Dear Heavenly Father,
As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.
We also remember the families of our troops, and ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives.
May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
-Taken from the website About.com, by Mary Fairchild
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Celebration
I'm a sucker for a celebration. Who isn't, really? It's always great to get together with the people we care about, and the people who care about the people we care about, and raise our glasses in the name of some happy event or another, be it a wedding, or a birthday, a housewarming, or a welcome home. But in the world of joyous occassions and their accompanying festivities, for my money, there is nothing that compares to a Baptism.
Today was just such an occassion, with Laur, Erin, and I bearing witness to the baptism of our dear friends' little boy, Freddy. The actual Christening was performed beautifully by the Deacon of their church in Randolph, NJ. The most important message we took away with us was essentially this; we would never wait to begin providing our children with those vitamins and nutrients they need to stimulate their physical growth & development, so why would we starve our children of that which they require to stimulate their spiritual development?
After leaving the church, we all returned to Freddy's parents' new house for a celebration. And what a celebration! Baptisms are such a cause for unadulterated, communal joy, and today was no exception. There's something about the innocence of a baptismal celebration, the innocence of this new life... it fills me with hope, peace, and a sense of renewal.
Today was just such an occassion, with Laur, Erin, and I bearing witness to the baptism of our dear friends' little boy, Freddy. The actual Christening was performed beautifully by the Deacon of their church in Randolph, NJ. The most important message we took away with us was essentially this; we would never wait to begin providing our children with those vitamins and nutrients they need to stimulate their physical growth & development, so why would we starve our children of that which they require to stimulate their spiritual development?
After leaving the church, we all returned to Freddy's parents' new house for a celebration. And what a celebration! Baptisms are such a cause for unadulterated, communal joy, and today was no exception. There's something about the innocence of a baptismal celebration, the innocence of this new life... it fills me with hope, peace, and a sense of renewal.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Ammendment 1A- Psycho Ladies and Their Lowlife Sons Shall Be Permitted to Park Where They Please
This is a true story. A friend of mine owns a business in a nearby town. His business has a fairly good-sized parking lot, with more spaces than are really necessary to service his customers on all but the busiest days. His business is also surrounded by apartment buildings, most of which have woefully inadequate parking facilities for their residents. So my friend graciously agreed to allow the residents of these apartments to utilize his parking lot during his non-business hours, on the condition that they move their vehicles while his business is open, or in the event of an impending snowstorm (to make way for the plows). Of course, as so often happens when one tries to be nice, the beneficiaries of this kindenss have begun to abuse their parking lot privilege, essentially taking advantage of my friend. Some cars go days (or even weeks) without moving from their spot. This has proven to be quite irksome to my friend.
Recently, as my friend was leaving his business, a pair of young men (he described them as being in their early twenties), came roaring into the lot in a musclecar with little regard for the pedestrians or other vehicles in the lot. They raced into a space on the far side of the lot from the entrance, and one of them jumped out of the car to run into one of the nearby apartment buildings. My friend, somewhat disgusted by the way they entered the lot, and annoyed that they went across into the apartments rather than entering his business, confronted the young man who had stayed with the car. The young man (hereafter referred to as Punk #1)immediately took a defiant, condescending tone, and they began to argue. At this point, the other young man (let's call him Punk #2) returns to the car and enthusiastically joins the altercation. My friend states that if this is how they are going to drive through his lot, and if they have no respect for the rules about not being in the lot while the business is open, then he will have their car towed. At this point, the two punks advance on my friend, and Punk #2 actually starts gesturing wildly and agressively. He tells my friend that he's going to punch him in the face and smash his car's windshield. My friend was only spared from physical violence by two of his employees rushing to his aid. The two punks returned to their car and peeled out of the parking lot. My friend contemplated calling the police, but had to get his wife to a physical therapy appointment, and figured that any police complaint he made was going to take time, so he decided to forego the police report.
Several hours later, Punk#1 returned to my friends place of business and actually came inside to apologize. Clearly, either his conscience got the better of him, or it dawned on him that he had jeopardized his free parking situation, and he wanted to make amends. Either way, he attempted to show some contrition. Figuring the matter was settled, my friend accepted the apology, and they parted amicably. However, several more hours passed, and in walks Punk #1's mom. And she was angry. She was out for blood. Apparently, she had heard the story about her angelic son and his saintly friend being oppressed by my devilishly evil friend, and felt it was her duty to come slay the dragon that threatened her brood. She was furious that this man, my friend, would have the nerve to tell her son where and when he could park. Never mind that it is by no means a public lot... that it is in fact on private property. Besides, she knew my friend's real motivation in hassling her son. You see, she figured out that my friend is a foaming-at-the-mouth racist. Or so she said. And she told him that she had every plan to sue him for everything he has. She told him that he will be hearing from her attorney (I can't wait to hear that story).
