Repost from jonathan hays' blog.......

In the unlikely event that I have some readers who don't visit firstfloorflat.com, I've decided to repost Jonathan Hays' blog....... we had a really good long e-convo the other day and this entry really sums it up nicely...... I've been suffering from some serious emotional blockage lately... and if I could get over that, I'd think I'd be expressing something similar, so here it is..... inerrant in it's original format.


I just read the farewell letter that Bill Boniface wrote to his congregation where he was until that time Senior Warden. It is very sad and on the long side (14 pages)…I don’t agree with everything said, but it is still very sad. It will be linked at the end of this post.
As I read the letter, my heart again broke for my little Episcopal church in Alaska. This is a small church that has contended for the faith for decades, has many good Christians and a solid Priest, but is sitting in the path which the “Liberal”-Fundamentalist bulldozers are coming down. There is no way that it can survive within ECUSA…it will be gobbled up and sold off so that the National Church can live off of its capital. However, there is good news is that they are affiliated with the Network (which is the only recognized Anglican body in the US by 15 of the 30-something Provinces of the Anglican Communion). If and when the Episcopal Church (USA) does cut the cord with Canterbury, those Network parishes shall most likely become the new Anglican presence in the USA.
What we are seeing play out in ECUSA, and will probably see play out in the UMC and PCUSA in the next decade is the gnashing teeth of a “liberal fundamentalism”. A group of activists, intellectuals, and so forth who are quietly preying on these already-dying bodies. It is interesting, for example, that in these groups that pride themselves on diversity and openness Jesus Christ, Paul of Tarsus, John Chrystostom, Augustine, John Calvin, John Wesley and many others could not be ordained because of their positions on women’s ordination. There is something wrong with that picture. If the mainline church has decided to accept women’s ordination in the past 50 years (in direct contradiction to 1900 years of church tradition and I would argue, Scripture itself)…don’t you think that the affirming and inclusive thing to do would be to continue to allow men whose consciences are bound on this issue into the clergy? Yes, I think that would be the most inclusive thing to do. But take the Church of Scotland for an example…what two things must a man or woman believe in and adhere to if they are to be ordained?
The Trinity? WrongThe Diety of Christ? Wrong again!Ummm…maybe just belief in God? Nope! Sorry!
No, the two things that you must adhere to and accept to be ordained in the CoS are: Infant Baptism and the Ordination of Women.
Frightening, isn’t it?
What is going on in these mainline churches reminds me of a portion in Joel 3 where YHWH is talking about what has been done to his people Israel…2b …And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, 3 and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it.
This selling of children is a perfect picture to what is happening in the church.
But what do we do? Well, for most of my readers who are more conservative Protestants…what do we do? We laugh, we split churches quickly over non-essentials, we deride. It’s like that song by Derek Webb…
T-Shirts- From “I See Things Upside Down”they’ll know us by the t-shirts that we wearthey’ll know us by the way we point and stareat anyone whose sin looks worse than ourswho cannot hide the scars of this curse that we all bare
they’ll know us by our picket lines and signsthey’ll know us by the pride we hide behindlike anyone on earth is living rightand isn’t that why Jesus diednot to make us think we’re right
choruswhen love, love, loveis what we should be known forlove, love, loveit’s the how and it’s the whywe live and breathe and we die
they’ll know us by reasons we divideand how we can’t seem to unifybecause we’ve gotta sing songs a certain styleor we’ll walk right down that aisleand just leave ‘em all behind
they’ll know us by the billboards that we makejust turning God’s words to cheap clichéssays “what part of murder don’t you understand?”but we hate our fellow manand point a finger at his grave
What we like to do, I argue, is just as sick as ignoring God’s Word…we pretend that it is our own. We study it so that we can “be right”, and then our theology becomes our righteousness. At least it does for me. I sit on high stones and cast down judgements on all those quasi-Christians below who do not have it as put-together as I do in the theology zone. I like to make fun of people who are “more liberal” or “more conservative” than I am behind their backs, because it makes me feel good about myself. And that is what my answer to number 5 of my list of questions would be. “I feel inherently superior to someone… when I am more right than them.” And I hate that.
Now before I get grenades lobbed at me, what I am not saying is that there is not a Truth to be defended. What I am saying is that it is not our Truth, and we should not make knowing about that Truth our righteousness and use it as our stick to smack down others and to pat ourselves on the back with. The Truth of Jesus’s redeeming work is one that should bring us to love more and to understand that Sanctification is a process. And it is not a process that is helped by other people (going through the same process) acting as if they are in better shape than others.
The fact is we’re broken, even in the super-Godly PCA. I mean, how many people voiced objections on that Racism letter of a few years ago? Come on! We need to be reaching out to each other in our “pure” denominations (there is no such thing in this already-not yet, so stop daydreaming about it) and reaching out to other brothers and sisters in whatever denomination they may be with the good news of Christ. And if you haven’t heard it today…let me preach it to you right now.
We’re all broken. We’re all loved.
Christ’s death and resurrection, and the benefits of forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life are offered to you right now. If you’ve tasted from them before, drink deeply of his grace again. Quit relying on your own theology, your job, your family, your good deeds, your whatever to save you. And for those of you who are like me, who like to beat yourselves up…as if that could make you holy(!)…realise that it is much easier to be a penitent sinner trying to create his own righteousness through his penance than it is to be a free saint in Jesus’ righteousness. I’m not here to save you, just to point to Jesus and say…believe and cast your burdens on him. And it is not actually easy to do that…because most of us struggle with believing that God is actually as good as he says he is, that he is trustworthy, that he exists! But if we surrender ourselves to Christ’s hands and his love…through His Spirit and His Word, He promises to change us.
I can’t stand that, because I want to be in control. Plus, I have some reservations on how trustworthy God is. Lord, help our unbelief!
You see, these “fights” are not going to be won by Picket lines, petitions, law suits, church courts, or whatever (although the last has its place)…they shall be won by the Spirit if they are to be won. We have an “evangelical” church with little evangel, but only a rulebook…and we have a “liberal” church with little evangel, but only a rulebook. The rulebooks are just different. The fact is, both sides need the evangel…the pure unadulterated Gospel, preached in their churches. When we are hearing every week that we are worse off than we could ever imagine, but more loved than we could ever hope…our attitudes change…and we are changed. We become more open to others who are different than us…who have different sins, and we are encouraged to encourage each other…both as paupers. We start seeing each other on the same path as people picking up different stones to put in our pockets to weigh us down. You’ll start to see me as one who collects rocks with the words “Being Right” and “Sensuality” written on them…and I’ll start seeing you as someone who picks up “Unity At Any Cost” and “Being Liked” rocks. And the Gospel, which tells us that we are both sinners…encourages us to be open about what rocks we like to pick up to weigh us down. And it encourages us to ease each others burden by talking each other out of our stones with the words of Christ.
I’ve gotten off the main point, but as I was sitting and writing this…this is where it went, and that is what you always get with me…less structure, more fun!

