Note to self...

Self,

Next Valentine's Day, don't wait until February 14th to buy your wife a card. Otherwise you will be stuck buying her a card from your child that starts off, "Mommies come in all different shapes and sizes." And you just don't want to have to go through the repercussions of that again.

Bryan

Funny Care Bear Story

Addyson (my 2 year old) has gotton into Care Bears lately. So when I saw the following story on Yahoo, I had to read it. What gets me is the mother's quote.

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A metro area parent was shocked recently when her daughter stumbled across a pornographic Web site while looking for a cartoon site.

Tracy O'Neal said her daughter, Stephanie, was looking for the Web site of the Care Bears, the cuddly cartoon characters, but because of a missing hyphen, the daughter unexpectedly found a porn site.

"I was repulsed," Tracy O'Neal told KMBC's Martin Augustine.

"All of a sudden, here comes up a lady and her pants were pulled down, and she was showing her bottom ... I will probably never go back on that site again," Stephanie O'Neal said.

"If that Web site has predators behind it, they need to be stopped. These kids don't need to be in this type of business. They don't need to see it," Tracy O'Neal said.

The mother said she'll be watching her daughter's Internet activity more closely from now on.

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She will "PROBABLY" never go back to that site again?!?!?! Doesn't sound like she was too "repulsed" to me. Probably? Seriously? I can picture these people already and in my mind, and they look alot like rednecks.

Crazy Day

It has been one heck of a day. It seemed liked everytime the phone rang at work it was for me. Like all my clients got together over the weekend and decided to collectively gang up against me today. Of course, a busy lawyer is a paid lawyer, so I can't really complain that much.

So, when I got home, I unwound by watching a few episodes of Friends. They just don't make quality comedy like that anymore. The One with the Dollhouses is a classic. Very excited to hear that the cast have all signed on for 4 one hour episodes to air the next two years. I'm thinking Thanksgiving reunion.

Anyway, that's all I got tonight.

Walgreen's Sued by Pharmacists

A pro-life group is filing lawsuits on behalf of four Illinois pharmacists who were fired from Walgreens for their opposition to filling prescriptions for the morning-after pill.

Americans United for Life (AUL) said the plaintiffs were asked to sign a paper agreeing to dispense the drug, which they believe can cause abortions in early pregnancies. When they refused to sign the paper, they were terminated. Those firings violated the Illinois Rights of Conscience Act, AUL claimed.

"Walgreens is trampling on the civil rights of employees who are protected from discrimination under Illinois law. These pharmacists were fired because they wouldn't sign away those rights," said Edward Martin, Jr., attorney with Americans United for Life in a statement.

What do you think about this? I admit that I have mixed feelings. Can a doctor refuse to treat a patient? Yes. Can a lawyer refuse to represent certain clients? Yes. Why, then, can't a pharmacist refuse to fill certain prescriptions? Of course, if my employer tells me to represent a certain client, I will represent them regardless of my personal opinions about the client. For example, I have clients that are sex offenders. I have clients that are child pornographers. I have clients that are homosexual. Is my taking them on as clients condoning their behavior and actions? Just a little something to make you think on a Monday morning.

Spiritual Awakening

"God's quickening visitation of his people, touching their hearts and deepening his work of grace in their lives." J. I. Packer

"extraordinary season of religious interest." Robert Baird

"the sovereign act of God, in which He restores His own backsliding people to repentance, faith and obedience." Stephen Olford

"times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19) J. Edwin Orr

"the awakening or quickening of God's people to their true nature and purpose." Robert Coleman

"the return of the Church from her backslidings, and the conversion of sinners." Charles Finney

"an extraordinary movement of the Holy Spirit producing extraordinary results." Richard Owen Roberts

"a community saturated with God" Duncan Campbell

"the work of the Holy Spirit in restoring the people of God to a more vital spiritual life, witness, and work by prayer and the Word after repentance in crisis for their spiritual decline." Earle Cairns


Is there a point in your life that you can point to as your spiritual awakening? I am not talking about when you were "born again." Rather, a time in your life after you were saved when you could not seem to get enough -- when you almost literally hungered after new spiritual knowledge. How old were you when this happened? Have you had more than one time like this in your life? What is your story?

Calvin

I am reading a fiction Christian book right now (Comes a Horseman) that talks a lot about the Doctrine of Election. I have always heard about the theory, but never really paid it much attention. So, I looked into it last night -- very interesting theory and argument in support. Don't get me wrong -- I am not turning into a Calvinist. I just think it is an interesting concept. What do you think? Does God pre-pick people to be "saved" and therefore damns some to hell regardless of free will?

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began;

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 TIMOTHY 1:9, 10.

Walking the Bible

I watched the first of a three part series on PBS last night called "Walking the Bible" (based on a book of the same name). If you have not seen this program, I highly recommend it. Bruce Feiler, author of the book (and of Jewish ancestry), travels to all the "important" places found in the Old Testament.