My question is, where does this bitch come off (a word I don't use lightly)? Where does her deranged sense of entitlement come from? Where do people like her get this idea that they have some kind of right to ANYTHING that does not belong to them? Parking in my friend's lot was a privilege, lady. A privilege that your punk son abused by not observing the no parking during business hours rule and by driving recklessly through the lot. You & your son & your son's scumbag punk friend have no more RIGHT to park in that lot than I have to take your car out for a spin without permission or to reach into your purse and help myself to a $20 bill or whatever drugs you keep stashed in there. Whatever happened to earning what you have, not taking from anyone else, and respecting each other's belongings and for that matter, simply respecting each other? I think that my friends experience really illustrates the fact that when people begin to expect to be given things without earning them (material items, special priveleges, services, a parking space in a private lot, etc), they lose any appreciation for those very things they have been given. They begin to feel entitled to them. But I'm sorry lady, I've read the Bill of Rights. There is nothing in there that guarantees your son permission to park in my friend's business lot. Get a clue. Get a life.
Recently, as my friend was leaving his business, a pair of young men (he described them as being in their early twenties), came roaring into the lot in a musclecar with little regard for the pedestrians or other vehicles in the lot. They raced into a space on the far side of the lot from the entrance, and one of them jumped out of the car to run into one of the nearby apartment buildings. My friend, somewhat disgusted by the way they entered the lot, and annoyed that they went across into the apartments rather than entering his business, confronted the young man who had stayed with the car. The young man (hereafter referred to as Punk #1)immediately took a defiant, condescending tone, and they began to argue. At this point, the other young man (let's call him Punk #2) returns to the car and enthusiastically joins the altercation. My friend states that if this is how they are going to drive through his lot, and if they have no respect for the rules about not being in the lot while the business is open, then he will have their car towed. At this point, the two punks advance on my friend, and Punk #2 actually starts gesturing wildly and agressively. He tells my friend that he's going to punch him in the face and smash his car's windshield. My friend was only spared from physical violence by two of his employees rushing to his aid. The two punks returned to their car and peeled out of the parking lot. My friend contemplated calling the police, but had to get his wife to a physical therapy appointment, and figured that any police complaint he made was going to take time, so he decided to forego the police report.
Several hours later, Punk#1 returned to my friends place of business and actually came inside to apologize. Clearly, either his conscience got the better of him, or it dawned on him that he had jeopardized his free parking situation, and he wanted to make amends. Either way, he attempted to show some contrition. Figuring the matter was settled, my friend accepted the apology, and they parted amicably. However, several more hours passed, and in walks Punk #1's mom. And she was angry. She was out for blood. Apparently, she had heard the story about her angelic son and his saintly friend being oppressed by my devilishly evil friend, and felt it was her duty to come slay the dragon that threatened her brood. She was furious that this man, my friend, would have the nerve to tell her son where and when he could park. Never mind that it is by no means a public lot... that it is in fact on private property. Besides, she knew my friend's real motivation in hassling her son. You see, she figured out that my friend is a foaming-at-the-mouth racist. Or so she said. And she told him that she had every plan to sue him for everything he has. She told him that he will be hearing from her attorney (I can't wait to hear that story).
My question is, where does this bitch come off (a word I don't use lightly)? Where does her deranged sense of entitlement come from? Where do people like her get this idea that they have some kind of right to ANYTHING that does not belong to them? Parking in my friend's lot was a privilege, lady. A privilege that your punk son abused by not observing the no parking during business hours rule and by driving recklessly through the lot. You & your son & your son's scumbag punk friend have no more RIGHT to park in that lot than I have to take your car out for a spin without permission or to reach into your purse and help myself to a $20 bill or whatever drugs you keep stashed in there. Whatever happened to earning what you have, not taking from anyone else, and respecting each other's belongings and for that matter, simply respecting each other? I think that my friends experience really illustrates the fact that when people begin to expect to be given things without earning them (material items, special priveleges, services, a parking space in a private lot, etc), they lose any appreciation for those very things they have been given. They begin to feel entitled to them. But I'm sorry lady, I've read the Bill of Rights. There is nothing in there that guarantees your son permission to park in my friend's business lot. Get a clue. Get a life.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Great Movies
Didn't feel like writing anything heavy this evening. In fact, thought it might be fun to share a list of my favorite films, in rough chronological order. See how many you agree with.
And of course, there are going to be movies I left off the list. Let me know of any glaring omissions.
