Here's Allie in her new outfit from Hawaii. She's also shown holding her favorite Doggie (don't try getting her to sleep without him!), and attempting to whistle. She's pretty good, actually.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Beach Baby...
Allie's first beach ball. Her first time in the sand. She loves to dig into the sand, and fling the sand in clumps behind her. That's all fun and cute, except it's usually Mommy who's sitting right behind her, feeling the wrath of Allie's flying dirt.
Still pretty cute, though, eh?
Still pretty cute, though, eh?
Not too fast...
That's me, Jennie, and Allison a couple of days ago, on the beach in Litchfield, South Carolina. Usually, I have thought that our vacations are too short. Not this time. We spent ten days in SC, and it was a great time for us as a family and as a couple.
It may surprise some of you, but I went without e-mail and internet for almost all of our vacation. Not as tough as I thought. Props to Holiday Inn Express, a hotel we did NOT stay at, but in their parking lot, I could pick up their wireless internet signal and download and send my emails a couple of times during our vacation.
We took lots of pics, but most of them of Allie. So, on the last day or two, we made a strong effort to take more pics of the places and things we experienced.
Gary's Highlights? Relaxing with my wife and daughter, renting a Jet-Ski on Wednesday, getting to eat a lot of shrimp, reading another great book by John Grisham (The Broker), going to the BEACH EVERY DAY and walking or diving into it, and attending Myrtle Beach Community Church a couple of times.
Jennie's Highlights? I guess I'll ask her and then post them later. =). Same with Allie's. I'll give you a visual tour of Allie's highlights. She had fun playing on the beach, kicking in the water, laughing at the many "doggies" that we saw on the beach, and crawling around the summer house (not ours) that we stayed at.
It may surprise some of you, but I went without e-mail and internet for almost all of our vacation. Not as tough as I thought. Props to Holiday Inn Express, a hotel we did NOT stay at, but in their parking lot, I could pick up their wireless internet signal and download and send my emails a couple of times during our vacation.
We took lots of pics, but most of them of Allie. So, on the last day or two, we made a strong effort to take more pics of the places and things we experienced.
Gary's Highlights? Relaxing with my wife and daughter, renting a Jet-Ski on Wednesday, getting to eat a lot of shrimp, reading another great book by John Grisham (The Broker), going to the BEACH EVERY DAY and walking or diving into it, and attending Myrtle Beach Community Church a couple of times.
Jennie's Highlights? I guess I'll ask her and then post them later. =). Same with Allie's. I'll give you a visual tour of Allie's highlights. She had fun playing on the beach, kicking in the water, laughing at the many "doggies" that we saw on the beach, and crawling around the summer house (not ours) that we stayed at.
She's Back!
After a long, relaxing trip to South Carolina, Allie Underwood is back in Ohio and ready to party. Here she is in a new summer dress - what a beauty! We had a great time in North Myrtle Beach and in Litchfield/Pawley's Island, SC, and have lots to blog about. Of course we also have pics to share, updates, and news that will hopefully make you glad you logged on.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Our Show, Part 2.
It seems like, while most people I talk to don't watch TV all that much, a lot of people have "their show."
One friend recently told me that Tuesday was the one night he and his wife watch TV - "We're all about Amazing Race and American Idol," he quippped. Another couple invited us over for the Survivor finale the other night. I know another dude who is "addicted" to the show "24."
Well, count Jennie and me in. For the first few years of our marriage, we pretty much had one show that we loved watching together. While commercials can make it sound like every show is "must-see TV," nobody should waste much time viewing the brainwasher.
For the first four years of our marriage, NBC's "Ed" was our favorite show. We've been taping reruns of it on TBS, and eagerly awaiting the release of Ed on DVD. Ironically, Ed was often the lead-off on Wednesday nights right before shows like The West Wing and Law & Order - two more shows I've had people say is "their show."
For us, there will never be another show like Ed. Ed is to Gary and Jennie as "Perfect Strangers" was to Jack and Rita. Yes, the show with Balki.
Anyhow, after mourning the loss of Ed (and his friends Carol, Mike, Nancy, Phil, Shirley, Eli, Warren, Mark, and others)... we finally have found a current show worth watching.
