The Broken Soul

Oh, hi

2009-11-01T21:23:00.005-05:00

It's been almost four months since I posted anything on here! Wow! Where in the world did the time go?

Well...let's see...what have I been up to?

Summer was good. Went to Minneapolis at the beginning of June and then came back via a circle tour of the Great Lakes. Saw Lakes Superior and Huron for the first time. Spent some time on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which is gorgeous. Also got to see Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan which is seriously one of the most incredible places I've ever seen.

Went camping a couple of times, once to Cook Forest with my mother-in-law Barb and Danielle's nieces Emma & Candace. THAT was an awesome adventure! We went tubing down the Clarion River which is always fun! Then a couple weeks later, we went with our dear friends Andy and Jenn to Beaver Meadows in the Allegheny Forest which was also a blast.

Over Labor Day weekend, Danielle and I went to Myrtle Beach to visit my dad and MaryJo. We also took Candace, which was so much fun. She had an incredible time, and so did we. My dad and MaryJo were kind enough to set up Scotty the camper up for us, so we were able to stay right on the beach. So much fun. I love that place. LOVE it.

At the end of September, Danielle, Aaron, and I were fortunate enough to be able to go to Granger Community Church in South Bend, Indiana for Innovate '09, which was an awesome conference.

And then just a couple weekends ago, my best friend Chris and I traveled to Washington, DC to celebrate our friend Michael's birthday. He's been a dear friend of ours since we were in college in Daytona Beach many moons ago. He married a beautiful young lady names Toyosi and they had a spectacularly gorgeous and joyous Nigerian wedding. It was awesome. I've never had so much fun at a wedding that wasn't my own. It also made me loathe American culture. LOL. These people DEFINITELY know how to celebrate. Wow!

Over the course of these months, little Candace turned 3, my nephew Sebastian turned 19, my niece Cordelia turned 11, and my nephew Sheffield turned 2. And on Tuesday, my nephew Spencer turns 9...on the 19th, my niece Sara turns 18...on December 10 my niece Miranda turns 18...and on December 15, Danielle's niece Emma turns 5. December also marks birthdays for my sis-in-law Brandy and my sis Di. And our "nephews" Eli and Owen. Wow. I got tired just typing all that.

Work is going fine. I am still at the bank and also at Grace doing video work. Ministry is absolutely where my heart is, so I continue to pray daily that a door will open somewhere -- somehow. I am very grateful to be working (Danielle too), especially now when so many people have lost their jobs. Times are tough, but thank God - Danielle and I are doing very well for ourselves right now. Better than ever, to be honest. God has blessed us so much. He is so incredibly faithful!!!

Now, I look forward to the months ahead. I love this time of year! Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter, snow, lake effect...it's definitely my favorite time of year. Danielle and I celebrate THREE years of wedded bliss next month. Wow! It seems like only yesterday. No, seriously, it does.

And that has been 2009 in a nutshell by Dave Hartland. Thank you for reading.

Winter Forecast

2009-07-19T22:35:00.004-04:00

In the midst of what is, thus far, the coldest July on record (our average temp in July thus far has been 65.5; that is almost a full degree colder than the current coldest July on record of 66.4 set in 1976), I thought it would be appropriate to share with you the first look at this upcoming winter forecast. If you like cold and snow, it looks like we're in for yet another amazing winter! :-)

Courtesy AccuWeather.com:

A Fourth of July Message

2009-07-03T18:36:00.000-04:00

Have a great weekend!

Six days in June

2009-06-29T01:02:00.004-04:00

Tonight, I write to you to say this:
If you think all hope is lost and that our neighborhoods are too far gone..if you think people just don't care or have no decency left, I implore you to go take a walk along East 21st Street in Erie, Pennsylvania.

I'm not sure if I've ever been so moved by anything as I was today as I helped out with the Extreme Makeover side project that Grace is so privileged to be a part of. As I walked up and down that street over and over again, and I met the people who call that neighborhood home, I saw God's awesome hand all over that place. The smiles of the people who are just so thankful that somebody cares about them. The tears of joy that they are not forgotten after all. The sense of wonder and awe that these people have that somebody wants to do this for them.

Yes, Clara Ward and her home may be the focus here, but away from the cameras and out of the public eye, an incredible story is unfolding before our very eyes. A story I pray - O dear God - I PRAY, will have many chapters and that Erie, Pennsylvania will be a city transformed forever.

And it all will have started because of six days in June 2009.

Climate Change tax bill up for vote THIS FRIDAY

2009-06-23T22:36:00.002-04:00

From icecap.us:

Waxman Markey Cap-and Tax bill comes up for a vote Friday. LAST CHANCE to put an end to this potential disaster in the making, one that will cost you dearly with millions of lost jobs, increased costs (a hidden tax) FOR EVERYONE averaging between $1600 and $4200 per year for the average American family according to the CBO, the Heritage, MIT and other studies. The cost of all energy and goods and services will rise to try and cover some of the costs for the bailouts and other trillion dollar programs the government wants to burden us with. Call your congressman’s office and tell them to vote no or they will have to go on the next election day. Our economy is too weak to absorb another shock.

This bill is the most flagrant attempted con-job and propaganda campaign in US history. If it helps Congress enact cap-and-tax legislation, it will give activists, courts and bureaucrats control over virtually every aspect of our lives. It will enable them to confiscate hard-earned dollars, convert them to payoffs for activists and companies that get on the climate-crisis bandwagon, consign uncooperative companies and scientists to the ash heap of history, and conceal the exorbitant costs of restrictive energy policies - on families, industries, jobs and transportation - until long after the bill becomes law.

For those of us in Northwest PA, please go here and let Kathy Dahlkemper know that you do not support the bill and that you would like her to vote no. As always, please be polite and civil.

There is no climate crisis. In fact, it is becoming more and more likely that the earth is entering a period of cooler weather. The alarmists, however, are getting more desperate as "proof" of climate change is becoming harder and harder to conjure up. I encourage you to follow icecap.us for articles that actually shed the TRUTH on the climate change propaganda that is being thrown in our faces each day.

i'm a coward

2009-06-22T05:00:00.000-04:00

^{Colossians 1:21-23

21}Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²²But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven...

This morning's sermon was one of the most convicting sermons in a long time.

Here's what I got out of it:
I'm tired of playing games. I'm tired of going through the motions. I'm tired of the nothingness of life. There is something more than this. There's GOT to be.

I'm spiritually retarded. And I. Am. Sick. Of. Being. This. Way.

Ask me in one month what I have done with the brokenness of the moment I am experiencing right now, and I'll probably say "nothing".

Because that's the kind of person I am. I'm too much of a freaking coward and too dang lazy to change. Why should I think this time will be different?

2 must-see videos

2009-06-14T00:06:00.003-04:00

Some of you may have seen these two videos already, but I was introduced to them last week and I had to share them with those of you who have not yet seen them. They are absolutely hilarious:

Charlie Bit My Finger

David After the Dentist

Going Deeper

2009-05-22T05:00:00.000-04:00

My desire to grow and cultivate a deeper and more intimate relationship with Christ is not something that I take lightly. Something of this magnitude does not happen overnight; nor is it easy. During my reading today, I came across a list of ten core values for spiritual formation.

Spiritual transformation...
...is essential, not optional, for Christ-followers.
...is a process, not an event.
...is God's work, but requires my participation.
...involves those practices, experiences, and relationships that help me live intimately with Christ and walk as if He were in my place.
...is not a compartmentalized pursuit. God is not interested in my spiritual life; he's interested in my life - all of it.
...can happen in every moment. It is not restricted to certain times or practices.
...is not individualistic, but takes place in community and finds expression in serving others.
...is not impeded by a person's background, temperament, life situation, or season of life. It is available right now to all who desire it.
...and the means of pursuing it, will vary from one individual to another. Fully devoted followers are handcrafted, not mass-produced.
...is ultimately gauged by an increased capacity to love God and people. Superficial or external checklists cannot measure it.

No, Mr.President

2009-05-14T14:14:00.004-04:00

About a week after the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade this past January, Pastor John Piper addressed newly inaugurated President Obama on abortion. These are incredible words.

I pray that, somehow, they reach the ears (and heart) of our President.

h/t 22 Words

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T22:00:00.001-04:00

After church today, Danielle and I went to the cemetery to visit my mom. It has been 18 years since I was able to spend Mother's Day with her.

It's scary because as time goes on, memories of my mom get a little fuzzier and a little more distant. Don't get me wrong, there are still vivid memories that I will forever hold dear to my heart, but the everyday things do escape me sometimes. And even though the days are much easier now than they were in the months and years immediately following the death of mom, there are still times when the loss and emptiness I feel are so overwhelming that I have to literally stop and ask myself if it really happened. I remember my school nurse from middle school who sat down with me one day shortly after I had returned back to school after the craziness of the funeral. She sat down with me in her office and told me that there would be times when I would think about mom and memories of her and the feeling of sadness would be so overwhelming that my breath would leave me like it does when a cold wave hits you when you're standing in the ocean or lake. 17 years after the death of mom, I still have those "waves" hit me, especially on days like today when memories and a gravestone are all you have to celebrate what is supposed to be a joyous day to celebrate the blessing of your mom.

Although my heart is understandably sad on this day, I do not look past the blessings of those who have filled the mother role in my life. I couldn't have a more wonderful mother-in-law. Barb is an incredible mother to my wife, and an incredible grandmother to her grandchildren. I'm not exaggerating when I say that love oozes from her. She is an incredible example to mothers everywhere, and an inspiration to both Danielle and I. I love you Barb, and I am so very thankful for you.

I am also thankful for my stepmom MaryJo. Although we are separated by many miles, the happiness she has brought to my dad's life in the time he has left (which is hopefully 1000 more years) is something that I thank God for on a daily basis. She makes him incredibly happy and they are now living the life that they both deserve. I wish we were closer, of course, but my dad is living his dream and that in an of itself is more than I could ever ask for. He deserves it and I am thankful that he has MaryJo in his life...and also in mine.

If you are blessed enough to still have your mom with you on this day, I hope that you took time today to love on her like there is no tomorrow. For me, there once was a day when there was no tomorrow...and I would give anything to have just one more day with the precious, beautiful, loving, and incredibly courageous woman that I was lucky enough to call Mom.

If You Go to the Bank

2009-05-05T22:24:00.002-04:00

Here are two things that you probably shouldn't say to a bank employee:

Bank employee: Thank you, Mr./Mrs./Miss _______, is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Customer: Nope, not unless you're giving away a million dollars!

Bank employee: How would you like your cash?
Customer: I'll take green.

If you are somebody who says these things at the bank, please know that it is not funny. And although we, as bank employees, may laugh along with you when you say it, you can be sure that we are definitely not amused over something that we've heard 5,600,999,238 times before.

I'm just sayin'.

;-)

I found the cure for allergies

2009-04-28T05:00:00.000-04:00

For the first time in my 30 years (or at least those where I am old enough to remember), I am not suffering from allergies in the midst of the spring bloom season. Normally, at this point in the spring, I would be miserable, completely under the weather, and not able to enjoy this beautiful season. My eyes, nose, throat, and ears are normally a hot mess right now.

The answer? Over-the-counter generic Claritin from Walmart.

The best part? It's only $4 under their generic medication program.

The other reason I think I haven't suffered at all this year is because I knew a week ago that some really warm and sunny weather was on its way. Warm weather at this time of year usually equates to pure misery for me because of my allergies. So, to prepare for the warm weather, I began to take the allergy medicine about a week ago. By the time the warm weather finally arrived, my system was completely protected from allergens! See, it pays to keep abreast of the weather forecast at all times. You people laugh. But while you're laughing, I'm not sneezing. Boom. Roasted.

Or, it could just be a complete fluke that --all of a sudden-- I am miraculously healed of all springtime allergies. It could happen, I suppose.

All I know is that after 30 years of springtime misery, it has been most delightful to open up the windows, go outside, and enjoy this awesome weather...without feeling like I would rather bury my head in a pile of burning lava.

80?

2009-04-22T00:43:00.002-04:00

Just look at this gorgeous forecast...wowza!!!

70?

2009-04-18T00:56:00.004-04:00

Could it be???

70 degrees??

According to AccuWeather, it may hit 70 here next weekend. I can't even imagine temperatures that warm.

Even though rain is forecast, 70 degrees will feel so amazing. It's been so long since it's been warm.

::sigh:: Welcome, Spring!

Tea Time!

2009-04-16T11:54:00.004-04:00

I hope that those of you who live in places where tea parties occurred yesterday had the chance to get out to your local event. I know that I am sort of a hypocrite though, since I didn't go to the one held here in Erie. :-\

What happened at these tea parties is so encouraging to me. It makes me excited about the movement that is arising within our country right now. This movement is being led by people who get up in the morning, go to work and work hard so they can provide for their family, and give half of their hard earned money to our irresponsible and careless government. It is being led by people like you and I who chose to WORK HARD FOR WHAT WE HAVE and WHAT WE WANT. My prayer is that this movement becomes so large and so loud that President Obama will be crushed in 2012, or better yet, will have to resign before his first term is up. THe tide is turning. His honeymoon is definitely over. Reality is kicking in hard and fast for our esteemed leader.

Of course, the liberal media in this country was up to their usual tricks last night. In fact, last place CNN decided to brush yesterday's nationwide protest off as a joke, and thus eroded the last remaining vestiges of their journalistic ability. Take a look at this, on AC360 last night, Anderson Cooper kept making inappropriate jokes about "teabagging" like a 6th grade uber-hormonal school kid:

Here's CNN Reporter Susan Roesgen being a complete donkey to one of the protestors yesterday. She kept cutting him off and finally just completely lost it and signed off the air in disgust:

Here is more analysis of the CNN debacle from yesterday.

On Being 30

2009-04-08T05:45:00.002-04:00

A couple of months ago, I turned 30 years old. In the days leading up to that day, and in the days since, I have found myself thinking a lot about my twenties and what I would like to see happen in my thirties.

I am not sad that my twenties are over. I started out the decade living in Florida, and ended it back in my hometown of Erie. It was a decade for me that - for the most part - I am not proud of. I made a shamefully huge amount of stupid decisions. I made some terrible mistakes. A lifelong dream was shattered. I scraped rock bottom for many of those 10 years. I have shed way too many tears over the last decade. I spent way too much time being sad, angry, and depressed. I spent way too much time fighting with God and not nearly enough time seeking Him. I wasted so much time wallowing in pity because things weren't going according to MY plan. I didn't spend enough time loving and appreciating the people in my life who give so much to me -- and for what? So I could give them nothing in return?

I remember during my darkest times over the last few years when people would tell me that I would one day look back on this time and be grateful for it all; for it will help shape me and mold me into the man that God wants me to be. After I got done laughing, I would silently scream at God, pleading with Him to give me strength to make it through until those days arrived -- if they ever did. There were times that I wanted to give up completely. There were certainly times when I gave in completely. There were times that I crumbled under the weight of my own fallibility that I was all but certain there was no way out. I'm not kidding when I say that I was depraved to the core.

Yet, in the midst of the darkest depravity, there can be no denying that God was laying the pathway for something bigger; something amazing. I always felt it, I always hoped for it...even when I thought that all hope was gone. And even while I was struggling through my darkest days, I had found a place of refuge in Grace Church. At Grace, I found a circle of friends whom I cannot imagine life without. It was also at Grace that I found Danielle, who is the best friend I have ever known. And when the time came for my faith to be tested in ways I never thought possible, I can sit here today and tell you with confidence that the chains of bondage I had been enslaved to for so long were SHATTERED because - and only because - God led me to Grace and, ultimately, Danielle.

As I enter my fourth decade, I leave my third behind with a sense of gratitude that it is over. But I also look back upon it and thank God for what He did for me during those years. It was rough, and at times I couldn't (nor did I want to) see, but I have emerged on the other side fully intact. I look ahead with excitement. My thirties are going to be healthier and happier than my twenties were...that much is for certain. I look forward with anticipation at what will happen in this decade. It's already off to a pretty good start; I started a great new job last month. And with this new job, it will open up the doors for me to fulfill the new dreams that God has given me. Becoming debt-free (we're oh so close....YEAH!!!). Starting a family, Lord-willing (it's weird to think that my dad didn't even have me in his thirties...he was 40 when I was born). Devoting my life 100% to Christ, both personally and professionally (another byproduct of Grace). Going back to school to make that happen. Writing a book so I can tell my story. Yes, this is going to be an awesome decade. And although I am notorious for wanting to take ten steps at a time instead of one, I can't help but to be excited that these years will, without a doubt, be the best so far.

The name of this blog is The Broken Soul: Contemplations Along the Journey to Restoration. While I know that we, as believers, won't be fully restored until we're gone from here, here is where we begin the journey. Almost 14 years ago, I began that journey. Since then, I have had incredible highs and incredibly low lows. But one thing is certain: through it all, God has remained faithful to this incredibly broken soul. His promises have never failed me. His love has always endured.

And I am grateful.

whoisgrace.com

2009-03-30T23:21:00.003-04:00

My wife probably would not approve of me bragging about her in a public space like this, but I'm afraid that there is just no other option. She and Chris Falzone have just completed a major overhaul to Grace Church's website whoisgrace.com. I am absolutely in love with the redesign. It is sleek, sharp, and sexy (can a church website be sexy?). Great job, guys. It looks fantastic.

One of the things I am most excited about is that whoisgrace.com finally has the functionality to play videos directly on the site. Last summer, I asked a question on this blog as to whether people would prefer Vimeo or YouTube as a host site for the videos that we create at Grace. Although opinions were divided more or less right down the middle, I decided to abandon YouTube and switch completely over to Vimeo. I believe the quality is better on uploaded videos at Vimeo, and the interface is definitely nicer as well (it's grown on me). You can see the videos yourself by going to whoisgrace.com, clicking on "connect" on the left side of the page, and then clicking on "Vimeo".

Another thing I like about Vimeo is that a Plus membership allows you to create a personalized channel for your videos. In fact, the Grace Church channel is the page that is linked directly off of the front page on the whoisgrace.com.

