And He's Not Alone

Thought for the Lord's Day #31

this one's from The Great Quotes to Take Out of Context collection:

If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, says Peter (2. Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that through God's glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner.

- Martin Luther

Seriously, this counsel to Melanchthon (yet again voted as "Theologian most likely to Have Name Misspelled" for the 487th year running) is well worth meditating on. Even for those of use who are not "preachers of mercy."

He did it!! Updated: It's Official!

A couple hours ago he finished writing for the afternoon, and I just finished typing it up--Frodo has passed his word count for NaNoWriMo!

Sadly, the OpenOffice word count differs from the NaNoWriMo's verification tool, so he has to come up with another 305 words by their reckoning to make it official. Which is fine, since his storyline still needs to be wrapped up.

Still, first time out of the gate, and Frodo nailed it with time to spare without breaking a sweat. A stand-up triple.

Way to go, champ.

I'm totally at a loss for words

Not only do I have to come up with something for the novel (think if I can just get on the right roll, or three, I can knock this thing out in a day).

I need something for here...ack. But the brain's not working, it's like I'm...

Thanksgiving Post

I tried several times today to write something along the lines of the near-obligatory Thanksgiving post, and got no where. I didn't get as far as I planned/wanted to/coulda/shoulda with NaNoWriMo either (got 1400 words out of a goal of 2700). Was at my mother's today and let myself get distracted by the relatives too much.

Still not sure I'm going to end up saying what I wanted to, but I think the quotation Dr. Clark posted to the Heidelblog today from Ursinus on True Thankfulness will help. In particular this portion:

Thankfulness in general is a virtue acknowledging and professing the person from whom we have received benefits, as well as the greatness of the benefits themselves, with a desire to perform towards our benefactor such reciprocal duties as are becoming and possible. It includes truth and justice. Truth, because it acknowledges and makes mention of the benefits received : and justice, because it desires to return thanks equal to that which has been received.

First off, let me acknowledge my cyber-pals, bros & sisters. In particular, kletois, bluewoad, Micah and SpideyGeek (not an exhaustive list by any means). You are a source of laughter, encouragement, and conviction that I dare try to do without. Thanks so much.

Secondly, the Offspring. (pictured below with their cousin and one of my favorite bugs) Thanks for being you. Thanks for giving me a reason to get moving every morning, to keep plodding through the afternoon, and frequently a reason to rejoice that I can rest in the evening and let someone else take over. Mostly kidding there. You guys are the best--more than I should hope for and far greater than a schlub like me deserves.

Thirdly, to The Love of my Life. For everything.

Lastly, to the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit. "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

last second post: Thanksgiving pt. 1

trying to come up with a nice Thanksgiving post, and it's just not happening right now. So I'm just gonna cut to the chase and trust the gratefulness fairy will visit me tomorrow while stuffing stuffing down my throat.

I'm thankful for the handful of you (shrinking all the time) who read this. I really do appreciate you taking the time.

If Anything's Going to Turn Frodo into a Theater Junkie...

It's this, Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Treehouse: The Musical.

can't believe it's up there with Les Mis or Sondeim--but gotta be better than Disney on Ice or that Weber guy.

(h/t: Julie Kenner)

Some More Vacation Photos

Honestly haven't thought of anything to put here today, but I'm on such a streak...hate to see it ruined. Soooo, here's some more photos from our enjoyable-yet-potentially-NaNoWriMo-Victory-killing vacation.

Thought for the Lord's Day #30

Quick Dispatch from the Parenting Front

Horror of horrors, we ran out of coffee here, and didn't have enough time in the schedule yesterday to drive to a reliable source, so while at the grocery store I buy a couple of those little vacuum-packed single-serving packs of whatever little occasionally acceptable "gourmet" blend they're featuring.

This morning I'm getting the coffee ready when the Princess comes over to see what I'm doing, astonished, she gasps, "You can buy it ground already!?!"

Almost brought a tear to my eye.

Number 9, number 9,

Happy Birthday to the goofiest of my Offspring.

While the impulse has always been to think of you as the sidekick to your older brother--the Boy Wonder to his Caped Crusader, that's rarely been the case. You truly exist in your own little world much of the time, it's an honor and a privilege to get a glimpse inside it from time to time. Whether on the diamond or some other athletic endeavor; from some text you produce; or some other path the Lord brings you down--I expect nothing but creative greatness in your future. You've already delivered it, I eagerly anticipate what's next.

only 81%?