LOST (ABC) has it's 2-hour season finale next Wednesday, and it's kept us watching just about every time on the edge of our seats. At least the show is consistent, well-acted, well-scripted, and suspenseful. It's the story of a group of plane-crash-survivors and their plight on a mysterious island. Each week, we get flashbacks into one person's past, which plays an important role in the island plot going on in the fictional present.
I mentioned that Lost is "consistent." Well, a lot of shows are inconsistent. For example, one week, watching Alias is as thrilling as watching the Bourne Identity, Spy Game, or even a good episode of X-Files (which, of course, I've never seen, but it sounds cool to say). Other times, Alias is predictable with bad dialogue and absurd plotlines that don't connect to each other. Probably the only reason we watch Alias in the first place is that it's on right after Lost, and it takes a while to recover from whatever happened on that island...
Anyhow, what's "your show?"
One friend recently told me that Tuesday was the one night he and his wife watch TV - "We're all about Amazing Race and American Idol," he quippped. Another couple invited us over for the Survivor finale the other night. I know another dude who is "addicted" to the show "24."
Well, count Jennie and me in. For the first few years of our marriage, we pretty much had one show that we loved watching together. While commercials can make it sound like every show is "must-see TV," nobody should waste much time viewing the brainwasher.
For the first four years of our marriage, NBC's "Ed" was our favorite show. We've been taping reruns of it on TBS, and eagerly awaiting the release of Ed on DVD. Ironically, Ed was often the lead-off on Wednesday nights right before shows like The West Wing and Law & Order - two more shows I've had people say is "their show."
For us, there will never be another show like Ed. Ed is to Gary and Jennie as "Perfect Strangers" was to Jack and Rita. Yes, the show with Balki.
Anyhow, after mourning the loss of Ed (and his friends Carol, Mike, Nancy, Phil, Shirley, Eli, Warren, Mark, and others)... we finally have found a current show worth watching.
LOST (ABC) has it's 2-hour season finale next Wednesday, and it's kept us watching just about every time on the edge of our seats. At least the show is consistent, well-acted, well-scripted, and suspenseful. It's the story of a group of plane-crash-survivors and their plight on a mysterious island. Each week, we get flashbacks into one person's past, which plays an important role in the island plot going on in the fictional present.
I mentioned that Lost is "consistent." Well, a lot of shows are inconsistent. For example, one week, watching Alias is as thrilling as watching the Bourne Identity, Spy Game, or even a good episode of X-Files (which, of course, I've never seen, but it sounds cool to say). Other times, Alias is predictable with bad dialogue and absurd plotlines that don't connect to each other. Probably the only reason we watch Alias in the first place is that it's on right after Lost, and it takes a while to recover from whatever happened on that island...
Anyhow, what's "your show?"
Blogging, in honor of Moms!
Jeff & Leanne Becksfort of Portland, Oregon, have just updated their blog! Go ahead and check out the new pics of their Mother's Day dinner out, and their huge, playful dog Koi, having a great time on the beach!
It is interesting how blogging can develop a virtual community, even a virtual young marrieds club. It's all about catching up with the Ostovics, the Smiths, the Sifferts, and the Coopers! I do really enjoy keeping up with people here, and it's not as impersonal as we once thought, especially since you can post comments on someone else's blog. What about you? Do you think blogging is impersonal? I guess it is if you don't check it that often. But it's fun to do, and I can do it during commercials on Lost.
It is interesting how blogging can develop a virtual community, even a virtual young marrieds club. It's all about catching up with the Ostovics, the Smiths, the Sifferts, and the Coopers! I do really enjoy keeping up with people here, and it's not as impersonal as we once thought, especially since you can post comments on someone else's blog. What about you? Do you think blogging is impersonal? I guess it is if you don't check it that often. But it's fun to do, and I can do it during commercials on Lost.
My first Basketball!
This was a big week for Allie. On Sunday, Daddy came home with a new basketball for her - and she LOVED it! She rolled it, chased it, kissed it, bounced it, and - of course - laughed at it.
Allie laughs at almost anything she is playing with. Probably a trait she got from mom. Jennie still laughs at stuff. Even if it's not funny. Then again, Jennie laughing at something usually makes it funny. Who am I to judge what is funny and what isn't?