Finally, directly underneath the connect button on the front page is a button for "The 411". The 411 is what we have begun calling our weekly video announcements at Grace. We have been showing video announcements in our weekend services at Grace since 2005. Now, if you miss them, you will be able to view the video on whoisgrace.com. Although there have been cosmetic changes to the announcement video format over the last four years, there has never been a major overhaul on the way we do them. Starting earlier this month with the countdown [it's all part of the package], we are in the beginning stages of a brand new way of doing video announcements at Grace. I think that the people of Grace will be very pleased with The 411. I am working with the communications team as we speak and am so excited to unveil the new format sometime over the next few weeks.

Grace may be over 110 years old now, but I believe we're as cutting-edge as ever. As time goes by, the message always always stays the same, but the methods of delivering that message can and should change. At Grace, we are 100% convinced that Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. But shame on us if we think that the methods used for communicating this Hope in the church of yesterday will work in the church of today. Yes, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But that doesn't mean that we should sit idly by as we watch technology, time, and relevance pass the church by.

So check out whoisgrace.com, check out our new Vimeo channel, and get excited by what God is doing at Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania!! Oh, and if you happen to be reading this and don't currently have a church home, I encourage you to check Grace out "in person". :-)

Goings-on

2009-03-23T00:06:00.006-04:00

Gosh, where is this month GOING?! It's already the 23rd. That means that my love turns 30 this week!! How exciting! Here's what else has been going on.

Speaking of Danielle's birthday, if you haven't been reading her blog lately, you've been missing out. She has been writing an excellent series called "30til30". Check it out. She's amazing. I have learned a lot about my wife through this blog series.
Work is going well. Starting a new job has been a huge adjustment, and at times it has been very difficult, but I can't really complain.
Church at Grace has been incredible as of late. I can't remember the last time I have been so moved in church week after week after week. There hasn't been a time in the last four weeks that I haven't shed tears. Our current series, "Lift Your Eyes", has been amazing. Al and Derek have done an amazing job so far and I look forward to what Mike brings to us next weekend. All I know is that God has been moving in a mighty way at Grace lately...and I'm not sure what's different or what's changed...but I truly believe that He is changing peoples' hearts there. Today, for instance, there was a moment in worship during the response time where I thought the roof was going to be blown off. The joy and the presence of God in that room this morning was palpable. I needed to meet God there this morning, and He didn't fail. God is moving, hearts are changing, a movement is happening. I can feel it. I think anybody who calls Grace home feels it.
Danielle and I sat down today to watch Kings, which we had saved on our DVR from last weekend. I have to say: I am glad we saved it. It was awesome. I highly recommend it, especially if you are a Christian (I still think it's an awesome show, though, even if you're not). The show is a modern-day twist on the story of King David, and from all I've seen and read, the series is pretty much spot on in it's parallel to David's story in the Old Testament. I highly recommend going onto NBC's website and getting caught up. I can't wait to watch this week's episode!
It's late. Morning comes too quickly these days. Gotta go sleep;.
Peace.

the (fragile?) state of evangelicalism

2009-03-11T05:45:00.002-04:00

This article definitely made me think. It also scared me and made me concerned as to whether this could actually happen; although, it's hard to see that it's already sort of happening all around us. I believe, and have believed for some time, that it's only a matter of time until the church is looked upon as "the bad guy". Let me know what you think about it.

From The Christian Science Monitor on March 10, 2009.

The coming evangelical collapse

An anti-Christian chapter in Western history is about to begin. But out of the ruins, a new vitality and integrity will rise.

By Michael Spencer

from the March 10, 2009 edition

Oneida, Ky. - We are on the verge – within 10 years – of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity. This breakdown will follow the deterioration of the mainline Protestant world and it will fundamentally alter the religious and cultural environment in the West.

Within two generations, evangelicalism will be a house deserted of half its occupants. (Between 25 and 35 percent of Americans today are Evangelicals.) In the "Protestant" 20th century, Evangelicals flourished. But they will soon be living in a very secular and religiously antagonistic 21st century.

This collapse will herald the arrival of an anti-Christian chapter of the post-Christian West. Intolerance of Christianity will rise to levels many of us have not believed possible in our lifetimes, and public policy will become hostile toward evangelical Christianity, seeing it as the opponent of the common good.

Millions of Evangelicals will quit. Thousands of ministries will end. Christian media will be reduced, if not eliminated. Many Christian schools will go into rapid decline. I'm convinced the grace and mission of God will reach to the ends of the earth. But the end of evangelicalism as we know it is close.

Why is this going to happen?

1. Evangelicals have identified their movement with the culture war and with political conservatism. This will prove to be a very costly mistake. Evangelicals will increasingly be seen as a threat to cultural progress. Public leaders will consider us bad for America, bad for education, bad for children, and bad for society.

The evangelical investment in moral, social, and political issues has depleted our resources and exposed our weaknesses. Being against gay marriage and being rhetorically pro-life will not make up for the fact that massive majorities of Evangelicals can't articulate the Gospel with any coherence. We fell for the trap of believing in a cause more than a faith.

2. We Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught. Ironically, the billions of dollars we've spent on youth ministers, Christian music, publishing, and media has produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it. Our young people have deep beliefs about the culture war, but do not know why they should obey scripture, the essentials of theology, or the experience of spiritual discipline and community. Coming generations of Christians are going to be monumentally ignorant and unprepared for culture-wide pressures.

3. There are three kinds of evangelical churches today: consumer-driven megachurches, dying churches, and new churches whose future is fragile. Denominations will shrink, even vanish, while fewer and fewer evangelical churches will survive and thrive.

4. Despite some very successful developments in the past 25 years, Christian education has not produced a product that can withstand the rising tide of secularism. Evangelicalism has used its educational system primarily to staff its own needs and talk to itself.

5. The confrontation between cultural secularism and the faith at the core of evangelical efforts to "do good" is rapidly approaching. We will soon see that the good Evangelicals want to do will be viewed as bad by so many, and much of that work will not be done. Look for ministries to take on a less and less distinctively Christian face in order to survive.

6. Even in areas where Evangelicals imagine themselves strong (like the Bible Belt), we will find a great inability to pass on to our children a vital evangelical confidence in the Bible and the importance of the faith.

7. The money will dry up.

What will be left?

•Expect evangelicalism to look more like the pragmatic, therapeutic, church-growth oriented megachurches that have defined success. Emphasis will shift from doctrine to relevance, motivation, and personal success – resulting in churches further compromised and weakened in their ability to pass on the faith.

•Two of the beneficiaries will be the Roman Catholic and Orthodox communions. Evangelicals have been entering these churches in recent decades and that trend will continue, with more efforts aimed at the "conversion" of Evangelicals to the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

•A small band will work hard to rescue the movement from its demise through theological renewal. This is an attractive, innovative, and tireless community with outstanding media, publishing, and leadership development. Nonetheless, I believe the coming evangelical collapse will not result in a second reformation, though it may result in benefits for many churches and the beginnings of new churches.

•The emerging church will largely vanish from the evangelical landscape, becoming part of the small segment of progressive mainline Protestants that remain true to the liberal vision.

•Aggressively evangelistic fundamentalist churches will begin to disappear.

•Charismatic-Pentecostal Christianity will become the majority report in evangelicalism. Can this community withstand heresy, relativism, and confusion? To do so, it must make a priority of biblical authority, responsible leadership, and a reemergence of orthodoxy.

•Evangelicalism needs a "rescue mission" from the world Christian community. It is time for missionaries to come to America from Asia and Africa. Will they come? Will they be able to bring to our culture a more vital form of Christianity?

•Expect a fragmented response to the culture war. Some Evangelicals will work to create their own countercultures, rather than try to change the culture at large. Some will continue to see conservatism and Christianity through one lens and will engage the culture war much as before – a status quo the media will be all too happy to perpetuate. A significant number, however, may give up political engagement for a discipleship of deeper impact.

Is all of this a bad thing?

Evangelicalism doesn't need a bailout. Much of it needs a funeral. But what about what remains?

Is it a good thing that denominations are going to become largely irrelevant? Only if the networks that replace them are able to marshal resources, training, and vision to the mission field and into the planting and equipping of churches.

Is it a good thing that many marginal believers will depart? Possibly, if churches begin and continue the work of renewing serious church membership. We must change the conversation from the maintenance of traditional churches to developing new and culturally appropriate ones.

The ascendency of Charismatic-Pentecostal-influenced worship around the world can be a major positive for the evangelical movement if reformation can reach those churches and if it is joined with the calling, training, and mentoring of leaders. If American churches come under more of the influence of the movement of the Holy Spirit in Africa and Asia, this will be a good thing.

Will the evangelicalizing of Catholic and Orthodox communions be a good development? One can hope for greater unity and appreciation, but the history of these developments seems to be much more about a renewed vigor to "evangelize" Protestantism in the name of unity.

Will the coming collapse get Evangelicals past the pragmatism and shallowness that has brought about the loss of substance and power? Probably not. The purveyors of the evangelical circus will be in fine form, selling their wares as the promised solution to every church's problems. I expect the landscape of megachurch vacuity to be around for a very long time.

Will it shake lose the prosperity Gospel from its parasitical place on the evangelical body of Christ? Evidence from similar periods is not encouraging. American Christians seldom seem to be able to separate their theology from an overall idea of personal affluence and success.

The loss of their political clout may impel many Evangelicals to reconsider the wisdom of trying to create a "godly society." That doesn't mean they'll focus solely on saving souls, but the increasing concern will be how to keep secularism out of church, not stop it altogether. The integrity of the church as a countercultural movement with a message of "empire subversion" will increasingly replace a message of cultural and political entitlement.

Despite all of these challenges, it is impossible not to be hopeful. As one commenter has already said, "Christianity loves a crumbling empire."

We can rejoice that in the ruins, new forms of Christian vitality and ministry will be born. I expect to see a vital and growing house church movement. This cannot help but be good for an evangelicalism that has made buildings, numbers, and paid staff its drugs for half a century.

We need new evangelicalism that learns from the past and listens more carefully to what God says about being His people in the midst of a powerful, idolatrous culture.

I'm not a prophet. My view of evangelicalism is not authoritative or infallible. I am certainly wrong in some of these predictions. But is there anyone who is observing evangelicalism in these times who does not sense that the future of our movement holds many dangers and much potential?

• Michael Spencer is a writer and communicator living and working in a Christian community in Kentucky. He describes himself as "a postevangelical reformation Christian in search of a Jesus-shaped spirituality." This essay is adapted from a series on his blog, InternetMonk.com .

Awesome picture

2009-03-10T05:45:00.001-04:00

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has an amazing feature on their website showing the evolution of ice on Lake Erie over the winter using satellite images. They can only capture images when there are no clouds, so as one would imagine, getting a satellite image is pretty tough in these parts. The latest image, taken on March 4, is fascinating to me. You can clearly see that Lake Erie is completely frozen over (with the exception of some open water hugging the shoreline off of Canada). Lake St.Clair and Lake Huron are also ice covered. Lake Ontario, however, is not. That is because Lake Ontario is an extremely deep lake (Lake Erie is the shallowest) and does not freeze over very often, if ever.

Some other cool things to note on this image are the smaller frozen lakes and rivers dotting the landscape. You can clearly pick out Pymatuning Reservoir, as well as Chautauqua Lake and the Allegheny Reservoir. Also, note the sediment pouring into Lake Ontario from the Niagara River. Call me a nerd if you'd like, but I find this image utterly fascinating!

Also, if anyone thought that this winter was especially cold, you're not alone. In fact, the globe cooled more last year than at any time since 1950. There was a very good article in the Boston Globe today about how the media is choosing not to talk about the bitter cold winter of 2008-2009. But they examine how, if it were the exact opposite (a record warm winter), the media would be all over it. A very interesting read indeed...check it out.

Hello.

2009-03-04T09:59:00.002-05:00

I'm still alive, in case anybody was wondering. I apologize for being MIA lately. I have several blog posts written, but each one of them still need a little bit of tweaking and I just don't have time for that this week.

I am extremely busy with video projects at Grace right now. I have six separate videos that need to be ready for this weekend. I have made great progress so far this week, but I still have a bunch to do. Unfortunately, I am not going to be here Thursday and Friday, so that puts a huge pressure factor to get these things done today.

I start a new job tomorrow. As a result, finding the balance between the video ministry - a job that is (at times) more than full-time already - and a new job that is pretty much full-time, is going to be quite a challenge. I'm grateful that I have this new job, but it is bittersweet because I will not be able to devote 100% of my time to ministry and that is absolutely killing me inside.

Road Trip: Niagara Falls

2009-02-20T06:35:00.001-05:00

On a somewhat lighter note than the last few posts... ;-)

A couple of weeks ago, Danielle and I drove up to Niagara Falls for the afternoon. Niagara Falls is a relatively short drive from Erie (less than an hour and a half). It's weird to think that we live so close to something that so many people all over the world only ever dream of one day visiting. The falls are awesome all year round of course, but as many of you know, my heart is quite fond of winter. As such, we decided to go up and see the falls in all their winter glory. They did not disappoint:

At the brink of Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls

OOooh, look at us, we're at the spot where half the world has taken their picture

Looking across the river to America, land of the ice?

Looking downstream at the American Falls and the Rainbow Bridge

The American Falls

Rainbow Bridge

Looking upstream at the Canadian (Horseshoe) Falls

Along the Niagara Parkway, looking across to Goat Island

Back in the USA on Goat Island. The mist from the falls had coated EVERYTHING! It was really quite stunning...

"Blast. There's too much ice. I can't see a thing."

She just wouldn't heed the warnings. Look at the ice chunk that fell on her head! She's lucky she didn't get hurt from that thing!

They weren't kidding.

Looking downstream over the American Falls

Obama-doodle-doo

2009-02-16T23:56:00.000-05:00

Update 2.18.09
Hey guys! My friend Chris of savethedoodle.com was inspired by this entry to create a masterpiece that pretty much sums up the situation we find ourselves in right now. It is pretty awesome...and spot on! Check out Chris' doodle here.

Obama the Fearmongerer

2009-02-16T22:24:00.007-05:00

Original Post
Well, barring a major and unexpected turn of events, the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (here's a great site with the breakdown of where the money is going) will be signed into law sometime early this week by President Obama. Unfortunately, the reality of the stimulus package is that while it it might bring some short-term relief to the state of our economy, the long-term ramifications of something this enormous and so hastily thrown together (read: a liberal wish list of things they want while they know they can get the money) are indeed frightening.

What has upset me the most, along with many other Americans I would imagine, is that the president paraded around the country scaring us all into thinking that we had no other choice. He got onto primetime TV and said that another depression was imminent if we chose to do nothing. But here's the deal. I wasn't alive in the 1930's, but we do have data and facts from that time period that allow us a glimpse into the reality of what a depression really was like. And folks, let's just say that we're nowhere near a depression. Not by a long shot.

The Wall Street Journal had a great piece today comparing three different economic downturns. The Great Depression, the recession of 1981-1982, and the recession we're in today. Here's how they broke it down:

JOB LOSSES
Last Year (2008): 3.4 million (2.2% of the work force)
October 1981-November 1982: 2.4 million jobs (2.2% of the work force)
The job losses were fewer in the 1981-1982 recession, but the work force was smaller than it is today. Thus the reason for the same percentage.
Job losses during the Great Depression (by percentage of total labor force who lost jobs) 1930: 4.8% / 1931: 6.5% / 1932: 7.1%

U.S. UNEMPLOYMENT
As of January 2009: 7.6%
At it's peak in 1982: 10.8%
At it's peak in 1932: 25.2%
Call me crazy, but last month's 7.6% doesn't even compare to 1982's numbers, let alone the numbers in 1932 during the height of the Great Depression.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)
2008: The GDP actually rose last year (despite a really bad 4th quarter); however, the Congressional Budget Office predicts a decline of 2% in 2009.
1982: Declined by 1.9%
1932: Declined by 13%
1931: Declined by 8%
1930: Declined by 9%
Once again, it is obvious that the numbers from today are comparable to the 1981-1982 recession, but they are nowhere close to what they were during the Great Depression.

OTHER NUMBERS

Auto Production
2008: Declined by 25%
1932: Declined by 90%

Bank Failures
2008: 24
1987-1988: 3,000
1933: 10,000
24 compared to 3,000 or 10,000. Seriously??

It is clear from these numbers that, while the current recession is bad - and there's no denying that there are people who are hurting from the downturn - there just is no comparsion to the Great Depression. If anything, the recession of 1981-1982 is more of a bellwether to the current recession than anything else, ESPECIALLY the Great Depression.

What Obama is doing is fearmongering. He and the media that worship and adore him have been able to scare hard-working Americans into a panicked frenzy. By using comparisons of our current struggle to the Great Depression, Obama has not only thrown historical accuracy out the window, he has created a political bombshell that is disguised as a necessary component to our economic recovery. Without it, he says, America may never recover.

It may sound good and noble to those that think that Obama can do no wrong, but the truth is that this "recovery" will be paid for dearly by our kids and grandkids.

I sure hope Nancy Pelosi is enjoying her time in Rome.

Obama & Pelosi MUST be defeated

2009-02-11T00:25:00.006-05:00

I get a little more sick every time I think about the "spendulus" package that could be signed into law in mere days. However, I have not lost hope that there are some out there -- even Democrats -- who will stand up against this dangerously foolish package.

Case in point: Rep. Walt Minnick, a freshman Democrat Congressman from Idaho, has proposed an alternate and very reasonable plan to what is currently being sold to us as "necessary for the survival of our country". He is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, which is a group of moderate and occasionally conservative Democrats. Basically, he is proposing a plan called START (The Strategic Targeted American Recovery and Transition Act). The plan calls for a "bare bones" pure stimulus deal of $170 billion that will put $100 billion immediately into the pockets of low to middle income Americans and then use the remaining $70 billion for basic infrastructure projects that create jobs. The best part? START would require any funds that go unused by 2010 be returned to the treasury. Quite a difference from the current plan, which says that once enacted, it cannot be undone. That's downright scary considering that there is no guarantee that it will even work.

Why have I not lost hope? Because this plan was proposed by a Democrat. Minnick was one of eleven House Democrats who voted against Obama & Pelosi's stimulus. We really only need either a couple Dems to vote no, or get the 3 rogue Republicans (including PA's own Senator Specter) who sided with the Dems to switch back. I think it's possible, considering that there are Democrats who don't support the plan....not to mention that public support for the stimulus package is collapsing.

