shhh!

Yeah, it's been quiet around here lately. Got home from the OPC's Presbytery of the Northwest meeting a few hours ago. So most of last week was trying to get ahead of things so I could go, and most of next week will be spent catching up on those things I didn't get ahead on.

Will do what I can to say something interesting(-ish)

I failed ye scruvy dogs!

I remember reading last week that today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and I've rattled off two posts with narry a landlubber, avast or aye--I'm such a bilge rat.

Sorry mateys, will try to do better next year.

Here's what the two posts should've looked like:

If you enter this, please be use t' referral ID 90292, which will do you no good whatsover, but would be a nice thin' t' do anyway.

and

Can't help but be struck at how much Paul talks about t' day o' Jesus Christ here--outside o' date-settin', etc., how prominent be t' thought o' that day in sermons, books, etc.?

But what reallly caught me eye this mornin' was that even tho' Paul was aye or confident that God will finish t' good work he started in t' Philippians, he prayed for it. He prayed that they would love more, so they'd be pure and blameless. So they'd be holy. We pray for others t' be saved, or t' be healed, or t' be safe and cared for. But how often do we pray that God would make someone holy? "Oh Lord, please sanctify Jim" or "Father, make Susie holy." I'm not sayin' that travel mercies, new jobs, positive medical results, and t' rest aren't important. But isn't livin' unto starboardeousness more important?

I've heard many take Robert Murray M'Cheyne's prayer for themselves, "Lord make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be." Wouldn't a great part o' bein' that holy come out in us prayin', "Lord make Bill, Mary and James as holy as pardoned sinners can be, too"?

Praying for Holiness

doubt I have much new or profound to say here, but anyway...

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:9-10 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Can't help but be struck at how much Paul talks about the day of Jesus Christ here--outside of date-setting, etc., how prominent is the thought of that day in sermons, books, etc.?

But what reallly caught my eye this morning was that even tho' Paul was sure or confident that God will finish the good work he started in the Philippians, he prayed for it. He prayed that they would love more, so they'd be pure and blameless. So they'd be holy. We pray for others to be saved, or to be healed, or to be safe and cared for. But how often do we pray that God would make someone holy? "Oh Lord, please sanctify Jim" or "Father, make Susie holy." I'm not saying that travel mercies, new jobs, positive medical results, and the rest aren't important. But isn't living unto righteousness more important?

I've heard many take Robert Murray M'Cheyne's prayer for themselves, "Lord make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be." Wouldn't a great part of being that holy come out in us praying, "Lord make Bill, Mary and James as holy as pardoned sinners can be, too"?

September Giveaway

If you enter this, please be use the referral ID 90292, which will do you no good whatsover, but would be a nice thing to do anyway.

Follow-Up

Well, the JWs didn't show. Which is okay, becuase I have a splitting headache and really aren't in the mood to deal with them. On the other hand, it's pretty annoying, because I did use study time to get semi-ready for them.

...and now you know, the rest of the story. Even if it's dull.

Something I've Never Done Before

Since about 16 minutes (or less) into the commercial-free pilot, I've been a huge Alias addict. Shameful, I know. But the way they tell a story--no matter how wacky the story is--is just enjoyable. Yet somehow--don't ask me how--I've never seen a season-finale of the show. Don't think I've missed more than one or two other episodes, but every season-finale. Until now.

Over the summer, I've found a minute or two here or there to catch up on the last few episodes of the season, and took a study break this afternoon to watch the Season Four finale.

Just like the others, so I surmise by filling in the dots from other episodes and things here and there online, it wraps up most of the season's storylines, has a significant character death or two, and leaves you saying "WHAT?!!?! NO! Just five more minutes!" When the closing credits start.

It hasn't been exactly easy this summer to not accidentally stumble across details about the finale. No matter how hard I tried, couldn't escape rumors about Michael Vartan's exit from the show...and those rumors inevitably contained phrases like "car wreck" and/or "double agent." Okay, fine. So I know something's up with Vaughn--and nobody who's hung around the Bristow family for any amount of time could imagine that he'd be unscathed by all the deception and crossed alliances and whatnot. And being Syd's fiance doesn't exactly guarantee you a decent life expectancy.

