While speaking in front of the NAACP today, John McCain called Barack Obama "an impressive fellow". That's right. . while speaking in front of the NAACP (the nation's largest African American advocacy group). McCain said "he's an impressive fellow".
sheesh
In other news. . the sun rose this morning and taxes are due on April 15th.
Politics are awesome.
Aaron
(not that Mr. Obama isn't impressive. . . . or a fellow. . . . .(he is both) .its just so predictable)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Encouragement for moms
Here are some great words I've come across the last few days. I want to lift up motherhood and not ridicule it (like our culture often does).
So, enjoy these articles if you're a mom or pass them on to a mom that you know!
God bless,
Aaron
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/104/2988_How_can_eternity_influence_a_mothers_daily_tasks/
http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2008/07/not-her-best.html
So, enjoy these articles if you're a mom or pass them on to a mom that you know!
God bless,
Aaron
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/104/2988_How_can_eternity_influence_a_mothers_daily_tasks/
http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2008/07/not-her-best.html
Thursday, July 10, 2008
cleanin' up and marryin' up
Sorry for the lite posting lately. It's been a doozy of a week. Here's my random thoughts:
--This is dumb. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,379842,00.html
-- I was shocked by the revelation today that the Ramsey's have been officially cleared of all possible charges in the death of their daughter, Jon Benet. Its really interesting, they used DNA evidence to officially exonerate every member of the Ramsey family. The perpetrator was an unknown male, who's time is getting short. . . as they say. I must say, that until yesterday, I always thought it was Patsy Ramsey in the back of my head. But, it just proves that you never know, and it was a tragedy that she lived under this cloud until her death in 2006 from cancer. Good job, Boulder P.D.. . I've been critical in the past.
-- Jesse Jackson is irrelevant. Barack Obama actually proves that.
--I must say, I'd love to go to Invesco to hear Obama's acceptance speech. What a brilliant move on the part of Obama's campaign. He'll be delivering his acceptance speech on the anniversary of MLK's "I have a dream" speech. This is like a 1,000 on the hype/momentum scale.
Barack Obama has the distinction of being one of the few candidates, ever, for whom people WANT to win, even if they won't vote for him and disagree with his policies. His candidacy stands for so much, and he's a brilliant public speaker. That's a pretty tall mountain to climb for McCain. Even some of McCain's supporters would celebrate an Obama win because of all that it stands for.
--I'm excited about Team USA basketball. I think we're finally going to get the gold medal back this year. That's a whole 'nother blog, which will come during the Olympics.
--The new cd is going well. It has a much more raw, real, emotive vibe than our last album. We're three songs in. We're shooting for a Christmas release.
--Heavenfest is July 26th. 519 is playing, and we're very excited. We're on the worship stage (there are 7 stages) at 1 pm. Come check it out! www.heavenfest.com
--Most importantly. . . today is Jody's and my 9th wedding anniversary. It has, without question been and amazing and unbelievable 9 years. I really have trouble remembering what life was like, pre-Jody. At the same time, it seems like we got married last week. . . I remember the day very well. So, when folks ask, "does it seem that long?" I say, "no, . . longer, and shorter". I'm weird that way.
But, I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. . .she's helped me through so much, and she makes me a better man than I would be without her, that's for sure. Plus, life was really boring before I met her.
I was really good at a) random sports knowledge b) getting traffic tickets c) thinking I was a good basketball player d) eating fast food e) saying stupid things (still working on that one) f)filing everything on the floor and under my bed g) listening to bad Christian music h) being a triva nerd (yes, I was on quiz bowl team). . . the terrible list goes on. Needless to say, life has become much, much better.
So, happy anniversary Jody!
Thanks for letting me be your husband!
Aaron
--This is dumb. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,379842,00.html
-- I was shocked by the revelation today that the Ramsey's have been officially cleared of all possible charges in the death of their daughter, Jon Benet. Its really interesting, they used DNA evidence to officially exonerate every member of the Ramsey family. The perpetrator was an unknown male, who's time is getting short. . . as they say. I must say, that until yesterday, I always thought it was Patsy Ramsey in the back of my head. But, it just proves that you never know, and it was a tragedy that she lived under this cloud until her death in 2006 from cancer. Good job, Boulder P.D.. . I've been critical in the past.
-- Jesse Jackson is irrelevant. Barack Obama actually proves that.
