#2: A Devotional: "Reading"..........

"For I don'?t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I wantÂ?instead, I do what I hate." - Romans 7:15

I like to read. I read a variety of books. I enjoy stories of fiction and real stories of life. I read books that teach me something new or that show me how I need to change. Their is one book that seems to be treated unlike any other book. This treatment is usually not a good one. We claim it's truth and say it is all powerful. It is the sword, but it sees the sun less than most people's socks. Reading God's Word will change anyone's life. It will give wisdom and knowledge. The Words contain the truth about salvation. The truth about the eternity of every single person that will ever take a breath. Christ's life is laid out before us. The mysteries of His return are hinted. Let us not forget the most important thing. It gives us the starting point of having a personal relationship with the creator of the universe. Yes, you and me and everyone on the planet can have this personal relationship. All of this can be discovered in a single Book.

What book are you reading right now? Could you read one sentence a day? How long would it take you to finish? You might have trouble retaining the flow and plot of the story. Not to mention finishing the book in three years. Yet, that is how we treat God's Word. We cop out reading one verse because it has so much that you can meditate on it all day. I am sure that people can meditate on one verse for a day. Do you really?

Remember that forces beyond us are at work. Pick up that Book and read it. Read it in chunks. Get the context. Most of all, grow in you relationship. Read. Read all the time. Read the Bible with as much interest and intensity as you would any other book.

A blogging fool......

......well....sometimes. I have set myself up to be a blogging fool or a blogging failure. I have 5 different blogs that I can write on. Of course I have my personal one here. I have a couple for some of my hobbies; The Star Wars Collecting Blog and the newest Battlebutt Gigantica (Battlestar Galactica) for my favorite/best show on TV. Mike has given me posting rights on his political themed blog Right Wing Mike. I have not actually made a post there. I still have not come back completely from my politics break after the last Presidential Election. I will eventually. Better Than Critics is a slow going blog. It is a place for critical review of movies , TV shows, DVDs, etc. I share the posting rights with Dave. We love movies and all that stuff, but it is the sitting down and pounding out the review that puts a hold on things. Will we post there again? Maybe. We definitely have a stockload of material to put here. Maybe one day.

I have a new post on the Star Wars blog. Battlebutt does not have the most recent episode review because I forgot my notes at home. I will most likely not have it up in time for the new episode Friday night. Sorry. Both episodes will be up early next week. I promise.

Outside of blogging life is good. I have taken on extra work. Wedding plans are coming along pretty good. Amanda and I are going to a wedding this weekend. Can you imagine something with me. Can you see me leading the Sunday morning music for church? That is exactly what I am doing Sunday. Scott the music minister is out of town. He asked me to organize, pick, and lead the music Sunday morning. Can Scott trust me to not rock it out to hard? Actually, I am no threat. We have a more progressive music service at my church. It will be pretty natural for me. Especially with a guitar in my hands. Sometimes it feels weird when I am at a music service that I am not involved in leading.

You kids have a good weekend. You will hear from me when I get back.

The Chronic(What?)les of Narnia........

If you have not seen this video yet, you must. Go here.

Thanks Clint.

The funniest Blonde Joke.......

Go here to read it. Funny Blonde Joke.

Book List for 2005.....

It has taken me a bit to get this together. I did not exactly chronicle my list as I read the books. I was kind of disappointed in my progress this year. June through September were crazy, insane busy months for me. That is not an excuse, but is sure did slow me down. I get the feeling that I am leaving one or two off. If I have, I will revise the post to reflect the changes. On to the list...

Not in order read. (# of pages)

The Dark Tower #4: Wizard and Glass by Stephen King (672)
The Dark Tower #5: Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King (714)
The Dark Tower #6: Song of Susannah by Stephen King (413)
The Dark Tower #7: The Dark Tower by Stephen King (845)
Series of Unfortunate Events #1: The Bad Beginning by Lemmony Snicket (162)
Star Wars Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover (432)
Star Wars Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover (419)
Star Wars Republic Commando: Hard Contact by Karen Traviss (293)
Star Wars Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno (339)
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (143)
Star Wars: From Concept to Screen to Collectable by Stephen Sansweet (128)
Star Wars Vintage Action Figures by John Kellerman (256)
Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis (160)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (154)
Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey (314)

Total Books = 15
Total Pages = 5444
Average Book Length = 363
Most Read Author = Stephen King (4)
Longest Book = The Dark Tower #7: The Dark Tower by Stephen King (845)
Shortest Book = Star Wars: From Concept to Screen to Collectable by Stephen Sansweet (128)
Most Popular Topic = Star Wars (It was a Star Wars year)
Book of the year = Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis (160)

Reading Goals for 2006
30 total books
10 Non-fiction
2 Biographies
2 Pulitzer Prize winners or nominees
3 Books to enhance my marriage
2 Suggested by Dave

Click Here is see my reading list for 2006 (I will try to keep track this time).

Respalm 2........

Inspired by Psalms 2.

I rage and plot.
I do not realize the vanity
of hiding my sin from
the Son on the throne.

He sees all, knows all.
Yet I still think I have
the ablility to play hide and seek
with the Savior of the Universe.

I have set myself on the throne.
My throne that is so high.
I shout and run my mouth.
But, I am too high to be heard.

My world crashes down.
My high throne
makes my fall long.
The Father has put the Son
on the only throne.
I must run to His throne
and stay at my Lord's feet
right where i belong.

You know it!!!........

Time magazine has placed Battlebutt Gigantica (Battlestar Galactica) as the #1 show of 2005! If I remember correctly, it is me, yes, myself, that watches the #1 show of 2005. As you may know from a previous post, my wife-to-be gave me BG season 2.0 on DVD for Christmas. I am currently making my way through it to gear back up for the second half of season 2 which begins on January 6th!!! Yes, sanity returns to the TV screen on Friday. Actually, insanity returns. The show is insane and I love it. Do not bother me Friday night from 9p-10p. I will not answer the phone.

Go to the Dot Com for the latest wedding info.

Coming soon! 2005 list, including my reading list.

Goodbye '05...Hello '06.....

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I have many things already on the agenda for the year. Some of them are really exciting (getting married).

Do not make resolutions. Set goals. Write them down and look at them often. Re-write them on a regular basis. Persevere. You can do it.

I wish you the best in 2006.