back on my soapbox

Jersey shore makes me sad. I just watched a trailer on msn.com that gave a sneak peak of their new season. I've never seen the show and I'm sure you can argue that it's harmless "adolescents" showing the base side of humanity while showcasing the epitome of a wasted life and don't take it too seriously, but I disagree.

What bothers me even more than the shows content, is how they have been embraced by our culture. About to embark on their third season, the cast has gone from no name partiers known for fake tans and drunkenness, to now the "situation" is on the cover of mens fitness and has Brad Pitt's publicist, J-woww was offered almost a half million dollars to pose for playboy, and Snooki has her own book, appears on talk shows and was the #1 halloween costume among 12-14 year olds.

Two things stand out to me amidst the moral decay of our nation particularly among our youth.

1. The message is given to young people that drinking, partying, fighting, and hooking up whenever with whomever are paramount among activities teenagers should pursue. Every young person should have the book "do hard things" as mandatory reading in my opinion. In it they will learn that the concept of your teenage years being spent frolicking in the fields of fornication (you like my alliteration) is something that never existed before the fifties. The idea that you can just mess around until you graduate college and then flip on the "wisdom" switch and begin acting responsibly is not only dangerous, but unrealistic and impossible. You reap what you sow, period.

2. Our culture values status much more than significance. As I stated, I have nothing against the cast personally, but why are they famous? They have done nothing with their lives and contributed nothing to society and yet they are idolized and adored!!!
Isn't that crazy? I promise that if you ask 100 teenagers who snooki is, 99 of them (at least) would know, now ask these same teens who Winston Churchill was or what Mother Theresa accomplished, and I assure you the percentage would plummet. Our culture is obsessed with reality tv stars and musicians with no real talent, but 15 minutes of fame. Whether we open our eyes to it or not, this mentality is shaping the future in many ways.

My prayer is that this generation would begin to realize the potential they have in Christ. That God is the one who determines your worth, not a television program. God has an amazing ability to use the seemingly insignificant in the world eyes, to accomplish the greatest things in His kingdom. While the rest of the world may be enamored by the fleeting pleasures of sin, let their be a generation with the vision of Moses.

Hebrew 11:24-26 "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward"

May 2011 be a year of looking ahead to HIS reward!!!!!!!

setting up for Christmas

Ever have one of those years where you just seem to be behind. Well, this isn't like the year where I went to walgreens at 3am christmas eve and got my parents the clapper and my sister a sobakanawa pillow (sorry about that family, I was young and didn't know Jesus) but setting up for christmas did seem to get away from us a little this year. Probably because we were planning our trip to Mexico for so long and the old tree took a back seat to 80 degree weather and sunbathing=)

Anyways, the tree is up now and for the first time ever, the Zondervan home is decked out with the Clark W Griswold Christmas light set!!! Unbeknownst to us, while we were in mexico, some of our great friends actually took the time to stand out in the freezing cold and decorate the outside of our house for us!!! Don't get jealous that you don't have friends like that, we just happened to be blessed and highly favored=)

It was so crazy we were driving back from our trip and it was like 3am and i'm exhausted. We're coming up our street and notice what looks like our house but it's decked out in lights!! I ask Kendra "is that OUR house?" She squints and says "NO!" =) Upon closer inspection I tell her it indeed is our house and we were welcomed home with the new lights that our girls absolutely love!!!

Thanks Batchos, you guys are great and Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Christmas program

I can't believe I let the thanksgiving program go by and I didn't even post any pics!! I figured I better get a few up of the Christmas show Addy was in. Not only was she an angel, but the highlight for her was being able to dress up as a horse in the manger scene!!!
Of Course Addy could sing all the songs at the top of her lungs in the car or at home, but clammed right up with stage fright when it was time to perform=) Still Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. B did a great job and it's so sad how fast your little babies grow up=(

meh-he-co

Kendra and I just got back from a week long excursion in the riviera maya. We celebrated our ten year with an amazing all inclusive hotel and nothing but sun and sand for a week. Many thanks to Val and Mike Flick for watching our girls and it was so amazing to just unplug from the matrix and relax with kendra.