Sounds pretty arrogant if you ask me. Then again, you didn't. You're just sitting there, reading my blog and wondering why I have all this time to post website articles while everyone else is going to the midnight opening show of Star Wars Episode III.
Then again, I think I went to the opening night of Episode I, and was not only disappointed, but exhausted for the next three days. I'll see it eventually, and I am looking forward to seeing if it's any good. But I think we're all pretty sure it's no Lord of the Rings, right?
Allie laughs at almost anything she is playing with. Probably a trait she got from mom. Jennie still laughs at stuff. Even if it's not funny. Then again, Jennie laughing at something usually makes it funny. Who am I to judge what is funny and what isn't?
Sounds pretty arrogant if you ask me. Then again, you didn't. You're just sitting there, reading my blog and wondering why I have all this time to post website articles while everyone else is going to the midnight opening show of Star Wars Episode III.
Then again, I think I went to the opening night of Episode I, and was not only disappointed, but exhausted for the next three days. I'll see it eventually, and I am looking forward to seeing if it's any good. But I think we're all pretty sure it's no Lord of the Rings, right?
Reunion Time, Baby!
Today, Jennie, Allie, and I had the privilege of seeing the Coopers again. Tim and Suzanne Cooper, currently of Denver, Colorado, made their second trip to lovely Delaware, Ohio this week.
Last summer, The Coopers moved from Akron to Denver, knowing that God was calling Tim into full-time ministry, and thus, Denver Seminary. Fortunately, their famillies both live in Ohio. Tim's clan is in Westerville, and Suz's lives in Cincinnati. That means they're back for a little break before spending the summer as part of The Next Level, a young-adult oriented church in Denver.
For those who know this very photogenic couple, you know they're a lot of fun to be around, they really love God, and they're the kind of people that it always seems like time flies when you're with them. Since we don't know how often they'll be back to Delaware, we took them to Bun's (a local restaurant, actually the place where our church started as a small Bible study about 27 years ago) for lunch. The Coops are also faithful readers of this blog, so, in order to keep the audience happy, I thought I'd put today's picture of them right here with Allie.
Last summer, The Coopers moved from Akron to Denver, knowing that God was calling Tim into full-time ministry, and thus, Denver Seminary. Fortunately, their famillies both live in Ohio. Tim's clan is in Westerville, and Suz's lives in Cincinnati. That means they're back for a little break before spending the summer as part of The Next Level, a young-adult oriented church in Denver.
For those who know this very photogenic couple, you know they're a lot of fun to be around, they really love God, and they're the kind of people that it always seems like time flies when you're with them. Since we don't know how often they'll be back to Delaware, we took them to Bun's (a local restaurant, actually the place where our church started as a small Bible study about 27 years ago) for lunch. The Coops are also faithful readers of this blog, so, in order to keep the audience happy, I thought I'd put today's picture of them right here with Allie.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Feeling Bloggy?
I just read through several friends' blogsites. I like them all. But it's interesting the different approaches people take to doing this.
For example, some sites are basically pictures and updates for family and friends (like mine, Tim Cooper's, and Bob & Lori Siffert's new blog). I think the Becksforts' blog was like that, I miss those guys. They were great at doing a blog at first, but I think they're trying to keep us all in suspense.
Other blogsites are more for sharing thoughts, wrestling with ideas, and even some interaction via the comments. Danny Wright, Kary Oberbrunner, and a couple others seem to be like that.
Yet other blogsites are just humorous musings from silly innovators like Jeremy Bear or Ben Roethlisberger. I'm sure you all know Big Ben, and he's doing a blog.
Anyhow, I'm not really sure what I want mine to be. Seems like it's more of an expression of how I feel or think at a given time. You can tell I'm most often motivated to blog when I have a picture of Allison to blog and post. But, as Jeremy poitned out in a recent comment, I have gone extreme on the baby-posting meter. Then again, when you have grandparents peeking in on the blog, you know they aren't logging on to hear about Ohio State's latest recruits. (Speaking of which, this past week was a dark day for Buckeye fans, as highly-touted offensive lineman Justin Boren from central Ohio committed to a team up north that we can't mention by name.)