One more thing.....

Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Semi-Finals of the Champions League.... so what if their Premiership campaign is awful.... this was a glorious triumph, and I'm confident that somewhere John Elliot is drinking copious amounts of Chamay in celebration.....

cheers....

Clint has a blog

FYI:

The Right Reverend Most Clint Roberts has a blog which can be found following the link at:

clint.saltcompany.org, or by going directly to www.ccroberts.blogspot.com

be blessed.....

Just don't want coffee tonight.....

Haven't felt like blogging lately......

2 weeks from today Erin and I are loading up a moving van and heading out to Houston..... that's pretty crazy. I have a presentation at work on Thursday.... so I hope that goes OK. I think I lost my Derek Webb House Show CD, and that's downright depressing.....

Anyway... it's been a long couple of days... we went to Duchesne this weekend for Erin's sister's wedding shower, and we hung out with Erin's dad. This week is graduation.... and Jenny is graduating, so we'll see lots of Erin's family this weekend......

Goodbyes every other day are really emotionally draining... and I guess that's where I'm at right now.

peace

Smells like teen spirit

Weekend in Review:

Friday night, Erin, J-Rad, Amie, and I went to Topaz Mountain. Erin and I place our tent on a rock (named Peter) and slept poorly.... then we woke up to the sounds of guns echoing off the mountain.... the group just up the hill from us were skeet shooting....

