The Cultural Irritant

My son, it says, be wise and incline your ear to wisdom. Why doesn't 11 month old Angelo get this! Maybe I'm not putting out any wisdom for his ear to incline to? Maybe he's in outright rebellion against myself and his mother? Maybe he is deaf? Oh wait, no it's probably because he is 11 MONTHS OLD! Just thinking about these things makes me feel nice. Sure son, let's put maple syrup on that waffle that you have to eat with your tiny, sticky hands. You can incline that ear later, once mommy has given you a bath.

For the next two years, we are in for some hard core campaigning from both side of the aisle. During this time, its important to remember that we should not be looking to our politicians to protect our nation, our families, and our wealth. That type of security is only available in the arms of an all powerful, all knowing, all loving God. We should take comfort in his sovereignty in this tine of tribulation. He will protect his flock from the scorching wind. The Obama presidency is enough to make a grown man cry. We weep, not for our present, but for our childrens future. My God says he will wipe away those tears. We know the score and we know who has won. In the midst of this tribulation, we have comfort. Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Before asking for your help, let me explain my relationship with the people that I am requesting prayer for. I have known David Spears practically my entire life.  We used to play Army when we were kids.  I spent the time working on my German accent, but David would devise elaborate tactical battle plans for both us and our army men.  David has always had a military mind.  He put that mind to good use in battle for our country in Iraq.  He's used it effectively since then as well.  His strategic thinking has helped him support a wife, twin boys, and a home buying experience, all while working and going to school. David is an excellent Godly example of a righteous man.  When my son is old enough, I will point to David as an example and my son will benefit from David's integrity. Michael Lortz and I also used to play Army men.  Michael would always count his at the end to make sure I hadn't stolen any.  Wrestling matches would usually ens...

Before I get into this, I just want everyone to know that when I read Fast Food Nation, all it really did was make me crave McDonalds Chicken Nuggets.  Like, a lot.  I don't know what that says about my character, personality, will-power, etc. but at least I didn't act on the urge.  At least not right away.  I waited two weeks and then got the 50 nugget deal and washed it down with a large fry.  As the shame and regret of what I'd just done began to set in, I started thinking about this stuff we consume by the ton per year.  The first thing that jumped into my mind, besides the start of a nugget induced blood clot, was a quote from The Matrix back in 1999.  It goes like this:  Cypher (played by the adorable Italian Joey Pants) is having a conversation with Elrond about reality vs. Rivendell, or something like that.  During the conversation, he takes a sip of what can only be Chianti, leans back, and says: "You know, I know this steak does...

As I sit here at the end of Memorial Day, at the Portland International Airport, listening to drunken frat bro's talk about the posteriors of passing maidens, my mind can't help but wander to actions of military service men and women in the world's wars over the  yyears.  Don't ask me how it correlates, because it just doesn't. I am remembering the stories of my Grandpa Prentice, and how he was put on trial for his life in front of a military tribunal for desertion during wartime.  His crime?  He went awol while saving the family farm from a blood sucking lawyer who was trying to fleece my great grandmother.  Not only was he acquitted, he ended up knocking out the guard who spat in his food while he was in the brig.  He received the purple heart after being wounded when the ammunition ship he was on was dive bombed by a Kamikaze. Now as I listen to the bearded hipsters behind me talk of pabst blue ribbon, Bon Iver, and rolling their own cigarettes,...

I watched an episode of two and a half men the other day. Let me explain why. It wasn't that I was curious about that train wreck of a sitcom, it was that I couldn't believe my local tv station would allow a show about a polygamous transgendered family on the air. It's a little risqué, even for CBS. Imagine my surprise when I got 13 1/2 minutes of Charlie sheen mugging for the camera in order to collect 5 million per episode. I know the dollar ain't what it used to be, but come on. What struck me most about the show was the utter disregard for any sort of humor. Opting instead for the popular, "witty banter between male rock head, and intelligent in-touch with feeling feminine person." I can't say female because that role was played by a male character, although I did have some doubts at first. However, let me tell you what passes for "wit" these days. Someone, usually masculine character, states something. Feminine character then proceeds ...

Psychology Today, in all their arrogance, has posted a roadmap to success for couples in search of a happy relationship. You can find the article here. Let's just pick through this real quick. Here's a gem! "Happy couples resist the temptation to go to bed at different times. They go to bed at the same time, even if one partner wakes up later to do things while their partner sleeps." Combine this with the super creepy ad for sleep number beds where they pretty much tell you to go ahead and come home drunk at 3 in the morning because your partner won't be disturbed by your fat butt rolling into bed on a sleep number matress, and you've got a recipe for disaster.  Now, I actually tried this.  It did not work.  Janelle was way more pissed off at 3 in the morning when she was roused by my profanity laced tirade during Xbox live play time.  So, unless the thing you're planning on waking back up and doing is walking over rice paper on a bed of down feathers,...