The name of the resort was the Valentin Imperial Maya and it was incredible. Highly recommend it=) Here are a few pics from our stay.

what should I do?

sometimes we let our relationship with God transform into doing, instead of being. Obviously as a follower of Jesus there are things we should do, and things we shouldn't do, but is that what it's all about? It can become almost contractional, here's what I do now that I'm a christian and here's what God does now that He's "my" God.

I am convinced that so many believers live their life out of a performance mentality. When they are doing "good", (reading their bible, praying, controlling their temper, staying pure etc) then God is pleased and you can expect God's blessing and favor on your life. When you're in a "down" season, (lack of devotion, loss of temper, etc) than somehow God has to be convinced thru more diligence and harder work that you are "worthy" of his blessing and favor.

I'm not implying that how we think and act is not important, and the bible is clear that a tree is known by it's fruit. How you live as a follower of Jesus will reflect his impact on your life. I'm simply saying that you can never "do" enough anything to obtain favor from God. His love and salvation is a gift that you could never earn or repay if you had a million light years to do it. Stop concentrating on what you should or shouldn't do, and put your eyes on Him. Be with him, Love him, Let His incredible love for you become a reality.

That's why I love this song. Take a minute to let the lyrics really sink in. The first part of the song asks the question "what can I do for you?" in response to all God has done for me. Sing a song? Dance a dance? What can I do for a king this beautiful?

The last half shifts to God speaking to us about what is His greatest desire.

"you, don't have to do a thing. Just simply be with me, and let those things go. They can wait another minute, wait, this moment is too sweet. Would you please stay here with me, and love on me a little longer, cause I'm in love with you."

Let that sink into your heart and spirit, the unreasonable love of the Father, longing to just be with His Children"

Blessings!!

move over fruit of the loom.

I guess traveling is getting a little more intrusive these days. Obviously in light of 9-11 and the vulnerability of people on a plane, certain security measures must be taken. Also the "christmas bombers" underwear bomb would not have been detected with our current metal scanners.

However, many people feel the extreme TSA measures taken recently are not only annoying, but degrading and a blatant violation of privacy. Apparently if you don't agree to go through a full body scanner, (many are concerned with radiation risks) there is a new groping, i mean pat down policy that becomes mandatory.

Horror stories are surfacing of private areas being grabbed in public and even a breast cancer survivor having to remove a prosthetic breast in front of other passengers.

Before I unveil my newly found solution to this dilemma, here are a few thoughts regarding these procedures.

1. I am all for safety in the air at almost any cost and to me there is no inconvenience quite like being on a plane with someone who wants to kill everyone on board. This is where "better safe than sorry" is certainly applicable in my book.

2. I'm sure the TSA workers themselves aren't exactly excited about having to "pet" the wrinkle free dockers of fat middle aged men all day long, they're just doing they're job and trying to follow the new government procedure.

3. I read a statement from a TSA exec who attempted to reassure passengers that all TSA workers have been trained to only use the back of their hand when "checking" private areas. I"m pretty sure I speak for most Americans when I say a latex gloved strangers hand across the groin is a latex gloved strangers hand across the groin, no matter how "backhanded" your training is.

So what to do if you are traveling this holiday season and are concerned with Radiation dangers from scanners, but don't want to be subjected to embarrassing "pat down" procedures?

Let me introduce you to the revolutionary, lightweight, attractively stylish and elegant radiation shielding garment brought to you by your friends at rockyflatsgear. I know it didn't work so great for Adam, but the figleaf you see on these amazing briefs are a lead free, scientifically engineered barrier to all radiation put out by the high tech scanning devices.

This is not a joke, (ok, it kind of is) but an example of the entrepreneur spirit of America and Unless you're taking the bus to Grandma's this thanksgiving, I suggest you grab a pair.