Friday night we stopped in Nephi and ate at El Rancherito... where we had tacos (the secret is the italian dressing they put on them......) J-Rad introduced us to the term "F-Dude".

On Saturday we hunted for Topaz.... Jared and Amie found some on their first swing into the Rhyolite mound..... I led us on a search for greener pastures, and an hour later we doubled back.... Erin and I had to get back for the Stingers game which ended up getting rained out.

On Sunday we saw "Thoroughly Modern Millie" @ Capitol Theatre which was really funny! Then Erin and I went with my mom and dad to Sizzler..... my mom cried when she gave me a hug as they were leaving.... it's starting to dawn on me that I'll really miss my family. Even though I never see them... it's always nice to know that they're just up the freeway.....

And now... a limerick

Don't call it a comeback, Chris Snow
I've been here for years you know
With LL Cool J's verse
Your rhymes I'll disperse
And ship you back to France with Gino

For Sarah Hays

Sarah,

As a special tribute to your diligence in posting on my blog... and for being one of my first friends at Salt Company... I have decided to honor you by writing a haiku -

Whimsically fragile,
88 keys of the soul;
Have another drink

Thanks for letting me be a part of your life.

Chicken Quesadillas

First off,
In case Megan Elliot should grace this blog again... I'm making chicken quesadillas tonight in the Foreman.....Word to your Mother.

Secondly, it is one month until Erin and I are to close on our home in Houston. We have sooooooo much to do over the next month.... that's a really intimidating thought. Erin and I are going rock hunting this weekend at Topaz Mountain. I'm really excited about this. I located my rock hammer and chisel today and I'm ready to pound some rhyolite in search of that radiant amber hue of Topaz.

Tomorrow I'm speaking on Ezekiel 16... I was reading in my study bible that the passage was so sad that some ancient rabbis wouldn't allow it to be read in public.... that's my kind of passage.

A limerick for the Hays'

Convertible Sebrings and receding hair,
Lying in Mark's bed in woman's underwear;
Sarah and John
to Scotland are gone,
Rocky Horror Picture Show I no longer fear.

Straight from the Bosom

Chris' attempt at putting me down can be read below..... Obviously he doesn't realize that "French" is not recognized in the limerick community as an actual language.

Now I shall dominate in Reformed Egyptian:
(I have formatted a seer stone into this post for translation purposes - so it will appear in English, although I assure you it is authored in Reformed Egyptian.)

Does your bosom give limerick inspiration?
Or fill with warmth from a Holy Ghost revelation?
You will not escape my wrath,
When you're raptured during a bath,
There to stay and ponder this devastation.


Au Revoir, Punk

Witness now the raw brilliance of my bilingual limericking ability:
J'espère que tu peux m'entendre,
Et que tu vas me comprendre,
Je t'écraserai
Sans aucun délai,
Le titre de Maitre à prendre.

Translation:
I hope that you can hear me
And that you will understand me
I will crush you
Without any delay
The title of Master to take.

Unprecedented

In a move - unheard of in blog limerick battles, Jake wastes no time in kicking his opponent whilst he's down....

Yo C' my rhymes can't be beat,
I got limericks busting out my feet,
I'll bust my ebonic flow
So all these suckas will know
Who's limericks are truly elite

And now for something completely different -

Chris loves doctrine and French,
He's shy, he boxes, and lacks stench
He'll baptize your baby
And an adult? Maybe.....
To the solas his soul will clench

Throw Down

In the grand tradition of rap battles a la "8 Mile", I'm having a limerick throwdown with that french-loving upstart Chris Snow......

Here's Chris' challenge:

Chris said...
My limericks are clearly the best,
They're better than all of the rest,
But if competition
Is what you be wishin'
I'll surely be up to the test

Funkmaster J-Neezie says:

Chris, your limericks are wack -
And trust me, Eric ain't got yo' back
So bring your best rhyme,
And I'll show you in time
That Jake is the master of (limerick) mack

I Rule

Expert Level Minesweeper Time: 104

Give Umbriaco the Ball

OK..... a couple things about this weekend:

1) I was visited on Friday by my own personal hell-on-earth: We did a 6 hr study of the book of Galatians at the IV House - which was fun. I got to do a little teaching, so that was neat-o..... anyway as we approached the 11th hour (literally and figuratively) Seth passed out a pack of gum to every individual in the room. I HATE GUM. I cannot watch people chew gum, I can't stand the sound it makes, nor the compulsive need that all people feel to pop said gum. It honestly makes me ill. I become enraged so much so that I can't function..... so I had to leave. I sat outside the room, and did some private study while trying to stop my head from exploding.....

