madisonhotels's Xanga

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:14:51 GMT

more political hoop-la for you!

Not saying I would vote for either of them...just thought it was cute (as a Pokemon fan!)!

If you miss it from the beginning, go to:
http://content.ytmnd.com/content/c/4/3/c43db51bb449373a3e4b5aa67252ee4d.gif

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:31:00 GMT

ok, it's been a while!

...since i've truly blogged something. Honestly, life has just been crazy getting ready for baby, picking up a third job, and various other beautiful things.

Did anyone else see the wonderful debate on ABC between Hilary and Obama? Is it sad that a network would rather see two candidates duke it out rather than answer actual questions?

Well...anyway...here's something for you....

note: there are swear words in this, so it's not for everyone...warning you up front so I don't get any comments. Thanks!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:21:02 GMT

kelly's eggo

= preggo!

Friday, March 14, 2008

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:43:02 GMT

tiny update

major happenings....

big things.....

large words!!!!!

so many things i can't write them here!

yay!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:27:36 GMT

here's a great quote:

"Men are very often less inquisitive to know how far the will of God extends, that they may please him in performing it, than they are to know how far they may satisfy their lusts without destroying their bodies and souls, utterly, by an open violation of his law."

~ Adam Clarke

Friday, February 22, 2008

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:22:52 GMT

THEY BLEW IT UP!!!!

Amazing!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:45:16 GMT

my mid-dishes blog: love

I don't think it's been a secret...I've been struggling quite a bit lately. There's been this hollowness I've felt inside...not sure where it came from. Honestly, it's nothing I can put my finger directly on, like a doctor treating symptoms without treating the cause. He can treat one thing now, but it's inevitably coming back again.

Recognized something powerful though, while doing dishes (don't tell Kelly I took a break!).

I think that often times we walk through this world desperately lonely. We walk through trying to keep a semblance of having a handle on life, like a doctor treating symptoms without treating the cause. He can treat one thing now, and has to make people feel he is confident about treating it.

We try and show people we have things all together. We try so desperately to hang on to anyone who will show us a shred of love. A boyfriend who loves our bodies; therefore, we give sexually. A girlfriend who loves our listening ear; therefore, we sacrifice ourself to listen. A boss who appreciates the extra mile, which inevitably you now try and out perform. A parent who doesn't pay attention, so we do things to guarantee they will have to.

When all we need is love. Honest, selfless love. Love that looks beyond itself to love us where we are at. Love that gives without expecting anything else in return.

I often think through the lens of the church, so here goes. How often do I as a pastor invite people out to things because I want them at a program? They want love, not more parties. And, beyond this, how often do we get in the way of God's love, making unwritten demands for people to come to the church (the people, not the building) or even to Jesus?

I'm calling for a revolution (did you guys notice that love is backwards in revolution? All you libertarians better have! :) ). How about we just form strong friendships and teach others how to do the same? How about we teach others how to come to a God who loves them more deeply than a human can stand, and watch as their hearts turn to love?

So, for me personally, this means being friendly to my friends. I have a tendency not to return phone calls (not because I hate my friends...I hate phones!), and put work ahead of relationship. So...for those who have called me in the last week (Nick, Bill, Bernie...)...God willing, your phone will be ringing this week.

But not now...

For now....the doctor has to treat the cause of dirty dishes.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:58:38 GMT

brains......braaaaaaaaains.....

use them....

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:45:24 GMT

revolution: joy

Lately, I have been obsessing about the Sabbath (the day off that God requires His kids to take). It goes beyond normal studying to full-blown anxiety about it. Did Jesus require us to do it? Am I wrong because I don't always get a day of rest? Is everything I do in vain because I can't stop for a second? On the other hand, would I be way happier and more fulfilled if I could just stop for a second?

Da da da da da....heart racing. Head sweating. Thoughts pouring in and out of view.

Then, I stop. I recognize that my Christianity is very heavy at the moment, so much so I feel like I am breaking.

I think all "good Christians" have heard that quote by C.S. Lewis about joy and desire:

Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

–C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

And it reminds me of what Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Christianity is meant to be a religion of joy. It's coming to Jesus with the pain and suffering that sin brings, laying it down, and embracing the joy of knowing Him and living for Him.

And I think, if we honestly lived with this joy, the problems facing the perception of the Church would dissipate.

Your thoughts?

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:06:38 GMT

the day after.....

"man in black" by johnny cash

Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black.

I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.

And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believen' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen' that we all were on their side.

Well, there's things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin' everywhere you go,
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You'll never see me wear a suit of white.

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black