Abundant Life?

So what is abundant life? This is a tough question. My mind quickly wants it to be about wealth and a carefree life! But the scripture is talking about quality of life in God, not quantity...

So then what does this abundant life mean?

My thought, its the love and security of God in my life. That no matter what happens I'm secured in his hands. So good times or bad, I just look forward and know the hope is secured. To know this and stay out of the gap... thats what my abundant life is.

Big Brother

Very recently my big brother moved to town. Wasn't the best circumstances for him, he moved here from LA hoping to get work. My parents worry about him a lot and wish he would 'grow' up. The family is always wishing he would change.

But he is my big brother. We are close in age, 1.5 years apart and I grew up wanting to be him. To me I always envyed his talents and intelligence. A part of me always wants to be him, the artist, the free spirit, the man who is who he is no matter what.

So him being here is good, part of a bigger plan I'm convinced. Him being here will make us all better and we in turn will be there for him.

Molly Ivins passed away today, 2/1/07. In her honor:

Bubba, we -- yes, we --have to stop the war now

By Molly Ivins

Creators Syndicate

The president of the United States does not have the sense that God gave a duck -- so it's up to us. You and me, Bubba.

I don't know why George W. Bush is just standing there like a frozen rabbit, but it's time we found out. The fact is that WE have to do something about it. This country is being torn apart by an evil and unnecessary war, and it has to be stopped. NOW.

This war is being prosecuted in our names, with our money, with our blood, against our will. Polls consistently show that less than 30 percent of the people want to maintain current troop levels. It is obscene and wrong for the president to go against the people in this fashion. And it's doubly wrong for him to increase U.S. troop levels in this hellhole by up to 20,000, as he reportedly will soon announce.

What happened to the nation that never tortured? The nation that wasn't supposed to start wars of choice? The nation that respected human rights and life? A nation that from the beginning was against tyranny?

Where have we gone? How did we let these people take us there? How did we let them fool us?

It's monstrous to put people in prison and keep them there. Since 1215, civil authorities have been obligated to tell people the charges against them if they're arrested. This administration has done away with rights enshrined in the Magna Carta, and we've let them do it.

This will be a regular feature of mine, like an old-fashioned newspaper campaign. Every column, I'll write about this war until we find some way to end it. Every column, we will review some factor we should have gotten right.

So let's take a step back and note that before the war, one of its architects, Paul Wolfowitz, testified to Congress that Iraq had no history of ethnic strife.

Sectarian and ethnic strife is a part of the region. And the region is full of examples of Western colonial powers trying to occupy countries, take their resources and take over the administration of their people -- and failing. The sectarian bloodbath we see daily completely refutes Wolfowitz.

And let's keep in mind that when the Army arrived in Baghdad, we, the television viewers, watched footage of a bunch of enraged and joyous Iraqis pulling down the statue of Saddam Hussein, their repulsive dictator, in Firdos Square. Only one thing was wrong: The event was staged, instigated by a Marine colonel and a psychological operations unit that made it appear spontaneous.

When we later saw the whole square where the statue was located, only 30 to 40 people were there (U.S. soldiers, press and some Iraqis -- and one of several U.S. tanks present pulled the statue down with a cable). We, the television viewers, saw the square being presented as though the people of Iraq had gone into a frenzy, mobbed the square and spontaneously pulled down the statue.

We need to cut through all this smoke and mirrors and come up with an exit strategy, forthwith.

The Democrats have yet to offer a cohesive plan to get us out of this mess. Of course, it's not their fault -- but the fact is that we need leaders who are grown-ups and who are willing to try to fix it. Bush has ignored the actual grown-ups from the Iraq Study Group and the generals and all other experts who are nearly unanimous in the opinion that more troops will not help.

It's up to you and me, Bubba.

We need to make sure that the new Congress curbs executive power, which has been so misused, and asserts its own power to make this situation change.

Now.

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Kermit and the Mystery Box

This is just too funny...




Ever have to deal with people like this?!? Co-workers, teenagers, ....

Geaux Tigers!!

Well after a tough season and a disappointing early loss to Auburn, the LSU Tigers pulled it off in the end. In a must win against Arkansas the Bayou Bengals did it! This catapulted them into the BCS and were ranked #5!! Lets hope the rumors that LSU will play in the Rose Bowl are true, that would be something.

November....

Well its November now and last weekend daylight savings time left us :-( I am definately not a winter person (as my family can tell you). I'll start the count down to the shortest day of the year and then let everyone know when the days are getting longer! But just the prospects of facing Jan/Feb are depressing me now....

Not to mention now we have to think about Christmas. I love Christmas but its hard work. So many expectations that have to be met. Even I put these on myself. Last year we weren't going to get each other anything, whats the point. But of coures, I had to. And I did get a lot of enjoyment out of it (of course now I know from Robert Lewis my great gifts still only scored me 1 point). And she was happy. The best part of Chirstmas really is that it draws the family together. It seems its the one day a year when that happens. Everybody is so busy and teenagers always have something going on (anything that doesn't require being home!). But not on Christmas...

So I'll look forward to that and avoid thought of a dark, cold winter...

Jim

Currently listening to:
Keller Williams - Stage
Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun
Jerry Garcia - The Very Best of

Greetings all,

Well here is my blogspot. Having not been a blogger I'm not really sure where to start. It's definately been a crazy week. Sunday was a unexpected twist that has rocked us to the core. What a wake up call, so much is taken for granted. I'm not sure what will happen but this will be new for us and probably not a pleasant experience. However, in the end we will come out stronger. And for those that know what I'm talking about let me say that I love him and owe to much to him to every be repaid. Godspeed.

This experience has also brought up a need to want to connect in a deeper sense with others. Its all about relationships and we are so wanting to find that connection that clicks. We have many wonderfuly friends in the body and are more deeply committed to find some new great fellowship opportunities.

Finally I've been taking the Robert Lewis' Men's Fraternity class on Wed morning. This has been real informative and I think will be a very positive influence on my relationship with Joan. I need to put some things in action but I'm really enjoying it.

On the light hearted side I've been listening to Phish's cd box set Hampton Comes Alive non stop for the last 2 weeks. Its just great driving music and gets better with each listen. I got the Very Best of Jerry Garcia in the mail yesterday but left it with Joan. She will probably enjoy it more than I will but I'm looking forward to it. Music is a great healer and good for the soul.