I'd let you borrow mine, but Kendra and i are going to Mexico in a few weeks and I plan on not only wearing them in the airport, but having it double as a european mansuit at the pool.

happy Travels,

david and goliath 2010 style

I stole this from a guy Bryan Allain whose blog I follow and since I love sports and humor, I thought I would share.


It’s what a modern day sports telecast of David v Goliath would sound like. Hope you enjoy.

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Elijah Musburger: Ladies and Gentlemen you are looking live at the Bank of Jerusalem Battlefield in South Israel where today history will be made. I’m Elijah Musburger alongside Isaac Herbstreit, happy to have you along for this historic matchup between Goliath of Gath and David of Bethlehem.

Isaac: Yeah, you’d have to be a simple Canaanite to be unaware of the storyline here. For over a month now, Phillistines Head Coach Isiah Thomas has been sending out his 6-time All-Star Goliath to battle an Israelite. The 9-foot, 6-inch giant’s continued taunting of the Israelites have earned him a record 114 personal foul penalties and a 12-battle suspension that is currently under appeal by the Phillistine Warriors Union. For more let’s send it down to our sideline reporters Jezebel Tafoya and Rahab Andrews.

Jezebel: Thanks Elijah. It was not until today that Goliath’s invitation to rumble was accepted by the unlikeliest of challengers from King Saul’s army. And if you haven’t seen David yet, well, picture a malnourished ewok shaved head to toe. For more on that story, let’s send it over to the Israelites sidelines and Rahab Andrews.

Rahab: The Babylon Sportsbooks have the over/under on this donnybrook at 10 seconds, but I don’t see it lasting that long. The youngest of 8 brothers, David the shepherd boy went undrafted coming out of Bethlehem University last Spring. Despite a slow forty time and a below-average Wonderlic score, his impressive defeats of a lion and a bear were enough to earn him a spot to fight for the Israelite army. King Saul took a chance on the young waterboy, who now finds himself facing the greatest challenge of his life. Back to you, Elijah and Isaac.

Elijah: Thanks Rahab. Before we start let’s remind everyone that today’s action is sponsored by Over Armor Sports Apparel, Promised Land Iced Tea with new ‘Milk and Honey’ flavor, and Delilah’s Supercuts, “a great haircut guaranteed or you can chain us to a temple pillar and poke our eyes out”.

Isaac: As Goliath steps onto the field of play, let’s go over the rules with our viewers. Rule Number 1 is that there are no rules. First person to kill the other person wins.

Elijah: Let’s also remind everyone what is at stake today, Isaac.

Isaac: Well Elijah, besides being able to hoist the coveted Golden Calf Trophy over their heads in victory, the winning side will also get to make slaves out of the losing team. I mean, can you imagine this in the NFL? Hard to picture Carson Palmer cleaning Tom Brady’s toilet.

Elijah: Actually I CAN picture that.

Isaac: Yeah, you know what? So can I. In any event, the stakes have never been bigger than they are today.

Elijah: Speaking of never been bigger, let’s not forget David’s initial response to hearing Goliath’s taunts of his countrymen. In a tirade that has gone viral on ThouTube this week, David referred to Goliath as an “uncircumsized Philistine”, choosing to mock the loins of the Warrior from Gath.

Isaac: Considering the size of Goliath’s sandals, that might have been a mistake.

Elijah: Indeed. But back to the action, Goliath has approached the 50-yard line and he doesn’t look particularly pleased with the diminutive size of his competition. I haven’t seen anyone this angry since the time I painted my wife’s kitchen with sheep’s blood.

Isaac: And you really have to wonder if rust will be a factor with the long layoff Goliath has had between gruesome murders. It’s been almost two years since he ripped off that remarkable streak of 61 consecutive dismemberments. He was untouchable until he lost a toe in a freak winepress accident, but he swears he’ll be competing at 100% today.