Even if knowing something about that, it didn't ruin the show for me--Jack was great--punching Sloane (should be a recurring motif for every episode next season) and the little torture scene were great ways to remind us he's not just a suit. Irina popping Elena was nice--few deserved it on this show more (other than Sloane). 'Course that doesn't mean she won't be back next year. The Syd/Nadia fight was only ho-hum--and I'm all for family values, but c'mon Arvin! Bullet in the brain. Nadia needed to die (1. Couldn't trust that one shot to free up Syd enough to get the job done, and 2. DUDE she's a boring character), just not sure I can get through all the distraught sister stuff next year, while they try to save her. Best moment was when Marshall called his wife, runner-up, the conversation right before that when Marshall and Weiss talk about being left of all the safety measures being given the President, etc.

But I still remember "double agent" and "car wreck" when we enter the denouement, and I know we'll get both of them. But this is how good the show is: I was so caught up in Vaughn's confession that I was surprised when the car was hit and yelled, "WHAT?"

So, come Sept. 29, I'll be back. Syd's preggers, we get the new agent on the block, we get to find out what rumor about Vartan's employment was right...and we get to have a few Rambaldi-free episodes (but I doubt that we've heard the last of that guy). Should be a great ride.

A Rare Moment When I can be Proud of my Senator

from Sen. Craig's website:

Earlier today, Idaho Senator Larry Craig introduced the "Home School Non-Discrimination Act" (HONDA) of 2005. The legislation would clarify several existing federal statutes which inadvertently discriminate against home schools or home schoolers.

"All too often, federal laws relating to education have left out the millions of children across the nation who benefit from home schooling," Craig said. "These students are some of our nation's best and brightest. Many of them consistently score at the highest levels of achievement tests and go on to succeed at the best colleges and universities in the United States. Unfortunately, despite their talents and achievements, these students may be denied services or privileges available to other students because of oversights in federal law. This bill would rectify such situations."

It's not everything that's needed, but it's a nice step.

Kidney Kid Update 9/7 (just written late)

Oops. Forgot this. Saw the Kidney Kid's specialist on Wednesday--good visit all around. Got some concrete advice on his diet, which isn't nearly as restricted as we thought it was from the vague statements he'd given us before, like "limit X." Well, how much is limited? And he was so distracted with things like making sure the kidney was actually working, he'd not get around to answering. But we must've asked at the right time this visit, because he sat right down and wrote a little list for us. Phew.

As for the kidney--everything's looking good. At this age the best indicator of kidney function is growth, and he's doing fine there (sure, he's the size of Owen when Owen was half his age...but hey, just keep thinking Gary Coleman, and the kid's doing fine). As an aside, the KK just shot his father a look that could've gone with a "What you talkin' about, Willis?" line. The blood levels are good--his creatinine, which is what most eyes are on, had actually gone down. This was fantastic news, as the doc had pretty much concluded that he had leveled off and would only get worse from here on out. We got a new factoid this time--doc crunched some numbers and said his kidney was functioning at 51% of what it should be at 18 months (+/- 5%). As bad as that sounds, the doctor was very pleased with that number.

Other than that, he's jabbering up a storm and climbing everything he can think of. We've never had such a climber before--kid's just fearless. Dad figures he knows he's got this chronic illness and figures he has nothing to lose. Mom figures her husband need to spend a little more time in reality. The Kid is spending more and more energy trying to be one of the gang with his older siblings, and frequently succeeds. Frodo has taken to spending a good deal of his free time just hanging out with his youngest brother, it's very fun to watch the two of them.

Oh yeah, lastly, we have another baseball fan in the house. One of his favorite things to do is check out mlb.com on his daddy's lap. And last Friday while everyone else was excited about the game, he lifted his arms above his head and yelled "Yankees!" Truly, a proud moment.

So that's the state of the kid. Thanks for your interest and prayers--they're working.

Mixed emotions

Don't know whether to laugh, cry or be scared at this post from The Corner.

