroes. That was tough for me.

Through all of this, I became a Lance Armstrong fan. I rooted for his survival and his victories. I supported him in my heart because I knew and believed he was innocent of these doping allegations. I felt that he had one of those special places in sport. A place where not many make it. 

And throughout his testimonies and defense of the doping, I believed him. I actually argued with people about his innocence.

When the story first broke about him being stripped of his Tour De France titles, I made sure I wore my Livestrong bracelet that day. Not only for the cancer support but in support of him and in defiance of anyone who would curse his name.

But recently, I came to the realization that he did cheat. He did lie. And for that I am deeply disappointed.

So Lance just make a quick press conference and say you lied, say you cheated and admit to the doping. Done. Forgiven. Move on.

But now I hear that he is going to do an interview on the Oprah show to admit he doped.  Well actually it says he will apologize and he will make a limited confession. 

Come on!!!!! You can do that by announcing a press conference. 

I'm not saying this because of my feelings about Oprah. I don't really care for her actually. But Why do you have to go on a big stage like that? 

Just say it!!!!!!!!!!!

So with that said, I personally forgive Lance for the past and so should everyone else. But going on the Oprah show to give a "confession" leaves a bad taste. 

What's the agenda?

What's the motive?

And, for the record, I won't watch.

And now I take a step down ..... Off of the Soap Box. 

From the DVD rack

We watched some really good movies recently. Movies are such a great way to relax and enjoy time “away from life.”

Here is the short list of some of the movies we watched of late.

MOONRISE KINGDOM (Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, and many others).

 This is one of those “quirky films. If you don’t like quirky, don’t watch this film.  The movie is about a pair of young lovers who flee from their New England town, which causes a local search party to look for them.  At some points in the movie I thought some scenes may be a little over the top, but basically the movie is an innocent tale of two kids who think they know how to get on with life. Set in the mid 60’s, this film has everything from a Great Storm, the Khaki Scouts, and an orphanage. It is a good DVD to watch with an open mind.

 

THE RAVEN (John Cusack, Alice Eve)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edgar Allen Poe fans (which I am) and non - Poe fans should like this one.  Don’t watch it expecting Poe’s life story (on the surface) but what you get is MUCH of Poe’s life in a Detective Thriller. The IMDB tag line for this movie is right on. : The only one who can stop a serial killer is the man who inspired him.” Cusack portrays Edgar Allen Poe brilliantly. You see, Poe is considered by many the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He also had a hand in contributing to the genre of Science Fiction.  The movie touches on many true aspects of Poe’s real life. His lack of money for some of it. The mystification surrounding the cause of his death, etc. Poe was found on the streets of Baltimore “in great distress” He was never coherent long enough to explain how he got that way. The movie touches on this with a small twist of fiction. I love this movie because of the great story and thriller that it is and the fact of the many true aspects of his life trickled in.  You will enjoy this film.

 

THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saws (this is intentional – my small tribute to Gollum) THE HOBBIT: An Unexpected Journey, recently at the Cinema and when we came home, we agreed that we should watch the Lord of the Rings movies. So we did. These are awesome. Enough said.

 

HOPE SPRINGS (Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell)

From IMDB: “After thirty years of marriage, a middle-aged couple attends an intense, week-long counseling session to work on their relationship.” This movie has comedy, but it also gives you a serious story about couples who drift apart, while being together. Streep’s character finally has enough and in her soft spoken, non - confrontational way, basically saves her marriage (in many different ways).

 

THE WORDS (Bradley Cooper, Dennis Quaid, Jeremy Irons, Zoe Saldana)

We saw previews t this while watching Hope Springs. This is a really excellent movie. It’s a story about a struggling writer who encounters a piece of work – by chance – but through circumstances, he becomes successful because of it. The tale follows the writer as he struggles, decides, does not speak up, and then encounters someone that could change his life. You won’t think of it as you watch, but the movie has a couple of mild twists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my opinion, any of these movies are worth the time to watch.  

 

 

 

 

FARTS IN THE WILD

At our Christmas Eve Christmas party this year, we played THAT game. You know the one, the “steal the gift” game, the “gag gift” game, “the elephant gift” game. This year we had the party at my sister's house. I had asked her prior to the party, if we were going to play that game or was it my imagination (I wasn’t sure if I heard talk about it). She said yes.

Then I totally forgot to tell my wife so we didn't bring gag gifts. My sister, being ever prepared, had extra. So I played. And I came away with a remarkable gift.

FARTS IN THE WILD, a spotter’s guide by H.W. Smeldit (I’m not making this stuff up) – Illustrated by Jared Chapman.

 

This book is fascinating. It is very scientific. It is – simply – a book about animal flatulation.

(SO IF YOU ARE STILL READING THIS, I APOLOGISE IN ADVANCE)

It starts with Fart Basics. “All fartologists know the basic rule of farting. If it eats … sooner or later, it farts.”  The book goes on to say, “When animals … eat, we swallow air along with our food. Air is made up of gases, mostly oxygen. As we digest and the bacteria in our guts break down that food, the gases produce more gas. In fact, digestion can produce so many different gases you’d practically need a notebook to keep track of them all: nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, dimethyl sulfide, and more.” The book goes on to say, “This stew of gases eventually works its way out …..”