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The description from PBS:

Part adventure, part archaeological detective work and part spiritual exploration, this three-part series follows storyteller Bruce Feiler on his inspiring 10,000-mile odyssey as he searches for traces of the great biblical heroes. Feiler travels by foot, four-wheel, camel and boat to re-create the journey he recounts in his best-seller, Walking the Bible. The series wanders through 10 countries on three continents, including volatile areas of the Middle East. Accompanying Feiler is Avner Green, one of the world's leading biblical archaeologists. Dramatic scripture readings are interspersed throughout the three programs, bringing viewers closer to these Biblical settings.

*****

The first hour of the mini-series was amazing. I always had this idealized picture of the Garden of Eden, based mostly on the images we always see of a forest, lots of landscape, etc. It was incredible to see how wrong this picture likely is. The host then climbs up Mount Ararat and spend the remaining time focusing on Abraham and his importance to the three religions in the area.

Best TV of 2005

Inspired by everyone else's list, the following is my list of the best television shows of 2005:

10. Ghost Whisperer: It sometimes gets repetitive, but overall a pretty good show.
9. The Office: Some find it stupid, but I can't help but laugh.
8. Desperate Housewives: Sophomore slump? Maybe. But still good.
7. Scrubs: NBC has severely mistreated their best comedy in years.
6. How I Met Your Mother: Doogie Howser makes this show.
5. Reba: Yes, I watch this show. Yes, this is the only top ten list it made.
4. My Name is Earl: You don't get much funnier than this.
3. Bones: Sometimes gory, but always good.
2. Prison Break: The suspense is killing me -- on hiatus until March.
1. Supernatural: Great special effects (especially for the WB).

There you have it. You don't have to agree (you likely won't). But, such a list is always a good dialogue starter.

Hope everyone has a great New Year!

The Ringer/Chronicles of Narnia

I saw The Ringer Monday night with my wife and some friends of ours. Strange movie. It was good, but I would not suggest paying theater prices to see it. Wait for it to hit Blockbuster or Netflix.

I say it was strange because you really did not know if it was okay to laugh. The premise is that Stevie, played by Johnny Knoxville, needs some money quick to pay for a surgery his lawn guy needs (this is the very brief version -- it is much more complicated in the movie). So, he pretends that he is mentally challenged and joins the Special Olympics, thinking that he can win. In the process he ends up falling in love with a Special Olympics volunteer. A vast majority of the actors in the movie were mentally or physically challenged in some way. So, when they said something funny or did something funny, there was this awkward silence in the theater while people decided if it was okay to laugh. About halfway through, we all warmed up and could enjoy the movie a little more.

By the way, the movie was made with the blessing of the Special Olympics.

A few weeks ago, I saw The Chronicles of Narnia with some friends (including Reader MD McMullin). All I can say is that it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. There were a few scenes where the "green screen" was apparent, but overall I thought the effects looked phenomenal. What gets to me is that some people will watch the movie and never pick up on the (what I consider obvious) religious theme of the movie.

More later -- time to go home.

Set your clocks back 1 second

Be sure to set your clocks back 1 second on New Years Eve. "Time marches on, but Earth is falling behind. The solution again this year is to add a "leap second" as 2005 ticks away, so Earth can catch up with the atomic clocks that have defined time since their unerring accuracy trumped the heavens three decades ago.

This will be the first leap second in seven years, and its arrival will be closely watched by physicists and astronomers enmeshed in a prolonged debate over the future of time in a world increasingly dominated by technology."

Good News

Good news -- after the whole reaction to my old bp medicine, the new and improved bp medication has kicked in and I am off my soapbox and in a much better mood. It's funny how up and down blood pressure can affect your mood, but it obviously does. So, look forward to much "nicer" posts in the future.

The Osteens

Okay, so we established the fact that I have no mercy in this afternoon's post. Since we are sharing, I will tell you something else about me -- I strongly dislike (notice I did not use the 4 letter "h" word) the Osteens. So, I found this article to be highly humorous. The fact that it made the front page of the Houston paper is ridiculous. But the story itself is priceless. Some Christians, especially pastors (but not any of mine), can get this holier than thou attitude which I think is very apparent in the Osteens. If you live in Houston, and have heard the stories, you know what I mean.

Check out the article:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3537525.html

Heaven. Where is it and how do we get there?

Well, Barbara Wa-Wa has a special on ABC tonight called "Heaven, Where is it and how do we get there?" I was kinda interested in the program, but should have known better since it was (1) hosted by Barbara and (2) on ABC (only second to CNN in democratic bias). I was reading TV Guide this weekend and saw an article about the program where Babs was quoted as saying, "Obviously, there is more than one way to get to Heaven." That's all I needed to hear. She had her mind made up before a single interview.

