Before the Boat

Boy, a lot's happened in the last week! I finished my first semester of graduate work, graduated my first class of students, and left town for a cruise! We will be on the Music Boat 2007 along with 14 Christian music artists and several guest speakers. It should be a ton of fun and we are really excited about the break alone! I will try to post pics and updates from the boat to this website, though it will depend on the internet capabilities available to me on board. Until next time, "Anchors Aweigh!"

Sacrifice and the Military

Another sad day, with the loss of a US Navy Blue Angels pilot after his F-18 crashed in Beaufort, SC around 4 PM EST. It was his first demonstration with the team after having been a part of the team for two years.

Most people don't understand the sacrifices servicemen make outside of the loss of life on the battlefield. Since I've been active duty, I've been assigned to several units that lost a member during "peacetime" events. Equipment maintenance, flying training missions, obstacle courses, and aerial demonstrations have all taken the lives of fellow servicemembers during my current stint. Even the first casualty of Operation Enduring Freedom was a vehicle accident, not a shot from the Taliban. Yes, we sometimes are required to make an ulitmate sacrifice as a result of direct enemy action, but these brave men and women, who die off of the field of battle, are no less honorable.

Glory Revealed

4.19.07 Last night, Rachel and I went to "Glory Revealed" - a night of worship and word that is part of a triumverant (sp?) book/tour/CD gig headed up by David Nasser and Mac Powell. There were a lot of great artists singing some awesome music and a terrific message from David Nasser, all in this really small church in Tuscaloosa. It was awesome, to say the least!

Today was also my last final from my first semester of graduate school. Man, I'm tired! It was strange being in college again. I definitely like the flexibility of online courses, however I still find myself falling into the same habits of my undergrad years. Hopefully, the Lord will teach me how to focus better and manage my time such that I can take better advantage of this education.

Finding what is lost

This morning our pastor spoke of how much he hates losing! Losing a game or losing things. I can't stand losing either! About two weeks ago, I lost my bluetooth ear piece for my cell phone. Man, that made me mad! I was looking everywhere for it and coming up empty! Of course, it was this sunday, after our pastor's sermon that lo and behold, it was found underneath the shoe rack in the closet. I was elated! I really counted it as lost; knew that only by God's grace would I find this thing again!



In other news, today we found ourselves doing something that I used to love doing with my dad on Sunday afternoons - look at houses! No, we aren't ready to buy, but we are thinking about what to do when "number 3" comes along. So, we left church, bought a map at a convenience store, and started searching around the really nice Cloverdale district of Montgomery. It is definitely a possibility! What a nice area, with so many nice homes. There's lots of research to do and plenty of time to do it - but for now, we are happy in our lovely government housing.

Tax Amendment

Man, filing a 1040X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) is actually more challenging than filing the original 1040A! Hopefully I got it right and I'll get my refund in the promised 2-3 months. . . .

NOAA in our hallway

"This is the NOAA weather radio. . ." One more afternoon of strong thunderstorms and potential tornadic activity. So, we huddled up in the hallway and waited out the storm. This time is was pretty close. We got tons of rain and probably some hail that has since melted, but no tornado. That's OK - I have no complaints.

Anyway, I noticed that a "blip" on the map showed up from California. Not sure who that may be, but we'd be glad to meet you! Please feel free to contact us!

Introducing: Comments

I have been running through the woods for eight hours a day, the last two days and I'm tired. (They'll never find me!) No, it was work related, all legit. Anyway, in my restless tire, I've decided to add some content to the site. Reviews and Comments. Wow! That's pretty ingenious! I know, I get it from my wife.

Regardless of the origin of my humble ingenuity, I hope you enjoy these additions to the growing phenom that is actually just mediocre.

The Genesis Question, Dr. Hugh Ross

He is risen! He is risen indeed! It is Easter Sunday and we just got back from the first two of three church services today. By tonight, my voice will be completely gone. Tomorrow I run 1.5 miles twice, hopefully 10 minutes on the first run and 11 minutes on the second run.


I read a book for a class, The Genesis Question, by Dr. Hugh Ross of "Reasons to Believe" (RTB) and I am very surprised (somewhat discouraged) with how much bickering seems to go on between RTB and the Institute for Creation Research (ICR). They are so intertwined in an argument over the "young Earth model" of creation vs. the "old Earth model" that it is hard to see the purpose of their individually ministries. I believe we can manipulate the scientific record to support any number of theories. However, it seems more important to focus on the vastly complex simplicity of the Universe and how it can only be that way as the product of a beginner. Even the Big Bang theory attributes everything to a beginning, hence there must have been a beginner.

What do you think?

135 out of 130? Math is hard.

OK. There are more than one of you. SO, I turned in my research proposal and was surprised that I didn't get the full credit on the main proposal itself - only 150 out of 160 possible points. I was even more surprised, shocked rather, that I got 135 points out of 130 on my Review of Literature. I'm still trying to figure out the math, but I think it's a good thing.

Today, Rachel's grandparents drove down to visit for the weekend. It is a real blessing to have visitors, and we have been able to have lots since we've arrived in Montgomery. The kids are, of course, excited! Tomorrow is Easter Sunday - He is risen, He is risen indeed! - and we will be doing tons of singing and guitar playing at church for three services. It's a real privilege to use our talents as part of a ministry. I know we aren't Third Day, but God is using us in a capacity of ministry regardless and it's a blessing.


I think, in honor of the grandparents' visit, I will add Missouri to the Fifty States page. Enjoy!