Flogging Fritz

Just so I can keep track of it.

2009-10-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Artist: C-Lite
Name: No Tombstone

Just posted it here so I remember it.

A Note From My Mom

2009-09-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

I've been going through a lot of stuff in the house, getting rid of old stuff that I don't use and sorting things in preparation for moving next year and I found a notebook from my 24th birthday. My Mom had the idea that it would be neat for people to write something nice in a notebook and I could read the nice notes later.

My 24th birthday would be the last birthday I would celebrate with my Mom as she would leave us six months later.

I found the book recently, sitting on a bookshelf of course, and thought that I would share the note my Mom wrote to me.

To My Dear Son, Jonathan,

As I look back over the years, the one gift you have given me, which stands out, is laughter. From your baby smile, which you did with your whole body, to your obsession with the Dukes of Hazzard (“I’ll be Luke and you be Daisy.”) you’ve given me smiles and laughter. Remember at the dinner table when you practiced being windshield wipers? And Mr. Spoon? And the stories you would act out with whatever was handy?

Even ushering me down the aisle at Elizabeth’s wedding, you got your emotional Mom to smile and laugh.

And so in this coming year I would wish for you many smiles and much laughter.

Love,

Mom

Some songs to listen to

2009-09-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

Chris Tomlin

Mercy Me

New single from J. Medeiros

2009-07-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Holding On

Not only is the song great but the video is just fantastic. New album comes out September 1, can't wait!

Favorite Song of the Moment

2009-06-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Your Guardian Angel

Spurgeon and Fireflight

2009-05-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

"I am with you alway."

-- Matthew 28:20

It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us.

It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life. O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon him who abides for ever faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure. My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on his person, all thy hope in his merit, all thy trust in his efficacious blood, all thy joy in his presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction.

Remember that all the flowers in the world's garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth.

Death's black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death's stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with him in heavenly places for ever. Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns with him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave him, even "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." "Lo, I am with you alway," is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me.

Fireflight

"Forever"

Sometimes I feel so cold
Like I'm waiting around all by myself
Loneliness gets so old
I'm in the lost and found sitting on the shelf
Been stuck for way too long
But I hear Your voice
You're who I'm counting on

Oh, tell me You're here
That You will watch over me forever
Oh, take hold of my heart
Show me You'll love me forever

I know that You can tell
When I start to let my hope fade away
I need to catch myself
Open my ears to hear You calling my name
Been fighting way too long
But I hear Your voice
You had me all along

When I'm starting to drown
You jump in to save me
When my world's upside down
Your hands, they shake me and wake me

Plants vs. Zombies

2009-05-05T17:33:00.000-07:00

I love Pop Cap. They made Peggle. They are awesome.

Here is a link to download a demo of their newest game "Plants vs. Zombies"

http://popcap.com/games/pvz/?icid=Interstitial_pvz

Incredible

2009-03-31T12:12:00.000-07:00

My Church did a rendition of this last week at the end of the worship service. Now I usually find such things cheesy and awful, but this was so great. In some cases I think it was done better at New Life than at this place.

The song is Everything by Lifehouse

Recession Follow Up

2009-03-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

My brother recently sent me this link to a tent city outside of Sacramento. These are homeless people, people who need help. And what do you do? What can you do?

I think this is where people feeling the pinch (the one that makes them not give money to others since they are strapped for cash but can still find 1.2 million dollars for camcorders) really hurts. I know people will be looking for the government to save these people when a good charity or two that had 1.2 million dollars in donations coming in could do so much more to help these people, and help them more effectively too.

Have we become so used to looking to the government for help that we can't even help each other? Are we so tired of our money being extorted by the government to be used as they see fit that we don't want to spend another dime on anyone else?

Why doesn't the church do more to help? Aren't hard times the best time to show love to people who need it? Of course it is harder in hard times to find that extra bit to give, and how do we balance helping those outside the church with helping those in the church?

Many times I feel like I have more questions than answers. I think what it comes down to is that we need to focus on smaller parts of the big picture so you don't feel overwhelmed. If we each faithfully do our small part to help then the bigger needs will get taken care of.

Hmmm....sounds familiar.

Spurgeon

2009-03-12T08:05:00.001-07:00

"Sin ... exceeding sinful."

-- Romans 7:13

Beware of light thoughts of sin. At the time of conversion, the conscience is so tender, that we are afraid of the slightest sin. Young converts have a holy timidity, a godly fear lest they should offend against God. But alas! very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is removed by the rough handling of the surrounding world: the sensitive plant of young piety turns into a willow in after life, too pliant, too easily yielding. It is sadly true, that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous, that the sin which once startled him does not alarm him in the least. By degrees men get familiar with sin.

