Mexico to U.S. Tunnel Discovered

From CNN.com: Authorities unearth 1,200-yard tunnel into U.S.

This article should cause you to think long and hard about the safety of our country. According to the article, this is the third tunnel found in 3 years, two in less than a month, and 15 since late 2001.

Some of you will shrug your shoulders and say, "Who cares? What does that have to do with me?" Well, let's really think about this:

1. Unrestricted access to move drugs into this country.
2. Unrestricted access to allow terrorists into this country.
3. Unnrestricted access to allow weapons of any kind into this country.

Are you getting the picture yet?

Oh, and one last thing before you move to Ireland...
All of the U.S. security agencies, e.g. NSA, FBI, CIA, etc. believe that sometime in the next ten years, a major interior attack will happen beyond the scale of 9/11.

I'm sure President Bush will be to blame for all of this.

Hillary Clinton: Pain in the Mouth

From CNN.com: Clinton: Bush explanation on NSA program is "far-fetched"

Let's be honest: The Bush Administration is far from perfect. Republicans and Democrats can't seem to agree on anything except spending our money. Everyone in Congress is to blame.

This week, we have Senator Clinton weighing in on President Bush's use of wiretapping. Last week, she remarked that Congress was run like a, "plantation".

Now I don't know about you, but if I were contemplating the 2008 Presidency, I wouldn't be shooting off my mouth. Clinton's cronies, e.g. Howard Dean and John Kerry, do a fine enough job without her help. But alas, it is a free country right?

Again, here is a warning shot across the bow of the USS Democrat: Stop the garbage criticisms. We, the people, are tired of it. If you had any common sense, you would be on the front lines of helping people who are in need. You should focus on this country's greatness, and it's citizens, instead of consistently slamming the President.

Your mouth is killing your credibility.

A Tragedy & Prayer

Occasionally, I read Neal Boortz’s, “Nealz Nuze”, for his rants on the liberals, conservatives, and folks without too much common sense. In this mornings Nuze however, Boortz writes on yesterday’s tragic accident that took the lives of seven children.

After reading it twice, I somehow get the feeling Boortz is pointing a finger at the parents of the teenage driver, 15 year-old Cynthia Mann, who did NOT cause the accident. In Florida, it is illegal for a 15 year-old to drive without an adult. Boortz believes that, if an adult were driving the vehicle, somehow they would still be alive. Either that, or he is sadly trying to figure out if the tragedy could have been prevented. Neal is not a mean spirited person, nor does he hate teenagers. Knowing Neal like I think I do, he is very sad for these people.

After reading the CNN article, I believe the only way this accident could have been prevented, is with the driver of the truck. There was nothing Ms. Mann could have done to prevent the accident. Why?

Imagine being stopped behind a school bus two car-lengths in distance. The speed limit is 60 miles per hour. Behind you comes a tractor-trailer truck, driving 60 mph, that doesn’t brake and barrels into you. Think of the force. Think of the reaction time. Now if you read the article, there were NO skid marks from the truck. None.

Whether the driver were 15 or 45, it would not have mattered.

Please pray for the Mann family. I have two boys and I cannot imagine life without them. Children are our gifts from God. Tell them often that you love them and never forget the joy they bring you.

33 Years of Roe vs. Wade

From CNN.com: Both sides march on Roe anniversary

As my wife and I watched the demonstrations on the TV this morning, we couldn't help but shake our heads. We understand the need for protesting and letting differing voices be heard, but something just wasn't right.

Maybe while both anti- and pro-abortion advocates were marching, there was a woman somewhere who needed to hear a voice of love, understanding, mercy, and grace. A woman who is pregnant and feeling alone and afraid. A woman who doesn't know whom to turn to.

There is hope for the helpless,
Rest for the weary,
And love for the broken heart.

There is grace and forgiveness,
Mercy and healing,
He'll meet you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus

(Third Day)

Dear Christian friends, please remember: There are people hurting right now who desperately need to see the compassionate face of Jesus. They're not looking for church-lingo or bible-ese. They're looking for Christ's love and grace. Won't you pray for these people or, if you personally know someone who is hurting, show them the love of Christ.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Super Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Seattle

Both Pittsburgh and Seattle proved to everyone they earned their spot in this year's Super Bowl. Pittsburgh went 3-0 versus the top 3 AFC seeded teams. Ben Roethlisberger was hot as the Steelers' defense held their ground. Seattle stayed on top and never relented against their opponents. Matt Hasselbeck was on fire and Shaun Alexander proved, without a doubt, why he is the top running back in the NFL.