We have got to find an alternative way to get the economy moving again...and I know that we can AND MUST do it without burdening future generations with the $1 trillion in debt that this stimulus package will place on their shoulders.

WHAT CAN YOU AND I DO?

Read the stimulus bill here. Find out what you, your kids, your grandkids, and your great-grandkids will be paying for.

Contact Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick and voice your support for his alternative plan at (202) 225-6611 or email.

Contact one of the three Republican Senators who voted for the stimulus and let them know that you do not support their decision: Susan Collins of Maine (202) 224-2523 or email / Olympia Snowe of Maine (202) 224-5344 or email / Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania (202) 224-4254 or email

DO NOT GIVE UP. This fight is not over. Keep fighting for America! We can do this!

Don't let anyone convince you that this fight is over. If this fight was over, President Obama would not be traversing the country trying to tell us ordinary Americans that this is the right thing to do. They are scared. They know that they can still be defeated. And by God, I hope they are.

I love Jesus, but I drink a little.

2009-02-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

Derek posted this funny Ellen video last night on Twitter (and was quick to point out that he, by no means, watched her show). I laughed so hard that I had to post it here. I love Ellen...and I'm proud enough and man enough to admit it. She makes me laugh like nobody else on TV can.

If that makes me less of a man, then so be it.

Hopefully you'll find this as funny as I did:

The Commercialization of Groundhog Day

2009-02-03T06:16:00.000-05:00

In recent years, Groundhog Day has become much more than a holiday celebrating the birth of Punxsutawney Phil. It has become an event that has given this nation yet one more reason to party and drink. Did you know that there are AT LEAST 40 groundhogs that supposedly offer their prognostication for the remaining days of winter? Rodents like Holland Huckleberry from Holland, Ohio. Or Connecticut Chuckles from Manchester, Connecticut. Or how about the ever-cutesy Pierre C. Shadeaux from New Iberia, Louisiana.

As far as I am concerned, any groundhog NOT named Punxsutawney Phil is NOT QUALIFIED to predict whether or not winter is or is not going to continue for six more weeks. The sooner that we the people understand this, the better off we'll be. I honestly can't believe that Groundhog Day has come to this.

It is high time that we get back to the true meaning of Groundhog Day and recognize that there is but one, and only one, Punxsutawney Phil.

/end rant

Snow Snow Snow

2009-01-31T01:02:00.007-05:00

I took the camera along today to take some shots around the city of the copious amounts of snow that continue to fall on us daily. The one at left is down by the bayfront. The wind was blowing hard off the bay, creating blizzard-like conditions.

Today (Friday), we had yet another unexpected dumping of snow (it was lake effect from a frozen lake...go figure!). Here is where our statistics lie as of midnight on Saturday, January 31.

Friday's snow total: 6.9"

January total so far: 59.2"
This is our 3rd snowiest January ever. 2nd snowiest is January 2004 with 59.9". The snowiest January on record is 62.4" set in 1978. Will we break the record for January? Probably not...but we may very well break into the #2 spot by midnight tomorrow.

Snow so far this winter: 129.5"

This number earns us the #5 spot for snowiest winters in Erie history. We now need less than 20 inches to break the all-time record. Will we do it? I'm not really that worried...after all, we received 1/4 of that amount in four hours today. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that by the time this seemingly Narnian winter ends, we will not only break the all-time record...we will SHATTER it!

Also, the latest update regarding next weeks' storm: it's not going to be nearly as bad as the weather peeps thought just 24 hours ago. In fact, here in Erie, it may not even be close enough to us to give us ANY snow. Danielle told me I can't complain about a storm missing us...especially after what has happened thus far this winter. So...I'm not complaining. I'm just sayin'....

I leave you with some more pics from around town today. It was truly a whiteout at times with horrible driving conditions. And yes, I was taking pictures as I was driving. So sue me.

1. Along the bayfront highway. Couldn't see a thing.
2. The I-79 and 26th St interchange
3. The mounds of snow were creating a canyon along this sidewalk

4. Along 28th St downtown
5. Parade and 28th

Here It Is

2009-01-29T16:26:00.005-05:00

7PM Update:
The most recent DGEX model (forecasters use several models to predict weather and make their forecasts. DGEX, which is an acronym for Downscaled GFS with ETA Extension, is one of them) pumped out some incredible snow amounts with this storm next week. If one were to believe this model, Erie sits --yet again-- in the bulls eye. Take a look at the key...and you'll see that cities like Erie, Buffalo, and Rochester sit in the line of >18" snow amounts. In addition to the snow, winds with this thing are expected to be extremely strong. So...add in AT LEAST 18" of snow, 40-50mph winds, and...well, you get the picture. I'm still not gonna say the "B" word yet...but it's getting close.

Holy crap...this is really exciting!

Earlier Post:

Courtesy of AccuWeather.com, here is the first graphic issued for the big storm coming our way next week. If the weather discussions are correct in what they are seeing on the models, we could be looking at a monster storm here early next week. "Crippling", if you will. Stay tuned.

Inching Closer...

2009-01-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

I apologize for the shallowness of this blog lately. I just find that weather and politics seem to be more interesting than my own life right now. ;-)

<-- This is what I've been doing pretty much every day since early November. Thank goodness for snow blowers. That's all I have to say.

Well, the storm last night and today has come and gone. With the 1.4" yesterday and 10.1" so far today, that has propelled this January to an unbelievable 52.3", which -- with three days to go-- officially makes this January the 5th snowiest in history.

Seasonally, we are up to an astounding 122.6" (or 10.2 feet). I'll have to ask Brian the Weatherman if he can check to see whether Erie has ever had this much snow at this point in the season. I find it highly unlikely considering that the all-time record for seasonal snowfall is 149.1". I mean, you do realize that it's only January 28...which means we have ALL of February and ALL of March to go....and we only need 27 inches to break the record? (just to give you an idea....if we were to go by last year's snow totals for February and March: In February, we received 28.6" and in March we received 33.9"...meaning that if that were to happen this year, we'd be at 185" by the time March was over. Incredible.)

Also, just so you can say that you heard it here first....some computer models are becoming increasingly confident that a massive storm is going to hit the Eastern United States early next week. There are several possible scenarios, but the most likely one at this point looks to be yet another huge storm for Erie -- possibly making today's storm look like a flurry in comparison. In fact, Henry, my favorite weather guy over at AccuWeather, is already throwing the "B" word out. A blizzard on my birthday next week? Now that would be swell.

Finally, I'd just like to point out that those older folks who use the tired, worn out phrase "the winters just aren't what they used to be"....I mean, I'm sorry -- and I certainly mean no disrespect -- but you obviously have no idea what you are talking about.

I love this epic winter. May it never end!

Obama's Legacy?

2009-01-28T01:19:00.007-05:00

This is Pastor John Piper speaking last weekend in response to President Obama's heartbreakingly disappointing actions last week on the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
[via Desiring God].

Be Courageous, Mr. President:

One for the record books

2009-01-27T15:00:00.005-05:00

Yet another winter storm is bearing down on Erie beginning late tonight and is expected to last through much of Wednesday. Although it could drop as much as a foot of new snow on us, the storm itself isn't going to be one for the record books -- but it will certainly put this winter into the record books. In fact, any snow from here on out will be part of some sort of record for us here in Erie. Where do we stand?

So far this winter, 112" of snow has fallen in Erie (or at least at the airport where the official measurements are taken). So far in January alone, we have received 41.5". Where does this stand historically?

Top ten snowiest winters in Erie
1. 149.1 2000-01
2. 143.0 2002-03
3. 142.8 1977-78
4. 131.3 1993-94
5. 129.2 1995-96
6. 124.9 1985-86
7. 122.6 2004-05
8. 120.0 1970-71
9. 118.7 2007-08
10. 115.9 1963-64

So, that means that this winter, with 112 inches, is less than four inches away from getting into the top ten list. With up to 12" forecasted for tonight and tomorrow, we could easily be in the #7 spot by midnight tomorrow night. And with February, March, and April to go, I would think that the all-time record may be in jeopardy. However, with the lake completely frozen now, lake effect has essentially been shut off. We have to rely on storms like the one we are going to get tomorrow.

January Snowfall Records (Top 10)
1. 62.4" in 1978
2. 59.9" in 2004
3. 57.9" in 1999
4. 57.2" in 1985
5. 51.8" in 2003
6. 46.9" in 1994
7. 41.5" in 2009 <-- So far this year
8. 38.8" in 2005
9. 38.3" in 1945
10. 37.7" in 2007
(Erie snow records can be seen here)

With only five days left in the month, it will seem pretty tough to break the all-time snowiest January on record, but I would imagine we'd climb to at least #5 on the list.

As our next storm inches closer to us, I have noticed that the weather guys keep increasing our expected snow amounts. I love when that happens! What was originally expected to miss Erie completely is now expected to put Erie in the path of heaviest snowfall. So, I feel sad for those in southern PA and the Virginia's who wanted snow. Now they're just going to have a nasty icestorm.

A post-racial America?

2009-01-23T00:43:00.006-05:00

I promised myself that I wouldn't get overly political on my new blog...but man...today was a doozy of a day and I just HAVE to talk about some of it.

With the election of Barack Obama, many people have declared that the end of racial division in America is here. Well, this video proves that not everybody thinks that this is the case. This video was taken at an event that took place at a club in Washington, DC on inauguration night. The voices you hear are from rappers "Jay-Z" and "Young Jeezy" who were "performing" at a celebration for the new president:

Please be warned that this video is extremely offensive:

Seriously? This is how they chose to celebrate the inauguration of a new president? This is downright pathetic.

And in other political news...Obama has signed an executive order to close down Gitmo. That, in and of itself, is a very controversial move. That aside, though, the obvious question then becomes: what does Obama suggest we do with all the detainees? Well, our favorite Congressman from Southwest PA, Jack Murtha, has signaled that the Gitmo detainees will be welcomed with open arms to western Pennsylvania. He says that we "could use the jobs a new prison would create". In addition, a new prison would provide a "round-the-clock operation". I'm sorry, but can somebody tell me how this bafoon keeps getting reelected? Seriously. Anyone?

I also found this video (sorry) that I wanted to share. I found it very timely, considering that our new president didn't waste any time in helping the abortion industry out:

It's only Day 2 of the new administration and I already find myself counting down the days until 2012*.

*1,384 days until Tuesday, November 6, 2012 -- Election Day

I Love Coldplay

2009-01-22T11:37:00.001-05:00

I saw this video this morning on Facebook...and had to respost it. I love this band...and their amazing creativity only helps me love them more.

Coldplay: Life In Technicolor ii

111 Inches of Glory

2009-01-21T13:49:00.007-05:00

It is only January 21 and Erie is four inches away from cracking into the top ten list for snowiest winters in history. For the season, we are now over 111 inches. So far this winter, we have experienced our 10th snowiest November in history, our 7th snowiest December, and we are now in our 7th snowiest January with over a week to go. I think it's safe to say, though, that the snow (at least the lake effect kind) will at least slow down a little bit now that the lake has frozen over completely:

I was really sick on Sunday. I mean, REALLY sick. Thankfully, it was just some 24 hour bug. I was fine on Monday when I woke up. Then last night, Danielle started feeling the same thing. Hopefully, it will be as quick for her as it was for me. I can't bear to see her sick. I feel terrible that I gave it to her.

Tonight, my guys' group wraps up our book that we've been reading. It's been an extremely rewarding time for me...and a time that has led to some changes in my life. Even more amazing however, is to see how the lives of some of the others have changed as well. God has truly been at work in our little group. I am excited to see what all ends up happening as a result of this. Next week, we are having our "Iron Chef America" dinner by Chef Seth! I am pretty sure that - even though we have finished our book - the group consensus is that we would love to continue meeting. Hopefully you're up to the challenge, Pastor Mike!

As I said in my previous entry, I've been fixated on Romans 8. I have read it every day over the past week and have decided to memorize it.

I am excited about some decisions that have been made. Unfortunately, I am not ready to divulge them on here!

Finally, I know you're wondering what my thoughts are regarding what happened yesterday. Well, it was no doubt a day that will go down as a pivotal moment in our nation's history; one that our country should be extremely proud of. That much is true. And for the sake of our country, I certainly wish him well. That's it.

peace.

PS) Happy Birthday, Kelly!!! You bring such joy and laughter to the lives of everyone around you. Enjoy your day! Love ya!! :-)

broken

2009-01-16T01:47:00.002-05:00

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

"For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are
regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:31-39 ESV

Last Sunday at church, the band sang "How He Loves Us". Upon the conclusion of the song, Derek read some Scripture, including some of the above passage. In that moment, I broke. I'm not sure what it was, but I just broke.

I haven't been able to let that moment go all week.

Then, at my Wednesday night guys' group, I opened up to them about some stuff. They said, "you've gotta be in the Word".

Typical answer.

But today, I opened up the Bible today and read. And I read. And I read.

Today ended up being a not-so-typical day.

Praise God.

Hey Obama & Co: Are you hearing this??

2009-01-14T12:56:00.004-05:00

CNN recently ran a piece by Lou Dobbs suggesting that there is a growing body of evidence that the earth is actually cooling, not warming. CNN is the last place I ever thought I'd see a story questioning the supposed settled science of "climate change".

Good for Lou, and good for CNN for allowing this piece to air. It would do well for President Obama and his team to research both sides of the issue before they go and legislate us all into green oblivion.

Also, I've posted this before, but I think it's hilarious. The Warm List: things caused by global warming.

Obama: Elected by the "media"?

2009-01-08T13:14:00.004-05:00

Look, I don't mean to start controversy...but anyone who didn't have their head in the sand during the last election cycle knows that the media was dangerously biased and slanted towards Obama. Trust me: biased and slanted are the two kindest words I could come up with to describe what I think was the absolute most outrageous and vicious reporting to ever occur during an election year.

Imagine my delight this morning when I discovered that a documentary was in the works highlighting how the media, in so many ways, allowed Obama to win the election (nor would they stop at anything to make sure it happened like that). Media Malpractice will hopefully shed some light on the 2008 election cycle and why 2008 truly was the year that the media died in the United States of America.

Here's a quick excerpt featuring the filmmaker's interview with Sarah Palin (and here's what he had to say about it...a very interesting read). I love what she says about Katie Couric!

(HT: drudge)

If it's not your mother, it must be Howard Johnson's

2009-01-04T02:51:00.004-05:00

Danielle and I are spending a few days up in Minnesota with Aber and Molly. As is usually the case with this particular friend group, my love of all things Howard Johnson's has been discussed several times. I enjoy it, even though I get laughed at. It's okay, though: I'm used to it.

Anyhow, perhaps this early 1980's-ish advertising campaign is one of the reasons Howard Johnson's began its steady decline into oblivion:

Worse than the blue screen of death

2008-12-30T17:23:00.007-05:00

Do we all remember the blue screen of death from PC's 'glory days'?
To me, this screen is worse. And I see it at least 10 times a day when I am working with Final Cut. That, or my Mac just shuts down completely. Without explanation.

It makes me want to scream.

But mostly, I just cry.

A Nation of Spoiled Brats

2008-12-28T13:01:00.002-05:00

This is a great article from WorldNetDaily that I ran across. I thought it was worth reposting here:

We are a nation of spoiled brats.

We have daily miracles at our fingers tips, and all we can do is complain.

Push a button, and heat comes on. Flip a switch, and you have light. Turn a handle, and hot or cold water gushes forth. Imagine what folks would have thought about this 100 years ago.

For a small fee, people will haul away your garbage, provide you with endless clean water, and assure the continuation of your electricity, telephone and Internet.

Feel like talking to friends or relatives 3,000 miles away? Rather than waiting six months for a letter, you merely press a few buttons and viola – instant communication.

Feel sick? You can visit a doctor who can look inside your body without hurting you. He can use marvelous diagnostic tools to determine what's wrong. He's even unlikely to apply leeches to balance your humors. How amazing is that?

Feel hungry? Walk into any football field-sized grocery store and take your pick from tens of thousands of food items. You didn't have to milk a single cow, grow a single vegetable or grind a single grain of wheat. Others did that for you. (My Russian sister-in-law nearly wept the first time she set foot inside an American grocery store.)

Feel like going somewhere? You don't have to hitch up the horses and travel for hours through inclement weather. You can hop in your car or take public transportation.

Feel unsafe? Not to worry, there are thousands of soldiers thanklessly laboring in foreign countries under dangerous circumstances to protect you. This is in addition to all the domestic police officers, firefighters, EMTs and other emergency personnel whose sole duty it is to protect or take care of you.

We can fly through the air, for crying out loud. For how long has mankind longed to fly? Now we can do it anytime we wish.

When nature calls, we don't have to trudge outside in subzero weather and freeze our fannies in an outhouse. Nor is our public health endangered from water contaminated by human waste. Only by reading about the horrors of such diseases as cholera or dysentery can we appreciate the freedom from such conditions.

We can know what's happening on the other side of the planet within seconds. We can purchase consumer goods from any country in the world. Where is our appreciation for these miracles?

I no longer fear my children will die of smallpox, the plague, scarlet fever or malnutrition before they reach maturity. Instead, I can look forward to someday seeing my grandchildren because my girls, unlike earlier generations, are likely to make it to adulthood.

Though we are the daily recipients of these and other amazing miracles, what do we do? We complain. We could be suffused in awe and appreciation for all these wonders, but noooOOOOoooo. None of this abundance is good enough. We want more, we want better, we want newer. We want the government to give us stuff for free, stuff like health care and housing, food and employment. These are things that earlier generations knew were our own personal responsibility to provide for ourselves.

Instead we prefer to whine and gripe and moan our way to socialism because we've become a nation of professional victims.

How about we put things into perspective? If we counted our blessings as often as we carped about our problems, we would be overwhelmed with gratitude. Read that last line again because it's important.

Sometimes it seems that all we do is complain. Our jobs, our spouse, our kids, our finances, our politicians (OK, I'll grant this is often justified), the economy, the weather, the traffic, the credit card bills, the car payments, the run in your pantyhose, the ding in your car, the malfunctioning CD player, the long lines at the mall, the waiter who forgot your bread rolls … Stop! Take a deep breath, and count your blessings for once.

