Last Years Daylillies

I put mulch down this past weekend(always an exciting time!), and my daylillies are starting to crack the surface. This picture is from last year, but I just had to post it, so I can remember how pretty they were.

I need to buy a few plants this season. My wife said that Costco has climbing hydrangea, which I need at least one to replace the one that died last year. I also lost my weeping willow out back, so I would like to get another one of those. Plus, I lost most of my favorite Japanese maple, so if I can find another one for cheap then I will buy it.

What Superhero Are You Most Like?

Go to http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/ to find out what Superhero you would be.

Your results:
You are Green Lantern

Green Lantern 90% Hulk 75% Spider-Man 70% Catwoman 70% Iron Man 65% The Flash 60% Superman 55% Batman 50% Robin 50% Supergirl 40% Wonder Woman 20%

Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination.

Why are my top 2 results Green guys? :)

Making me wanna take pictures...

I watched "Framed" again last night on the Ovation Channel. Pretty good stuff. I appreciated seeing the photo montages of Rodchenko, a Soviet artist during the 1920's. His magazine layouts were pretty cool. But then they showed his oringinal photos, and how they were doctored for publication.

Boy am I glad I have Tivo! They cut to commercials way too much, and they interrupt the flow of the program. And it cuts down on the amount of time it takes to watch. But I still have to keep my hand on the volume, cause some of the music is just so annoying.

This photo above was not on the program. And yes, it is a photo - not a painting. It's called "Grace" for obvious reasons, was taken back in 1918.

Framed on Ovation Channel

After I put the kid to bed last night, I started perusing the channels, and I came upon the Ovation channel's programs on photography.

http://www.ovationtv.com/framed/

I watched most of "Right Place, Right time", and then "Fixing the Shadows". The photo to the left is from Andre Kertesz, and the scene has not changed much from when he took the shot, over 100 years ago. I love the "decisive moment" pictures.

They were both pretty good, but I had issues watching them.

They seemed to be directed towards photgraphers. So some of the comments were, shall we say, a little esoteric.



Some of the music was downright crazy - I had to mute the TV! Piano playing really fast, the same melody - like crazy music!

I Tivo'd another episode last night, and may do that for the rest. Otherwise, between the crazy music and the pseudo philosophical mumbo jumbo just gets to be too much!

Scarlet by Stephen Lawhead

I finished the book "Scarlet" by Stepehen Lawhead last week. Pretty good read, all in all.

I read the first book "Hood" a few months back, and then put a library hold on the second book. I had to wait a few months to get "Scarlet", the second in the "Robin Hood" triology that he is writing. It follows the story of Will Scarlet, from an interesting perspective: dictating to a scribe while he is in prison. He describes how he came to find Bran and joined him, to how he got captured and then escaped. I won't say more than that. I could have finished this book alot faster than I did - but it's such a good read - I had to put it down to just soak in some of the word pictures and ambiance. Near the end, I felt like he rushed to the conclusion, and left the reader with a big time cliffhanger. Let's just say that "someone's gonna die..."

The next and final book, "Tuck", is supposed to come out next year. I am not sure I can wait for the library system next year - I might have to purchase the set!

On this day in 1685...

Not only is today Good Friday, but today is also the Birthday of JS Bach! Only fitting to wish him a Happy Birthday, and thanks for the tunes!

I'll probably take the kid to Good Friday service tonight, since momma is working. Too bad they probably will not be playing any Bach during the service! :)

Quote of the week

"Your accumulated offences do not surpass the multitude of God's mercies: your wounds do not surpass the great Physician's skill."

- Cyril of Jerusalem (c.315-386)

Bach's Matthew Passion

I have been listening to JS Bach's St. Matthew Passion this week, and what a blessing it's been. Now, this is one of my favorite pieces of music, and have listened to it many times before, but something about hearing it during Easter week...I don't know...helps me "feel it".

The recording I'm listening to is not the one pictured. I made copies(don't tell anyone!) . I think I need to figure out which one to buy, and get a pressing. Some folks think that the one pictured here is the best.

That's one of the things about classical music that I need to bone up on: depending on who is playing it or conducting it, the same piece of music can sound totally different.