I guess I'm having a blogdentity crisis. Sometimes I want to blog about movies. Other times, I want to blog about a friend I just saw or a memory of a great experience. Yet other times, I just want to rant about how great it is that, even though we're no longer in Akron, I get to read blogs of so many good friends like Josh, Derrak, Tim, Dave Craig, Becks, Siffert, and others. I wonder if some of those other peeps have a blog yet. Rob? Derr? Smokin Dan??? Chadd? Brad? Smokin Dan???
Alas, blogging isn't for everyone. And it's also something people do in spurts. I notice that Danny Wright has put in an entry just about every other day for the past week and a half. Some of us started out that way, but we get "civilized" as Apollo Creed would say. On that note, thanks for reading. Time for sleep. (See Jer, it's possible to do a whole blog entry without mentioning our cuter-than-anything daughter, Allison, who just started pointing to her favorite book and saying "Ducky!"
For example, some sites are basically pictures and updates for family and friends (like mine, Tim Cooper's, and Bob & Lori Siffert's new blog). I think the Becksforts' blog was like that, I miss those guys. They were great at doing a blog at first, but I think they're trying to keep us all in suspense.
Other blogsites are more for sharing thoughts, wrestling with ideas, and even some interaction via the comments. Danny Wright, Kary Oberbrunner, and a couple others seem to be like that.
Yet other blogsites are just humorous musings from silly innovators like Jeremy Bear or Ben Roethlisberger. I'm sure you all know Big Ben, and he's doing a blog.
Anyhow, I'm not really sure what I want mine to be. Seems like it's more of an expression of how I feel or think at a given time. You can tell I'm most often motivated to blog when I have a picture of Allison to blog and post. But, as Jeremy poitned out in a recent comment, I have gone extreme on the baby-posting meter. Then again, when you have grandparents peeking in on the blog, you know they aren't logging on to hear about Ohio State's latest recruits. (Speaking of which, this past week was a dark day for Buckeye fans, as highly-touted offensive lineman Justin Boren from central Ohio committed to a team up north that we can't mention by name.)
I guess I'm having a blogdentity crisis. Sometimes I want to blog about movies. Other times, I want to blog about a friend I just saw or a memory of a great experience. Yet other times, I just want to rant about how great it is that, even though we're no longer in Akron, I get to read blogs of so many good friends like Josh, Derrak, Tim, Dave Craig, Becks, Siffert, and others. I wonder if some of those other peeps have a blog yet. Rob? Derr? Smokin Dan??? Chadd? Brad? Smokin Dan???
Alas, blogging isn't for everyone. And it's also something people do in spurts. I notice that Danny Wright has put in an entry just about every other day for the past week and a half. Some of us started out that way, but we get "civilized" as Apollo Creed would say. On that note, thanks for reading. Time for sleep. (See Jer, it's possible to do a whole blog entry without mentioning our cuter-than-anything daughter, Allison, who just started pointing to her favorite book and saying "Ducky!"
Just around the corner....
Most people know me as a sports fan. While I guess that's true, my "tastes" have narrowed - or gotten finer with age.
Some might say I've matured in my sports fandom.
Others would wonder if I've been burnt or brokenhearted too many times with my Cleveland roots. It's hard to be any kind of sports fan when your teams are either always in the cellar or always getting crushed by Michael Jordan, John Elway, or more commonly, themselves. Cleveland teams are the BEST at finidng ways to lose.
I even let myself get excited about the Browns new coach and general manager, only to see one of their "franchise" type players recklessly riding a motorcycle and thrown off it at 35mph. Nice going, "Soldier."
Anyhow, with the news this week that the NCAA found exactly NONE of Maurice Clarett's allegations against the football program to be true, I find myself again excited for the fall, and of course Ohio State football.
Pardon me if I don't care who wins the NBA Championship. Whoever wins, it will be more of the same story I've seen in the NBA for the last 20 years. Either a big-mouth star like Shaq wins the title, or a tough Detroit team repeats, or a non-Laker team from the West wins and still gets no real love from the national fans and media (re: Spurs and Rockets in recent memory).