**People who think highly of me stop reading now**

**Wow, everyone is still reading**

As some who know me well will attest, I have no mercy whatsoever. I know it is not a good trait to have, and I know I should work on it. I am a lawyer -- what can I say. But I can honestly say I am glad I won't have to spend eternity with Babs. See, I told you it is a bad trait. While I should be praying for her soul, I am thanking God that she is going to hell. I know it makes me a bad person. Maybe Mike should do a lesson on mercy soon.

Surprising Survey Results

The following is from the Associated Press. I don't think I really put much trust in these results, especially given the fact that we can't put the Ten Commandments in the courthouse, pray in school, etc. If only all 94% of those that believed in God also believed in the wrath of God, maybe then God would be welcome again in our society.

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A new Gallup survey released today finds that four decades after the "God Is Dead" controversy was first noted, Americans retain a strong belief in a higher power. Some 94% think God exists.

Only 5% feel God "does not exist" -- and even most of them "are not sure" of that. Exactly 1% are certain there is no God.

But how strongly do the believers believe? Nearly 8 in 10, in fact, say they are "convinced" God exists, although Gallup does not ask them why that is.

Conservatives are more likely to be convinced than liberals (87% vs. 61%), women a little more likely than men (82% vs. 73%), and residents of the South more than those in the East (88% vs. 70%).

Surprisingly, some 61% of those who seldom or never attend church are nevertheless convinced that God exists.

The Polar Express

My best friend Robert has a blog over on MSN. He is a very talented writer (but don't take my word for it as Reading Rainbow would say) and is about to start seminary up in Boston. I thought I would share one of his recent posts regarding The Polar Express. Enjoy.

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What struck me the first time I saw this movie was the strong spiritual undertone throughout the entire film. It was not only amazing, but moving as well. A year later, I was still in awe over this aspect. What a life lesson this movie provides! Whether you celebrate the Christ of Christmas or are simply a “Happy Holiday’er” who enjoys Santa and decking the halls…this is a movie you need to see.

First allow me to say that I hope you finish reading this blog if you haven’t seen the movie yet. I will try not to ruin anything, but I feel what I have to say is more important than you knowing the end of a film.

Quickly, the movie is about a young boy who is struggling with his belief of Santa Claus. To believe or not to believe…that is indeed the question. He has collected worldly evidence that supports that Santa is not real (newspaper clipping of store Santa’s on strike, a picture of Santa with his fake beard being pulled down, a textbook stating that the North Pole is “devoid of life”, etc.). The world he lives in seems to support his idea of Santa not being real.

He lays down on Christmas Eve a shattered and broken child. A few moments later, the Polar Express arrives to pick him up. The Polar Express is a very magical train which is en route to the North Pole, more specifically, to Santa’s workshop. Along the way the boy witnesses many magical and spectacular things and meets numerous people. Yet he still struggles with his belief. He must see Santa in order to believe. Once they arrive to the very large North Pole, he sees Santa’s entire village complete with an express transportation system, millions of elves, a huge toy factory, and even flying reindeer.

Despite all that he sees around him, he can not believe because he has not seen Santa. He can’t even hear the bells ringing on the sleigh. The big man finally comes out of his home and the crowd goes into a frenzy. Our little boy can’t see Santa though. He can’t, that is, until he chooses to believe. It is in this moment that he can hear the bells. And it is in this moment that Santa comes to him.

Maybe you can identify with this child. You want to know God, you want to believe…but you can’t. You want proof. You won’t believe until you see God with your own two eyes. So often, people overlook the evidence of God around them.

“Well mister preachy guy…what about all the bad things? Where is God in all that?” Great question! Allow me to answer: We live in a fallen world of full of sin (I will talk more about this later in the month). It’s a world where people choose to do evil instead of good. Just like we choose to believe or not believe. God gave us free will to choose Him. He truly wants your love…not forced worship.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled lesson: There is so much around us that we should see as evidence of God. I think often people are looking for huge miracles or for a conquering king who will rid us of all things wicked. You know, that’s what happened the first time Jesus came to us. People were looking for some one to over throw the Roman government and set up an everlasting kingdom. They missed the baby who was born who would grow into a man who later died for the sins of the world. They missed it then, and people still miss it today. They miss how He touches the lives of millions, they miss the profound affect He has on the hurt, the lonely and the lost.

They miss it because they don’t see it. We live in a world that demands proof. To borrow a line from the movie “…sometimes seeing is believing. And sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” Looking in the Bible in the book of John (chapter 20, verse 29) Jesus says to Thomas (who doubted who was raised from the dead) “Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.’”

Let me ask you, would seeing Him really make you believe? Or, once you saw Him, would you ask “Well how do I know you are really Him?” Believing is not something anyone else can make you do. It comes from within you. You choose to believe.