In a world plagued by illiteracy, your children can read and write. In a world plagued by people living in cardboard boxes, you live with indoor plumbing. In a world plagued by diseased children running naked through the streets, your kids are warm and well fed and clothed. And yet we gripe when our Internet service is interrupted, when the traffic light turns red or when we didn't get the diamond earrings or big-screen TV we "really wanted" for Christmas.

You see where I'm going with this? When we complain, we forget about our blessings. I'm sure anyone who has ever traveled to Bangladesh or the Sudan came home overwhelmed by their good fortune. Or maybe not. Maybe they complained that the high-speed Internet service on the airplane wasn't fast enough or their luggage was delayed at the baggage carousel.

To quote this YouTube clip, everything is amazing right now and nobody's happy. We live in an incredible world, and it's wasted on us. How quickly we have come to think the world owes us something. Why are we no longer falling down in gratitude for our prosperity and relative affluence?

In fact, it's our prosperity and affluence – and the loss of a strong religious foundation – that's caused us to forget our blessings. When you raise spoiled brats, they're unlikely to learn to appreciate simple truths such as moral character, a work ethic and gratitude.

Geez, folks, grow up. Stop acting like spoiled brats. Look around you. Learn to be grateful to God. And if God isn't "your thing," then at least be grateful for your freedom and those who fought and died to give you the opportunity to act like jerks. In this upcoming year of economic uncertainty, make a resolution to stop taking it all for granted.

Happy New Year.

Thoughts on Christmas

2008-12-17T01:14:00.002-05:00

With Christmas just 8 days away, it is obviously on the forefront of everybody's minds these days. Here are some thoughts of mine:

I finally got the outside Christmas lights up today. I had made my mind up not to do them as it is so late, but over the last couple of days, I've noticed scores of houses all of a sudden have their displays up. Coincidentally, this has also been the first multi-day stretch of time that the ground has been bare since basically the second week of November...so perhaps that made some people decide to put their lights up while they had a chance. In fact, as I put ours up tonight, it started snowing.
Looking up and down our snowy street tonight at house after house of Christmas displays as the snow fell while my wife was inside baking cookies....it was pretty much what I dream about this time of year. The only thing missing was a kid or two helping daddy untangle the lights. Ah, soon enough I say. Soon enough.
Growing up, cookies that were part of Christmas for us were either chocolate chip or peanut butter with Hershey Kisses. After having spent the last couple of Christmases watching (and helping) Danielle bake, frost, and sprinkle cookies, I have to say that I really love doing that with her! It's fun bonding time.
I'm pretty sure we're guaranteed a white Christmas. We have some storms on the horizon that promise to dump quite a bit of snow here. Of course, the forecast can change, but it seems VERY promising for those who are hoping for a white Christmas. And, as you can imagine, I am thrilled.
Danielle and I have not started our Christmas shopping yet. To be honest, though, there's not really that much we have to do. With our family situations like they are (four parents, six siblings, my five nieces & nephews, & Danielle's two nieces), buying presents for everybody just isn't reasonable. So we've cut way back this year. In fact, we still aren't even sure whether we are going to get each other anything. I have to be honest; Al's sermon on Sunday really made me think about the insanity of the American Christmas. It's sickening...and I'm not so sure I want any part of it.
When and if we ever have kids, remind me of what I just said when I am trying to provide them with the most incredible Christmas ever.
Another reason I think we have toned down Christmas give-giving is because there are simply too many birthdays in the month of December. We would like to request that people who are close to us either in family or friendship...please stop getting frisky during the month of March. Just wait a little bit. Thanks.
I have always loved this time of year. Even now, as I wrestle with God through the struggles and pains of life, I still manage to crack a smile now and then about the childlike excitement I have within me during this season. It is a time of year that I really miss my mom, even though it has been 16 Christmases. This year, I will miss my dad too. It will be our very first Christmas apart. Ever. Danielle did that last year when we were in Myrtle Beach with my dad and his wife. It's tough. But it is the way things are.

I should stop writing. You're probably bored to death.

Hope you have a great Wednesday!

Dave's 1st White Christmas Outlook!

2008-12-12T09:27:00.004-05:00

That is the question on everybody's mind these days. Everywhere I go, I get asked the question: So, Dave, will Santa be able to land his sleigh safely this year or will he need to fly commercial?

Well, I am pleased to bring to you the very first look at our upcoming Christmas forecast [via AccuWeather]. Keep in mind, Christmas is still about two weeks away, and the forecast can change drastically* between now and then. But for now, it looks really good for us:

If you can read it, you can see that Christmas Eve starts off icy....but then the temps plummet on Christmas Eve night, just in time for Santa to come! He'll have to bundle up though, as the wind chills will be in the MINUS 20's!!

And then Christmas Day itself looks GLORIOUS with snow and a high of 24 and a low of 13.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask! In the meantime, enjoy your day and don't forget to be good boys and girls....you wouldn't want Santa to have to make a special stop at your house in wind chills like that just to leave some coal, would you??????

*so don't sue me if this forecast is wrong

Amazing strength

2008-12-09T23:32:00.005-05:00

You may or may not have read/heard about the F-18 crash in San Diego yesterday. The aircraft lost both engines while trying to land. The pilot ejected safely, but the plane - unfortunately - crashed into a neighborhood, destroying two houses.

One of the homes was empty at the time of the crash. The other home was where Dong Yun Yoon's family lived. The crash took the life of his entire family -- his infant daughter Rachel, who was born less than two months ago; his 15-month-old daughter Grace; his wife, Young Mi Yoon, 36; and her 60-year-old mother, Suk Im Kim, who he said had come to the United States from Korea recently to help take care of the children.

Today, he attended a press conference where he had this to say about the pilot that was in the doomed plane:

"Please pray for him not to suffer from this accident. He is one of our
treasures for the country. I don't blame him. I don't have any hard feelings. I
know he did everything he could."

Can you imagine the pain this man must be feeling? For him to say this just blows my mind.

PLEASE read the rest of the story here. This man possesses amazing strength and incredible character. I want so much to drive to San Diego, give him a hug, and see if there is anything he needs. Thankfully, he and his family were very involved in their church and will have a close church family helping him through this time.

I can't imagine what the pilot of this plane must be feeling. I cannot imagine what this man who lost his entire family must be feeling.

They are both in my prayers tonight.

oh, here i am

2008-12-08T10:35:00.003-05:00

I know that I haven't blogged for a while, but -- really -- there's not been too much to blog about. It's been a rather difficult few weeks, however, as I have been battling a bunch of stuff.

A few thoughts:

We are shooting a video today and tomorrow for services at Grace this weekend. I am looking forward to the editing process...it should be pretty interesting!
I finally ordered a new cell phone. Mine has been broken for over a month...but thankfully...is was time to upgrade anyway. I was going to upgrade to a BlackBerry or even switch over to AT&T's iPhone, but I just didn't feel right about spending the extra money (not to mention the increase in plan costs). So, I went with a generic old phone. Best of all, it was completely free. And I'm happy about that.
Danielle and I are almost done Christmassing up our place. The inside is pretty much done; however, I need to tackle the outside. I think it has been difficult because we've had so much snow already (which makes it hard to do the outside stuff).
Speaking of snow, we are now up to 45" of snow for the season so far. Keep in mind, our NORMAL snowfall for an entire winter is 83"....so we're more than halfway there already...and winter doesn't even begin for two more weeks! Incredible!
We are now the owners of a snowblower. I can't begin to tell you what a difference blowing makes over shoveling. Night and freaking day.
A dear friend of my dad's passed away over the weekend. Bob was one of the happiest people I've ever met.
Bob's passing makes me think about my dad's life and how he won't be around forever. But, I've always said he is going to live to 105, so he has at least 35 more years. Thank goodness.
I'm grateful for Pastor Mike and the time that he has invested into me. I am grateful for his words of wisdom and wise counsel to me during this season in my life. I am also thankful for the time that he is spending with our Wednesday night group (the band of misfits, as I call us). If there is anything that I have learned with this group of guys on Wednesday nights, it is this: that things don't always have to be as they've always been. This man, one of my pastors and a friend, sees something in us that we don't yet see. That he sees what he claims God sees in me gives me strength to continue pressing forward in the hopes that, one day soon, the new creation will take hold in me. That one day soon, the old will pass away...and the new will come.

Peace.

Turkey Day in Dixie -Updated-

2008-11-27T21:49:00.000-05:00

Hope you guys all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Danielle and I left with Brian & Rachel Wednesday morning at 7:30 and dropped them off in Bel Air, MD around 2:30. After a quick sandwich, we hit the road again only to get stuck in Washington/Baltimore traffic at RUSH HOUR the DAY BEFORE A HOLIDAY. Not good. We were sitting -- literally -- for three hours. I wanted to cry the whole time. We spent the night in Raleigh, NC (totally unplanned....it was getting way too late and unsafe to continue driving) with some dear friends of mine from my Florida days. Then this morning, we woke up, had breakfast, and got on the road again -- but not after surprising my best friend Chris' parents at their house in Raleigh with an unannounced visit! We had a nice, albeit quick, visit with them...although I think that his mom was a little bit embarrassed of our car in their neighborhood (it was caked white with road salt from up north). So she told us to wash it...and soon. Haha! Anyhow, we reached Myrtle Beach at 2pm, a full 31 hours after we left Erie yesterday morning. CRAZY!! Dinner was awesome, of course. And tomorrow we are meeting a couple more dear friends (Tom & Tanya) from college who are driving up to Myrtle Beach from Charleston. I can't wait to see them!!!!!

Because our trip down was so horrible, I don't think we'll be driving anywhere anytime soon. In fact, I'm not sure if I ever want to get in our car again. Ugh! So, Brian & Rachel -- looks like you're on your own for heading back to Erie on Monday. ;-)

Also, I know that I am going to cause a lot of controversy here, but I'm going to go ahead and say that I absolutely love the south.

Maybe it's the sun....maybe it's something in the water.....
But I just feel......happier here.

However, the south doesn't get snow. So, looks like the north wins (again).

the end.

Had to post this...

2008-11-25T10:58:00.002-05:00

Erie Times News editorial 11/25/08

An early winter? Bring it on!

With so much snow coming so early, we might as well get out and enjoy it. The Old Farmer's Almanac didn't see this coming. It predicted a "mostly mild November" for the lower region of the Great Lakes, from Milwaukee to Syracuse. But now that we've been blanketed with so much snow that we could set a record for November, we might as well enjoy it.

This is for the intrepid folks who build snowmen with "Hug Me" emblazoned across the midsection.

This is for the guy we saw riding his bike down Parade Street, when skies
turned brilliant blue in between snow squalls.

This is for the folks who treat their snowblowers like toys to share, by
clearing off sidewalks and driveways for their neighbors.

This is for the people who know how to wield a snow shovel to scrape a
navigable path for postal employees, delivery workers and school children.

This is for the schoolchildren, who earn a few bucks by shoveling snow,
too.

This is for the owners of Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa, who decided to open three days ahead of schedule after 51 inches of natural snow powdered the slopes.

This is for Peek'n Peak President Steven Lempke, who says the resort can
never have too much snow. He kept the snow-making machines working even as the lake-effect snow fell.

This is for the retailers who entice shoppers to buy a set of skis or a
pair of snowshoes as Christmas presents.

This is for the state and city employees and for the roadmasters who try to keep up with snow during blinding whiteouts.

This is for the tow-truck operators who rescue the drivers who get hung up in their driveways or stuck in the median strip.

This is for the kids who pester parents to take them sledding as soon as
the barren hills are coated white.

This is for the fun-loving parents who flap their arms to create snow
angels with their little ones.

This is for the grandmas and grandpas who warm up the kin with mugs of cocoa sprinkled with marshmallows.

This is for all of us fortunate enough to live on a lake that refreshes us
in summer and plays pranks on us in autumn, by cranking up a snow machine that requires no electricity but provides endless entertainment.

This is what I love about winter. It brings out the best in everybody! Except, of course, those of you who are sourpusses and decide to hate the snow and cold. ;-)

Is your sin unforgivable?

2008-11-24T00:11:00.005-05:00

A friend of mine recently met with his Pastor about a couple of issues that he was dealing with in his life. He wanted to have an honest dialogue with a person in his life that he knew he could trust; a person who, he thought, would pour out wisdom to somebody who happened to be really down in the dumps. As he poured out his heart to his Pastor, do you know what his Pastor's response was? His Pastor told him that he probably 'ought not talk to others about this particular sin' because, as his Pastor put it, 'there is such a stigma attached to that sin, that people won't forgive....even God's people won't forgive'.

I cannot imagine how my friend must have felt as he left his Pastor's office that day. Obviously he was crushed and even embarrassed, but the overwhelming feeling he had that day was hopelessness. He was sure that if God's people couldn't forgive him, God surely wouldn't either. All he so desperately wanted was for this person, who happened to be his Pastor, to give him some godly advice and wisdom. Instead, what he got was a healthy dose of condemnation.

I hear stories like this all the time. It breaks my heart that God's people can be so cruel and mean-spirited. What gives any of us, as Christ-followers, any right to pick and choose what sins are forgivable and which aren't?

Sometimes, I am almost positive that Christians have forgotten the beautiful, glorious, life-changing truth that Jesus HAS overcome the world. And not just SOME of it; ALL of it. Christianity is not an exclusive club that is only open for certain people. I am so sick of a small but vocal minority of Christians spouting off their divisive words of anger, hate, and intolerance to those whom they disagree.

Do they honestly think that those whom they are trying to reach will react kindly to them? Or could it be that hatred will only breed more hatred?

Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." Indeed, we are to bless and not curse; we are to do good to those who treat us badly; we are to pray for those who call us enemy. Doesn't God command that we deal with our enemies completely different than the way they deal with us? So then why do so many of the hurting, lost, and broken feel so utterly oppressed by those who claim to proclaim the Word of God?

If you were told -- like my friend was -- that your sin, whatever it may be, was unforgivable, would that make you want to repent and accept Christ? I highly doubt it.

It absolutely boggles my mind that [some] Christians have the audacity to determine what sins God will or will not forgive.

Last I checked, Jesus didn't leave a list of unforgivable sins as He died on the Cross.

Shame on us that we think we can make our own.

An Erie Autumn

2008-11-21T08:19:00.004-05:00

This is what we awoke to this morning:

Be careful out there!

2 of the 41,000,000

2008-11-19T09:01:00.002-05:00

Danielle and I are going to be 2 out of an estimated 41 million people who are going to be traveling 50 miles or more next week for Thanksgiving. We are going to be going down to South Carolina to see my Dad and his wife. It should be a fun time. Hopefully we have good weather on the way down, although there is a little part of me that hopes for bad weather (it makes the trip fun).

We're going to have a bunch of new music to listen to (although D and I are notorious for....GASP....having conversations while we drive long distances). In addition to having three full CD's of Christmas music (compliments of Aaron), Danielle downloaded the new Casting Crowns Christmas CD and Sara Groves' new Christmas CD. So we're set music-wise for the trip. I'm wondering if we'll even listen to them, though? We might have too much to talk about.

Another great thing about this trip is that is going to be HALF the cost of the exact same trip that we took just three months ago over Labor Day weekend. Consider that gas, at that time, was about $4/gallon. I heard on the news this morning that the national average of gas will fall below $2/gallon by Thanksgiving. Checking the trusty gasbuddy.com, I see that there are places along our journey that are currently selling gas as low as $1.69/gallon. In the same news report this morning, they said that it is entirely possible that we could see $1.00/gallon gas by midwinter. ONE DOLLAR PER GALLON?? I can't even fathom that. I mean, I've seen it before, but ask me two months ago if that was possible ever again, and I definitely would have said no.

It's strange, because I understand that the country (and the world) is suffering through really bad economic times right now. But for somebody who has nothing invested in the stock market or any other kinds of investments, I actually feel really good about the way things are right now. With gas so low, it's beginning to affect prices on other things too...which is awesome news. Is it bad that I am actually feeling hopeful in this time that so many people are struggling?

Well, I'm going to sign off. But, before I do, I realize that my love for all things winter is a little too obvious to those who know me well. Even here on this blog, I have been talking quite a bit as of late about the weather. But this blog isn't a weather blog, and I know that I must talk about other things once in a while. So today, I'm not going to talk about how AccuWeather says we're supposed to get another 18.5" of snow by Sunday.

Awesome video

2008-11-17T14:38:00.002-05:00

This video was shot last night during the thunder snowstorm that struck our area.

Unfortunately, this wasn't captured by me, but it's still a cool video (shot by YouTube user pitt9496 and posted at erieblogs.com)!

This Rocks.

2008-11-15T17:41:00.004-05:00

This is the forecast for the next few days:

Can it get any better than this?! And it's only mid-November!

Weather Forecast FAIL

2008-11-13T16:17:00.009-05:00

Check out the weather forecast for next Thursday:

In case you can't read the print, this is an actual forecast on the National Weather Service website for next Thursday:

THURSDAY....CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. BREEZY WITH HIGHS IN THE LOWER 40S. TEMPERATURE FALLING TO AROUND 80 BELOW IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 30 PERCENT.

Now, I am not going to question what the guys at the National Weather Service do to put a forecast together. But something tells me that it is not going to be 80 below zero here next Thursday.

not good.

2008-11-12T01:37:00.005-05:00

Tonight, I laid in bed as I do on many nights and tried to read. Unfortunately, as is usually the case when I try to read something, I was unable to. Now, obviously I can read. It's just that when I do read, I do not/can not comprehend what it is I am reading. My mind is always going in a thousand different directions. I got really frustrated because this problem seemed to go along with so many other things that have been frustrating me lately about myself. So, I looked up some stuff online, took a depression screening quiz and an Attention Deficit Disorder screening quiz. These are my results:

For the ADHD Screening:

You scored a total of 101

It is highly likely that you are presently suffering from adult attention deficit disorder, according to your responses on this self-report questionnaire. You should not take this as a diagnosis of any sort, or a recommendation for treatment. However, it would be advisable and likely beneficial for you to seek further diagnosis from a trained mental health professional immediately.