2) RSL game on Sat. - Some people are apparently not aware that it is a great honor in any sport to be referred to as 'Umbriaco' - a name synonymous with greatness. I attended the game with my lovely wife, Erin, my brother Jon-Pow, mi amore Corey Duncan, and special guests Craig and Chad..... the Bowlcut scored free tickets, so he brought Chris Snow and Sam (& Craig, although Craig was sitting with us). Anyway, in a stoke of brilliance Ginodean.net and Co. moved into a shadier spot at half-time which spared my glistening white bodice from more of the sun's harmful rays... so we joined them. As the action progressed, I became emphatic about getting Umbriaco the ball...... the others obviously failed to realize that Umbriaco is the best player on the field at any given time, or me... depending on the context..... perhaps they thought I was delusional and was imploring the players to pass me the ball in the stands..... quite the contrary - at that point I wished to be substituted into the game, or that they find someone (we'll call him 'Umbriaco') an opportunity to shoot the ball (by which I mean actually getting over the ball and driving it, not launching into the stands in the south end zone......) Anyway I had a good time at the game, and Umbriaco scored the winning goal in the 81st minute......

And now for your enjoyment some limericks regarding the mythical beast 'Battlecat' - blessings of peace be on the gender non-descript canine's name:

Battlecat my fine furry friend,
A true companion to the end,
If you pee on our bed,
I'll pee on your head,
Then we'll go for a walk - our heart's to mend.

Battlecat shall be a strong-willed dog
Who will play with Erin and I - and not enjoy smog
We will take you for runs,
And we'll all have sore buns,
We'll be pals and we'll buy you a log.

Mini Blog Update:

Mid-Week Update:

1) On Tues. Erin and I (& Juanita) watched Josh(nita) play a practice baseball game at the park right by our place…. Josh(nita) scored on an inside the park home-run on a walk…. He ran to first on the walk and kept going, it worked out well.

2) In the event that John Elliot stops by the blog, I’d like to extend my congrats to Liverpool for going through against Juventus in Champions League…. Who would have thought they’d have to wait for Michael Owen to ship out before they’d have some success in Europe? Here’s hoping Chelsea is destroyed by Liverpool in the semis.

3) Speaking of soccer…. I’m going to see RSL this weekend. As an aside, I have decided out of protest to not refer to Salt Lake’s MLS team by their ‘proper’ name… they shall be known on this blog only as ‘RSL’. Honestly – who’s idea was it to suck up to Utah’s Latino (read – Mexican) community by ripping off a Spanish team’s name, ignoring the historical setting in which that prefix (the ‘R’ in the acronym) was given to the three teams in the Spanish Liga that bear it, and then try to pawn it off on a largely homogenized community?

4) I’ve been pretty bummed out lately because: I haven’t hung out with Erin all week…..
This really sucks…. I know all of you who read this are thinking to yourselves… “I haven’t hung out with Erin either… am I depressed?” If you were honest with yourselves you’d realize that deep down inside, you all need some Umbriaco love at least once a week. Moving on… here’s the thing: Tuesdays are Erin and I’s only weekday to spend time with each other…. And this Tuesday we went to watch Josh(nita)’s B-ball game which was supposed to start at 5:30, but didn’t start until 7 because the field was double-booked, and then Juanita and Josh(nita) watched “The Amazing Race” at our house, while I read Harry Potter…. So by the time we were done with baseball and their TV program, we cleaned up a bit and went to bed. I didn’t get to see Erin at all yesterday ‘cause she works late on Wed, and on Wed. nights I have Gruppo de los hombres, so I didn’t get home until 10:30ish…. Tonight, we have Salt Company, and tomorrow we’re doing a 6 hr study of Galatians (6PM-Midnight)……. So Erin, if you read this today…. I think we should go out on a date this weekend and spend time with each other because I miss you a lot and you are my best friend in the whole world (along with Battlecat – who thus far exists only in my imagination, but is a steadfast companion nonetheless).