You get the picture.

The book tells us about 10 different animal farts and gives examples.

The attached video gives us a few.

 

So, if you are still reading ……..

Best Buys

This segment is dedicated to really good buys.
One of the best buys I have made in all of my life is a ............................. shoe horn.
That's right, a shoe horn. Not just any shoe horn, but a 99 cent shoe horn.
This thing is made of thick, highly durable plastic. It has lasted for almost 2 years now and still shows no sign of wear.
I use it almost everyday and I just bought a second one to use as a back scratcher.
I could use the same one for a shoe horn and back scratcher, but it was only 99 cents. If it were 1.99, I would have probably opted to use the same one, but 99 cents ............

One of the best buys ...ever.

Retreat, But Never Surrender

RETREAT, BUT NEVER SURRENDER
(Written Dec. 17 and 18, 2012)
At the table, in front of the window, the remarkable distraction of the lake and the powerful serenity of God’s creation, make it almost impossible to put thoughts to pen and pen to paper. It makes me wish I had my tape recorder…press record and just speak. I can’t help but look up from the page every few seconds just to take it all in. Peace, life, hope, refresh, retreat. These are but a few words that enter my mind.
We are in the Bender House – Room 8, at Pine Lake Fellowship Camp (Meridian, MS). This is the PERFECT place for a relaxing getaway. The perfect setting to retreat from life’s ups and downs, hardships, work, anxieties, etc.
It is only fitting that the devotional I am reading this week is based off of Rhett Smith’s book, The Anxious Christian: Can God Use Your Anxiety for Good?
Anxiety, in whatever form it comes, is one of the things that many people need a break from. Some, even on a retreat, find it hard to get rid of anxiety. In his book, Smith referred to Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard. He says that “Kierkegaard referred to anxiety as our ‘best teacher’ because of its ability to keep us in a struggle that strives for a solution, rather than opting to forfeit the struggle and slide into a possible depression.”
What make us anxious? For me, it is probably my career. Trust me this is a job that I am so blessed to have, and a position that I have been working toward obtaining. But none the less, I have many responsibilities that affect many people. I have to depend on many people and many functions and parts and plans to make the end result a success. For the record, just because someone is anxious about a job, doesn’t make them a complainer.
Retreating from everyday life and just letting go while in this peaceful place seems easy, but our hectic, fast paced lives are always tugging at our coat tails. I think retreating from the hectic, the stress, the anxiety, the real life is an always needed time in our lives. If you are going through other trials; battles with addictions, medical battles, pain, depression, healing, and personal tugs – of –war, some sort of retreat can be helpful.
I am the type that lets my every day activities creep into my mind often. Even when I am having quiet, reflecting time, I have to fight off thoughts of the day ahead. That is something many people fight.
Retreating and getting away – wherever that may be – helps. We can retreat to a “cabin in the woods” or our own back yards. We can get away by the river, on the swing, or in a quiet place in our homes. Remember, when we retreat, it does not mean we are giving up. It does not mean surrender to the trials we face. When the retreat is over, life keeps going. We have to go back to work and school and life. Anxieties and such will be there. But, after a retreat, you can hit the ground running with a re-charged attitude. When you retreat, whether it be with a loved one or alone, you must take someone with you. Or there is one you must seek and find.
God.
He will always help us not to surrender. He is our anchor. British poet, Lord Alfred Tennyson wrote “Cast tour cares on God; that anchor holds.” In Smith’s book, he wrote “You might be experiencing all kinds of anxiety, worry, and panic. And those feelings might be keeping you captive and holding you back from the abundant life God is calling you to. But I want you to know that God is not finished with us. He has only just begun. And if we take the risk and step out in faith, he is there to guide our anxiety toward a fruitful endeavor in order that we may grow into the person he desires us to become. Anxiety beckons us to not allow our lives to get stuck in a rut. Perhaps anxiety is a paradoxical feeling offered up to us as a gift that propels us to seek after him and to continually grow in the process. Perhaps anxiety is an act of grace because it encourages us to face our fears, so that we can then choose to freely follow God where he is calling us.”
Christmas is one week away (at the time of this writing).
It is a time for Joy, Peace, Hope and Love. But it is also a time of depression and worry. It is a time of angst and concern for many. God gave us the BEST gift many, many years ago. Jesus was born on Christmas Day.
My original note said “Don’t be depressed this Christmas.” But who am I to tell anyone that? But I will write that if you are depressed or feeling nervous for any reason this Christmas season (or any other time), look to God.
Seek Him. Realize His gift to you and me. Hold it. Relish it. Accept it. Love it.
And when we feel life’s pressures, grab that gift, retreat.
But never surrender!

note: the day, after we came back home from our getaway, I went back to work. At 1255 that day, I basically forgot about my relaxing time.
I did recover and God reminded me twice the next day.
I read Proverbs and in Ch. 24 verse 10, it said "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!"
and later that day a guy was showing me his bible app on his phone, the verse of the day was James 1:12. Look this verse up and you will know what I mean.