For the depression screening:
You appear to be suffering from severe depressive symptoms commonly associated with serious depressive disorders, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder or dysthymia. These symptoms appear to be causing you some serious impairment and distress in your normal, everyday functioning. You would likely benefit from the immediate attention of your physician or a trained mental health professional for further evaluation and a more accurate diagnosis and treatment. If your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program, you might also contact them for help and referral.

I'm not posting these things here for you to have pity on me. I am posting these results on here so that you can pray for me. Please please pray for me. I feel that I have reached a point where I no longer have any clue how I should handle life.

Whether or not these screenings are accurate is a moot point. All I know is that something is affecting my life to the point where I am completely unable to function....mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.

I don't know what to do. I just don't.

And here we go...

2008-11-10T00:15:00.002-05:00

Seriously?

Um, WHAT?

2008-11-08T17:04:00.002-05:00

I got this as I edited my profile in Facebook today:

Which example applies to you?

Right now your profile may be confusing. Please choose how we should refer
to you.
Please select either Male or Female

Dave edited her profile.
Dave edited his profile.

My Thoughts

2008-11-05T01:51:00.010-05:00

Undoubtedly, half of the country is waking up this Wednesday feeling let down, while the other half is jumping with joy with what an Obama presidency could mean to our country. As I watched the returns come in last night and I began to realize that there was no way that McCain could catch up to Obama's impressive road to victory, I found myself strangely calm in the midst of all that was happening.

Deep down, I am sure that most McCain supporters realized some time ago that it was a long shot at best that our guy would ultimately win the prize. And so we began the internal process of dealing with it and accepting it and wondering what it would be like in this new era of American history that began last night. It was a process that I think helped me deal with accepting the reality of what I believe is a less than ideal situation for our nation.

Like many of you, I watched McCain's concession speech. Full of class and integrity, my heart overflowed with gratitude for his service to our country and the campaign he ran. Let's face it: for all he had going against him over the last few months, he sure ran a close race right down to the finish line. Several minutes later, when Obama and his family walked on the stage, a whole new set of emotions set in.

I realized at that moment, that this truly was a defining moment in our history. We witnessed a moment that our grandchildren and our grandchildrens' children will learn about in school many years from now. We witnessed the American dream in it's most beautiful form: that, in the United States of America, anybody really could be anything they wanted to be.

I thought about what this election will teach our children and what it will show the world. I thought about how incredible this country is that something like this can happen. I felt overwhelming sadness for those living under regimes that will never allow them to know what it is like to participate in a free and democratic election. I felt so incredibly blessed to be an American.

All this to say that I believe this man has done a great job at brainwashing all of his supporters into believing he is some sort of messianic figure that will usher in peace, prosperity, and unity beyond our wildest dreams.

Although I may not have voted for Barack Obama, and I certainly disagree with him on just about every issue there is, he is going to be my President and I will pray for him. I will pray that his heart will be softened towards issues that I care so deeply about -- and ones that I believe God does as well. There's no escaping the fact that Obama will be the most pro-abortion president in history and I don't hesitate for one moment before I say that I believe he is leading us down the road to socialism. I maintain my belief that he is a dangerous man of whom we know frighteningly little about. No moment, no matter how historic, can trump the genuine concerns that so many of us have about this undeniably mysterious man that will -- in 11 short weeks -- be the most powerful man in the world. But he is who we have chosen and it is something we are going to have to accept. We exercised the greatest gift of democracy yesterday...and the beautiful thing about democracy is that we get to do it again in four years.

Four years may be a long time to wait. Much damage may be done by then. But for the sake of this great country, I hope and pray that he proves me wrong.

In the end, Jesus is still King and every person is personally accountable to a holy and righteous God. God's will WILL prevail. He is all we need.

We're gonna be okay. I promise.

My Wife Was Right

2008-11-03T12:13:00.004-05:00

Danielle has told me over and over again that I am addicted to the news. While I never really disagreed, I shrugged her off and said, "meh". But this morning, as I clicked through my daily list of sites that I visit for up-to-the-second coverage of Campaign '08, I couldn't help feeling that perhaps she was right. After all, I found it a little odd that, as I was reading, I felt myself getting a little noxious. Three different times, I felt my eyes well up with tears. And then I realized something. I realized that I am dreading Wednesday morning. What will I be feeling? What will I do in the event that things don't go well? The way things are right now in this country, half the country will be rejoicing and half the country will be dejected. I am rather afraid that I may be in the latter group, yet I cling to the hope that the polls are wrong.

It is difficult for me not to feel such emotion when it comes to politics. Of course, I trust God and I know that His dominion over all of us transcends any nations' petty politics. But I also know that while we are here on earth, the quality of life we enjoy is a direct result of the leaders that we elect. So it is hard for me not to be genuinely concerned that we may be on the verge of electing a man as dangerous as Barack Obama. Do we even know who he is? Not in the least. Do those who are voting for him even care who he is? Many, if not most, don't. Has the media done its job letting the American people know who and what this man stands for? HA! Don't even get me started. Does Barack Obama want to lead this nation or does he simply want to be President? There is a difference, and I think we all know the answer.

After what has seemed like an eternity, tomorrow is the day we've all been waiting for. Tomorrow, go out and vote. Before you do, however, I urge you to KNOW WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE VOTING FOR.

Millions of precious lives who have no say in matters having to do with whether they ever see the light of day or not. THREE supreme court appointments. Two wars waiting to be won. A dangerously and dramatically reduced defense budget. The possibility that my hard earned money may be redistributed against my will. Free trade. Nuclear proliferation. Tax increases that will stun everybody. A lopsided government that will be run by a single party (read: A LIBERAL SUPERMAJORITY). A much much much bigger government. Unfair and irresponsible legislation based on the myth of climate change. And the list goes on...

Do you see what is at stake tomorrow?

Now, I leave you with this (via Mrs.P):

A LETTER WORTH READING...

An impassioned letter from a "nobody". But he gives his telephone number at the end.

Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 3:19 PM

A letter from Illinois

Dear Fellow American:

My name is Joe Porter. I live in Champaign , Illinois. I'm 46 years old, a husband, a father, a small business owner, a veteran, and a homeowner. I don't consider myself to be either conservative or liberal, and I vote for the person, not Republican or Democrat.

I don't believe there are "two Americas" but that every person in this country can be whomever and whatever they want to be if they'll just work to get there and nowhere else on earth can they find such opportunities. I believe our government should help those who are legitimately downtrodden, and should always put the interests of America first.

The purpose of this message is that I'm concerned about the future of this great nation. I'm worried that the silent majority of honest, hard-working, tax-paying people in this country have been passive for too long.

Most folks I know choose not to involve themselves in politics. They go about their daily lives, paying their bills, raising their kids, and doing what they can to maintain the good life. They vote and consider doing so to be a sacred trust. They shake their heads at the political pundits and so-called "news", thinking that what they hear is always spun by whomever is reporting it. They can't understand how elected officials canregularly violate the public trust with pork barrel spending. They don't want government handouts. They want the government to protect them, not raise their taxes for more government programs.

We are in the unique position in this country of electing our leaders. It's a privilege to do so. I've never found a candidate in any election with whom I agreed on everything. I'll wager that most of us don't evenagree with our families or spouses 100% of the time. So when I step into that voting booth, I always try to look at the big picture and cast my vote for the man or woman who is best qualified for the job.

I've hired a lot of people in my lifetime, and essentially that's what an election is - a hiring process. Who has the credentials? Whom do I want working for me? Whom can I trust to do the job right?

I'm concerned that a growing number of voters in this country simply don't get it. They are caught up in a fervor they can't explain, and calling it "change".

"Change what?", I ask.

"Well, we're going to change America", they say.

"In what way?", I query.

"We want someone new and fresh in the White House", they exclaim.

"So, someone who's not a politician?", I say.

"Uh, well, no, we just want a lot of stuff changed, so we're voting for Obama", they state.

"So the current system, the system of freedom and democracy that has enabled a man to grow up in this great country, get a fine education, raise incredible amounts of money and dominate the news, and win his party's nomination for the White House that system's all wrong?"

"No, no, that part of the system's okay we just need a lot of change."

And so it goes. "Change we can believe in."

Quite frankly, I don't believe that vague proclamations of change hold any promise for me.

In recent months, I've been asking virtually everyone I encounter how they're voting. I live in Illinois , so most folks tell me they're voting for Barack Obama. But no one can really tell me why, only that he's going to change a lot of stuff. "Change, change, change." I have yet to find one single person who can tell me distinctly and convincingly why this man is qualified to be President and Commander-in- Chief of themost powerful nation on earth other than the fact that he claims he's going to implement a lot of change.

We've all seen the emails about Obama's genealogy, his upbringing, his Muslim background, and his church affiliations.

Let's ignore this for a moment. Put it all aside. Then ask yourself, "What qualifies this man to be mypresident? That he's a brilliant orator and talks about change?"

CHANGE WHAT?

I'll be forthright with you I believe the American voters who are supporting Barack Obama don't have a clue what they're doing, as evidenced by the fact that not one of them - NOT ONE of them I've spoken to can spell out his qualifications. Not even the most liberal media can explain why he should be elected.

Political experience? Negligible. Foreign relations? Non-existent. Achievements? Name one. Someone who wants to unite the country? If you haven't read his wife's thesis from Princeton , look it up on the web. This is who's lining up to be our next First Lady? The only thing I can glean from Obama's constant harping about change is that we're in for a lot of new taxes.

For me, the choice is clear. I've looked carefully at the two leading applicants for the job, and I've made my choice.

Here's a question - "Where were you five and a half years ago? Around Christmas, 2002. You've had five or six birthdays in that time. My son has grown from a sixth grade child to a high school graduate. Five and a half years is a good chunk of time. About 2,000 days. 2,000 nights of sleep. 6, 000 meals, give or take."

John McCain spent that amount of time, from 1967 to 1973, in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of- war camp.

When offered early release, he refused it. He considered this offer to be a public relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held longer than he should be released first. Did you get that part? He wasoffered his freedom, and he turned it down. A regimen of beatings and torture began.

Do you possess such strength of character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country, would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow man? I submit that's a quality of character that is rarely found, and for me, this singular act defines John McCain.

Unlike several presidential candidates in recent years whose military service is questionable or non-existent, you will not find anyone to denigrate the integrity and moral courage of this man.

A graduate of Annapolis, during his Naval service he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. His own son is now serving in the Marine Corps in Iraq.

Barack Obama is fond of saying "We honor John McCain's service...BUT. ..", which to me iscondescending and offensive - because what I hear is, "Let's forget this man's sacrifice for his country, and his proven leadership abilities, and talk some more about change."

I don't agree with John McCain on everything - but I am utterly convinced that he is qualified to be our next President, and I trust him to do what's right. I know in my heart that he has the best interests of ourcountry in mind. He doesn't simply want to be President - he wants to lead America, and there's a huge difference.

Factually, there is simply no comparison between the two candidates. A man of questionable background and motives who prattles on about change, can't hold a candle to a man who has devoted his life in public service to this nation, retiring from the Navy in1981 and elected to the Senate in1982.

Perhaps Obama's supporters are taking a stance between old and new. Maybe they don't care about McCain's service or his strength of character, or his unblemished qualifications to be President. Maybe"likeability" is a higher priority for them than "trust". Being a prisoner of war is not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United States of America - but his demonstrated leadership certainly DOES.

It is time for us to stand. It is time for thinking Americans to say, "Enough." It is time for people of all parties to stop following the party line.

It is time for anyone who wants to keep America first, who wants the right man leading their nation, to start a dialogue with all their friends and neighbors and ask who they're voting for, and why.

There's a lot of evil in this world. That should be readily apparent to all of us by now. And when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I want a man who puts my family's interests before any foreign country.

I want a President who's qualified to lead.

I want my country back, and I'm voting for John McCain.

Phone: 760.434.1395
E-mail: ronald.hess@alumni.purdue.edu

snow!

2008-10-30T00:30:00.010-04:00

Today kind of stunk. Oh well. Tomorrow's another day. I did, however, get to see some good snow. I had a film shoot this afternoon and got to drive through some areas of the city that got hit with the snowstorm last night. Lake effect snow is so weird. In one place, you can have absolutely nothing. A mile down the road (literally. a mile. as evidenced by the picture of sunshine, and then 2 minutes later, snow squall) there is half a foot. It was quite a sight today seeing some of the fall leaves still out on the trees:

It's not just here in the States where we are getting an early taste of winter. London, England woke up to their earliest snowfall in over 70 years this morning (pictured at left). Crazy stuff!

Yes, I do realize I'm a nerd. Ok?

I have so much other stuff to blog about...including an incredibly fun time last weekend....but I just don't have the time right now. Danielle and I spent a couple days up in Toronto and that was fun. And then on Sunday, Aaron, Kelly, Danielle, and I went to Cleveland to celebrate Aaron's 30th at his favorite restaurant. It is definitely now one of my favorite restaurants. Anyway, more on this on another day.

Speaking of Aaron, he turns 30 today and I want to take this opportunity to wish him a happy birthday. Aaron, enjoy your day and may this be the best year you've ever had. Danielle & I love you very much and appreciate your friendship. You are an example to me and I want to thank you for being such a huge part of my life. You really are family to Danielle and I. So, happy birthday, brother. Make it the very best. :-)

Our First Snow!

2008-10-29T00:53:00.005-04:00

Ok, so it's not a foot, but it's still snow. Actually, it's not even snow, it's graupel. But it's still exciting.

Shiver me timbers.....literally

2008-10-21T23:33:00.007-04:00

The seasons have definitely changed and winter is getting nearer everyday. We're approaching the end of October and Danielle & I have yet to turn on the heat in our house. For me, it has become somewhat of a game as I try to see how long we can go without turning it on. We do have a space heater, which actually -- for as small as it is -- works wonders. It keeps our bedroom warm at night and when we combine that with our down comforter, we are actually quite warm and comfy at night. I hate the price of home heating, but at what point do you bite the bullet and say, ok, i'm tired of shivering my butt off everyday? For me, it's when the daily high temperature fails to reach 15° for four consecutive days. I think Danielle may disagree though...

I had a fun(ny) time with Michelle V and Kathy W tonight on a film shoot. We had to navigate rush hour traffic on Peach Street to get the perfect shot. Several near-accidents later, we got the shots we needed. After that, Michelle and I met up with Eric R, Mark B, John W, and Mark B's son to film a fake football game at their house. It was hilarious. Sometimes, I wish that the videos in the services could be the raw footage. People wouldn't believe what they were seeing! :-)

The rest of this week promises to be extra busy. Lots of video work to do (personal and church). The load keeps getting heavier and heavier...but I love it...and I'm not complaining!

I am EXTREMELY excited about this upcoming weekend. This past Sunday, Danielle and I received a pretty incredible gift from a friend of ours. We've decided to make a weekend out of it, and I can't wait. Yay!

Goodbye Autumn?

2008-10-20T23:32:00.004-04:00

From AccuWeather.com:

There is every indication that the weather is going to turn mighty cold across the Midwest and much of the East next week. As a matter of fact, it will probably look and feel more like the end of November. With all the cold air that is going to rush southward from Canada, there is every reason to believe that there will be plenty of snow flurries and even squalls from the Great Lakes to the Appalachians. It looks like a major trough will develop over the Great Lakes next week. The air mass should be cold enough to support snow downwind from the Great Lakes and into the Appalachians. In fact, some models suggest the snow could be quite heavy and prolonged in some of those areas. This may be a Halloween for the record books.

I also wanted to post a snapshot of the forecast for our area beginning in the next week. From Monday the 28th all the way to the end of the forecast period (Nov 3), there is snow in the forecast every day:

Of course, weather forecasting is not an exact science, and this all could be model exaggeration. But we'll just have to wait and see. Either way, winter is on it's way...and word on the street is that this year is going to be pretty wild. Yay!

2008: The Year the Media Died

2008-10-20T12:32:00.004-04:00

There is a myriad of things I can/should blog about, but I'm not going to today. Instead, I want to leave you with a cartoon I saw yesterday in the paper. It summarizes uber-accurately the uber-obvious media bias that exists in this country:

Who cares about Obama's past. Who cares about Joe Biden's past. Who cares who they associate with. Who cares that Obama is a socialist. The REAL danger to America is somebody like Joe the Plumber who...gasp, can you imagine...questions the Messiah on an issue that A LOT of people are wondering about but the media is totally and knowingly and happily ignoring?

When will people wake up and realize what danger looks like when it is staring us in the face?

Ams and Am Nots

2008-10-13T15:17:00.002-04:00

9 things I am:

glad last week is over. Wow, it was insane
impressed with this beautiful fall weather
excited to spend a few days with my best friend Chris
nervous about all the stuff I need to do within the next few weeks
happy that gas prices are falling falling falling
thankful that I was able to spend some time with Aaron and the boys on the boat yesterday
in awe of what God continues to do at Grace. Yesterday was awesome. Kat was baptized and MAN! what an incredible testimony of what God has done in that young woman's life. She rocks.
excited about some awesome changes coming up in the communications department at Grace, including my area of expertise: video announcements.
excited about the doors God is opening in Danielle's life

5 things I am not:

impressed with the movie Eagle Eye
ready for Chris to come
content
ready for Christmas
loving enough towards my wife

As I sign off for the day, I leave you with this video. It is a hilarious look by The Onion at the sensationalism of weather events by the news media (which, I believe, is adding to the "climate change" hysteria going on right now):

First Snow!!

2008-10-09T10:37:00.003-04:00

We are quickly approaching the time of year when many of my blog entries will be about my favorite thing in the world (besides Jesus, Danielle, my family, friends, and Chick-Fil-A): SNOW!

This morning, according to AccuWeather, there was snow in the forecast for the first time this season. Granted, it's still two weeks away, but exciting nonetheless to see snow forecasted!

By the way, they (AccuWeather) just released their winter forecast yesterday and they are predicting a harsh and snowy winter for most of the Eastern USA including the Great Lakes. That is about the best news in the world for me to hear right now. Unfortunately, that also means that it will probably be an extremely expensive winter for many. In fact, Joe Bastardi, the AccuWeather forecaster who issued the Winter 2008-2009 forecast, stated that "many homeowners could be pushed to the brink this winter". That's in line with what the Farmer's Almanac said about how this winter could be "catastrophic". Yikes.