Maybe you still have questions. There is nothing wrong with having questions…just don’t let your questions keep you from The Answer.

The first true Christmas gift came when God sent his one and only son to earth. Our sins (and yes, we all have sin…whether is be a white lie or storing nuclear arms in you closet) separate us from God. The punishment for sin is death (Hell...thus the separation). In order to fix this problem, God gave us His son. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and then became sin for us. He took the sins of all who ever lived, are living and will live and died because of them. As I said above, we all deserve punishment and separation from God for the things we’ve done. But Christ took that punishment for us. Jesus defeated sin, he defeated death and provided a way to God.

But, you must choose to believe. And this Christmas, I truly hope you would.

”One thing about trains: It doesn’t matter where they are going. What matters is deciding to get on.”


Copyright 2005 In His Image Productions

Back in the swing of things

It's been a while, but I am back in the full swing of things. For those who don't know me (or just did not know), I had a severe reaction to some new medicine the doctor put me on and I was out of service for several days. Then I had multiple fires to put out at work, Christmas parties, etc. It's just been crazy and I am ready to start over in 2006. The past month, I have really felt like people have been (1) taking advantage of me and (2) walking all over me. I really have been too nice about it, I think.

Speaking of 2006 (and I was a few sentences ago), I have already decided on my New Year's Resolution. I resolve to get over my need to be liked and just tell it like it is. If someone tells me, just as an example, that I have no work ethic, I will not say, "Yes sir. Thank you sir. May I have another?" I am going to defend myself. Can you tell I am venting???

Anyway, all that to say I am back and tired of being walked on. So, watch out. :)

Beyond the Gates of Splendor

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I "Netflicked" a documentary called Beyond the Gates of Splendor. The story is about the 5 missionaries (including Jim Elliot) that were killed by the Wadoni tribe in the jungles of Ecuador in 1956. I highly recommend the movie to anyone interested in the story behind the killings and the eventual redemption of those that killed the missionaries. The movie is presented as a documentary and has a lot of home video footage and photos of the missionaries. This January, a feature length movie will be released (End of the Spear) that presents the same story in a more theatrical re-telling. Anyway, just thought I would share.

Back Home

Well, we are back home from our Thanksgiving trip to the in-laws. It was not as bad as I thought it would be, but it could have been better. I won't dwell on it too much.

There has been something bothering me that I thought I would share. Last Sunday morning I helped in my church's children's department. One of the kids came up to me during prayer time and asked that I pray about something in particular (that I won't share here). Basically he was afraid his mom would go "to the devil" because of something she did.

Now, what she did was not a "sin" and is not something I believe she would go to hell for (though other denominations would probably disagree with me). I think some relative is probably making this kid believe something about his mom that is simply not true -- contorting scripture to make this kid think that his mom is bad and going to hell. I did not really know how to explain to this kid in the short amount of time that I had that his mom did not sin, so I said a simple prayer with him asking God to give him understanding.

So here comes my problem that has been bothering me all week. I know this kids mother. Should I say anything to her about her son's prayer request? I am sure she could help explain things to her son and help ease his fears about it. But, it was a private prayer request shared with me only and I do not want to lose this kid's trust. I don't want him to think that I will go off and tell his parents everytime he wants to pray about something.

Writing all this down has made me realize the solution. I think I will just talk to this kid in church again and try to explain that his mom did not sin. That way I don't lose his trust and my mind will be at ease that he is not sitting at home scared that his mom will go to hell.

Thanks for listening though...

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. My family is off to College Station, Texas, to visit my wife's family. And, of course to watch Texas A&M get slaughtered by t.u. I am sure I will have a nice trip report when we get back.

Use your will power!

I got a mailing today from, of all places, one of our local hospitals giving out legal advice on wills. Is this really something that our hospitals should be concerned about? I guess so. Regardless, the information was good, so I thought I would plagerize a little and share the 5 "Don'ts" of Will Drafting with some side comments from myself:

1. Don't put it off until later. We are not promised tomorrow as my pastor always says (but when he says it, it actually sounds like God himself is saying it).

2. Don't do it by yourself. If I could only count the number of times someone has come into my office to probate the will of a loved one that was obviously done on Quicken Legal Pro and was obviously done wrong. Saving a few bucks by writing your own will may cost your relatives more bucks down the road. Seek out a qualified attorney and have your estate plans done right.

3. Don't rely on it solely. There are other documents that you may need in addition to a will. A qualified attorney can help you draft trusts, powers of attorney, medical directives, and other beneficiary documents that you may need.

4. Don't put it away and forget about it. Wills can expire. They are not meant to last forever. Children are born. New laws effecting estates are passed. Keep your will current. Its a good idea to change your will every 5 to 10 years.

5. Don't put it where no one can find it. Don't put it in the tupperware container under the bed. Put it in a fire-proof box or a safety deposit box and let the executor know where it is.