If you ever have a chance...

GO TO A GLENN BECK SATELLITE SIMULCAST!!!

Todd, Jim, and I went to one of our largest local movie theaters last night and watched Glenn perform his show LIVE from the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, Texas via satellite simulcast. It was an evening that we will NOT forget!

Glenn was massively hilarious

(see Obama restaurant photo below)

And passionately and inspirationally serious...

The show was seen live in Dallas and then in 350 theaters across the United States. The theater I sat in was packed to capacity!!

Thankfully, I had bought tickets on-line the day before!! All tickets were sold out by early yesterday morning!

Though Glenn could not see us, our theater erupted into powerful, thunderous applause dozens upon dozens of times as though he could!!!

We laughed. We cried.

We got sad for our country. We also got VERY proud of her.

All in all, I would never trade last night for anything. It was worth every minute. Todd, Jim, and I were not the same when we left the theater.

PLEASE GO IF YOU EVER SEE ONE OF THESE IN YOUR AREA!!

YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

(Please note: all photos are cell phone shots of a movie screen...maybe that explains why they look the way they do!!  )

Currently Reading The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life By Jim Tressel, Chris Fabry, John Maxwell see related

Thanks for all that you do...

...such were the words I uttered to Coach Jim Tressel, Head Coach of the Ohio State University Buckeye football team.

His new book (The Winner's Manual: For the Game of Life, pictured above in the amazon.com link) was released yesterday. I had the distinct privilege of going to one of his book signings and meeting this iconic coach. He was all that I had heard and seen on TV: kind, gracious, humble, godly. Yes, you read that last word correctly, godly. I stuck around a few minutes after I had my turn at the table with Coach and just listened to his conversation. At one point someone asked him if he was goint to do such-and-such in a couple of days. His response? "Lord willing." There were many other things he said and did that reflected the graciousness produced by his personal faith in Jesus Christ.

As I lay on my bed late last evening devouring the book, I marveled at the clear, concise presentation of the gospel as well as the weaving of scripture throughout every chapter of the book. Now, anybody of any faith could profit from the book, but as a fellow Christ-follower, I found the book very refreshing from the Christian point of view.

I would urge anybody and everybody, regardless of team loyalty, to get this book. This book is the gen pop (general population) edition of the very book that each Buckeye football team player receives and uses throughout their playing time with the Buckeyes. You would be getting the real deal if you purchased this book.

So, let's conclude this post with a couple more pictures...cell ones, of course, so--please pardon some of the lack of clarity...my hand was shaking (wonder why?)...

And, take a look at the championship ring on Coach's finger!! Wow!

This totally arrested my attention...

"God doesn’t owe you an explanation or reason for everything he asks you to do. Understanding can wait, but obedience can’t. Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions. In fact, you will never understand some commands until you obey them first. Obedience unlocks understanding."

[Rick Warren, 7/15/2008, Purpose Driven Life Devotional]

A Golden Day in Church!!

As a church we had the massive joy of celebrating Pastor and Ruth's 50th Wedding Anniversary today at church! What a day! From the heart-warming service to the elegant reception, God was honored and glorified from start to finish.

My part in this joyous day was doing a 20 minute mini-concert for Pastor and Ruth based on their favorite hymns. From the sweet, dulcet tones of "O, To be Like Thee," to the thunderous, multi-octave conclusion of "Wonderful Grace of Jesus," I had deep joy as I saw them take in their favorite hymns. Music is truly a way to say, I love you!! I really DO love my Pastor and his dear wife. They are treasures to my soul!

Another icon passes...

Tony Snow

(June 1, 1955---July 12, 2008)

Tony lost his battle with cancer in the wee hours of this morning. What a brave fighter he was!

With that large, contagious smile, big laugh, deft handling of the press corp at the White House, brilliant mind, and so many admirable personal character qualities, this is one man that is going to be severely missed!!

May God strengthen Jill and the kids in the days to come!

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And, let us smile once more as we remember a "Tony moment" in the White House press briefing room. Only Tony could make a press briefing more enjoyable than a regular TV show!!!

Indeed, what a picturesque guy!!

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Now, let's let President Bush conclude this post. I could not possibly improve on what the President says here:

"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend, Tony Snow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, and their children, Kendall, Robbie, and Kristi. The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character.

Tony was one of our Nation's finest writers and commentators. He earned a loyal following with incisive radio and television broadcasts. He was a gifted speechwriter who served in my father's Administration. And I was thrilled when he agreed to return to the White House to serve as my Press Secretary. It was a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day. He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to his work. His colleagues will cherish memories of his energetic personality and relentless good humor.

All of us here at the White House will miss Tony, as will the millions of Americans he inspired with his brave struggle against cancer. One of the things that sustained Tony Snow was his faith - and Laura and I join people across our country in praying that this good man has now found comfort in the arms of his Creator."