As for Danielle and I? We'll just invest in a few extra blankets and keep the heat at 55. Fun!

What the heck is going on?

2008-10-07T11:36:00.006-04:00

I admit that I don't truly understand the financial crisis that is unfolding before our eyes. I don't own any stock, we have no investments, and everything we do is done with cash. But I am not stupid enough to believe for one second that America's greed and lust for money has a lot - if not everything - to do with it. When the pundits talk about whether this could be another great depression, I have to admit that it frightens me a little (although - technically, we're not even in a recession yet. For that, don't we need two quarters of negative growth..and we haven't even had one yet?).

The following is an analysis of the situation written by Ron Paul. It is from his blog, Campaign for Liberty (hat tip to this friend for the initial find). My interest in what he had to say began about a year ago when he was campaigning for president. Although he did not get very far in his bid for the Republican nomination, he made made a lot of people think about the way things are. For me, it was the first time I ever thought about what being a true conservative meant. Although I would love to ask you to write him in, I cannot do that, for giving a vote to Ron Paul is basically the same as giving a vote to Obama. And I cannot, in good conscience, be responsible for a single extra vote that Obama will receive in three weeks.

That said, grab a cup of tea, some biscuits, and put on some Nickel Creek (it's a long read):

Something Big is Going On
Taken from : http://www.campaignforliberty.com/

The following statement is written by Congressman Paul about the pending financial disaster. He will introduce this statement as a special order and insert it into the Congressional Record next week. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to debut it first on the Campaign for Liberty blog. It reads as follows:

I have, for the past 35 years, expressed my grave concern for the future of America. The course we have taken over the past century has threatened our liberties, security and prosperity. In spite of these long-held concerns, I have days—growing more frequent all the time—when I'm convinced the time is now upon us that some Big Events are about to occur. These fast-approaching events will not go unnoticed. They will affect all of us. They will not be limited to just some areas of our country. The world economy and political system will share in the chaos about to be unleashed.

Though the world has long suffered from the senselessness of wars that should have been avoided, my greatest fear is that the course on which we find ourselves will bring even greater conflict and economic suffering to the innocent people of the world—unless we quickly change our ways.

America, with her traditions of free markets and property rights, led the way toward great wealth and progress throughout the world as well as at home. Since we have lost our confidence in the principles of liberty, self reliance, hard work and frugality, and instead took on empire building, financed through inflation and debt, all this has changed. This is indeed frightening and an historic event.

The problem we face is not new in history. Authoritarianism has been around a long time. For centuries, inflation and debt have been used by tyrants to hold power, promote aggression, and provide "bread and circuses" for the people. The notion that a country can afford "guns and butter" with no significant penalty existed even before the 1960s when it became a popular slogan. It was then, though, we were told the Vietnam War and a massive expansion of the welfare state were not problems. The seventies proved that assumption wrong.

Today things are different from even ancient times or the 1970s. There is something to the argument that we are now a global economy. The world has more people and is more integrated due to modern technology, communications, and travel. If modern technology had been used to promote the ideas of liberty, free markets, sound money and trade, it would have ushered in a new golden age—a globalism we could accept.

Instead, the wealth and freedom we now enjoy are shrinking and rest upon a fragile philosophic infrastructure. It is not unlike the levies and bridges in our own country that our system of war and welfare has caused us to ignore.

I'm fearful that my concerns have been legitimate and may even be worse than I first thought. They are now at our doorstep. Time is short for making a course correction before this grand experiment in liberty goes into deep hibernation.

There are reasons to believe this coming crisis is different and bigger than the world has ever experienced. Instead of using globalism in a positive fashion, it's been used to globalize all of the mistakes of the politicians, bureaucrats and central bankers.

Being an unchallenged sole superpower was never accepted by us with a sense of humility and respect. Our arrogance and aggressiveness have been used to promote a world empire backed by the most powerful army of history. This type of globalist intervention creates problems for all citizens of the world and fails to contribute to the well-being of the world's populations. Just think how our personal liberties have been trashed here at home in the last decade.

The financial crisis, still in its early stages, is apparent to everyone: gasoline prices over $4 a gallon; skyrocketing education and medical-care costs; the collapse of the housing bubble; the bursting of the NASDAQ bubble; stockmarkets plunging; unemployment rising;, massive underemployment; excessive government debt; and unmanageable personal debt. Little doubt exists as to whether we'll get stagflation. The question that will soon be asked is: When will the stagflation become an inflationary depression?

There are various reasons that the world economy has been globalized and the problems we face are worldwide. We cannot understand what we're facing without understanding fiat money and the long-developing dollar bubble.

There were several stages. From the inception of the Federal Reserve System in 1913 to 1933, the Central Bank established itself as the official dollar manager. By 1933, Americans could no longer own gold, thus removing restraint on the Federal Reserve to inflate for war and welfare.

By 1945, further restraints were removed by creating the Bretton-Woods Monetary System making the dollar the reserve currency of the world. This system lasted up until 1971. During the period between 1945 and 1971, some restraints on the Fed remained in place. Foreigners, but not Americans, could convert dollars to gold at $35 an ounce. Due to the excessive dollars being created, that system came to an end in 1971.

It's the post Bretton-Woods system that was responsible for globalizing inflation and markets and for generating a gigantic worldwide dollar bubble. That bubble is now bursting, and we're seeing what it's like to suffer the consequences of the many previous economic errors.

Ironically in these past 35 years, we have benefited from this very flawed system. Because the world accepted dollars as if they were gold, we only had to counterfeit more dollars, spend them overseas (indirectly encouraging our jobs to go overseas as well) and enjoy unearned prosperity. Those who took our dollars and gave us goods and services were only too anxious to loan those dollars back to us. This allowed us to export our inflation and delay the consequences we now are starting to see.

But it was never destined to last, and now we have to pay the piper. Our huge foreign debt must be paid or liquidated. Our entitlements are coming due just as the world has become more reluctant to hold dollars. The consequence of that decision is price inflation in this country—and that's what we are witnessing today. Already price inflation overseas is even higher than here at home as a consequence of foreign central bank's willingness to monetize our debt.

Printing dollars over long periods of time may not immediately push prices up–yet in time it always does. Now we're seeing catch-up for past inflating of the monetary supply. As bad as it is today with $4 a gallon gasoline, this is just the beginning. It's a gross distraction to hound away at "drill, drill, drill" as a solution to the dollar crisis and high gasoline prices. Its okay to let the market increase supplies and drill, but that issue is a gross distraction from the sins of deficits and Federal Reserve monetary shenanigans.

This bubble is different and bigger for another reason. The central banks of the world secretly collude to centrally plan the world economy. I'm convinced that agreements among central banks to "monetize" U.S. debt these past 15 years have existed, although secretly and out of the reach of any oversight of anyone—especially the U.S. Congress that doesn't care, or just flat doesn't understand. As this "gift" to us comes to an end, our problems worsen. The central banks and the various governments are very powerful, but eventually the markets overwhelm when the people who get stuck holding the bag (of bad dollars) catch on and spend the dollars into the economy with emotional zeal, thus igniting inflationary fever.

This time—since there are so many dollars and so many countries involved—the Fed has been able to "paper" over every approaching crisis for the past 15 years, especially with Alan Greenspan as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, which has allowed the bubble to become history's greatest.

The mistakes made with excessive credit at artificially low rates are huge, and the market is demanding a correction. This involves excessive debt, misdirected investments, over-investments, and all the other problems caused by the government when spending the money they should never have had. Foreign militarism, welfare handouts and $80 trillion entitlement promises are all coming to an end. We don't have the money or the wealth-creating capacity to catch up and care for all the needs that now exist because we rejected the market economy, sound money, self reliance and the principles of liberty.

Since the correction of all this misallocation of resources is necessary and must come, one can look for some good that may come as this "Big Even" unfolds.

There are two choices that people can make. The one choice that is unavailable to us is to limp along with the status quo and prop up the system with more debt, inflation and lies. That won't happen.

One of the two choices, and the one chosen so often by government in the past is that of rejecting the principles of liberty and resorting to even bigger and more authoritarian government. Some argue that giving dictatorial powers to the President, just as we have allowed him to run the American empire, is what we should do. That's the great danger, and in this post-911 atmosphere, too many Americans are seeking safety over freedom. We have already lost too many of our personal liberties already. Real fear of economic collapse could prompt central planners to act to such a degree that the New Deal of the 30's might look like Jefferson's Declaration of Independence.

The more the government is allowed to do in taking over and running the economy, the deeper the depression gets and the longer it lasts. That was the story of the 30ss and the early 40s, and the same mistakes are likely to be made again if we do not wake up.

But the good news is that it need not be so bad if we do the right thing. I saw "Something Big" happening in the past 18 months on the campaign trail. I was encouraged that we are capable of waking up and doing the right thing. I have literally met thousands of high school and college kids who are quite willing to accept the challenge and responsibility of a free society and reject the cradle-to-grave welfare that is promised them by so many do-good politicians.

If more hear the message of liberty, more will join in this effort. The failure of our foreign policy, welfare system, and monetary policies and virtually all government solutions are so readily apparent, it doesn't take that much convincing. But the positive message of how freedom works and why it's possible is what is urgently needed.

One of the best parts of accepting self reliance in a free society is that true personal satisfaction with one's own life can be achieved. This doesn't happen when the government assumes the role of guardian, parent or provider, because it eliminates a sense of pride. But the real problem is the government can't provide the safety and economic security that it claims. The so-called good that government claims it can deliver is always achieved at the expense of someone else's freedom. It's a failed system and the young people know it.

Restoring a free society doesn't eliminate the need to get our house in order and to pay for the extravagant spending. But the pain would not be long-lasting if we did the right things, and best of all the empire would have to end for financial reasons. Our wars would stop, the attack on civil liberties would cease, and prosperity would return. The choices are clear: it shouldn't be difficult, but the big event now unfolding gives us a great opportunity to reverse the tide and resume the truly great American Revolution started in 1776. Opportunity knocks in spite of the urgency and the dangers we face.

Let's make "Something Big is Happening" be the discovery that freedom works and is popular and the big economic and political event we're witnessing is a blessing in disguise.

Does Michael Phelps have this much trouble?

2008-10-05T00:09:00.005-04:00

This afternoon and evening, Danielle and I went on a much needed shopping trip. One of the things I was searching for was a pair of brown shoes. My shoe size is 14 and I know from experience that it is generally very difficult to find size 14 shoes in most stores. We hit Marshalls, Kohls, DSW, and others...and none had size 14 shoes.

Are guys with size 14+ feet freaks of nature or something? I mean, you go to just about any store, and there are rows upon rows of 12's and 13's. But not a single size 14. What gives?! What is it that guides a stores' decision to not sell size 14 shoes? It totally baffles me.

We finally did find a fairly decent selection of size 14's at The Shoe Dept in the mall. In fact, they were having an INCREDIBLE sale, so I walked out of there with two pairs of brown shoes.

I wonder if Michael Phelps - a fellow size fourteener - has this much trouble finding shoes?

Granger Film Festival

2008-09-30T23:29:00.004-04:00

Well, the results [click on Granger Film Festival then 2008 Entries] from the Granger Film Festival are in, and - sadly - Grace did not win the grand prize. However, the good news is that out of the many videos they received, one of Grace's was chosen. (I submitted three). So, despite the fact that we didn't win anything, I am extremely pleased that my work and our church got some national exposure at a renowned event like the Granger Film Festival. That, in and of itself, is huge!

The irony of it all is that the video that they chose was a video that was created PRIOR to the purchase of our new and incredible video camera. Oh well.

I hope it's not too lofty to set a goal of Grace being one of the winners in next year's festival.

the funniest thing i've seen in a long time

2008-09-26T00:26:00.006-04:00

If you are not a regular reader of The Fail Blog, you should be. 9.5 out of 10 of the posts make me crack up in pure unbounded laughter. (Please be aware that if you do go to their site, however, that a very select few of the posts may be offensive to some. For those that would find it useful to them, there is a G-Rated link you can choose). Anyhow, this one, in particular, almost made me die.

I wish you guys got to do what I've been doing...

2008-09-24T02:04:00.005-04:00

I am currently in the middle of shooting a bunch of segments for a DVD that we (Grace) is sending out for our small groups to watch, along with a bunch of videos for the weekend services in October. It has been an incredibly busy couple of weeks, especially because this past Sunday was our annual meeting, which - for me - means the biggest project of the year: the year in review video. This year's video was especially fun to make because we have been through an incredibly historic year at Grace.

In order to pick out the most important images of this past year, I had to sift through almost 45 hours of footage. When it all came together in the video, it really put into perspective the amazing work that God is doing through His people at Grace. As I said in the year in review video: this year we learned to dream bigger. And I wasn't referring to the building. Yes, our new facility is a tool that God is using to bring people to Jesus in ways way beyond what anyone could have dreamed of. I was referring to having people dream bigger about what God will do and is doing. People from all over this community are stepping foot into the church -- A church -- for the first time. Healing is taking place. Restoration has begun in the hearts of many. Salvations. Baptisms. Discipleship. Helping the downtrodden in our community. In so many ways, Grace is an awesome, albeit imperfect example of what a New Testament church should look like. And people are responding en masse.

In going out over the last couple of weeks to film peoples' testimonies for our upcoming We Will Tell (Part II) campaign, it has been an INCREDIBLE blessing for me to meet all sorts of new people whom I have never met before even though we attend the same church. I feel like, sometimes, we get in our own little bubbles and we tend to lose perspective of the stuff going on all around us at all times. I have met with young and old, new believers and veterans of the faith, newcomers to Grace and others that have attended for many decades. And the underlying message in each of their stories goes something like this: I never thought a place like Grace existed. Then, for whatever reason, I became part of this body of believers and my life has never been the same.

Today, for instance, I filmed a lady from Australia who moved to the United States to become a professor here at Penn State all because she met somebody from Grace at a conference in London, England. I mean, what an awesome story!? She spoke with incredible passion tonight about what God is doing in her heart and how incredibly grateful she is that she found Grace and how at home she feels there. She said she never expected to find a church like Grace in America, as she came from a very similar church in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia. I also filmed a precious lady today who has been at Grace for nearly 30 years. She spoke of how, in 1998, when they first announced that they had purchased the land on Grubb Road, she could barely contain herself. She didn't even know if she'd be around another ten years, so the wait was excruciating for her. She wanted so badly to see the finished product, as she knew that God had amazing plans for His work here. Well, she's still here, and she spoke today about how Grace is positioning itself for the future. This incredible and godly woman, who was born before TV's were even in existence, spoke of how vital it is for Grace to embrace change, progress, and innovation. She knows that in order to reach this generation, we must adapt to the culture and meet the lost where they are. Her testimony literally brought me to tears. I can't wait for everybody to see what she had to say.

Another overwhelming theme in everybody's stories is the immense amount of respect that these people have for our pastors. People love Al, our senior pastor. I mean, they ADORE him. They appreciate his honesty, his vulnerability, and his humility. And the respect that people have for Derek and Mike -- while not surprising -- is simply incredible. What they say is true: we are so blessed to have such incredible leaders guiding us and doing their best to bring us closer to Christ.

If one thing has become ABUNDANTLY clear over these last couple weeks, it is this: God is moving at Grace Church in ways I think few - if any - people can possibly comprehend. In fact, I fully believe that we are only seeing the tip of the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what He is going to do at Grace. Innovation and change is never easy. Sacrifices must be made and there will be bumps along the way. But I ask any Grace attender who is not excited about what they are seeing happen all around them: how can you NOT be excited about what God is doing? And for those who are sitting on the sidelines watching the action, I beg of you to jump on board and be part of the incredible story that is being written at 7300 Grubb Road.

I think Derek summed it up nicely tonight:

Giddyup.

Allow me to brag a bit...

2008-09-18T01:08:00.003-04:00

Things are really crazy right now. I have about 200 video projects going on, which I am very happy about. Some are for church, others are not. I'm glad that things are so busy with that right now, but it doesn't allow me much time to do other things...ya know, like blog.

One of the big projects I am working on this week is the video for the 2008 annual meeting being held this Sunday at Grace. I have had the privilege (some wouldn't call it that, but I consider it as such) of going through hours and hours and hours of video from this past year. In doing so, I feel the need to brag a little bit about this place called Grace. I have much to say, but for now, I am going to just say a couple things:

Grace Church is an absolutely amazing place. If you live in Erie and you're reading this and you have yet to visit Grace, I just need to say that you are missing out big time. PLEASE VISIT! We welcome you with open arms. But I have to warn you: when you do finally visit, please know that you have entered into a movement of God that is thriving like crazy.
This past year has been incredible. If somebody would have told me one year ago that we would have just under 1,000 people worshiping at Grace on any given weekend, I wouldn't have believed them. But in going back through the footage of this past year and seeing everything that makes Grace tick and everyone that makes Grace tick, it has brought me to tears several times as I realize how God is moving amongst His people and how He is leading so many in our community to begin a relationship with Him.
When I walked through the doors of Grace on Easter Sunday 2003, I had no idea that God had placed me in the middle of something so amazing. Over five years later, I continue to be grateful that I am a tiny little part of His story as it unfolds at Grace.
When I think about the future of Grace, I get goosebumps. I know it's going to be incredible. And the best part? This is only the beginning.

I have so much more to say about all this, but I must get some sleep right now.

Have a great Thursday, all!

Remembering

2008-09-11T13:35:00.005-04:00

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I arrived at work at 8:30 to begin my day as a teller at First Union Bank in Port Orange, Florida. Just about 10 minutes before we opened the doors to customers, our manager ran from the break room to the teller line to tell us that the World Trade Center was on fire because a small plane had hit it. Shocked, but not terribly concerned, we continued about our business as usual.

At 9:00, we unlocked the doors and customers began to file in. A few minutes after we opened the doors, a customer came in and informed us that another plane had hit the other WTC tower. My coworkers and I then took turns going to the break room to watch the news coverage on TV. As the situation continued to unfold and as we began to realize that this was no accident, the decision was made to roll the TV out to the lobby so that we could continue to work but also so we could keep updated on the news of the attacks.