My Super Bowl prediction: Seattle will win by 3. I don't expect a blowout by any means. Both teams' defenses are incredible. Seattle has veteran Wistrom and rookie Tatupu as Pittsburgh has Farrior and Polamalu. Tough...very tough. Regarding the QB's, Hasselbeck has a slight edge over Roethlisberger. Hasselbeck has been in the league for seven years compared to Roethlisberger's two. Of course, on the field of battle, that doesn't mean a thing.

As usual, turnovers and penalties will be the key to whomever wins.

First Lady Laura Bush

From the AJC.com: First Lady Assails Sen. Clinton for Remark

I have a lot of respect for Laura Bush. She stands her ground and believes in her husband. She doesn't attend functions or visit places just for show. She has a purpose:

The first lady headed home after reaffirming the U.S. commitment to help Nigeria treat AIDS patients and stem the spread of HIV. She said she hoped that "one day an entire generation" will be free of the disease that has ravaged Africa.

The first lady highlighted the $163 million in U.S. assistance that will receive in 2006 to fight AIDS.

"We are all hopeful that one day an entire generation will be born free of HIV," Mrs. Bush said in a speech to the National Center for Women's Development in the Nigerian capital.

The crowd applauded with Mrs. Bush talked about attending Monday's inauguration of Liberia's president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman president elected in Africa. She said Sirleaf is an example for women all over the world of what can be accomplished through hard work and a strong belief in education and democracy.

"The question we must answer now is 'how do we nurture the development of the next generation of women leaders in Africa and worldwide?'"' Mrs. Bush asked. "The answer begins with education."

Shatner Sells Kidney Stone

From CNN.com: Shatner kidney stone goes for $25,000

William Shatner, of Star Trek fame, sells his kidney stone to GoldenPalace.com who plans to use the money for charity.

Shatner says the stone was quite large.

Beam me up, Scotty.

Want To Debate Bill O'Reilly?

From the AJC.com: O'Reilly Challenges Viewers to Debate Him

I consider myself a good debater. That's until my wife and boys use their 'puppy dog' faces at me and I melt. So much for hard logic.

Word is Bill O'Reilly wants to debate...

..Viewers.

Now I don't know about you, but I wouldn't do it. Even if I did have the facts of a particular issue, debating Bill O'Reilly is quite a challenge. He's had many years debating people on different subjects and probably 90 percent of those debaters got eaten alive. This isn't, American Idol, folks. Either you have what it takes to take him on, or you don't.

And as Mr. T would say, "I pity the fool!"

Grrr! Commercials

With respect to Mike Straka....
Grrr! Football Commercials
FoxNews talks about racy commercials.

My wife and I love to watch college and pro football. Sometimes our boys will watch with us. However, especially with pro, the commercials have become horrible. Lately I've seen Victoria Secrets ads, ads for upcoming adult comedies, and advertisements for male prescription drugs. On one particular ad for a sitcom, one of the characters mentions, "homosexual". This is not appropriate for a child.

I don't know about you, but I'm sick of it. Sure, advertisers have a right to broadcast their products. BUT, they should also be aware of their viewing audience and be held responsible for displaying such garbage.

Thank goodness for the Mute button on the remote.

Quick Thoughts: Samuel Alito & The SBC

Samuel Alito's Wife Weeps During Hearings
During the Senate confirmation hearings yesterday, Samuel Alito's wife got up and left the floor in tears. From the news I've gathered, Alito just finished answering questions regarding race-relations. Upon her return a short time later, Senators Graham and Durbin apologized to her. Durbin remarked to reporters afterwards:

"Tell me when this wasn't dignified."

I'll let you be the judge whether the Senators were dignified in their questioning.