And now – a limerick dedicated to my wife – Erin:

I love my Hispanic wife,
Who couldn’t speak a lick of Spanish to save her life,
You are smart, bold, and pretty,
And for marrying me you deserve pity.
So go out with me this weekend, and end my strife!

Charlie the Llama

www.charliethellama.com is without a doubt the sweetest site I've ever visited..... yes, it trumps llamapaedia.com - which had a good run, and is a close second for the discussion on Guard Llamas - which only gains lipservice on Charlie's website.... but let's face it - Charlie brings the street cred of a llama who has appeared on Japanese TV, and the revelation of communal dung piles which is objectively awesome.

I hope that one day I can witness Charlie in action. I give credit to my doppleganger - Tiffanizzle who came up with a brilliant powerpoint presentation (if I could figure out how to upload it I would.... anybody with that knowledge?) based on Charlie's activities. We viewed it together with Erin and Brandy on Saturday night - and upon viewing it, I found that my bank account balance was guadrupled, and my teeth were capped in gold.... this is the raw power that this site will bring your life - (caution - strict literalists beware of hyperbole used in text).

On Saturday I went to the state Science Olympiad and judged the Mission Possible competition with my good friends the Fershtut's. Only nerds can truly appreciate this event - but Science Olympiad really helped shape my life and career path, and if I hadn't got involved in 8th grade at Fairfield Junior High, I wouldn't be a geoscientist today. I'm not sure what the results of the junior high competition were, but Layton High did take state!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to Nancy Treasure and the Layton High Science Olympiad team!

On Sunday - Clint preached on Mt: 20, Erin and I were really enjoying the message... especially the comparison of Peter's behavior at the end of Mt 19 to that of his daughter Kate....but we had to leave early to drive up to Logan for Sticky's b-day party... so here's a shout out to Sticky - happy b-day.

On the first shall be last theme..... on Friday I did spend an hour and half talking with Sam about a whole bunch of things - including children in the covenant and sacraments (Now the presbyterians will having something to comment about on this post).

grace and peace,
jake

Mink-o-Matic

I spent yesterday working on a mink/pig farm, and needless to say, I didn’t smell so great at the end of the day. The real bummer is that I neglected the sunblock, and now I’m burned to a crisp….. I think the top of my ears have melted……

As Erin and I are getting ready to move to Houston, we’ve been thinking about where we might find fellowship:

Here’s a link to a church we came across recently:

www.gracecommunityinfo.org

Erin and I have been reading Exodus together at night. We just read about how God delivered the Jews from the Eqyptians….and the chapter following the parting of the Red Sea, and the destruction of the Egyptian Army, we find God’s people complaining about the lack of water.

I think that sums up the faith of most people today – God can bring you through something in a miraculous way, and you forget about it completely when the next trial approaches you….

Another thought: in Mortification of Sin, Ch. 9 – the 4th sign of dangerous indwelling sin is that the sole motivation towards the mortification of sin is the punishment associated with said sin, whether fear of man or fear of God, and that if that sin had no punishment attached, we would continue to do it.

I find I’ve been erring on several accounts: I find that I fear other people knowing me for who I am, and that motivates me to stop sinning, I definitely think that if certain sins had no punishment attached I would continue to do them, and further still I think I’ve tricked myself lately into believing that God won’t punish me for my sins.