King Kong (1933)
Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Cassablanca (1942)
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
The Thing (1951)
High Noon (1952)
Godzilla (1954)
Them! (1954)
Rear Window (1954)
12 Angry Men (1957)
Rio Bravo (1959)
The Alamo (1960)
Psycho (1960)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
The Longest Day (1962)
The Birds (1963)
The Great Escape (1963)
Goldfinger (1964)
El Dorado (1966)
You Only Live Twice (1967)
The Dirty Dozen (1967)
Bullitt (1968)
Kelly's Heros (1970)
Dirty Harry (1971)
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Disney's Robin Hood (1973)
Death Wish (1974)
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Jaws (1975)
Logan's Run (1976)
Rocky (1976)
Star Wars (1977)
Grease (1978)
Superman (1978)
Halloween (1978)
Rocky II (1979)
Alien (1979)
The Muppet Movie (1979)
Mad Max (1979)
Airplane (1980)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Superman II (1980)
The Howling (1981)
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Return of the Jedi (1983)
A Christmas Story (1983)
Vacation (1983)
Ghostbusters (1984)
Terminator (1984)
Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Witness (1985)
Rocky IV (1985)
Back To the Future (1985)
Delta Force (1986)
The Mosquito Coast (1986)
Iron Eagle (1986)
Aliens (1986)
The Naked Gun: From the Files of the Police Squad (1988)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Major League (1989)
Christmas Vacation (1989)
Glory (1989)
The Abyss (1989)
Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Unforgiven (1992)
Juice (1992)
Tombstone (1993)
In the Line of Fire (1993)
Jurassic Park (1993)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Tommy Boy (1995)
Clockers (1995)
Get On the Bus (1996)
Air Force One (1997)
Titanic (1997)
The Postman (1997)
There's Something About Mary (1998)
Remember the Titans (2000)
Gladiator (2000)
The Patriot (2000)
Snatch (2000)
Training Day (2001)
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Transporter (2002)
We Were Soldiers (2002)
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Open Range (2003)
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
13 Going On 30 (2004)
Miracle (2004)
Casino Royale (2006)
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Supreman Returns (2006)
The Departed (2006)
The Dark Knight (2008)
Iron Man (2008)
Gran Torino (2008)
Up (2009)
And of course, there are going to be movies I left off the list. Let me know of any glaring omissions.
King Kong (1933)
Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Cassablanca (1942)
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
The Thing (1951)
High Noon (1952)
Godzilla (1954)
Them! (1954)
Rear Window (1954)
12 Angry Men (1957)
Rio Bravo (1959)
The Alamo (1960)
Psycho (1960)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
The Longest Day (1962)
The Birds (1963)
The Great Escape (1963)
Goldfinger (1964)
El Dorado (1966)
You Only Live Twice (1967)
The Dirty Dozen (1967)
Bullitt (1968)
Kelly's Heros (1970)
Dirty Harry (1971)
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Disney's Robin Hood (1973)
Death Wish (1974)
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Jaws (1975)
Logan's Run (1976)
Rocky (1976)
Star Wars (1977)
Grease (1978)
Superman (1978)
Halloween (1978)
Rocky II (1979)
Alien (1979)
The Muppet Movie (1979)
Mad Max (1979)
Airplane (1980)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Superman II (1980)
The Howling (1981)
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Return of the Jedi (1983)
A Christmas Story (1983)
Vacation (1983)
Ghostbusters (1984)
Terminator (1984)
Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Witness (1985)
Rocky IV (1985)
Back To the Future (1985)
Delta Force (1986)
The Mosquito Coast (1986)
Iron Eagle (1986)
Aliens (1986)
The Naked Gun: From the Files of the Police Squad (1988)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Major League (1989)
Christmas Vacation (1989)
Glory (1989)
The Abyss (1989)
Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Unforgiven (1992)
Juice (1992)
Tombstone (1993)
In the Line of Fire (1993)
Jurassic Park (1993)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Tommy Boy (1995)
Clockers (1995)
Get On the Bus (1996)
Air Force One (1997)
Titanic (1997)
The Postman (1997)
There's Something About Mary (1998)
Remember the Titans (2000)
Gladiator (2000)
The Patriot (2000)
Snatch (2000)
Training Day (2001)
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Transporter (2002)
We Were Soldiers (2002)
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Open Range (2003)
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
13 Going On 30 (2004)
Miracle (2004)
Casino Royale (2006)
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Supreman Returns (2006)
The Departed (2006)
The Dark Knight (2008)
Iron Man (2008)
Gran Torino (2008)
Up (2009)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Mother's Day
Mom, you have always been there.
There from the beginning with unconditional love.
You have nurtured me, always caring.
You have worried (and very likely still worry) about me.
You have taught me, you have guided me.
There has been a fair amount of scolding, most of it deserved.
Over the years, Your role has changed... evolved even... as I grew and matured, my relationship with you has done so as well. From caregiver, to disciplinarian, to teacher, to spiritual guide, to, eventually, Dear Friend.
I can confidently say that I would not be who I am today without your example, your influence, your love.
I know that I could not be the parent that I am to my little girl without the strong foundation laid down by you and the example you set to which I aspire.
Words alone cannot express to you the deep feelings of love, respect, & gratitude that I feel towards you.
Thank you for all you have ever done for me. Know that I appreciate it all.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you.
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