Obviously, the answer is all of the above. Just can't be seen in public doing them all at once or I'll get locked up.

Firm Principle

came across this as I was preparing for Sunday School this week, quoted in the monumental King and Webster Holy Scripture: The Ground and Pillar of our Faith:

Let this be a firm principle: No other word is to be held as the Word of God, and given place as such in the church, than what is contained first in the Law and the Prophets, then in the writings of the apostles; and the only authorized way of teaching in the church is by the prescription and standard of his Word.
From this also we infer that the only thing granted to the apostles was that which the prophets had had of old. They were to expound the ancient Scripture and to show that what is taught there has been fulfilled in Christ. Yet they were not to do this except from the Lord, that is, with Christ’s Spirit as precursor in a certain measure dictating the words. For by this condition Christ limited their embassy when he ordered them to go and teach not what they had thoughtlessly fabricated, but all that he had commanded them [Matthew 28:19-20]…Yet this, as I have said, is the difference between the apostles and their successors: the former were sure and genuine scribes of the Holy Spirit, and their writings are therefore to be considered oracles of God; but the sole office of others is to teach what is provided and sealed in the Holy Scriptures. We therefore teach that faithful ministers are now not permitted to coin any new doctrine, but that they are simply to cleave to that doctrine to which God has subjected all men without exception. - John Calvin (emphasis added)

How hard is that? And yet how often is it done?

Game 3 - Close one!

Where was God?

'nuff said.

Game 2 - OUCH!

glad I was in a meeting...

Looking for some recommendations

Moving this back up to the top, so I can get some more (well, any) ideas...

Started reading to my kids daily a few weeks ago--it's not like I was horribly delinquent or anything, we read together individually frequently, and corporately during family worship. But now we've gotten in the habit of me reading to all of them after lunch every day. Pretty sure if I stopped there'd be some sort of revolt.

So here's my problem, we've been working through the Chronicles of Narnia--and in a few weeks here, we'll be done. And I have no idea where to go next. I have a few ideas, but think they require a few more circles 'round the sun for all concerned. So, speak up folks, click that "Comment(s)" link below and give me some ideas for what would appeal to the 3-7 year range (probably weighted towards the 6-7 range, but interesting enough to keep the 3 yr old's attention)

Thanks in advance!

Game 1

The Truth Hurts...

Taking a quick work/study break to keep my head from exploding and eyes from shutting down so I check a couple of sites to read up on the Yankees/Sox matchups this weekend. Ken Rosenthol over at FOXSports. His analysis--sadly, spot on--starts with these body blows:

Good thing the Yankees host the Red Sox this weekend. They needed to get away from an even peskier nemesis, the low-budget, last-place Devil Rays.
Don't laugh, the defending world champion Sox aren't much better off, unless their secret plan was to see how far they could go with the worst bullpen in the American League.

MLB's Probable Pitchers page gives me a little hope--but I'm very glad I'm a Sabbatarian, so I don't have to watch Randy Johnson get beat up on the 11th.

Not really sure I chose the right subject to read up on to keep my head from exploding....

Ack!

How could I forget the Calvinist Gadfly on the previous post?

New Blogs

• Scribbles...3 notes here:
1. Hopefully promoting it a tad will force the owner to post something.
2. It looks horrible in Mozilla, I don't know why, I'm still working on fixing that. Not my top priority however.
3. By virtue of the fact that she's the most wonderful person on earth, this is my favorite blog (even with the aforementioned template and infrequent posting problems). Sorry, cent, Doc, Norris, tired, etc.
• girlfriday the rare event of someone I know in Real Life(TM) entering blogdom

drool

best pic on the 'net yet of Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor.

The complete gallery from The Latino Review. The profile-ish pic of supes is the least attractive thing I've seen from this film, but I think (hope?) I will get over it when I see Routh in action.

Overclocking Yourself

from Tom's Hardware Guide is this handy-dandy guide to caffinated beverages.

On the whole, I knew all this already. But it's useful to see it layed out in the format we're all so used to reading now. Plus, anyone who went to this amount of trouble to provide this incredibly important service for mankind needs to be read.