Excuse me if I have zero interest in baseball. Whether steroids, lack of a salary cap, or the fact that you can waste three hours in front of a television watching guys STAND AROUND for 70% of that time... I just have no interest whatsoever. Giambi and Bonds make for great excuses to tune out.
Forgive me if I think much the same about golf, NASCAR, and pretty much everything else on TV right now. Can you tell I'm tired right now?
I guess I'm just glad that Jennie and I aren't watching much TV at all lately. She watches the Gilmore Girls (no relation to Artis), and we usually watch Lost and Alias on Wednesday nights.
Uh, I thought this was going to be a post about Ohio State football. It's nice to at least have ONE team worth rooting for. One home team that keeps winning, keeps attracting quality people and national attention. That September 10 game against Texas is going to be HUGE.
Kudos to Akron Garfield running back Chris Wells, the top RB in the state for 2006, who has already committed to the Buckeyes and may enroll early. Kudos to newcomers Fred Lenix and Jamario O'Neal, who are tearing up the state track meets along with fellow OSU freshman Brian Hartline from Canton GlenOak. (Sorry, the football scout in me is rearing its ugly head. Probably a good time to end this post.)
Post summary: All other teams and sports are boring. Ohio State rules! Got Tressel?
Some might say I've matured in my sports fandom.
Others would wonder if I've been burnt or brokenhearted too many times with my Cleveland roots. It's hard to be any kind of sports fan when your teams are either always in the cellar or always getting crushed by Michael Jordan, John Elway, or more commonly, themselves. Cleveland teams are the BEST at finidng ways to lose.
I even let myself get excited about the Browns new coach and general manager, only to see one of their "franchise" type players recklessly riding a motorcycle and thrown off it at 35mph. Nice going, "Soldier."
Anyhow, with the news this week that the NCAA found exactly NONE of Maurice Clarett's allegations against the football program to be true, I find myself again excited for the fall, and of course Ohio State football.
Pardon me if I don't care who wins the NBA Championship. Whoever wins, it will be more of the same story I've seen in the NBA for the last 20 years. Either a big-mouth star like Shaq wins the title, or a tough Detroit team repeats, or a non-Laker team from the West wins and still gets no real love from the national fans and media (re: Spurs and Rockets in recent memory).
Excuse me if I have zero interest in baseball. Whether steroids, lack of a salary cap, or the fact that you can waste three hours in front of a television watching guys STAND AROUND for 70% of that time... I just have no interest whatsoever. Giambi and Bonds make for great excuses to tune out.
Forgive me if I think much the same about golf, NASCAR, and pretty much everything else on TV right now. Can you tell I'm tired right now?
I guess I'm just glad that Jennie and I aren't watching much TV at all lately. She watches the Gilmore Girls (no relation to Artis), and we usually watch Lost and Alias on Wednesday nights.
Uh, I thought this was going to be a post about Ohio State football. It's nice to at least have ONE team worth rooting for. One home team that keeps winning, keeps attracting quality people and national attention. That September 10 game against Texas is going to be HUGE.
Kudos to Akron Garfield running back Chris Wells, the top RB in the state for 2006, who has already committed to the Buckeyes and may enroll early. Kudos to newcomers Fred Lenix and Jamario O'Neal, who are tearing up the state track meets along with fellow OSU freshman Brian Hartline from Canton GlenOak. (Sorry, the football scout in me is rearing its ugly head. Probably a good time to end this post.)
Post summary: All other teams and sports are boring. Ohio State rules! Got Tressel?
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
How big is Allie?
The other day, I took some up close pics of Allie, and she kept trying to come after the camera. Who can blame her? She's very photogenic. She's almost 11 months old, and she stands a lot, sometimes on her own. Sometimes, she pulls herself up on other things, and stands and waves. She also raises her hands in the air when we say, "How big is Allie?"
Monday, May 09, 2005
Next up...
Yesterday, I started a sermon series on Relationships. Similar in thought to a series we did at The Chapel last year. Dustyn Vanzant reworked the logo, and actually the whole front of the church is looking jungle-esque. I should nab some more pics of the scenery to show you.