The ear in which the cannon has been booming will not notice slight sounds. At first a little sin startles us; but soon we say, "Is it not a little one?" Then there comes another, larger, and then another, until by degrees we begin to regard sin as but a little ill; and then follows an unholy presumption: "We have not fallen into open sin. True, we tripped a little, but we stood upright in the main. We may have uttered one unholy word, but as for the most of our conversation, it has been consistent." So we palliate sin; we throw a cloak over it; we call it by dainty names. Christian, beware how thou thinkest lightly of sin. Take heed lest thou fall by little and little. Sin, a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin, a little thing? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes? Doth not the tiny coral insect build a rock which wrecks a navy? Do not little strokes fell lofty oaks? Will not continual droppings wear away stones? Sin, a little thing? It girded the Redeemer's head with thorns, and pierced his heart! It made him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. Could you weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would fly from it as from a serpent, and abhor the least appearance of evil. Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Saviour, and you will see it to be "exceeding sinful."

How America Does Recessions

2009-03-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

So I've been hearing about how bad it is. That the economy is as bad as it has ever been since the Great Depression. Now I know there are people out there hurting since they are out of work. I have been there and I feel their pain.

However I think many people feel the pinch just because they have been told there is a pinch. Some people feel strapped when it comes to many things, but not so strapped that they can't buy a piece of garbage digital camcorder from QVC.

Carrie likes to watch QVC, it gives her the joy of shopping without going places and hurting her back or spending money. I was reading a book while she was watching and QVC was selling digital camcorders that you couldn't even use to take still pictures. They honestly looked like junk and they sold for $120.00 each.

Over the course of 15 minutes QVC sold 10,000 of these, they completely sold out. Simple math here:

10,000 junk camcorders times $120.00 each (disregarding shipping and taxes) = 1.2 million dollars spent on garbage in 15 minutes.

Feel the "pinch."

Funny Pictures

2009-03-07T15:14:00.001-08:00

I was looking for some new wallpaper for my cell phone and stumbled on these. Hmm..that baby looks familiar....

The Stand - Michael W. Smith

2009-03-04T13:36:00.000-08:00

The Stand

I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the one who gave it all
I'll stand
My soul, lord, to you surrendered
All I am is yours x4

Angry Baby Picture

2009-02-11T07:33:00.001-08:00

This is quite possibly the best baby picture ever...of a baby I don't know that is.

The Slap Chop

2009-02-10T07:39:00.000-08:00

This amuses me

Prison Break

2009-01-29T12:10:00.000-08:00

This was so funny it would have been a crime (get it?) not to share.

Weather Watching

2009-01-17T20:28:00.000-08:00

In a 24 hour period of time we went from -18 degrees to 31 degrees. It doesn't really register I think until you realize that it was a 49 degree swing and if we had another 49 degree swing the temperature would go from 31 degrees to 80 degrees.

So think about the difference between 80 degrees and 31 degrees and then subtract that from 31 degrees to see how stupidly cold it was here. And this was before wind chill.

People were walking around with no coats, just sweatshirts since it felt so balmy....at least for a little while.

Question and Answer

2009-01-17T20:24:00.000-08:00

Question:

How did people live before the internet?

Answer:

It was a sad, dark, horrible time

Lyrics:
Oh no!
Oh no!
Oh no! (Yo yo yo)

Oh no you didn't!
Sucka tried to play me, but you never payed me, never!
Oh no you didn't!
Payback is a coming, you will be running, forever!
Oh no you didn't!
Until I get my vengeance, I will never end this mayhem!
Oh no you didn't!
I'm a mercenary, you ain't got a prayer, you owe me!
Oh no you didn't!

(Chorus)
Oh no you didn't! (4x)
Didn't you, Oh no!
You didn't pay me what you owe me...
So now it's over for you!

(Yo yo, check it out)
Oh no you didn't!
First you tried to trap me, then you bust a cap in my ass!
Oh no you didn't!
Such humiliation will bring annihilation, at last!
Oh no you didn't!
It will be delicious, when I get vicious, tomorrow!
Oh no you didn't!
There's no second chances, you will do the dance of sorrow!
Oh no you didn't!

(Chorus)

(Alright, come on)
Oh no you didn't!
Better watch your back boy, keep running
This ain't just a game, I'll never stop coming
I got my arsenal
I put out the call
And when I finish ya'll
You'll be a ragdoll

Fool tried to diss me, now you're gonna wish you were dead!
Oh no you didn't!
After I deliver, your blood will be a river of red!
Oh no you didn't!
Better be aware, when no one's there to defend you!
Oh no you didn't!
So many ways to kill, it's gonna be a thrill to end you!
Oh no you didn't!

(Chorus)

Oh no!
Oh no!
Oh no!
Oh no you...(explosion)

Time & Temperature

2009-01-15T07:10:00.001-08:00

The time is 8:30.

The temperature is -16 before windchill.

Have a nice day.

Christmas - The Wonder of It All

2008-12-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

Christmas summed up in a verse:

John 3:16.

16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

We all have read, recited, heard this verse so many times in our lives that sometimes it becomes almost too well known and we don't really hear what it is saying. Think about what exactly it meant to deliver your own child up for pain, sadness, rejection, and death. Think about why it was done, not so the Creator would be better off, but that the created would not be destroyed.

Sometimes I look at my life and wonder how a perfect God would ever have anything to do with me, yet this verse reminds me that He desired that I should have eternal life and avoid destruction so much that He offered His perfect Son as a sacrifice for me.