--I must say, I'd love to go to Invesco to hear Obama's acceptance speech. What a brilliant move on the part of Obama's campaign. He'll be delivering his acceptance speech on the anniversary of MLK's "I have a dream" speech. This is like a 1,000 on the hype/momentum scale.
Barack Obama has the distinction of being one of the few candidates, ever, for whom people WANT to win, even if they won't vote for him and disagree with his policies. His candidacy stands for so much, and he's a brilliant public speaker. That's a pretty tall mountain to climb for McCain. Even some of McCain's supporters would celebrate an Obama win because of all that it stands for.
--I'm excited about Team USA basketball. I think we're finally going to get the gold medal back this year. That's a whole 'nother blog, which will come during the Olympics.
--The new cd is going well. It has a much more raw, real, emotive vibe than our last album. We're three songs in. We're shooting for a Christmas release.
--Heavenfest is July 26th. 519 is playing, and we're very excited. We're on the worship stage (there are 7 stages) at 1 pm. Come check it out! www.heavenfest.com
--Most importantly. . . today is Jody's and my 9th wedding anniversary. It has, without question been and amazing and unbelievable 9 years. I really have trouble remembering what life was like, pre-Jody. At the same time, it seems like we got married last week. . . I remember the day very well. So, when folks ask, "does it seem that long?" I say, "no, . . longer, and shorter". I'm weird that way.
But, I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. . .she's helped me through so much, and she makes me a better man than I would be without her, that's for sure. Plus, life was really boring before I met her.
I was really good at a) random sports knowledge b) getting traffic tickets c) thinking I was a good basketball player d) eating fast food e) saying stupid things (still working on that one) f)filing everything on the floor and under my bed g) listening to bad Christian music h) being a triva nerd (yes, I was on quiz bowl team). . . the terrible list goes on. Needless to say, life has become much, much better.
So, happy anniversary Jody!
Thanks for letting me be your husband!
Aaron
Monday, July 7, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Huh?
Does anyone else wonder why President Bush "announced" that he's going to attend the Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing?
I guess I'm the only one who cares. But, China should not be given a free pass on their human rights/religious abuses (among many others). Even the Dalai Lama (you know, the leader of Tibet, who must lead in exile because of the communist Chinese goverment) says that he wants to attend as well.
Huh?
I know that boycotting the Opening ceremonies and other presentational methods of dissent are rarely effective. But, in this case, the world's eyes are concentrated on Beijing for two weeks, so why not make a statement? Why not at least express your displeasure with the government and yet support your athletes?
I'm sure that we can find some video of human rights abuses by the Chinese Government that we could "release" at the appropriate time.
Beyond being wimps and pandering for financial advantage, someone needs to tell me why no one is standing up and calling a spade a spade in this case. President Bush is supposed to be the uber-conservative, christian, against the grain president, right??
We need a little of that right now.
Aaron
I guess I'm the only one who cares. But, China should not be given a free pass on their human rights/religious abuses (among many others). Even the Dalai Lama (you know, the leader of Tibet, who must lead in exile because of the communist Chinese goverment) says that he wants to attend as well.
Huh?
I know that boycotting the Opening ceremonies and other presentational methods of dissent are rarely effective. But, in this case, the world's eyes are concentrated on Beijing for two weeks, so why not make a statement? Why not at least express your displeasure with the government and yet support your athletes?
I'm sure that we can find some video of human rights abuses by the Chinese Government that we could "release" at the appropriate time.
Beyond being wimps and pandering for financial advantage, someone needs to tell me why no one is standing up and calling a spade a spade in this case. President Bush is supposed to be the uber-conservative, christian, against the grain president, right??
We need a little of that right now.
Aaron
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Friend of God
ok, so I don't really even like this song. But, this is a ridiculous version of "Friend of God" by Chris Tomlin and Israel Houghton.
Israel wrote this song, and he gets to guest with the Passion worship band. It is epic!
For those of you who would like to know how to sing. . . . just listen to Israel. He's my favorite male vocalist (sorry, Bono), and brings the rock on this one!
Enjoy,
Aaron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U0fdcIhXzw&feature=related
Israel wrote this song, and he gets to guest with the Passion worship band. It is epic!
For those of you who would like to know how to sing. . . . just listen to Israel. He's my favorite male vocalist (sorry, Bono), and brings the rock on this one!
Enjoy,
Aaron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U0fdcIhXzw&feature=related
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Hating the children
So, I was flipping channels a bit tonight, en route to a Patrick Swayze movie marathon on AMC (awesome). And, I ran across "Baby Borrowers" on NBC. This show was absolutely disgusting.