The first talk was about marriage - God's great invention for human intimacy, love, and commitment. Of course I couldn't resist playing the "you complete me" scene from Jerry Maguire. "You had me at hello. You had me at hello."
Jennie and I have enjoyed our first six months in Delaware, and can't believe how much has happened and how fast life goes.
I would now like to launch into a new form of random blogging, sort of a stream of consciousness, writing about whatever hits me at the moment.
For my birthday recently, we got a brand new gas grill. I've only had this thing for eight days, but we've grilled out at least eight times. If you have any good recipes, I'll take 'em. Props to Zac & Hilary Derr for the shish-kabob seasoning and demonstrations, those came in real handy last week. Props to Lori Siffert (I think) for the idea to grill veggies and peppers with lots of seasonings at the Digman cookout like three years ago.... Speaking of Digman - I wonder how those Digs are doing. I miss seeing them around. I wonder if he's still The Chapel's version of Mark Price..... Yes, I made a quicktime video for our Relationships series, and I'm working on a second one about marriage. If you're interested, send me some pics of you and your loved one, and you might find yourself in one of my iMovies! (I say that fully expecting everyone to ignore it. That is, unless I give out prizes to the person with the most creative picture of their marriage. Maybe I'll do that! Yes - I will! The person who sends me the most creative picture wins a BRAND NEW, UNUSED copy of TURBOTAX for Windows!!! Send your entries NOW!)..... I guess I have run out of things to blog about. Well, not entirely. I recently saw the new movie "The Interpreter." VERY good. Sean Penn is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors, even though I'm not sure I like him as a person. But that was an intense, well-thought-out movie with great acting, gut-wrenching suspense, and intelligent dialogue. This movie also benefits from the fact that I saw the movie "Sahara" just a couple days before. If you're looking to waste three hours of your life and kill hundreds of brain cells, feel free to watch Sahara. Make sure to bring a pillow..... Since we're on the topic of movies, I watched "Congo" to look for jungle clips and get in the safari mood for this series. While there were no really great jungle clips, it was still a pretty intense movie. Better than Sahara, more serious than National Treasure, and rentable for two bucks less. I think Congo would have been better with a stronger male lead actor. Some Kirk Cameron look alike isn't going to cut it.... Sorry, I think I was a movie critic in another life, even though I don't believe in "other lives."
The first talk was about marriage - God's great invention for human intimacy, love, and commitment. Of course I couldn't resist playing the "you complete me" scene from Jerry Maguire. "You had me at hello. You had me at hello."
Jennie and I have enjoyed our first six months in Delaware, and can't believe how much has happened and how fast life goes.
I would now like to launch into a new form of random blogging, sort of a stream of consciousness, writing about whatever hits me at the moment.
For my birthday recently, we got a brand new gas grill. I've only had this thing for eight days, but we've grilled out at least eight times. If you have any good recipes, I'll take 'em. Props to Zac & Hilary Derr for the shish-kabob seasoning and demonstrations, those came in real handy last week. Props to Lori Siffert (I think) for the idea to grill veggies and peppers with lots of seasonings at the Digman cookout like three years ago.... Speaking of Digman - I wonder how those Digs are doing. I miss seeing them around. I wonder if he's still The Chapel's version of Mark Price..... Yes, I made a quicktime video for our Relationships series, and I'm working on a second one about marriage. If you're interested, send me some pics of you and your loved one, and you might find yourself in one of my iMovies! (I say that fully expecting everyone to ignore it. That is, unless I give out prizes to the person with the most creative picture of their marriage. Maybe I'll do that! Yes - I will! The person who sends me the most creative picture wins a BRAND NEW, UNUSED copy of TURBOTAX for Windows!!! Send your entries NOW!)..... I guess I have run out of things to blog about. Well, not entirely. I recently saw the new movie "The Interpreter." VERY good. Sean Penn is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors, even though I'm not sure I like him as a person. But that was an intense, well-thought-out movie with great acting, gut-wrenching suspense, and intelligent dialogue. This movie also benefits from the fact that I saw the movie "Sahara" just a couple days before. If you're looking to waste three hours of your life and kill hundreds of brain cells, feel free to watch Sahara. Make sure to bring a pillow..... Since we're on the topic of movies, I watched "Congo" to look for jungle clips and get in the safari mood for this series. While there were no really great jungle clips, it was still a pretty intense movie. Better than Sahara, more serious than National Treasure, and rentable for two bucks less. I think Congo would have been better with a stronger male lead actor. Some Kirk Cameron look alike isn't going to cut it.... Sorry, I think I was a movie critic in another life, even though I don't believe in "other lives."