How can we doubt God's love when we have this picture, this verse, that so perfectly portrays His wondrous love? How can we give in to Satan's lies that we aren't "good enough" or haven't "suffered enough" to earn salvation?

The Bible clearly states that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Once more, read it slowly:

John 3:16.

16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Merry Christmas everyone.

Flyleaf - Christmas Song

A frightened virgin teenage girl
Receives a message that defies the laws of this world
All she can do is weep and nod
She's to bring into this world the Son of God

God's angels sound their trumpets
And blow their horns
Tonight the long awaited savior is to be born
The goodness bound by Satan it has been torn
With this baby's precious brow ready for thorns

A star appears fufilling ancient prophecy
There's an ounce of fear as wise men follow faithfully
The Virgin Mary brings forth the human savior
And this future king sleeps soundly in the manger
Soundly in the manger

God's angels sound their trumpets
And blow their horns
Tonight the long awaited savior is to be born
The goodness bound by Satan it has been torn
With this baby's precious brow ready for thorns

Tonight He is born so one day He can die
To heal hearts that are torn and live the perfect life
So He hang upon a cross and we can take His life
So we can live as sinners
And He can pay the price
Tonight He is born so one day he can die
But He will rise again

God's angels sound their trumpets
And blow their horns
Tonight the long awaited savior is to be born
The goodness bound by Satan it has been torn
With this baby's precious brow ready for thorns

Christmas - Why We Celebrate

2008-12-18T07:19:00.000-08:00

Part 2 of 3

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "If Jesus only needed to come and die for you, He still would have done it."

I would take that one step further and say that He did die just for me. He didn't suffer for a mass of faceless people, rather He sacrificed Himself for billions of specific people, all of whom He knows intimately.

I think if we could wrap our minds around this concept we would live our lives more fully for Christ. We just can't comprehend someone being so powerful and superior to us actually wanting a close relationship with us. We look at the famous people in our world and see to what great lengths they go through to keep the "common folk" away from them and apply that picture to God, when that is the furthest from the truth.

Kutless - Sea of Faces

I see the city lights all around me
Everyone's obscure
Ten million people each with their problems
Why should anyone care

And in Your eyes I can see
I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

Sometimes my life it feels so trivial
Immersed in the greatness of space
Yet somehow you still find the time for me
It's then You show me Your love

And In Your eyes I can see
And in Your arms I will be
I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

If only my one heart
Was all you'd gain from all it cost
Well I know you would have still been a man
With a reason
To willingly offer your life

I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

Just one in a million faces

Christmas - Who We Celebrate

2008-12-11T13:33:00.000-08:00

This will be a 3-part series all about why I love Christmas. This is by far my favorite time of the year, even with the cold temperatures and icy roads.

When I was younger I loved Christmas primarily because of the gifts, but now that I am older I feel saddened that people who focus only on the gifts and family miss out on the most exciting part of this holiday. The birth of our Savior.

This is the time when we stop and spend time specially thanking God for our salvation that came about through the birth of a tiny child. A child that was not just a child, but God Himself who came down to us, who met us in our sad state, and lived amongst us for 33 years before finally sacrificing Himself in order to bring us back to Him.

The first song is "Here is Our King" by The David Crowder Band. This song is Christmas to me, the reason for our celebration, as the angels rejoiced on that day 2000 years ago, we do the same now.

Here is Our King

(verse 1)
From wherever spring arrives to heal the ground
From where ever searching comes to look itself
A trace of what we're looking for
so be quiet now, and wait

(Pre-Chorus)
The ocean is growing
The tide is coming in
Here it is:

(Chorus 2x)
Here is our King
Here is our Love
Here is our God who's come to bring us back to him
He is the one,
He is Jesus

(verse 2)
And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me, here in my chest
So be quiet now, and rest.

(Pre-Chorus)(Chorus 2x)

(Bridge 2x)
Majesty!
Finally!

(chorus 2x)(bridge 1x)

The “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks

2008-12-02T07:02:00.001-08:00

I thought the English majors out there (or just people who don't like seeing our language butchered) would find this amusing.

http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/

Favorite Song of the Moment

2008-11-17T07:11:00.000-08:00

Demon Hunter - Deteriorate

I really like these guys, good music and some of their lyrics are fantastic. This song is great, Christian emo anyone?

Time has had it's way with me
My broken, tired hands can't build a thing
The wires that have held me still
Embedded now in flesh, define my will
The idle of my days has won
The empty I have fed has made me numb
Despite what you will find in me
The failures of my past still swell beneath

(Prechorus)
I need a heart that carries on through the pain
when the walls start collapsing again
Give me a soul that never ceases to follow
Despite the infection within

(chorus)
Our careless feet leaving trails
Never minding the fragile dirt we all end in(x2)

This is where i find my fall
The cares that held my life don't work at all
And every step away from here
Is closer to the plague I hold so dear

(Prechorus)

(Chorus)

Awaiting my end
Breathing in the day that finds me new
Redemption begins
Bleeding out the flaws in place of You(x2)

(Chorus)x4

This is truly an amazing use of a wondrous talent

2008-11-07T21:18:00.000-08:00