I pray for grace – that the Holy Spirit would convict me of the reality of sin, and God’s passionate hatred of it, and that I would have a reverent fear of the Most High, and a deep gratitude for His Son that would compel me toward holiness.

grace and peace,
jake

Survey - brought to you by ginodean.net

Survey from the Bowlcut's blog (fields.ginodean.net)

Time began: 8:25am
1. What time did you get up this morning? 6ish
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds are a an occasional cross-dresser's best
friend
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? I can't remember....
Erin and I hardly venture out to the theatre anymore.... I think The Life
Aquatic w/ Steve Zissou
4. What is your favorite TV show? Smallville
5. What did you have for breakfast? chicken on whole weat tortilla w/
provolone
6. What is your middle name? Thomas
7. What is your favorite cuisine? in the states... probably Mexican....
but if I could eat in Frascatti everyday, I would
8. What foods do you dislike? poached llama
9. What are your favorite Potato chips? baked lays....I'm not really a
potato chips guy
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? "House Show" by Derek Webb
11. What kind of car do you drive? 2001 Jeep Cherokee is the vehicle I
own.... however I usually drive Erin's 97 Hyundai Elantra
12. Favorite sandwich? Pastrami, Swiss, lettuce, on wheat bread
13. What characteristics do you despise? my woeful inconsistency
14. Favorite item of clothing? If I said "Man I love my Adidas" would
anybody get it?
15.If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
I would return to Italy in a heartbeat, especially because Erin has never
been to Rome.
16. What color is your bathroom? caucasian
17. Favorite brand of clothing? If I had the cash I would shop at Banana
Republic, but I got married, and therefore I have ceased to purchase
clothing (although I'm sure Erin would disagree)
18. Where would you retire to? Retirement is for ninnies..... I think Erin
and I would like to be missionaries overseas
19. Favorite time of day? the time when I get to be with my wife
20. What was your most memorable birthday? 6th grade b-day party - huge
sleepover, and my dog bit one of my friends in the butt.....
21. Where were you born? Washington DC
22. Favorite sport to watch? Soccer
23. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? n/a
24. Person you expect to send it back first? n/a
26. Coke or Pepsi? In a can.... pepsi.... if it's the cherry variety I'll
take coke out of a fountain
27. Are you a morning person or night owl? I prefer the afternoon
28. What is your shoe size? 11
29. Do you have any pets? We are hoping to obtain a Battlecat!!!!!!!!
30. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with your family? I
talked to my parents just the other day and we saw Erin's fam last night
but just in case you didn't get the memo, we're moving to Houston....
31. What did you want to be when you were little? a fighter pilot....
until I realized I was afraid of heights... and then a lawyer... and then
a geologist... and then a geophysicist cause they made more money... and
then I came to faith
32. What were you meant to be doing today? Taking a test to learn how to
operate a fork-lift type device
33. What book are you currently reading? Harry Potter and the Prisoner of
Azkaban, and Mortification of Sin, by Owen
34. Red or white wine? n/a, beer - dark.... McEwans for dessert
35. Are you a packrat? yes.
36. How many people would you say you have kissed? I'd say I've kissed
one that counts.... and her name is Erin.
37. What relative are you most like? My mom probably.... although my
humor and jovial countenance comes from my dad!
38. What did you do this past weekend? Spent the morning with Voddie
Baucham and heard him bring the Word.... which was really challenging. I
really appreciated him being upfront with me in our personal discussion as
well as being real with the students.
39. What’s your sign? Gemini
40. What is your general personality? something akin to a raging
llama....as opposed to a docile biped
41. What is your favorite number? 13, Erin digs the number 2
42. Do you like surveys? somedays....
Time finished: 8:40 am

Tuna Fish Sandwich

Hi...this is my first blog post ever!  How exciting...I guess.  I don't really know what to say, but Jake really wanted me to post and just say hi.  He authored the title by the way.  Jake's latest obsession is getting a dog, specifically a bagel dog (or beagle as most people know them, but my mom's neighbors have a beagle named Bagel, so Jake just refers to the kind of dogs now as bagels) which he wants to name Battlecat.  I can't remember if he has posted about this recently, but he has been seriously obsessed for the past week...he looks for bagels on-line and tells me about all the cute ones he's found in Salt Lake and Houston, we found a bed (and puppy food) for it at Costco the other day, and the other night he said Battlecat was curled up next to him as he read Harry Potter on the love-sac.  I think we have decided to wait until we get to Houston to get a dog, but I think Jake will run out and get one as soon as we arrive there.  Anyway, I must return to working now...so hi everyone, and happy blogging!

---

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Led Zeppelin didn't write tunes that everyone liked.....

