25 Random Things

Okay, so I have been tagged on Facebook and numerous other blogs to do this "25 Random Things About Myself" post, so I thought I would go ahead and do it. Here's for all you who think you know me, or who don't me at all.

1. I have been going bald since I was 17 years old.
2. In high school, I was the star of many plays. I played Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie, Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music, Tommy Albright in Brigadoon, George Bailey in Its A Wonderful Life, and Wilson in the play Harvey.
3. I dated my wife for about 5 months, broke up with her, didn't talk to her for about a year, and then we started dating again, while we were 900 miles apart!
4. I have an unnatural addiction to diet soft drinks. Preferably Diet Dr. Pepper, but if that's not available, Diet Coke will do.
5. I was the Assistant Coach on a Girl's State Championship Basketball Team in Houston, TX -- The Westbury Christian Lady Wildcats.
6. One of my all time favorite movies is the movie "Grease"
7. I have preached from the same pulpit that Alexander Campbell once spoke from.
8. I was one semester away from having an Elementary Education degree before I changed my Major to Bible.
9. I directed two Makin Music shows, one got second, the other got first.
10. I never finished behind Sigma Rho in a Makin Music show while I was at Freed Hardeman.
11. I proposed to my wife on Christmas Day. She said yes.
12. I have met Lute Olsen, Bill Self, Rick Pitino, and Mike Krzyzewski. The funny thing is, I'm not really that big a fan of college basketball.
13. I was once mistaken for Bill Goldberg. That was back in the day when I worked out everyday, shaved my head and had a goatee.
14. I preached my first sermon when I was 14 years old.
15. When I was a kid, my goal in life was to be a movie director/movie writer/or a novelist.
16. I absolutely love playing strategy games, especially Risk. However, I have recently taken to a game called The Settlers of Catan.
17. I worked as a camp counselor for 4 years while I was in college. I spent every night outside on a porch all through the summer, in west TN, in 98 degree heat and 99% humidity.
18. I have never taken a sip of coffee. I never will.
19. I have never had one drink of alcohol. I never will. (Not that I'm judging anyone who does drink, but I never will!)
20. I love God, I love His Church, but I can't stand the Politics of the church. Somehow, I just don't think God intended for it to be this way.
21. I love volleyball. I coached a high school team which produced two Division 1 college players, I coached a travel team here in Guntersville, and I married a wonderful woman who played at Freed Hardeman.
22. I have never seen Bambi, Cinderella, Snow White, or many other Disney movies.
23. I know absolutely nothing about fixing cars. I can change a tire, that's about it.
24. I can't fall asleep unless I am watching something on tv. 99% of the time, I have old Friends episodes on DVD playing.
25. My first job was working and cooking for a catering business in Lebanon, TN.

There you go! I won't tag anyone, because no one I ever tag ever does these things. However, if you're a reader, consider yourself tagged!

You've Just Got To Read This!!!

Okay, well it may not be all that exciting to you, but it is to me and several million other people tonight.

The most amazing television show ever produced comes back on tonight. LOST returns on ABC. Be sure to watch it. I'm sure they'll be some dialogue on it tomorrow on Jason's blog over at Already and Not Yet.

Which brings me to another thought: What are your favorite television shows of all time? Some of my favorites include --

1. The Office
2. Friends
3. The A-Team
4. Survivor
5. The Cosby Show
6. Everybody Loves Raymond
7. American Idol
8. The Simpsons
9. Sportscenter (not sure if that counts or not)

History? Indeed it is.

Today, in just a few minutes from now, the United States of America will watch the changing of power in the one of the greatest offices held by a single person in the world.

Many years ago, when the Federalist party representative John Adams was voted out of the office of the presidency after one term, he was so bitter and angry that he left Washington in the dark of the night. Thomas Jefferson, one of his beloved friends yet arch enemy, was the first president sworn in on location in Washington. He walked over to the partially finished Capital Building to deliver his inauguration speech.

Since then, while the transfer of power may not always have been so easy on the inside, publicly, the transition has been celebrated. Parades, speeches, hundreds of thousands of people witnessing the power shift live, and millions more on television, have made inauguration day a special day.

While some President-elects have been more popular to the media than others, none since John F. Kennedy have commanded such a celebration as the one that will be held today for Barack Obama, Senator from Illinois. Oh, and by the way, its not only because he's the first African American to be elected to that position.