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Gladiator?
Yeah, I'm no Russell Crowe. But this was at our recent men's retreat here in central Ohio. The theme of the retreat was "Wild at Heart" based on John Eldredge's book with that same name.
Basically, the book assumes that most church-going men are either bored or pressured to be merely "nice guys."
Eldredge lets men know that we were created by God to have great influence in our world - to have an adventuresome faith, to stand up in the battle for what's right, and to treat women with honor and love.
Basically, the book assumes that most church-going men are either bored or pressured to be merely "nice guys."
Eldredge lets men know that we were created by God to have great influence in our world - to have an adventuresome faith, to stand up in the battle for what's right, and to treat women with honor and love.
Speech I
I remember taking Speech class in 9th grade. I always got a rush out of giving a talk, sharing, or communicating with people. I had no idea I'd be doing it for a living.
I love to speak, and especially to talk about Jesus Christ and the hope, forgiveness, and love He offers all of us.
I'm currently doing a series on The Case for Faith, addressing five tough challenges to Christianity - for some people they represent reasons NOT to believe in God or Jesus Christ.
This week's topic is "Is Jesus really the ONLY way to God?" Well, that's what the Bible claims, and what Jesus himself said (John 14:6). Ironically, right as I type this, I'm watching Larry King interview reps from five different religions, comparing their different approaches to God.
Anyhow, next weekend (April 22-23), I'm speaking to the Campus Crusade retreat from Ohio Wesleyan University. About a month ago, I got to speak at their weekly meeting of about 50 students, and had a GREAT time.
Thanks to Mrs. Feldman, my 9th-grade speech teacher. I had no idea I'd be here, about 15 years later, in a career that I love, doing public speaking on a regular basis. It's always a challenge, always a thrill, and always an opportunity to learn and grow.
I love to speak, and especially to talk about Jesus Christ and the hope, forgiveness, and love He offers all of us.
I'm currently doing a series on The Case for Faith, addressing five tough challenges to Christianity - for some people they represent reasons NOT to believe in God or Jesus Christ.
This week's topic is "Is Jesus really the ONLY way to God?" Well, that's what the Bible claims, and what Jesus himself said (John 14:6). Ironically, right as I type this, I'm watching Larry King interview reps from five different religions, comparing their different approaches to God.
Anyhow, next weekend (April 22-23), I'm speaking to the Campus Crusade retreat from Ohio Wesleyan University. About a month ago, I got to speak at their weekly meeting of about 50 students, and had a GREAT time.
Thanks to Mrs. Feldman, my 9th-grade speech teacher. I had no idea I'd be here, about 15 years later, in a career that I love, doing public speaking on a regular basis. It's always a challenge, always a thrill, and always an opportunity to learn and grow.
Sunday Experience...
Here's the view on Sunday from the back of our church. You can click on it to enlarge for this view of Easter Sunday.
Easter Greetings?
Here's the picture we would have put on our Easter card, which of course we didn't do this year. We probably won't do one next year. But this is the Underwood family at Easter Sunday 2005.
Yeah, Dad is sporting a new suit courtesy of a great sale at Kohl's, along with a 30% coupon.
We had a terrifie Easter Sunday at church, and I have more pics to blog and post...
Yeah, Dad is sporting a new suit courtesy of a great sale at Kohl's, along with a 30% coupon.
We had a terrifie Easter Sunday at church, and I have more pics to blog and post...
Monday, April 11, 2005
Count the people!
In this picture, you probably recognize Jennie Underwood, Allie Underwood, and maybe even Jill Bahry.
Jill (and her husband Dan) are two of God's greatest gifts to us as friends from Akron, and Jill came down to visit Jennie and spend the day in Columbus together. Of course they found some great deals at Polaris Mall. Who knew that there were other stores down there besides "The Buckeye Room"?