As the morning went on, customers began to come in with tears rolling down their cheeks. And the news just kept getting worse: the Pentagon was hit. Both towers collapsed. A plane crashed just outside of Pittsburgh. And of course there were the rumors: bombs at the State Department, planes headed towards the White House and the Capitol Building, Disneyworld and Cape Canaveral (both just 50 miles from where we were) was on the list of attack targets. Things got crazy quick. All of a sudden, people started coming to the bank wanting the withdraw their ENTIRE accounts. I remember one gentleman, who had more money in his account than we had in the entire bank, demanded we give him every last cent of his money. We had to scramble and borrow money from other First Union branches, but we eventually were able to get it to him.

I called my dad who, at the time, was working at a plant in Greenville, PA. Anyone who remembers that day remembers thinking that they didn't know what was going to come next. I don't know why, but I was so scared for my dad even though he was over a hundred miles from where United 93 came down. I remember crying on the phone and telling him that I wished that our family was together, and I told him how much I love this country and how grateful I was that he brought his family to America.

Word came from our bank headquarters in Charlotte, NC that all branches would be closing at 12 noon. When the bank closed, I immediately drove over to my friend Rebekah's house. We watched TV in stunned silence as channel after channel went dark to pay respects for the thousands of people that were dying that day. We decided to go over to Don & Dianne White's (the leaders or our college ministry) house. I remember walking to the car that afternoon and thinking how quiet it was outside. I felt like everything around us had stopped. I will never forget that moment. It was incredibly eerie.

For the rest of that dreadful day, a bunch of us "family-less" college students gathered at the White's. Word came that evening that the Feds were in Daytona Beach looking for information on some students who had attended Embry-Riddle, the flight school that we all went to. All of a sudden, the attacks seemed a little closer and a little more personal. Not knowing what would or could happen on this day like no other, we went around locking the doors and closing the blinds on the windows. In retrospect, that was probably a little silly, but we all were in fear that night.

I remember thinking the worst when we were in the kitchen watching the little TV and there was breaking news that radar showed a formation of airplanes in Alaska. At this point, of course, there were supposed to be no airplanes in the sky anywhere in North America. I remember thinking that the next wave of attacks was about to begin. A few minutes later, they said that the Air Force had confirmed that the planes were theirs. Thank God.

As it turns out, there was no next wave. And, seven years later, we have been spared another attack on our soil. Whether or not you support our President, the war or whatever...I think it is worth being grateful to our government that nothing has happened since.

September 11, 2001 was my generation's December 7, 1941. It changed our country forever. It will be a day I will never forget. And as we pause today to remember the 2,700+ people that lost their lives that day, let us pray that a day like this never happens again.

To Dixie and Back

2008-09-05T01:07:00.004-04:00

Well, routine reared it's ugly head again after having spent five wonderful days with Danielle at my dad's place in Myrtle Beach. Although two of the five days were spent driving, I have to say that it was absolutely worth the journey. We arrived into town at about 4 Friday afternoon after having left Erie at about 4:30 that morning (we stopped three times: once for breakfast at Panera somewhere in West Virginia, once for gas in Virginia, and once for a snack in North Carolina). I had arranged with MaryJo, my dad's wife, to keep our visit on the DL. We agreed to meet at a restaurant they like at the beach near their house. As they walked into the restaurant, the hostess brought them to the table that Danielle and I had already been sat at. He wondered why she was seating them at a table at which two people had already been seated. He was absolutely stunned when he figured out that it was us. It was the best reaction we could have hoped for! And -- hopefully -- the best birthday present we could have given him.

With my dad reaching the 70 year milestone on Sunday, I will do everything I can do utilize every opportunity that arises to go see him. I refuse to pass up any opportunity to spend time with my dad. It's already been two years since he retired and headed south, but the idea that I am 800 miles away from him is still something I am trying to get used to. For him, he chose to move his family to America 40 years ago and left his parents and other family back in England. For him, being separated from those you love is something that you "just do". I accept that, but that doesn't mean that I don't miss him terribly. So when Danielle emailed me early last week and said, "hey, wanna go to Myrtle Beach this weekend?", I jubilantly wrote back and said, "heck yes!" I would not have answered any other way.

I'm also very grateful that I have a wife who enjoys my company on roadtrips. I definitely enjoy hers. To many people, the very idea of a 13 hour roadtrip makes them cringe. To us, it is an opportunity to reconnect, laugh, and plan. We do not need music, a portable DVD player, or iPods to keep ourselves entertained. Actually, if I was to be completely honest with you, the drive down and back is my favorite part of the trip. We have each other, and, in my ever-so-slightly biased opinion, that is all we need. ;-)

[EDIT: i tried six times to upload a few pics, but Blogger must be having issues. i will upload them sometime later on friday if and when i get a chance. sorry!]

I'm pretty sure this:

2008-08-30T01:25:00.006-04:00

is absolutely brilliant.

Well done, McCain. Well done.

Here it is!

2008-08-28T08:07:00.006-04:00

Here's the video from last weekend. Enjoy!

(the dancing starts at 3:34)

We Are Family from Dave Hartland on Vimeo.

In other news, I am looking forward to what will be a beautiful moment this morning down at the courthouse as Chrissy becomes the lawful daughter of Justin & Juli (she already is considered as such in the eyes of everyone else). She's great...and makes a great addition to an already awesome family! Praise God that Justin and Juli have chosen to give this beautiful child (and by child, I mean almost college-bound) a much-deserved chance for love, happiness, and success. She is also getting the opportunity to fall in love with Jesus for the first time in her life -- and that rocks. I love that they are doing this. It's like an incredibly happy story or movie -- only, it's happening in real life. I get teared up even thinking about it...

Like my wife said, we are heading to South Carolina this weekend to visit my daddy. He doesn't know yet, so please don't tell him. He turns SEVENTY (70) ::gasp!:: this weekend. I'm so excited to surprise him tomorrow!

Enjoy your holiday weekend, folks. Labor Day?! Seriously!? Wow. Doesn't it just seem like Memorial Day or 4th of July? Heck, doesn't it seem like it was just Christmas?!

By the way, speaking of Christmas: only 119 more days.

Screenshot Hilarity

2008-08-26T17:16:00.008-04:00

I took some random screenshots of the video I was working on for church this past weekend. Here's a sampling of some of the hilarious craziness that occurred during the shoot.

I'll hopefully have the video online within the next day or so!

An Expensive Winter?

2008-08-26T11:40:00.004-04:00

As if we needed anything else to worry about, the Farmer's Almanac has released it's 2008-2009 winter forecast. It is predicting a "numbingly wild and cold" winter for most of the U.S. and especially around the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast. Now, of course as an avid winter enthusiast, I am completely and utterly stoked by such a prediction. But Peter Geiger, the almanac's editor, stated, "This is going to be catastrophic for millions of people." Of course, he is referring to the astronomical rise in oil prices (read: the cost to heat your home) since last winter and how a frigid winter may affect people this year.

For now, I'm just going to assume, hope, and pray that oil prices go down to $15/barrel by the start of winter so that gas is $1.10/gallon and our monthly gas bills are under $30 during the winter months. So, if I keep that optimistic and positive attitude, I will not feel guilty about the fact that I am excited for a "numbingly cold" winter up in these parts.

And yes, I know that it is the Farmer's Almanac. BUT, they do claim 80-85% accuracy. I'd say those are pretty good odds. :-D

Cold In August

2008-08-24T22:05:00.006-04:00

...and I'm not talking about the weather. I'm talking about the cold that has overtaken my body over the last 24 hours. In my humble opinion, coming down with a cold when it is hot outside is the worst feeling in the world. Can I get an amen to that? Ugh.

I did have a fun weekend though. On Saturday, Danielle, Candace, and I went out on the lake with Aaron, Kelly, and the boys and had --hands down-- the most enjoyable afternoon of the summer thus far. We sailed out to a beautiful sandy beach at the tip of Presque Isle that I never knew existed (even though I have spent 24 of my 29 years here) until yesterday. Seriously, it was pretty much like being at a beach somewhere in the Caribbean. And I'm not even exaggerating. At all.

At this little spot of paradise, everyone pretty much just anchors their boats in the water and either gets out and wades to the beach, hangs out on their boat, or swims in the water next to their boat. For us, we swam for a while, had a BBQ on the beach, and basically just hung out and enjoyed the perfect weather. Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera, so I have no pictures.

People who are close to me know that I can be a very fussy and hard-to-please individual (I'm not proud of that, by the way...). So when I say that Saturday afternoon was one of the best afternoons of my life, it goes without saying that it must have been a pretty dang awesome afternoon. I know that living in Erie has its ups and downs, but afternoons like Saturday make me realize how wonderful this place really is.

We completed our awesome Saturday by taking a little drive out to the White Turkey drive-in just over the Ohio line in Conneaut with Brian & Rachel. For anybody reading this blog that is currently residing in the Greater Erie area that has not been out to this place, STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW AND GO. Well, unless it's after business hours...then wait until tomorrow. Anyhow, this place rocks my socks off. And when you go, get a root beer float (unfortunately, I'm not a fan of root beer...but I still highly recommend this treat because everyone I have ever gone there with gets it and loves it).

On Sunday at Grace, we experienced yet another incredible service. Mike delivered an awesome message about family. I love all of our teaching pastors. They all have wonderfully unique preaching styles. But for some reason, Mike is the only one that consistently makes me cry. Today was no exception. Awesome job, Mike!

What a great weekend!

Ok, time for some Nyquil. Night, all!

A Nice Evening

2008-08-19T12:56:00.005-04:00

On Sunday, my friend Justin asked me if I would be willing to sub on Monday for somebody who is unable to complete the season on the Grace men's golf league. Derek has asked me about a thousand times to sub for him in the league, but I never did...mainly out of fear, I suppose (sorry, Derek!). Reluctantly, when Justin asked, I agreed since he said I would be playing with him (I generally fear unfamiliar social situations). I fretted about it all afternoon on Sunday and all day on Monday. I kept thinking I had made a terrible mistake, as I hadn't been out on a golf course in nearly two years.

Even as Justin and I were making the trek out to Elk Valley Golf Course in Girard, I was extremely nervous about how stupid I was going to make myself look in front of a bunch of guys who have had a whole summer of practice. Before tee-off, Justin and I hit some balls at the driving range. I immediately felt how grossly out of shape I was. I mean, I know it's golf and all...pretty much the laziest sport there is (besides baseball)...but I really felt it in my arms and my back. I was beginning to worry even more about how I was going to look in front of these guys.

It was finally time to tee off. My heart was pounding as I prepared to drive for the first time in two years with about 15 other people looking on. As the driver hit the ball, I was sure that I was going to make a spectacle of myself. I was sure the ball was going to go in the woods or in the water. Imagine my surprise when I looked up and followed my ball to a relatively safe spot just right of the fairway. My first drive was a success. Unfortunately, my next shot went right into the water. But so did Justin's. And so did Bob's (Bob was the other guy in our threesome). Instead of getting upset over losing a ball, we actually laughed about it because we all did the same thing.

As the evening continued on, I realized that I was having a great time. I had some incredible shots and I had some horrible ones (although, the only ball I lost was --ironically-- in the water on the first hole). I was with two other guys who also had some incredible shots and some horrible ones. I began to realize that my fears were completely unfounded.

What had unfolded was a perfect late summer evening. The sun was setting, the temperature was perfect, and --most importantly-- we were having loads of fun. The best part? Being part of intergenerational fellowship. There were 20-somethings playing. And there were 80-somethings playing. In fact, in my own group was myself (29), Justin (27), and Bob (between 70 and 80). I loved it.

Playing last night made me realize once again how much I genuinely enjoy golf. I grew up living on a golf course and, as one would expect, golf was a huge part of my childhood. As I grew older, though, golf became more of a luxury for me.

I am happy to say that I look forward to next Monday and, although this season is nearing its end (snow will be flying in less than two months, folks), I will look ahead to next spring when the league starts up again. Who knows? Maybe I'll actually do something I would have thought unthinkable a mere day ago: join.

Headline FAIL

2008-08-13T14:31:00.004-04:00

From today's Erie Times-News:

My clock goes faster than yours

2008-08-12T13:30:00.003-04:00

So, during the last week of July, I started working on a budget for Danielle and I for the month of August. I stayed up until 4am two nights in a row on July 30 and 31 to have it ready for unveiling on August 1. But I still wasn't finished with it on August 1. Now, it's August 12. The month is half over. And still, I have not completed a budget for us. I feel like it's not even worth it this far into the month.

I absolutely cannot believe how fast time is flying by.

The kicker is that I don't even have a full-time job right now. No kids. Not even a dog or cat. Or a fish.

So, I ask myself, "where does the time go?"

I'm still trying to figure out the answer.

By the way, it's only 134 days until Christmas.

I forgot to breathe for a few seconds...

2008-08-11T15:04:00.005-04:00

I'm not a fan of the Olympics. That is, until last night.

Ho-ly CRAP! How amazing was this?!

WOW! GO TEAM USA!

just a season?

2008-08-08T11:58:00.006-04:00

I had a good conversation with a friend last night. He and I talked about how thinking all the time has the capability to completely and utterly wear you out. Not only does it wear you out, but it also makes you numb. Numb to good, numb to bad, and numb to common sense. It's a very scary place to be, but I think that's where I am right now. Numb and tired. I'm constantly thinking, worrying, planning, wondering, and wandering. I'm worried that I won't ever be able to pull out of this deep funk I am in; that these are the cards I've been dealt and that's it. Every morning when I wake up and every night as I fall asleep, I am fighting what seems to be a losing battle.

It seems that everyday, Danielle and I are bombarded with more and more bad news. It's been a difficult season to be in recently...it just feels like we are being punched in the gut over and over and over and over again. And then when we're down and bloodied, we get punched in the gut again. Ah well, "it's just a season" they say. I certainly hope it is. But sometimes, I wonder if it's just the way life is always going to be?

Meanwhile, as I complain about what I perceive as 'difficult' happenings in my own life, all around me there are marriages crumbling, families falling apart, parents burying their children, and so many more horrible things that don't make any sense. I try to remember this and I try to put things into perspective, but -honestly- at the end of the day, it's still really hard for me to smile. Perhaps the combination of my own personal struggles combined with the intense pain and unspeakable sadness that those around us are dealing with is creating the perfect storm for my ever questioning mind.

So yeah, I'm tired. And I'm numb. But I'm praying that God brings me through this season. I just don't know how long I should pray before I think about giving up.

It's not that I don't desperately want to win this battle and win this war. But if you are fighting a war without end, what point is there in fighting the battles?

HA!

2008-08-04T13:42:00.003-04:00

I found this while visiting my niece's Facebook page over the weekend. It tickled me:

YouTube vs. Vimeo

2008-08-01T00:50:00.002-04:00

Although I'm not crazy about the interface of Vimeo, it has a clear advantage over YouTube in terms of picture quality.

Compare the latest video from Grace, a trailer for "The Awakening"; Grace's August sermon series.

This is YouTube:

And this is Vimeo:

The Awakening [trailer] from Dave Hartland on Vimeo.

It is obvious which one is better. My question is whether the ugliness of Vimeo's interface should be a factor in deciding whether to begin using it. Hmm. Thoughts?

FREE Financial Tools

2008-07-31T01:05:00.008-04:00

Along with Dave Ramsey, another name that Danielle and I have become familiar with recently is Joseph Sangl. Some of you may be familiar with his book I Was Broke, Now I'm Not. If not, I encourage you all to check it out.

The other thing I definitely encourage you to check out is the list of free tools Sangl has available at his website to help you in your journey to financial freedom. It is definitely worth your time to check it out.

By the way, you only have 146 more shopping days until Christmas.

Fithing

2008-07-28T13:29:00.006-04:00

Yesterday marked the end of EconoME, Grace's July sermon series that dealt with money issues. Unfortunately, yesterday's service was the only one of the four in the series that I could be there for. But it doesn't mean that money and the issues surrounding it haven't been on my mind a lot lately.

Grace is offering Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University this fall. I am confident that it is going to change the lives of all those that participate. Danielle and I have decided to be part of the course and we are pretty excited about it, too. Dave Ramsey's philosophy is simple: start out with an emergency fund of $1,000. Then start attacking your debt. Take care of the smallest balances first by putting high payments on those while only making minimum payments on your other debts. Once the smaller balances disappear, wrap that payment you were making on that debt up with the minimum payment of the next smallest and keep going from there until you are debt free. Ramsey calls it the debt snowball.

I have to be honest: imagining life debt free is pretty much next to impossible for me right now. I have been chained to the ground with the bondage of debt since my freshman year of college when, during freshman orientation week, I was lured in by the nice people at the credit card booth who offered me a free t-shirt and a nifty water bottle. When I maxed out that credit card, the nice people at my bank offered me another card that would have double the credit line on it. It was 0% APR for a year, so I thought - heck, why not. And the cycle just continued on and on and on. Eleven years and many many thousands of dollars later, I am paying dearly for the mistakes I made during that period of my life. Sadly, my wife is paying for my mistakes as well.

Guilt and embarrassment stemming from my decade of idiotic financial decisions grip my soul every waking moment. But over the last month as I've gone on video assignments to support the EconoME series and heard testimony after testimony of how peoples' lives have been changed since they went through Financial Peace, I actually have begun to feel a little bit of hope that perhaps there is a way out. I can't help but wonder what Danielle and I --and so many others-- would be able to do for God if the chains of financial burden were shattered. I'm so tired of being in debt. I'm so tired of giving every penny that we earn to credit card companies who think it's justifiable to raise their APRs to 30% like the people from Sears decided to do. THIRTY PERCENT? Do they WANT people to get crushed by their financial ruination?

It is my belief that a huge part of the answer leading up to financial success is honoring God with your finances. But if every penny that you earn goes to paying off debt, it can seem rather impossible to do that. But what if you decided to give God something? I was watching a video recently of a testimony where a guy suggested that if you can't give 10%, give something. Anything. In fact, he and his wife made it a point to give 5% during their season of financial stress. They even named the act of giving 5% to God as a "Fithe". As their financial situation improved, they began to give 6%. Then 7%. And so on.

The truth is: right now I am robbing God. And that burden, in the midst of everything else that we're dealing with, is sometimes too much to handle. I want to be able to give back to God what is rightfully His. But there are times where I just can't.

My question is this: do you think that God would honor a fithe? Does He honor the act of giving something when we can't give Him all?