Wade Burleson Out as IMB Trustee
In other news, Wade Burleson, Oklahoma pastor and International Misson Board trustee, was asked to step down, apparently due to "slander". A month ago, trustees from the IMB voted to make tighter rules for becoming a missionary in their organization. The IMB is an organization, within the Southern Baptist Convention, that sends and supports missionaries outside the United States. In the research I've done from Burleson's own blog, Steve McCoy's and Marty Duren's blog, I would have to say something smells in the SBC and it isn't a dead fish.

A word of advice for some of you young SBC pastors: Be ever watchful of this kind of foolishness. If you're going to fight against the tide, you better fight in numbers. Don't believe me? It happened once before.

Must Reads:
Wade Burleson
Steve McCoy
Marty Duren
Associated Baptist Press

Flag Flap in Georgia

Update: AJC.com
Ms. Renbarger is receiving much praise for her taking responsibility of not only painting the flag, but heading the cleanup effort.

Wow! I didn't think anybody took responsibility for their own actions anymore...

AJC: Flag painters' hopes take a scrubbing

I darn near lost my cool with this article when I saw that a humble 9-year old girl, and her sister, were being forced by city council to remove a painting of the national flag from their street. According to the article, Rachel Renbarger did the painting as a patriotic gesture for the 2005 July 4th celebration.

"The City Council recommended Monday that a painted image of Old Glory be removed from a street in Mayor Shirley Lasseter's own neighborhood. Children and their parents had painted the banner the last Fourth of July in a display of civics and patriotism. But the city lawyer warned it could set a precedent for some neighborhood Nazi's planting a swastika or some other offensive symbol on a city street if the flag symbol remained."

Aside from the garbage comment from the city attorney, I read the concerns of both Linda Hutchinson and Don Ogden. Hutchinson wants the painting, while Ogden cites federal rules against it. Ogden is a flag supporter and World War II veteran.

But let's look at this from Ms. Renbarger's point of view. Was she trying to desecrate the flag, e. g. burn it? No. Was she making a statement against our country? No. Was she doing this as a matter of patriotism and to honor our country? YES!

Once again, adults muck up an honest-to-goodness thing.

Ms. Renbarger, I fully support your artistic efforts despite what so-called 'mature adults' may say. Your heart was in the right place.

Bill O'Reilly

From CNN.com: Wanting a piece of Bill O'Reilly

Challenging Bill O'Reilly to a verbal confrontation is gutsy. I've seen him take on Jon Stewart and Bill Maher. O'Reilly is an unabashed Conservative a la Sean Hannity. Maher, Stewart, Olbermann, and Letterman are clearly Liberals in every sense of the word.

The problem here is their divisiveness. When they try to talk to one another, it becomes insults rather than honest debate. Look at Letterman's punch: "I have the feeling about 60 percent of what you say is crap." Gee Mr. Letterman, you're a genius. Is that all you got? By the way, while I realize stores like Target or Walmart hang signs that say, "Happy Holidays" and don't take away Christmas, the public school system has, and that's a fact.

And what about Keith Olbermann? All this guy can do is name O'Reilly as the, "Worst Person in the World"? Yeah, now there's intelligence.

Why can't these guys have a real debate over current issues? While Liberals banter with emotions and claim they're for the "little guy", Conservatives have the facts in their hands and could care less what dolts like Olbermann and Letterman say. Both types of journalists really don't know regular every-day people and the issues we face. They couldn't tell you the last time they served in a soup kitchen or watched over homeless children. But they sure do believe they know what we're feeling!

Divisiveness will continue in this country if we don't learn to communicate well regarding our issues.

Microsoft and Human Rights

From CNN.com: Microsoft shuts down blog in China

Read the article and tell me if it is morally right for Microsoft, or even Yahoo!, to be preventing human rights causes? Or, better yet, assisting in the conviction of journalists outspoken against Communism?

Oh, and please don't give me this line about being obedient to that country's laws. If we're doing business with China, who are knowingly imprisoning people for being outspoken, then we should pull out. It's time we start sticking up for people's lives than for the 'almighty' dollar.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does - Governor Jim Doyle

CNN.com...Wisconsin governor vetoes abortion bill

Gov. Jim Doyle, Democrat governor of Wisconsin fell victim to his liberal self and vetoed a bill that would require doctors to inform women who are seeking an abortion that their fetus would feel pain. Doyle cites unscientific evidence that a fetus feels any pain.