Anyhow, there's a FOURTH person in the picture. Kaden Bahry (inside of Jill) is due to be born on July 10th! Kaden is already a Browns fan, already a big movie buff, and is planning to leave lots of LONG answering machine messages. The hope of Jill's visit was that - from inside her womb - Kaden would hear Allie's voice and her laugh, and instantly fall in love. You can never start too early in trying to woo her heart.
The list of suitors is growing by the week. I am going to have to fight these dudes off, and I'm not afraid to use force. Even though I'm a pastor and shouldn't bet, the favorites to win the first chance at Allie's heart include the following stallions - Logan Jeffries, Kaden Bahry, Zeke Wright, Turner Burns, Ben Firestine, Jack Fuller, Jack Ostovic, and - of course - Noah Sommers.
"Noah, when'd you get here?"
Aye, Noah Sommers was welcomed into the world this past Saturday, sometime after 7pm, to his proud parents - Chadd & Cory Sommers! Congratulations you guys! Can't wait to post a picture of Noah and Allie on their first date at Pancho's!
Jill (and her husband Dan) are two of God's greatest gifts to us as friends from Akron, and Jill came down to visit Jennie and spend the day in Columbus together. Of course they found some great deals at Polaris Mall. Who knew that there were other stores down there besides "The Buckeye Room"?
Anyhow, there's a FOURTH person in the picture. Kaden Bahry (inside of Jill) is due to be born on July 10th! Kaden is already a Browns fan, already a big movie buff, and is planning to leave lots of LONG answering machine messages. The hope of Jill's visit was that - from inside her womb - Kaden would hear Allie's voice and her laugh, and instantly fall in love. You can never start too early in trying to woo her heart.
The list of suitors is growing by the week. I am going to have to fight these dudes off, and I'm not afraid to use force. Even though I'm a pastor and shouldn't bet, the favorites to win the first chance at Allie's heart include the following stallions - Logan Jeffries, Kaden Bahry, Zeke Wright, Turner Burns, Ben Firestine, Jack Fuller, Jack Ostovic, and - of course - Noah Sommers.
"Noah, when'd you get here?"
Aye, Noah Sommers was welcomed into the world this past Saturday, sometime after 7pm, to his proud parents - Chadd & Cory Sommers! Congratulations you guys! Can't wait to post a picture of Noah and Allie on their first date at Pancho's!
Wake up!!
This is the normal view for those who walk in on Allie in the morning. She's pulling herself up to stand inside her crib, sometimes jumping and shaking the whole thing. Always smiling. It's her middle name!
(Actually, her middle name is not "smiling," but rather another word that refers to the joy inside her heart. She's a great kid already. Her smile is contagious, her laugh is unforgettable!)
(Actually, her middle name is not "smiling," but rather another word that refers to the joy inside her heart. She's a great kid already. Her smile is contagious, her laugh is unforgettable!)
Yard Work...
Today, it was yard work day at the Underwood abode. Allie got to play in the front yard while mommy pulled weeds, daddy mowed the lawn, and we all picked up leaves.
Daddy also managed to flood the backyard with water. "We have a lot of pretty birds in our backyard, and I wanted to give them a place to wash off," said Gary. Actually, after spending much of the afternoon getting supplies for the hot tub and filling it up with water, the Underwoods spent the better part of dinner listening to the water spill out into their backyard. Apparently, some of the tubing or plumbing underneath our tub is cracked or something.
But several robins did take advantage of said bird bath. "We're glad to help out God's creation any way we can." The Underwoods also seem to enjoy giving Allie reasons to say her new favorite word - "Uh-Oh!"
Daddy also managed to flood the backyard with water. "We have a lot of pretty birds in our backyard, and I wanted to give them a place to wash off," said Gary. Actually, after spending much of the afternoon getting supplies for the hot tub and filling it up with water, the Underwoods spent the better part of dinner listening to the water spill out into their backyard. Apparently, some of the tubing or plumbing underneath our tub is cracked or something.
But several robins did take advantage of said bird bath. "We're glad to help out God's creation any way we can." The Underwoods also seem to enjoy giving Allie reasons to say her new favorite word - "Uh-Oh!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
