Mike TV from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I wonder if he ever had these thoughts...

Insecure. Not good enough. Seeing the world for what it is - worthless and ending. I'll never fit in to what is better (by the world's standards). My thoughts are not Phil 4.8 and Col 3.1-5.

See what even a little bit of television will do for you...

Movies are a different story for me because I can pick and choose my movies. You never know what is going to come on tv - even during commercials of NCAA March Madness.

Just my random thought for the day.

what is your remedy?

So, tonight was the season finale of House - shocker even for most diehard HOUSE fans - but we'll see what next fall holds.
Then I was flipping through the guide to see what else was on. One of my fave movies: Sweet Home Alabama. And it was at the good part (where they talk in the coon dog cemetary. But, I have seen it. It took all that is within me (Spirit) to deny the flesh and shut off the tv and read the psalm for tonight. Then, then is the one I read:
Ps 119.143
"Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight."

When I am stressed from the day, anxious, pressed in from every side - what do I do? Usually I either cook, exercise, or most likely - watch tv or a movie. But - here is the psalmists remedy...delighting (finding extreme satisfaction) in the Word of God. The Word delight - every time it is found in the psalms - is used in regard to the Word of God. How cool is that?

So - the nex time you are stressed to the max - take time to see what you delight in - and go there.

Paid Holidays, House, and cookbooks

Ah, how I do love paid vacation! This weekend has been great in terms of missing work! :)
Got back from Boston yesterday, had to do some shopping before coming home. Then two of my girls are here. We have already done so much.
We have watched 4 episodes of House - with more to come today.
We have made oh my goodness delicious snickerdoodles - they are great - and I even had just one. They were from a recipe, tweaked a little from Taste of Home Complete Guide to Baking - what a great baking cookbook for all you bakers out there.
We made homemade popcorn - Veronica style.
Today we are eating some good food and watching more House.
I love spending time with Becky and Cat, hanging out, watching House, chilling. And I get paid to do it today!
Two great cookbooks we picked up while in Boston. Of course, my Mom gets them first.
Alton Brown's - I'm Just Here for the Food - fun book just like his show Good Eats
Legal SeaFoods = cookbook with great seafood recipes - hopefully I can find out how to cook their tuna. It was wonderful. Best tuna I've ever had!
Still can't find a recipe for Apple Mousse - so if anyone has one, let me know.

The Theology of House

HOUSE - it is definitely one of my fave shows right now. But, the theology on house tonight - stunk. Why do most shows always paint Christians in such a weird light? Humility? Sainthood? More trials to those he loves more? Questioning the power of prayer?

Turn off TV week and TIVO

Ok - this is funny. I do listen to Z while I am work. They were talking this morning about National Turn Off your TV week. Its amusing to me why they don't pick a week during the summer to have this, when none of the shows are winding down, all are in reruns.
But, the DJs said this morning, well, "I'll just tivo it". Then what is the point of turning off your tv this week?
Kinda crazy - technology.
I don't participate in this week at all, never have, just cause. But, I don't participate in it then TIVO it.
American Idol - has on Andre Boccelli tonight, and the female dj didn't even know who he was.

American Idol, March Madness, The Cross and Strep Throat, Ezra

In honor of American Idol - I offer this blurb from Gene Veith - one of the leading thinkers on popculture and the Christian.I think he is right on!

I approve of "American Idol." In the judging phase, at least, it reinforces the notion that there are, indeed, objective aesthetic standards. No, you are not good just because you try real hard or are sincere or have a dream or think you are. Simon shoots down that subjectivist mindset with commendable force. The competition is rigorous, and--though the judgments are turned over to the masses who do have their heartthrobs and subjective sympathies--at the end of the game, the best artists so far have indeed risen to the top.

On to more exciting things...March Madness begins tomorrow. Go Gators. They play S. Alabama (who in the world are they) tomorrow at 2.25. And, thanks to STREP THROAT and Penicillen (sp?) - I get to watch it with even more vigor here on my home computer in ESPN realtime. The Heels don't play till Friday night.

Yes, that is right - the last two days of being sick have issued in Strep throat. My friend went with me today and for that I was very thankful - I didn't want to go by myself. It was a "minute clinic" at CVS. We actually got to talk to our NP about medical missions, church, and the whatnot. She was very nice. But, I looked at the little stick after 5 minutes and I either was having twins (a boy and a girl) or I had strep. I think I'll take strep. So, I got a doctors note to stay out of work tomorrow, but I have to go in some on Friday to turn in my time card because I want to get paid.

Anyway...as I've been reading The Cross Centered Life - I offered this thought to my Mom today in light of the sickness: our decaying (sick) bodies are due to sin. In the Garden they never got sick - there was no sin. The Wages of sin is death. But, that is why we have the Cross! Thank you Jesus!

So...more on CJ's book: It seems like lately I've been practicing legalism. Not that I would ever say I need works to get me to heaven, because I would never get there, but CJ puts it like this:
"Legalism, in other words, means the glory goes to people rather than God. ...The implication of legalism are staggering in their arrogance." So, when I want people to notice what I am doing and how much I am doing - that is legalism. Oh, Lord, help me not to "steal" your glory.

Now, on to Ezra...