When is society going to learn the value and importance of life?

It goes much deeper than this bill. The issue is LIFE. If a woman is seeking an abortion, she is seeking to end a life. A life she would rather not take responsibility for.

You want to be a missionary out in the world? Try visiting a family-planning clinic and speaking to one of these women with humbleness and compassion for her and her baby. Legislation won't save souls; but through Jesus, we will.

WMF Virus

A nasty Microsoft-virus is going around called, "WMF trojan". The trojan virus comes through meta-information usually attached to websites, web images, and email. Please update your PC's whenever possible. Here is the Microsoft link for the patch:

WMF patch

An Apple Powerbook is looking better and better.

New Year's Blahs

I am suffering from NYB - New Year's Blahs.

Why?

Work. My job has dried up and I'm frustrated. I am actively looking and networking, but it's still depressing. I look forward to going home every day and cherish the time with my wonderful wife and wild-at-heart boys. Nothing like relieving a little stress by making my boys laugh hysterically.

If you're going through the same rut, check out Dan Miller's website, 48 Days.com. Dan has experience rebuilding careers and devising creative income. His "48 Days" book is excellent as well.

Please keep me in your prayers as I seek God's wisdom and patience in a new and exciting career.

Bowl Games

Update: Penn defeats FSU by 3 in 3 OT's. Go figure...
Oh, and one more thing, Donald Miller is pulling for Texas. Hook 'em Horns!

Three teams deserve huge recognition for their play and subsequent wins: 'Bama, the Wisconsin Badgers, and West Virginia.

Alabama 13 - Texas Tech 10
The Tide managed to hold a high-octane offense, in Texas Tech, and shut them down. Tide's kicker, Jamie Christensen kicked a "lame duck" field goal, with 5 seconds left in the game, to give Alabama a 13-10 win over Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. As big fans of the Croyle family and Big Oak Ranch, we couldn't be more happier for Brodie.

Wisconsin 24 - Auburn 10
Next, we move on to Wisconsin and Auburn in the Capital One Bowl. I'll be honest: I didn't give much hope to Wisconsin winning. Could they keep it close against a powerhouse like Auburn? Sure, but somehow with Wisconsin's history against SEC teams, I doubted they could pull off a win. With big contributions from both the offense, e. g. the running game, and defense, e. g. maintaining pressure on Auburn's quarterback and shutting down their passing, Wisconsin pulled off probably the biggest upset of this year's bowl games. A huge thank-you to Coach Alvarez who turned the Wisconsin football program, from a 1-10 team, into champions. May your new job as Athletic Director be prosperous.

West Virginia 38 - Georgia 35
Last, we have my second beloved team, the Georgia Bulldogs. I could go on and on about Georgia taking West Virginia lightly and their pride got the best of them. But, West Virginia proved they could've beaten any team last night. They played with heart and took down a mighty giant. To Georgia's credit, they never gave up. I'm sure Coach Richt will watch this game and make the necessary adjustments for next year.

My pick for the Orange and Rose Bowls: Penn State will run over Florida State and Southern Cal will rout Texas. I'm pulling for Texas, but USC is extremely powerful. Let's hope I'm wrong.

2006: A Fresh Start

This year I will accomplish several personal goals. As many of you are aware, this past year has been very difficult for me, mentally and spiritually. God has shown himself in several ways. He introduced me to many people who desire a deep relationship with Him. Many of these wonderful people are not ministers by profession; they just want to show the world Christ's love and grace. Yet those who are minsters, whom I met, they too long to live for Christ and be a lighthouse for the lost.

Here are my personal goals in no particular order:
1. Strengthen my relationship with God by being his servant through local ministry opportunities.
2. Learn true humbleness.
3. Pray openly.
4. Find a career that I love AND allows me more flexibility.
5. Strive for financial freedom.
6. Continue to build relationships with new people and strengthen the ones I have.
7. Write for quality, not quantity.
8. Photograph God's glory in nature and people.
9. Eat better and get outside more.
10. Love my wife and boys for today. We cannot control yesterday nor tomorrow.

God's blessing to you all and welcome to the new year.