I can now sing along with Jemaine with a bit more confidence when I hear this Flight of the Conchords classic:

What...what is wrong with the world today?
You gotta think about it
Think think about it.
Good cops been framed and put into a can.
All the money that we're making is going to the man.
What man?
Which man?
Who's the man?
When's a man a man?
What makes a man a man?
Am I a man?
Yes. Technically I am.

Because, according to GenderAnalyzer, they "think http://hcnewton.blogspot.com is written by a man (81%)."

------

You know now that I've pasted a link to that song I'm watching/rewatching it for the rest of the morning...

No time for love, Dr. Jones

Wow, not much to say, and even less time to say it. Been doing all I can to gin up words for NaNoWriMo--if you're really bored, you can go check out my author page there, the stats tab is very encouraging to me. I topped 50% today (didn't realize I did it when I had), I'm almost content to leave it there.

Almost.

Not only have I been trying to egg myself on (with some gracious and needed support from TLomL) but we've been trying to get the Offspring to move ahead with their YWP projects. Frodo, probably my least imaginative child, is doing awesome, I didn't expect that at all. He probably topped 70% today (I won't type his work in 'til I'm at work tonight). Samwise--who I fully expected to write laps around us all, is starting to get in gear--I think he'll pull it off, but it'll be a last minute/second surge. I fear the Princess is running out of steam, but we'll see...

Anyway, that's all I've got for today. Sorry. Am trying for something better tomorrow--I've def. got the weekend covered. So, content on the way, thanks for stopping by :)

Da Feel Good Post of da Day

It's Trailer Time!

The Internet is abuzz with the news of a new SF movie trailer, rebooting a classic series from the 70's, I for one, think it looks promising:

'Race to Witch Mountain' Theatrical Trailer @ Yahoo! Video

Oh yeah, there's this new trailer, too:
(naturally, Scott Kurtz' PvP and Dave Kellet's Sheldon had the best reactions, both of which I heartily agree with)

If Only Their Pizza Tasted Good...

from Lifehacker:

As though you needed yet another excuse to stay firmly planted on the couch, DVR service TiVo has integrated with international pizza-maker Domino's so that you can now order a pizza from directly inside your TiVo. My belt just loosened two notches in anticipation. It doesn't have the geek cred of, say, tracking your pizza's delivery status from the terminal, but it's still undeniably cool.

It won't be long at all until we will never have to move. Our DNA will merge with our La-Z-Boys, our sofas, our desk chairs and Homo sittus will emerge (metaphorically speaking).

Random Quotes on Liberty and the Loss Thereof

One of the quotes from my iGoogle's Quote of the Day widget has been percolating in the back of my mind today. Which got me to compiling this little list--mostly so I have a handy place to come and grab from in the future. Most are oldies but goodies. The last one on the list is the one that got me going, and I should add, that I definitely hate the source material it came from, just so I don't get slammed in the comments :)

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.

-- James Madison

When the government fears the people it is a democracy....when the people fear their government it is tyranny...

-- Thomas Jefferson

Those who give up essential liberties for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

-- Benjamin Franklin

The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.

-– James Madison

Fascism will come wrapped in a flag and carrying a Bible.

-- Sinclair Lewis

So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause.

-- George Lucas

Thought for the Lord's Day #29

Decade of Dominance II

Sequels really always are worse than the originals...

It looked fantastic for a few minutes (7-0), then looked surprisingly well for the first half (10-17)...and then it looked like the rest of the last ten years (45-10), as the Boise State (state? I thought Boise was a city) Broncos routed the Univserity of Idaho (alma mater to me, all but one of my extended family with a college degree, TLomL, Sarah Palin, etc.) Vandals.

Excuse me, I need to go burn Chris Tormey in effigy. Again.

The Facts Are These...

The ratings are in the toilet, and ABC executives are impatient as well as soulless.

TVWeek reports:

"Pushing Daisies" may be close to pushing daisies.

According to industry sources familiar with the situation, ABC has decided not to produce any more episodes of the critically beloved show this season. Word of the show's apparent death began spreading around Hollywood Thursday morning, though an ABC spokeswoman insisted no decision has been made on the show's fate.
...
"Daisies" wraps production on its 13-episode fall order today. A decision to end the show has been expected for some time now, but it nonetheless represents a stunning reversal of fortune for the Warner Bros. Television-produced fantasy drama.

Apparently dangling storylines are likely to be resolved in a comic book--which is fine. Particularly in light of the dynamite work that's been going on in Buffy Season 8. If Whedon et al. can do it, Fuller should be able to, too. But it won't be the same.

Tennant's leaving, Chuck/Ned/Emerson/Olive may be done...next thing I'll hear is that Sheldon's trading in physics for fast food or Casey's leaving the Buy More. Bah Humbug.