Bruised Reed

This passage has ministered to me lately:

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. Is 42:3

Puritan Richard Sibbs, in his book The Bruised Reed, has this to say about the passage:

“When struggling against the corruptions of our own hearts, buffeted by temptations, and mourning over the weakness of our faith, and the coldness of our love, let us still remember, that Christ will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. As Captain of our salvation, he combats and conquers our rebellious inclinations, as well as our outward and spiritual adversaries, and hath furnished us with the shield of faith, wherewithal to defend ourselves, and enable us to repel the fiery darts of the devil. Satan, however, will sometimes endeavor to persuade us, that we have no faith, that we are destitute of love to Christ, that we are great sinners, and that the mercy of God, and the love and compassion of Christ, are blessings we have forever forfeited. To all these suggestions of the enemy of mankind, we are warranted and encouraged to reply: That albeit we are great sinners, Christ is an almighty Saviour; and though our faith be weak, and our love cold, Christ will not quench the smoking flax, but fan it into a flame that shall never be extinguished. Abimelech could not endure the thought, that it should be said concerning him, after his death, that he died by the hands of a woman; and how mortifying must it be to Satan, to find that all his arts have been unavailing, his threatenings vain, and his power inadequate to the task of extinguishing an almost imperceptible spark. To find that the soul, influenced by the grace of God, stands secure as an impregnable fortress: that the wiles of Satan cannot sap the foundation, nor all the artillery of hell batter down the walls of her defense; and that a weak child, a silly woman, or a decrepit old man, should, by the exercise of faith, force all his veteran legions to a shameful and precipitant retreat. Let us therefore rejoice in the promise—'My grace is sufficient for you;' and let the assurance, of an ultimate triumph, invigorate our resolution to fight the good fight, and lay hold on eternal life. For though the warfare be arduous, if we strive, Christ will help us. If we faint, he will cherish, animate, and support us. If we follow the directions of our Leader, we shall assuredly overcome; and, overcoming, the crown of unfading glory awaits our reception."

New Veggietales

So we get the kid this new Veggietale episode, "The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's" on Saturday. I think we have watched it now about a dozen times already, she just loves it!

They mix the Wizard of Oz with the story of the Prodigal Son. It works really well. I kinda got touched when the son goes over how he is going ask his dad for a job on the farm. "Dad... Sir...Farmer O' Gill sir..."

Fasedown - Abolished

I have this CD by the band Fasedown. One of the songs is called "Abolished". Here are the lyrics.

It is for Freedom That Christ has set us free, so then let us not be burdened by the yoke of slavery. Mark my words, it is not wise to be circumcised, to be justified by the law that we must abide. Yeah, alienated from Christ we have fallen away from grace, but faith eagerly awaits the spirit of righteousness we hope to face. For Christ neither circumcised nor the others have any value. What counts is faith expressing itself through love and truth.

We Were Running the good race, what kept us from the truth? Persuasion of the dark one. For the Lord we take no other view.

The one who brings confusion will pay the penalty whoever he may be, but all the while, while I preach the law do you still persecute me? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished by the law. For those who agitate go the whole way and emasculate yourselves. You my brothers the appointed were called to rise up and be free, but do not use your freedom to indulge in sin and betray. Rather serve one another and lift each up in love. The entire law is written as this: To love your neighbor as yourself.

We Were Running the good race, what kept us from the truth? Persuasion of the dark one. For the Lord we take no other view.

I will live by the spirit (4x). I Live by the spirit (4x). Spirit (4x).

I guess I am getting into the whole FREEDOM aspect of our faith.

Stedman on Galatians

Galatians comes to grips with the question of what real Christian life is like. The answer can be characterized by one word, "liberty." The Christian is called to liberty in Jesus Christ. The cry of this epistle is that Christians might discover the liberty of the sons of God in accordance with all that God has planned for man in the way of freedom and enjoyment. Its aim is freedom of our human spirits to the utmost extent, restrained only as necessary for us to exist in harmony with the design of God. Therefore, this letter has been called the "Bill of Rights of the Christian Life," or the "Magna Carta of Christian Liberty," the "Emancipation Proclamation" from all forms of legalism and bondage in the Christian experience. - Ray Stedman

More Yosemite Pics

Some Yosemite Pics that I haven't posted yet...

Any good Studies in Galatians?

Does anyone know any good Bible Studies on the book of Galatians? I have one by Merrill Tenney(below), but in case anyone knows another one, let me know!