Is this the same kid?!

This is Brennan at 2.5 months.  I think he weighed around 9 lbs or so.

This is Brennan at 5 months.  He weighs over 16 lbs now.  He has really bad reflux, so he’s on a medication for that and special fomula (he puked and screamed constantly).  Now he’s really packing on th beef.  Its amazing what happens when a baby actually gets some nutrition. 

The Irish in Me?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had this affinity for Irish/Scottish/Celtic culture.  My favorite period of history is Dark Ages Britain (yes, I realize the idea of “The Dark Ages” is a myth, but I was afraid if I used “Late Antiquity” no one would know what I meant). I don’t know why; no one in my family shares this affinity.  As far back as I have traced (which is, admittedly, only a few generations), I am 1/4 French (mleh) and 3/4 German (better),  no Scotch-Irish or even Briton.

So why does Irish music tug at my heart like it does?  Why do Celtic designs captivate my eye?  Why did I give my youngest an Irish first name (Brennan) and a Welsh middle name (Rhys)?  Why is it that Britain and Ireland are the top two places I want to visit?

I don’t get it.

“So let us hoist a pint of silence
To the east where Ireland lies
And we will stare across the waters
For a glimpse of Mary’s eyes
We are ships without a harbor
We are sailors are on dry land
And the song goes on forever
Even though the record can’t.”

Mary’s Eyes, by Gaelic Storm

What is Wrong with Us?

Folks, read this article.  Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Read it?  Good.

I am in tears after reading this.  We have so much junk and want more, more, more, when there are people in this situation, and worse, right in our own neighborhoods.

Why, why, why have we bought into the lie that is the American Dream?  That’s a lie from the pit of HELL.

I am every bit as guilty as anyone else (and more so than some).  Why are we, as a society, abandoning the ones who need our help the most?

And what are YOU going to do about it?  What am I going to do about it?

Two New Experiences

1. Being very sad when I leave for work in the morning because Max the dog is staring at me with puppy-dog eyes.

2. Spending 3 hours at the vet and spending $200 on a dog because he has worms, a double ear infection, and diarrhea. Hopefully this has taken care of it. Poor guy.

The joys of pet ownership, huh?  Oh well, he’s worth it. 

Merry Christmas, Max.

The Newest Addition to Our Family…

No, we haven’t had the baby yet, he’s coming in February.  This is our other “baby”.  He’s an 8 month old field spaniel named Max.

He’s fitting in surprisingly well.  He already acts like he owns the place.

Anyway, here are some pics of him. 

Yet Another Interesting Article

So, in the spirit of me not posting original content and actually having to do any actual work on my blog (har!) here is another article that I thought was fascinating, about how Hollywood often portrays Christianity negatively in movies.

Note, however, that though I agree with the article for the most part, several of the movies mentioned are some of my favorites (although I will not see Beowulf  because of the nudity and sexual content of the film; that’s just trash to make a perfectly good story more palatable to unlettered Philistines).

Anyway, you can read the article here.

Tell me what you think.

Be Lifted High

I am currently listening to a live album by Hillsong United called “United We Stand”. Great album. I highly recommend it. Anyway, part of the lyrics to the song “Came to the Rescue” are:

“In my life, be lifted high. In my world, be lifted high.”

It made me think of all the things that I have put ahead (above) my Lord. Talk about a sense of sorrow. Take a few minutes out of your schedule today and think of where in your life the Lord ranks. Then fix it.

Tired

I am tired.

The process of buying a house has been a nightmare.  Snag after snag has come up.  Issue after issue.  But, through God’s grace, we’ve made it through them all.  Whether this has been intended to increase my faith, my patience, or both, I don’t know.

The part that bothers me about all of this is feeling like a mooch.  I’m at work today, while family members help move some of our stuff.  We hit a major financial bump and some members of our family graciously gave us the help we needed.  We’re going to be living with my father-in-law and his family for a few weeks until our house is ready.  The list goes on.

I HATE inconveniencing all of these people.  I have nothing to offer them.  I know they’re doing it because we’re family and they love us, but I can’t help but feel like its too much, or we’re taking advantage of their generosity.  I can’t wait until we’re done with all of this, so we can stop mooching.

Maybe its a pride thing, but I am tired of not being able to handle these issues myself, without dragging people that love me through the mud too.

Prayer Needed!!!

One of my mentors, Pastor Chet Swearingen, is leaving today to take a missions team to Indonesia.  They are working with a people-group that is completely unreached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Please pray for them!  For more information, click here to read about it on his blog.

Cause and Effect

There is such a thing as right. There is such a thing as wrong.

What is wrong must be combatted. What is right must be upheld.