Greetings all,
How was the Easter weekend? We had Good Friday service at Summit which was small but good....I really enjoy Good Friday service..... I may hold my own Good Friday service every Friday just to be safe. After Good Friday service, Erin and I watched the Utes be destroyed by a pretty weak Kentucky team.... Corey and Jenni viewed the game with us. Itwas during this time, that my true sports shame was revealed to the world. Erin and I filled out brackets for March Madness.... I was knocked out of the competition in the 1st round.... Erin won.

First Titanic..... now this....

I'm going to have to undergo hormonal therapy...like testosterone supplements. I think I need to go spend a week in a cave and live among Yaks to regain any semblance of manliness.....

Saturday I went to Layton to take Erin's car to the shop which was cool because I got to hang out with my parents for half the day.... and I don't get to hang with them too often. We ate at Denny's.

On Sunday Erin and I went to church where the Reverend C-Lint challenged us to consider the offense of believing someone could be resurrected from the dead. I thought it was a really good message!
Erin made cheesy potatoes and we prepared beef stew for Monday's comsumption.....We had dinner at Juanita's and were accompanied by my mom and dad and Doug, and lil jon pow, and E-Pac, and Jenny and Joshnita. The highlightf or me was watching Kentucky lose in 2OT. So anyway - I'm getting my preach on at Salt Co this Thursday..... we're going to dive into some Mary action....should be interesting. OK well...that's my weekend update.

Grace and Peace.
jake

Ahhh..... nostalgia

So Erin has been sick, and took the week off from work. Since she's had
time to kill she's been resting and going through boxes of things from
when she was a wee lass.

She found a letter from her cousin asking her and her sister if they were
into Michael Jackson.... because he is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo yummy!
Some sentiments are truly timeless.....

Erin and I spent last night reminiscing about when we were little... we
listened to a mix tape of some of her favorite songs (note - tape) and she
performed several New Kids on the Block hits - much to the delight of our
neighbor... I'm sure. We were forced to stop our trip down memory lane
when the Titanic theme song came on complete with Leo's voice in the
background....'promise me you'll stay alive'

weak. Now Erin wants me to watch Titanic with her...... I think Titanic
should only be viewed if one is in a comatose state.... that way the time
spent, really isn't time wasted.......

One memory I do have from watching Titanic is this:

I went to see Titanic (I think for the 2nd time.... could have been the
first) with my on again - off again girlfriend/next door neigbor Sarah
(this is an excellent arragnement for those who can't drive BTW)....

Anyway, Sarah'd seen it like 68 times, and was still crying..... but for
some reason Jonathan (my little bro) was with us... and when it came to
the part where Leo's painting the nude Jonathan exlaimed - "Wow - Those
are real" to the delight of the guys in the audience.....

Well.... that's my Titanic memory.

grace and peace,

jake

Meanwhile, back at Wayne Manor

Weekend Update:

Erin has taken ill.... she chilled on the couch for most of the day
yesterday and got some rest... which is good. I had dinner with my
parents at Red Lobster last night. That was a lot of fun. I love my
parents, it's weird how after you reach a certain age, their wisdom seems
to increase exponentially..... all their ideas that I thought foolish as a
teen now seem so wise. I'm really blessed to have believing parents and
to benefit from their experience in the Lord.

Erin and I are pondering whether or not we can pony up the cash to upgrade
our appliances to stainless steel in our new place....... there's a lot of
up-front costs....

Things we have to buy:

Laptop (Erin is required to have one for med school)
Couches (These are required for sitting purposes)
Fridge (This goes w/o saying)
Blinds/Curtains (Unless Erin and I experience some sort of exhibitionist
revolution... this will be a necessity in our home)

On the back burner:

Erin really wants a piano. The other day I came home from work, and there
was a picture of a piano on our fridge, and then when I went to hang up my
coat, there was an ad for a piano sale taped to the door......subtlety is
not her strong suit......

What I really want - a new TV. Right now I'll have to live vicariously
through Sean Patrick and lust after his TV..... but soon... I really must
acquire one. Watching DVD's/Sports is like one of my favorite
passtimes.....how can these things be fully appreciated with subpar
viewing equipment?

Perhaps I shall join a prosperity church for a limited time, until God
increase my income 10 fold....

Well.. TTFN,

jake