"Liberty Enlightening the World" is 121 years old

After 121 years of exposure to wind, rain, snow, heat, terrorist attacks, public scrutiny, widespread praise, tears and just about everything else - Liberty Enlightening the World is still standing tall on Liberty Island (formerly Bedloe's Island). Known to most as the Statue of Liberty, this statue was unveiled in it's finished granduer on this day in 1886, a rainy day that didn't seem to go as planned. It didn't matter, though, and over a century later, the stories of the impression she has left on the hearts and minds of countless Americans, immigrants and foreigners are too numerous to even start chronicling. Next time you are around the copper gentle giant in New York Harbor, take a moment to smile at her and thank her for continuing to stand for all the great things she represents. God bless America!

Volunteers and Lectures

10.25.07 I am debating over whether or not to buy tickets to a Vols football game. It seems $40 is worth being in Neyland Stadium, surrounded by 107,000 orange and white fans screaming at the top of their lungs as UT takes out some football team. I think it would be a good investment, of course I could also save the money and give it to Rachel when I get home. Hmmmm. This is a tough choice.


Now I'm listening to my homiletics prof talk about Post-Modernism and the advent of relativism - a totally disasterous movement that is a result of scholarly thought from the 20th century. It makes teaching the Word of God next to impossible when speaking to relativists. At the end of the day, it takes a "Damascus-road experience" for these people to turn to the Lord.

We could use some more experiences like that around this country.

University of Tennessee Fun

Praise the Lord for public internet access at the UT Hodges Library! I'm way behind in my grad work and none of the company computers have Real Player installed - a program I have to have to watch my lectures online. Anyway, now I'm currently listening to my lecture while sitting at a computer at the University of Tennessee. I'm allowed 2 hours a night and that may be just enough to get what I need from the online lectures.


Work is good and I'm having fun on this business trip, but most importantly, I am finally in a position to focus on my studies. When I'm at home, I tend to spend time with my kids or Rachel rather than hit the books. I guess that's a good thing.

UT is a pretty neat campus - it really takes me back to my Georgia Tech days. The old dorms and clogged streets make me feel like a freshman again, surrounded by the sights and sounds of students trying desperately to hold on to their individualism while tragically giving up the same to become accepted. Shakespeare obviously did not understand the college spirit when he penned, "To thine own self be true."

Go Vols! God bless.

Panera Bread Co. - my beacon of hope!

10.22.07 "Free WiFi" signs remind me of when you used to see "Diner's Club" signs in the windows of business willing to feed to growing dependency on the Credit Card. Our nature of dependency hasn't really changed much, but the terms have. Tonight I spent at least 45 minutes driving around the outskirts of Knoxville, TN looking for free WiFi, as though it would be just plain wrong to support an establishment that didn't offer this service. Starbucks gave me a grande Hot Cocoa, but T-Mobile wanted my Credit Card info for the WiFi, so I pulled stakes and moved out. I got lost a couple times, but eventually (and with some aid) happened upon the coveted Panera Bread Co. My WiFi savior was waiting for me - with a "Pick Two" deal to support my more animal instinct to eat. Now, here I sit, listening to jazz and experiencing the peace of mind that was lacking up until my two e-mail accounts had finally been checked for important correspondence. My heart rate slows down and the nice hourly-wage employee with the apron takes away the remnants of my dinner snack. All is well that ends well, and this day has definitely ended well.
In other news, I am (obviously) away from home, on a business trip to Knoxville, TN. I'm hoping to catch a Vols game while I'm up here - mostly because the LSU - Auburn game last weekend proved to me that the most exciting conference is the SEC, no doubt, and the stadium at UT is only about 2 x the size of GT's homefield. I could use some good clean, college football fun one of these weekends. Wish me luck as I search for some good seats. God Bless!

WDW Pre-Cursor

You know what - I never talked about Disney World and the whirlwind tour my son and I took of the WDW Resort over Labor Day weekend. Remind me sometime to re-attack that story. . . .

Underdogs rule

WAR EAGLE! GO YELLOW JACKETS! I love watching an underdog win a big game. It just makes everything else go away for a little bit. Like the 320k+ mile Jeep I own that is now in the shop or the crabgrass that is still lingering in my lawn. Most important, and this is true in football as it is in just about everything else, the story of a successful underdog is a continual reminder that all things can be made possible through Christ. I have realized that I am an underdog. Satan is up, 453-2 (I picked up a safety back in Elementary School), yet I am assured a victory if I continue to press on toward the goal. The points don't matter and the time left is unknown (kind of like soccer). All that counts is the scoreboard in the end, and just like the sign that loomed over the hedges in Athens, GA following the GA Tech victory in 1998 (21-19), the scoreboard of life will also be in my favor. If you want to know more about this, please contact me. God Bless!

Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell

This is a good day, just like all days. It really comes down more to what we make of the days than what we think of the days. I'm reading a terrific book, Lone Survivor, by Marcus Luttrell, a Navy SEAL. It's pretty remarkable what these guys go through to be SEALs - definitely not a walk in the park. I can say assuredly that it is well more intense than anything I've done or probably ever will do and I'm not really sure if that comforts me or makes me feel worthless. Regardless, you should decide for yourself and check the book out. Like an impatient ninny, I bought the book in hardback, brand new, with 10% sales tax yet I am very pleased with the investment so far.


On a side note, I think the site needs a redesign. The pictures aren't very well organized and the overall appearance is somewhat archaic. Please feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions.

GA Tech vs. UVA - a sad tale

I'm totally depressed that my Yellow Jackets couldn't pull out a win this week. They lost to the Virginia Cavaliers, 28-23, after a fatal fumble during a punt - of all things. Ironically, there are few things that have been truly consistent about Ga Tech's football over the last ten years (the last season they accomplished anything truly significant), yet their special teams has always seemed to stay the course. Even today their place kicker hit a 51-yarder and their punter drove a punt over 60 yards, yet they (literally) dropped the ball this one time and UVA took the next play and turned it into the touchdown that would put them over the top for the win. It wouldn't be so bad except that Tech wasn't able to squeak out a win (much less any offensive yardage) again Boston College last week, either. So, now we are 2-2, 0-2 (ACC) and on our way down the road of what we will all call a "rebuilding" season. Hogwash. I don't know what it is, but Division 1-A college football programs do not need to be wasting ticket dollars and alumni donations with years spent "rebuilding". Tech's defense needs to get back to their roots - zone defense, blitz everytime, and put up a wall against the rush. Tech's offense needs to rebuild the option that took Joe Hamilton to near-Heisman status and the team to a shared spot as ACC Co-Champs. Finally, the special teams needs to keep doing what they've been doing and not screw up again. Yes, they did not lose this game - if anyone did, it was the defense for letting UVA get that fast one past them immediately following the fumble recovery, late in the 4th quarter, but it is an understatement at this point that only perfection will keep such a fragile lead, as Tech had in their hands prior to that fumble, alive. That is of course, just the words of a naive couch-potato coach, so take them for what they're worth - or not. Regardless, this should count as a legitimate post for all those who've been complaining about my prolonged absence of late. God bless you all and good night!