Fun With Beavers

2008-07-23T14:18:00.015-04:00

FYI: The pictures and text are all screwed up in this entry because I haven't figured out how to post pics to Blogger yet. But it would take too much time to fix, so I'm not going to. Sorry.

Danielle, Candace, and I spent this past weekend camping down at Beaver Meadows in the Allegheny National Forest. And while we didn't really see any beavers, as the title of this entry suggests, we definitely would have had fun with them if, in fact, we had seen some.

Beaver Meadows Lake I guess this is the meadow where the beavers are supposed to be?

We arrived down there on Saturday after a campsite search in Cook Forest and a random visit to the camp where Aaron, Kelly, and the boys were staying. We pitched our tent in time for dinner and nightfall. Mind you, this was both Danielle and Candace's first time tent camping, so I had no idea how this was going to go. I'm pleased to say that it was a grand success. You can read about Danielle's experience here.

Candace looking on as I finish setting up camp Our site

"I'm not so sure about this!" A baby pinecone and a fine example of Danielle's magnificent eye

Candace and I having fun in the tent after it was all set up

What followed was an evening of fun and food. We cooked Smith's hot dogs (good taste never goes out of style) over the fire, and ate Pringle's and potato salad. Afer dinner, we made mountain pies with cherry filling, and then later, we made s'mores. Candace loved the s'mores. But, in my opinion, who in their right mind wouldn't?

"Is it time for Smith's hot dogs yet?" Danielle and Candace sitting and snacking by the fire

Candace and I clearing up after dinner Candace's first s'more! Mmmmm!!!

As Danielle mentions in her blog, the woods around us were amazingly silent. We didn't even hear the sound of crickets. Occasionally, the chorus of frogs from the lake would echo through the forest, but even that was faint and barely audible. The other strange thing I noticed was that there was not a hint of wind the entire night. The trees were about as still as they could be. I said to Danielle at one point that I wondered if weather still existed. It was really strange but stunningly peaceful.

"Umm, this is where we're sleeping?" Bedtime!

On Sunday, we woke up and made blueberry pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast, we went on a 3 mile hike, which -- for 2 year old Candace -- is a huge deal. Although she was carried by Danielle for the first part of the hike and me on the second part, I still think she did excellent, even if she did cry 90% of the time. LOL.

A baby pinecone! Danielle and Candace walking through wildflowers

Deep thoughts by Candace Stunning wildflower displays

Candace on top of the dam Traversing a rickety old bridge

Candace and I taking a break as we walk through a bog Yes, that is Danielle walking through thick wilderness! I'm so proud!

When we arrived back at the campsite, we were going to make lunch, but a thunderstorm popped up extremely quickly which caused us to tear down camp like crazy people and get in the car just in time for the lightning bolts and the deluge.

"Where da fire go Unca Day?"

On the way home, we stopped by Cook Forest, let Candace dip her feet in the river, we made grilled ham and cheese at an enclosed picnic shelter, and then got ice cream.

Playing at the river "You want me to do what?"

The Clarion River at Cook Forest One of very few pictures where Candace is smiling!

Danielle and Candace playing in the river Eating lunch in a shelter during the thunderstorm

This past weekend reiterated what I already knew: I was born to live outside. If I could live in a forest for the rest of my life, I would be incredibly satisfied. I love being outside. Being in Creation, seeing what God has done, being away from all the modern conveniences of daily life (I can't even tell you where the nearest electric light was, let alone cell phone reception) is something that just fills me with joy.

I love camping. And I love that my wife now loves to camp, too.

Granger Community Church

2008-07-17T00:59:00.002-04:00

On our way back from Minneapolis, Danielle and I decided to embark on a "great churches of the Midwest tour". You can read about it on Danielle's site. On Sunday, our "tour" took us to Granger Community Church in Granger, Indiana (just outside of Sound Bend). We waffled back and forth as to whether we were going to stop or not. How glad I am that we did.

What we experienced at Granger was a church that was not only passionate about doing everything excellently, but also one that was heavily investing in its community and reaching out to those who don't yet know Christ. From the moment we walked into their subtly beautiful building (it's rather unassuming, but it is a very well and creatively designed facility) to the moment we left the parking lot, I was in awe of everything about this place. The only bad thing we noticed was a lack of any kind of guest acknowledgment. In fact, Danielle talks about that in her post. The people were very friendly; ushers shook our hands and said "hi" and "good morning" and "welcome", but there was nothing that made me feel valued as a guest. I am proud to say that Grace definitely has a niche in this department. And although this was our experience, perhaps Granger figured out along it's journey that the method they use works. After all, average weekend attendance has gone from 4,000 in 2005 to 7,500 in 2008. Almost a 100% increase in three years. They've got to be doing something right.

As we hopped back on I-90 for the trip home, I began to think about Grace and Erie and whether a church like Granger could survive in Erie.

Granger was founded by Senior Pastor Mark Beeson (awesome blog) and his wife Sheila a little over 20 years ago. Because of their vision (and her investment in the youth/children of the church), Granger has grown into a community phenomenon in South Bend. They are even opening their first church plant this weekend in a town just east of South Bend called Elkhart. Here is why I think Granger has succeeded:

They love Jesus. A lot. I could tell by the passion in Pastor Mark's voice on Sunday as he spoke of how he longs for the hearts of all people to be passionate for Christ.
They invest heavily in the children and youth. They talk about it in the bulletin. Pastor Mark talked about it during the sermon on Sunday. They're not afraid to admit that they know that the church members/leaders of tomorrow are the children of today.
Creativity and innovation is a way of life there. They settle for nothing less than the best. Innovative music. Video in every service. And they do it excellently. I love one of their vision statements:

"ADVANCING OUR MISSION THROUGH THE ARTS
Jesus Christ will be worshipped at GCC through a broad expression of the arts. Hearts will be touched, emotions stirred, minds opened and lives forever changed through the excellent and compelling presentation of the arts."
Great communication. Their weekly e-news bulletin reaches almost 5,000 people. Church news and events are reserved for the believer's service that they have on Thursday nights. Weekend services (all identical, by the way) are designed as seeker services. Stunning brochures. A website that not only is brimming with information and creativity, but one that is used heavily by its members as a communication tool. Streaming video, service video, and a state-of-the-art media player on their website. Incredible.
They are not afraid of change. In fact, Pastor Mark acknowledged two times in his sermon that Granger changes it's methodology often and that you have to choose to be okay with it if you are on board with Granger's mission (helping people take their next step toward Christ....together). Concluding his sermon on Sunday, he said this [emphasis added by me]:
"Every change we ever make around here, every shift we make, every
modification in some method or strategy; it is only so that people who want to hear can hear. It is so that we can say, and people will get it: lift your eyes! There is a God above all gods! Lift your eyes! Look to Christ and obey Him. This is our mission. It is what we will do."

WOW. I was speechless.

But could a church like this survive in Erie? Granger is a church located in South Bend, a city much like Erie:

South Bend population: 107,789 (fourth largest city in Indiana)
South Bend metro area: 316, 663
Erie population: 104,000 (fourth largest city in Pennsylvania)
Erie metro area: 281,000
Both metro areas have populations that are near 40% Catholic with less than 5% of each population identifying themselves as evangelical protestants.
Both cities have a substantial college student population.

Based on the above data, I don't see any reason why a church like Granger couldn't survive here in Erie. We have several great churches in town. Erie First, First Alliance, McLane, and of course Grace just to name a few. But is there a church in Erie that is willing to step out in faith and really GENUINELY reach the WHOLE city for Christ? Is there a church that is ready and willing to genuinely make a difference in the Erie community? Is there a church in this community that is willing to make history-making decisions without the fear of reprisal by [some of] its members? Is there a church in Erie that is so passionate for Jesus that they will do whatever it takes to make sure that they are doing all they can to cause the hearts of those that feel unworthy, unloved, and unlovable to beat passionately for Him?

Is there a church in Erie that is determined to offer their very best for Christ no matter how much pain and change they will have to go through?

I long for Grace to be that church. Unfortunately, I don't think we're there yet.
So I ask: what in the world are we waiting for?

Shouldn't we just shut off the lights and lock the doors behind us if we're not willing to be that church?

Doesn't God deserve it?

I Think I Love My Life

2008-07-16T02:56:00.008-04:00

Danielle and I moved into a new place a couple weekends ago. As we try to get everything situated and settled, we are trying to get rid of the stuff we don't need (I'm a pack rat; she's not) and organize the stuff we need/want to keep. Tonight, I made it my goal to buy a RubberMaid tub at Wal Mart and combine two huge cardboard boxes of photos that have come along with me on every move since 2005 (I've moved a total of 4 times since then....UGH).

As I dug through the photos and put them in their protective tub (I did not organize them; I am saving that for when the weather gets nasty), I realized that I am in the middle of an extraordinary existence.

I looked through those pictures and couldn't help but to give thanks to God for the life with which He has blessed me. The places I've seen, the people I've met, the things I've done...it's absolutely amazing. As I thought more and more about it, I realized that I love my life.

So the next time I complain about life and how hard/stressful/boring/stupid/unfair it is, wouldn't it be great if I brought a little perspective into the situation?

We'll see if that happens.

In the meantime, it sure won't hurt to offer thanks to God for giving me a truly wonderful life. It's certainly something of which I don't do nearly enough.

Observations from a midwestern roadtrip

2008-07-08T00:58:00.016-04:00

We left Erie on Sunday morning at 7:30. Ahead of us was a 14 hour trip that, with the one hour time change, would put us into Minneapolis at 8:30 central time. We decided that we only wanted to drive in the sunlight; not because we hate driving in the dark, but because we wanted to see everything along the way. The drive went well, although we did hit some July 4th weekend traffic woes in and around the Chicago area. The weather was near-perfect which made for smooth sailing for pretty much the entire journey. Here are some observations from the road:

1. Planning for light traffic on a Sunday in the country's third largest city is not good planning. Also, don't forget to factor in holiday traffic when, in fact, there has been a holiday on the preceding Friday.

2. I am not a city-lover. As my wife knows all-too-well, my idea of fun is tenting in the middle of a completely deserted wilderness with none of the modern conveniences of daily life to distract me. Still, Chicago looks like a fun city that I would like to explore sometime. But only once.

3. I always thought that St.Olaf was the town in Minnesota from where Rose Nylund hailed.
Well, this trip has proven me wrong. Assuming that Rose Nylund was not getting gas along the Illinois Turnpike, I am rather amused (and somewhat excited) that St.Olaf is indeed a real place.

5. Depictions of the Midwest in movies and TV shows are seemingly accurate. There are corn fields and different kinds of mills as far as the eye can see.

6. I'm convinced that most media does not know what they're talking about. While they are running story after story about how high gas prices are affecting everybody's vacation plans, it didn't much seem like it as we drove on Sunday. Traffic going east was absolutely insane. Thank goodness we were heading west. Traffic was backed up from near Rockford, Illinois to the middle of Wisconsin (about 200 miles).

7. Wisconsin's highway numbering system is wonky. Indeed, they're not even numbers. They're letters. Take, for instance Highway PP and Highway EW:

8. For America's Dairyland (as they proudly proclaim on their license plate), Wisconsin didn't have as much cheese as I thought it would. However, it did have it's fair share of tornado and flood damage from earlier this year.

9. We arrived the Twin Cities just as the sun was setting. It was really beautiful, actually. It was as if the Twin Cities' Chamber of Commerce knew we were arriving and arranged the most perfect of evenings to welcome us:

Overall, it was a really great drive. In retrospect, it doesn't seem like it took 14 hours...but roadtrips with Dave and Danielle are always so fun that you don't even notice how long the drive is. Even the gas prices weren't as bad as had been feared. The highest we saw was just outside Chicago with $4.49/gallon. As we approached the 14th hour, we both commented on how much we wanted to continue driving because we had had so much fun. Actually, that's a lie. I thought it...but I didn't say it. I love road trips with my wife. I love my wife! :-)

Today, we are heading to the Fogo De Chao Churrascaria for lunch. I haven't been to a churrascaria since I traveled to Brazil several years ago. It goes without saying that I am pretty darn excited!!

Saturday....finally.

2008-07-05T18:33:00.004-04:00

First off, I want to apologize for not updating my new blog regularly over the last couple of weeks. I do have a fairly decent excuse, however. Danielle and I moved last weekend, so that created a week of craziness prior to the move and a week of craziness after the move. We also do not have Internet at home right now as we have made the switch from Time Warner to Verizon and will not have service until July 8. In addition to the move, we of course continue to watch Candace. I have had two job interviews. We got a flat tire. We're living out of boxes. I went on two film shoots. I had to edit five videos by today (Saturday). We celebrated July 4th with friends and family. I had an awesome and long-overdue conversation with a good friend of mine. And we're preparing to go on vacation starting tomorrow morning. It has certainly been a crazy time!

All week, I kept my focus on Saturday night. I knew that Saturday night was the prize...everything would be finished and I could breathe again...and we would be within hours of leaving for our vacation. We are driving halfway across the country tomorrow
to visit our dear friends Aber and Molly up in Minneapolis. We're staying for a week, which Danielle tells me will be the longest period of time she has ever spent in Minneapolis. I am so thrilled; not only to see them, but to spend a week with my wife. I love roadtrips (although I love roadtrips with my wife more) and would never trade them for anything...even in this era of $4/gallon gas prices. There is something about driving down an interstate that just makes me...happy.

I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to blog while I'm in Minnesota, but I will try. I am what they call a "minimalistic wanderer". I generally want to stay as far away as I can from any sort of technology when I am away from my normal routine. For me, being on a computer, being on the internet, watching TV, or talking on a cell phone is all stuff I do all the time at home. I go on vacation to get away from all of that. We'll see how I do on this trip. In the meantime, I hope you all have a great weekend, a great week, and I hope you guys had a fantastic 4th. I don't know about you, but I thank God that I live in the United States of America. All our problems aside, I still believe that this is the most amazing country on earth and I am so thankful that I am part of it.

When I get home, I hope that I will have returned with a fresh spirit, a renewed focus, and -- hopefully -- a brand new job.

That would be, by far, the best thing that could happen to us right now.

Welcome!

2008-06-22T01:34:00.010-04:00

It's long overdue, I know, but I've finally made the switch to Blogger. I will not be deleting any of my posts at Xanga, so it will be possible for me (or you) to go back in time if need be. Xanga served me well for over three years and I will miss it, but hopefully I will grow used to the format over here. Perhaps I may even end up liking it more.

Why Blogger?
I chose Blogger over Wordpress for no particular reason whatsoever. In my search for the best blogging platform, I found good and bad things about each site. I suppose the final decision was based on what my wife was using. She uses Blogger. If Danielle used Wordpress, I dare say that I would have chosen that over Blogger. Although, if I am to be completely honest, it seems to me that Blogger is ever-so-slightly more user friendly.

Why "The Broken Soul"?
Every human being is cursed with a broken soul. That is a profoundly serious consequence of the fall that none of us can escape. Not a single one of us will ever experience a complete and perfect soul this side of heaven. So by titling my blog as such, I am in no way implying that I am on a more difficult journey than any other Christ-follower. Committing yourself to a faith journey is not easy. Each day, a choice must be made to die to self and to live in Christ. But all that means is that we are still sinners, caught between our new heart and our flesh while wholly relying on the boundless grace that Jesus so freely offers to each one of us regardless of where we've been or what we've done. For me, the reality of that grace is something that I will never comprehend. I have experienced some very dark moments in my life; some as a result of circumstances beyond my control and some as as a result of ridiculously poor judgment. It is because of those times of poor judgment that I have come to experience chronic shame, defeat, and even self-loathing. When I think I deserve nothing but the ultimate punishment, Jesus is there telling me that things don't have to be as they've always been. The vast and unfathomable grace that is wrapped up in that promise literally takes my breath away every time I think about it. That He would want the very best for this dirty, filthy, rotten sinner is a reality that I will never understand.

Why Now?
As the calendar flipped from 2007 to 2008, I made a commitment to myself and to God that this would be the year that everything would change. I began to call my campaign to better myself "Great in '08". It is an ambitious campaign dealing with many facets of my life: my health, my marriage, my professional life, my finances, and especially my spiritual health, just to name a few. Six months into 2008, I don't have a huge list of accomplishments to share with you. In fact, if I am being completely honest, it's been a rather difficult year so far. Perhaps the most important thing I have done thus far is bolster my levels of accountability. I learned a couple of years ago that transparency, although it can be brutally painful, is the most practical way to strengthen accountability. Sin will, and does, find you out. It found me out and nearly ruined my life. It brought me to my knees, completely and utterly broken before God in a way I doubt I'll ever experience again, at least until the moment I see Him face to face. But because of His grace and His mercy, my life was not ruined. In fact, the beauty that resulted from that dark period of my life is, in my humble opinion, nothing short of a miracle. I truly did experience beauty from ashes, and I want to share this story so I can help other people and encourage them just as I have been helped and encouraged. I can't begin to express how grateful I am for the people that God has put in my life. My wife, my friends, my pastors....there are so many people in my life that I respect immensely. Although I can safely say that my testimony is not yet complete, I choose now to begin sharing my journey to restoration because, well, as they say: now is as good a time as any.

Will you ever talk about anything else?
Of course. Those of you who read this and know me know that I couldn't possibly keep my opinions to myself. I am sure that my opinions will be expressed many times on here dealing with anything from global warming (or the lack thereof) to the latest and greatest recipe that Danielle cooked up. And let's not forget that this is an election year! So yes, there will be a lot of serious stuff on here, but it will not be all-serious-all-the-time. After all, where else will you Erie people turn to for in-depth blizzard analysis during the winter months? ;-)

Hope is a term that I was completely unfamiliar with for many years of my life, even as a Christ-follower. But something has changed. And although God is still doing an amazing work in me, I know that I am already different than I ever have been before. It is a hope that has changed my life and, hopefully, it has changed yours. It is a hope that is based on the eternal promise that we can do anything through Christ, who strengthens us. What an incredible statement. What a beautiful promise.

What a hope we've found.

Uh, is this thing on?

2008-04-29T14:01:00.001-04:00

Yes, I dare say it is.

Blah blah blah.

TESTING ONE TWO THREE