on fasting

this lent i have chosen to forgo fried foods. so far it has definitely been a physical blessing. by the simple fact that there is no fried fatty goo going into my body. however, today was especially hard. the office had fast food for lunch. not altogether uncommon given the variable of time crunch that can happen in the business of dealing with people. as i smelled the unmistakable wafting scent of french (i mean freedom) fries my heart sank. and then i remembered the point of fasting. to stop and pray. to remember. sacrifice of our God. it in no way compares to french fries. but it represents so much more. fasting is an action of willing giving up something that we would often take for granted in our lives in order for self discipline and to bring glory to God. so may we remember and pray that God would be glorified in all we do.

red letter here to stay

Tony Campolo, a long time Christian teacher and political activist made an awaited appearance on the Colbert Report last night.  It was a great appearance for Christians in a place where relevance and acceptance in love is needed.  I am attempting to embed the video feed here.  So we shall see how it works.
A while back, in Feb of 2006, I was able to attend the National Pastor's Convention in San Diego California.  While there, I got to be a part of several sessions with Tony Campolo.  Red Letter Christians are those people who believe in making the 'red letters' or the words that Christ spoke, a reality in our world.  They are for non-violence, grace, the environment, and typically just making our lives and world better as they seek to follow after Christ.  While I wasn't sure that this was separate from 'normal Christians', I am a fan of the active political role they are wanting to have.  What do you think?

For video click HERE

Super Week!

As an avid Giants fan.  Those who know me are highly encouraging this week - the first full week in Feb.  Think about it?  The New York Football Giants are in the big game.  In just a few hours they will kick off and attempt the impossible - defeat the "undefeated" New England Patriots.  Now, we all know that nothing good can come from New England.  Nothing.  It's much worse than Nazareth.  Remember the Salem Witch Trials?  Samuel Adams? [I guess we can make exceptions for things like the great Bambino and Roger Clemens - though he started in Toronto, which is a whole other country]  Anyway, this week is Super Week for many reasons.

Yesterday was Groundhog's day. And yes there will be six more weeks of winter.  But it was also my sister's 27th birthday and my dad's 50th birthday!  So, first we celebrate groundhog's day and six more weeks of winter, my old man and sister getting old - then the team of all teams in the Super Bowl today.  However, if that wasn't enough... on Tuesday we will celebrate Super Tuesday were the tightest primary campaign in history is taking place.  The week is capped off with my own birthday before all is said and done.  So as I sit here on my back patio in the 77 degree winter weather I am forced to endure, I believe this week is indeed super.

Did you know people pay $90,000 per second of ad time during the Super Bowl?  Suppose there was a total of one full hour of ad time. [most likely a conservative number]  It adds up to $324 Million.  With that same amount of money 900,000 children could be fed for an entire year.  Of which, statistically, all will be dead within just over a month.  Sobering to know that this team and game of which I love seems to have surpassed the ability to be 'larger than life'.

On a lighter note, I now have a new website for my old blog.  It's in the process of being redone, but you are welcome to check it out HERE.