Elijah: Thanks for that history lesson, no doubt brought to us by Goliath’s Wikipedia Scroll.

Isaac: Don’t thank me, thank Alvah Gore for inventing the intercave system.

Elijah: Check this out, David is sprinting towards the 50-yard line to meet Goliath, and he’s waving around a small piece of leather that looks like, umm, an iPhone case?

Isaac: I think that’s a slingshot.

Elijah: Whatever it is, Goliath is bracing himself for what should be a quick kill and WOAH!!! David just hurled a smooth rock at Goliath that found it’s mark right between Goliath’s mangy, unkempt eyebrows! The stone appears to be lodged deep into the skull of the giant, who just collapsed to the ground like a sack of fossilized donkey excrement.

Isaac: I can’t believe what I’m seeing here! It is total bedlam in the Valley of Elah as David has toppled the mighty Phillistine. I hope you’ve got the DVR going folks, because you are witnessing history right now.

Elijah: David just mounted the Philistine giant and he’s standing triumphantly on Goliath’s chest. It looks like he just pulled a Sharpie out of his sandal and is signing his name on Goliath’s forehead. Wow, this could draw a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Isaac: Yeah, he’ll be hearing from the league office this week to the tune of a 50,000 shekel fine for that display. Kids these days could learn from the old schoolers and act like they’ve felled a giant before.

Elijah: OH GREAT JEHOVAH, did you see that? David just took Goliath’s sword and cut the head off the dead giant! Now he’s holding it up and waving it around to the delight of the fans who made the trek all the way from Jerusalem to take in the action live!

Isaac: Blood is shooting from Goliath’s severed neck and showering the battlefield. This is a gruesome scene.

Elijah: David is making it rain! Pacman Jones would be proud.

Isaac: Call me Josiah Buck if you like, but like the Randy Moss fake-moon incident that will happen in a few thousand years, I find this to be completely unnecessary and a disgusting act.

Elijah: Necessary or not, it looks like David’s barbaric display has made an impression on the Philistine army. Faced with the prospect of doing David’s laundry for the rest of their lives, they’ve decided to make a run for it.

Isaac: And that is already turning out to be a bad decision with all that heavy armor they’re wearing. The Israelites – wearing their ultra-light and breathable Over Armor clothing – are chasing them down and savagely killing each and every one of them. And what’s worse, some of the fans have stormed out of their seats and have taken down the goalposts at the north end of the battlefield. This is why they should stop selling wine at halftime.

Elijah: Let’s throw it down to Rahab Andrews, who’s with a beaming David.

Rahab: David, what a win, how did you do it?

David: First I want to thank Yahweh, I couldn’t have done it without Him. You know, and all week long people were saying that we didn’t have a chance, that I was too small, and that I was a sissypants for writing poetry. I just wanted to come out here and prove everyone wrong.

Rahab: David, my gag reflex tells me that you’re holding Goliath’s bloody stump of a head only a few feet away from me. Can you tell us why you decided to chop his head off after you had already claimed the victory?

David: I don’t know, you know? I’m sure I’ll get fined for it, but I got no regrets. It was just a heat of the moment kind of thing, and sometimes I do that kind of stuff without thinking. Hi mom, hi dad, hi sheep, I love you.

Rahab: David, what happens next for you? Talk is already circulating about you starting a political career.

David: I don’t know. I just want to soak this one in. I’ve got nothing but love for Saul, and I don’t have any political aspirations right now. I just want to get this dude’s head mounted on my wall, go chill on the roof of my building and enjoy the view, restring my lyre, and maybe write some canonized poems.

Rahab: Well, there you have it: fearless warrior by day, sissypants poetry writer by night. Back to you, Elijah.

Elijah: Thanks Rahab. That’s all the time we have for today. We’ll be back next week live from Babylon as Daniel tries to defend his title at the National Lion Taming Championships. Stay tuned for your late local news, except on the West Bank where you’ll be watching an all new episode of CSI: Judea.