To me, this show and others like it demean children and advance harmful attitudes towards them. There's a cottage industry of shows like this now. . . ."Nanny 911, Super Nanny, Wife Swap, etc. . . " While the individual shows have different angles and points to make; they almost always have a warped and negative view of children.
The Nanny shows are designed to help parents with their "out of control" children. Parental help and strategic assistance are good things, and the shows work when you can see parents actually beginning to care for their children. (although, it appears it sometimes takes the work of a "professional" to help achieve this :) )
Those shows rub me the wrong way a bit, though, because they're systematizing the children and "processing" them through behavior modification. Again, some of these things are helpful, but there's a real sense, at times, that they are trying to get the children controlled and sedated so that the parents can get on with their personal interests.
"Baby Borrowers" actually has the tagline "its Birth control!" in the commercials. Like "after seeing all the struggles these teenagers have with a newborn, hopefully you'll think twice about having a baby!" Now, teenage pregnancy is a big problem, and parenting of any kind should be entered into soberly. But, do these "warnings" have to come at the expense of our view of children?
My problems are these:
1) Children are not a problem to be solved.
2) The early childhood years are not to be "survived".
3) The reason that teenagers shouldn't have children out of wedlock has nothing to do with the color of vomit at 4 a.m. or how a dirty diaper smells.
There are bigger problems in life than lack of sleep, barf, crying babies, and busyness
Have I had days where parenting wears me out? Do I become exasperated at my kids? Is it hard looking after little ones? Would I do it all again, and 10 thousand more times if God blesses us?
The answer to all of these questions is "YES" and we are (see the wife's adoption blog).
BUT. . .
Children are a gift from the Lord and are to be celebrated, enjoyed, disciplined, nurtured, and cherished. Teenagers, if they're married, supported, and able,. . . . should be celebrated if they are blessed with a child. There's some famous successful teenage mothers. . like. . .umm oh yeah MARY.
Out of control children need parents that will correct, discipline and nurture them. . . not a set of "techniques" to keep them under control.
I know that this is "unspoken and assumed" in all of these shows, but let's go ahead and "speak" it sometimes. . . . . . .
Psalm 127
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
off of my soapbox,
Aaron
To me, this show and others like it demean children and advance harmful attitudes towards them. There's a cottage industry of shows like this now. . . ."Nanny 911, Super Nanny, Wife Swap, etc. . . " While the individual shows have different angles and points to make; they almost always have a warped and negative view of children.
The Nanny shows are designed to help parents with their "out of control" children. Parental help and strategic assistance are good things, and the shows work when you can see parents actually beginning to care for their children. (although, it appears it sometimes takes the work of a "professional" to help achieve this :) )
Those shows rub me the wrong way a bit, though, because they're systematizing the children and "processing" them through behavior modification. Again, some of these things are helpful, but there's a real sense, at times, that they are trying to get the children controlled and sedated so that the parents can get on with their personal interests.
"Baby Borrowers" actually has the tagline "its Birth control!" in the commercials. Like "after seeing all the struggles these teenagers have with a newborn, hopefully you'll think twice about having a baby!" Now, teenage pregnancy is a big problem, and parenting of any kind should be entered into soberly. But, do these "warnings" have to come at the expense of our view of children?
My problems are these:
1) Children are not a problem to be solved.
2) The early childhood years are not to be "survived".
3) The reason that teenagers shouldn't have children out of wedlock has nothing to do with the color of vomit at 4 a.m. or how a dirty diaper smells.
There are bigger problems in life than lack of sleep, barf, crying babies, and busyness
Have I had days where parenting wears me out? Do I become exasperated at my kids? Is it hard looking after little ones? Would I do it all again, and 10 thousand more times if God blesses us?
The answer to all of these questions is "YES" and we are (see the wife's adoption blog).
BUT. . .
Children are a gift from the Lord and are to be celebrated, enjoyed, disciplined, nurtured, and cherished. Teenagers, if they're married, supported, and able,. . . . should be celebrated if they are blessed with a child. There's some famous successful teenage mothers. . like. . .umm oh yeah MARY.
Out of control children need parents that will correct, discipline and nurture them. . . not a set of "techniques" to keep them under control.
I know that this is "unspoken and assumed" in all of these shows, but let's go ahead and "speak" it sometimes. . . . . . .
Psalm 127
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
off of my soapbox,
Aaron
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