A few days ago I mentioned a “big event” in my life that was coming up. Well it has happened and it was awesome.
A few weeks ago I was presented with the opportunity to be part of distinguished visitor trip to the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Naturally, I said absolutely. The group included:
Coach Ron Zook, University of Illinois Football Head Coach & 2007 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year
Mr. Adrian Melendez, Director of Football Operations, University of Illinois
Ms. Cassie Arner, Director of Football Sports Information, University of Illinois
Dr. James Thompson, Dean of Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia
Dr. Richard Blahut, Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Univ. of Illinois
Mr. Jeffery McDonnell, Board of Directors for PBS Channel 9 KETC, VP & CCO for J&J Management Services
Mr. Scott Page, Videographer for PBS Channel 9 KETC
Ms. Anne-Marie Berger, Producer and Director for PBS Channel 9 KETC
Mr. Dave Kurland, Senior Director for Community Relations, NBA Chicago Bulls
Mr. Samuel Powell, Pastoral Candidate, Concordia Seminary St. Louis MO
I’m not actually going to post about the trip in detail tonight. I’m tired… I didn’t get much sleep while on the trip (Monday through Thursday night). All I will say now is that the trip was incredible. It included:
A carrier trap (a landing)
A catapult shot (takeoff)
Viewing takeoffs and landings from 20 feet away
Viewing all aspects of the ship
Meeting incredible sailors and marines who literally put their life in harms way each and every day.
We have a joke with our neighbor that whenever we leave town something bad happens (power outages, floods, windstorms, trees falling, etc.). Well now she is out of town and we have an earthquake. Thanks Sue.
Lisa woke me up at 4:36 a.m. with the cry, “The house is shaking.” To be honest… my level of caring at that time is next to none. This she realized in the winter storm of 2006 when I refused to go outside and check on things when a limb hit an awning and made a lot of noise. I guess I’m a bad husband. I suggested that it was an earthquake and sure enough… the USGS (United States Geological Survey) website has this event listed as a 5.4 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in southeastern Illinois.
Now I want to go back to bed but we are watching the news broadcasts of the event
Some time ago Pastor Weedon posted some nice pictures of his study. However, being the seminarian that I am… I don’t have a study. I have a computer desk that I share with my wife, a kitchen table, and a study carol (which I am eternally thankful for). My wife tolerates my organizational method… stacks of books. An example follows. I’m not sure exactly how many books are stacked on there… but I know at least one English Bible, a Biblia Hebraica, three volumes of Pieper, two Hebrew grammars, and probably 50 pages of copies. Oh… and some Luther!
You know you are a Red Cross instructor when you start yelling at the TV telling a character they are doing CPR wrong. You would think shows would at least have someone advise them so there characters don’t look like complete idiots. What is sad is that someone will probably emulate some technique and seriously hurt someone. For example bending the elbows during CPR and thrusting, rather than using your whole upper body. Another example would be not putting the hands in the right place. You can kill a person or seriously hurt them if you are too high or too low.If you didn’t already figure it out I am an American Red Cross instructor. I can teach any level of First Aid and CPR up to First Responder level (right below EMT). My primary area of instruction is in lifeguarding and water safety (No Running!). If you are in the St. Louis area and want some instruction at your church or school, let me know, I enjoy working with church groups!
Today a new book releases from Humor-Blogs.com! It is entitled Crummy Church Signs Volume 1 (2004 - 2007). Taken as a “Best of…” from the popular Crummy Church Signs website, this book includes pictures of some of the worst church signs you’ll ever see (poor grammar, bad theology, silly jokes, etc) along with the author’s hilariously snarky commentary!
The best part is…I’m in the book! A picture/review I submitted was used in the book, so if the side-splitting content isn’t enough to convince you to buy a copy, perhaps the inclusion of yours truly will tip the scales for you.
For a limited time only, the book is $10.99 with free shipping, and the author will autograph it! After Nov. 6, the price will rise to $12.99 plus shipping (and no autograph), so be sure to place your order now. VISIT THE HUMOR-BLOGS.COM STORE NOW and place your order! The book is 178 coffee-table sized pages, and contains church signs from over 35 states and several different countries. In case my word isn’t enough, see what these other folks have said about Crummy Church Signs:
“There’s an enormous amount of amusing material in there” -ThinkChristian.net
“Seriously, I think Crummy Church Signs has the highest laugh-to-word-count ratio of any site I’ve come across” -Diesel from Mattress Police, author of Antisocial Commentary
“…try not to laugh until you cry.” - Ironic Catholic
“Whenever I am tempted towards the cute in formulating a message for our church sign, I find myself asking ” What Would Joel Say?” His blog provides great entertainment, but more importantly it provides a reminder that the message is an important one.” - Rev. Wes Kenney
The author, Joel Bezaire, is also donating ALL of his proceeds to Compassion, a charitable organization that places underpriveleged kids with sponsors around the world. So not only will you enjoy the book, some of that money is going to a great cause!
Buy the book!Visit the website!
When Rev. Todd Wilken presented a sectional at the Concordia Seminary symposium I had the opportunity to speak with him afterwards regarding his 3-part sermon diagnostic (I’ll add the parts in here later). I used it on student teaching in the spring of 2006 to talk to my seniors about “what to look for in a church” when they go off to college. I couldn’t just say “go find a Lutheran church” since most of my students (90% roughly) were not of the Lutheran faith. I went through the diagnostic and talked to them about music in the Church, true Christian preaching, the Sacraments (for example… you want a personal Lord and Savior? How about receiving in your mouth the very body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ… now that is personal!).
This all led to very interesting discussions and debates. Some students realized that what they were listening to on the radio and on television isn’t honestly Christian. One student got all worked up when I criticized Joel Osteen. I said, go home, watch a broadcast, and tell me how much he talks about Jesus and how he talks about Jesus. Is Jesus portrayed as a way to help you lead your life or is he the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world?
I’m trying to catch up on Issues, etc. podcasts and I was listening to a sermon review of Dr. Adams that was done in September. As I’m listening Rev. Wilken mentions our conversation! He messed up the story a bit, but oh well. He was a busy guy that day.
If you want to listen to the sermon review… just go here. It is a great sermon…. enjoy!
Okay… I promise I’ll post something theological sometime in the near future. Probably. Classes and work have kept me busy so I’m looking forward to a break.
Reason for this random post: Mountain Dew
In college I drank an obscene about of this delicious drink. One time my roommate and I drank a 24-pack in two days. Yeah… that much. My wife always laughs about one story I tell. I drove to Wisconsin (from Seward) with some friends at the spur of the moment. Because we had some obligations Sunday morning we drove back Saturday night/Sunday morning. I walked into my room at 3:00 a.m. with my roommate and some high school students we were hosting still up, playing video games. I reached in the fridge, grabbed a dew, drank it in one gulp, and went right to bed. At that point, I was drinking it for the taste, the caffeine had no effect on me.
Today a new book releases from 