Sure, its historic for that reason. Americans, for the most part, have gotten over the idea that it has to be run by one race of people. The guy won the popular vote and the Electoral college, so he won fair and square. Did he tell some lies on his way to the White House, sure. But you tell me one President who didn't tell lies on his way to office.

I think the history in the making far surpasses just the racial aspect. This is a shift in power from the Baby Boomer generation to Generation "X", or the Baby Bust Generation. While the Baby Boomer's still make up a strong part of our country, they no longer hold the power of the office of Presidency. With the beginning of Generation X'ers starting with those born in 1961 going through 1981, President-Elect Obama fits the bill, and also, so do I.

This means people my age have a new voice in the Presidency. While I may not agree with everything Obama has promised to do, there are a lot of people who find hope in what he offers. I would, indeed, love cheaper health insurance, lower taxes, and to be able to help the poor. But, can he make these things happen? Only time will tell.

I do know this -- Barack Obama will fail if we don't get behind him and support him. There were a lot of things George Bush did for which we the American people seemingly gave up on him. As Christians, we have an obligation to submit to the rulers of the land, and also to pray for them.

You can complain all you want, but he's here to stay for at least 4 years. Get used to it. Pray for him and our country that we take things in the right direction. When have you ever known complaining for four years to make anything better? No, Obama is not our Savior or Messiah as the media may proclaim, but he hasn't had one day in office, and so many are already ready to dismiss him as a horrible president.

And for the record, any of you who are reading this who hang out with me on a daily, semi daily, weekly, semi-weekly, monthly, semi-monthly, yearly or semi-yearly basis...can the racist jokes and talk. I don't want to hear it, there is no place for it on my ears or my in my heart. They are not funny. Besides, I don't see any of you in the White House.

May God bless Obama and the next 4 years. May we get behind him and support him and encourage him when he takes in the right direction, and pray for him when he takes our country in the wrong direction that God will lead him. May his wife and children be blessed through this time, that they will be examples to those who are so diligently looking toward them for hope.

Things I'm enjoying/looking forward to and other random things

Its been a while since I've posted anything. With the holidays, a 7 month old, and a week long trip to a conference in Colorado Springs, time has been a premium for me. So now that the holidays and trips are over, I'm going to sit down and fill you in on a few things.

1. Utah was a much better football team than anyone thought. I'm a huge Alabama fan, always have been, but come on, let's give credit to Utah. They destroyed Alabama, and I do think they have a legitimate gripe about not being National Champs. Could they beat Florida? You may say no, but no one thought they would be Alabama either. Plus, the beat Alabama a lot worse than Florida did.

2. The Titans blew it. Forget the fact that Flacco stepped out of the endzone, and that the play clock was dead for two seconds before the Ravens snapped the ball. The Titans simply blew it. It also showed how important Chris Johnson was to the offense by having to sit out in the second half.

3. I debated on whether or not to watch 24 this year, and the curiosity won over. I watched the "Redemption" episode, which set up the season, and then over the past two nights I've watched the first four hours. So far, 200 times better than the previous season.

4. American Idol starts back tonight. Last year was the first time I watched it all the way through, and I loved it. Tuesday night will become "TV" night at our house, with the Biggest Loser and with American Idol.

5. Of course, next Wednesday will become TV DVR night with Lost returning. Check out Jason's blog a few days ago with his numerous questions on Lost.

6. Our little girl is growing like a weed. I went away for a week, and when I come home she's got another tooth and is saying "Ma Ma" like crazy. I can't believe she's over 7 months old now.

7. Winterfest is rapidly approaching. While the trip is Nightmarish for group leaders at time, its always a very rewarding trip. So many always talk about how Winterfest is radical and liberal, but if people would go instead of judge based upon what they hear, they'd realize its really not.

8. Jeff Fisher is up for NFL Coach of the year. He deserves it, but so do the coaches of Atlanta, Miami, Arizona and a few other teams.

9. A few weeks ago, I told everyone about how I crushed a tooth eating some nachos. Well, now Kristen has a crack in one of her teeth, and is going to need a crown. Say goodbye to another $800 bucks.

10. I'm reading an excellent book right now called "QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: What to Really Ask Yourself to Eliminate Blame, Complaining, and Procrastination". Its by John G Miller.