7.03.2008

OK. Who's hungry.

I went to a petting zoo on Sauvie Island with kids recently and I told the kids “Next time you’re eating chicken nuggets you can think of these cute little chickens, cuz that’s what you’re eating.” Kelly jokingly scolded me with her eyes but she laughed and said...

Along those lines, if you are a vegetarian you will NOT like this shirt (<-- click). At first you will, but then you won't.

5.01.2008

May Day, May day.

I just remembered that Jesus will return and I will live in Eternity with him. Silly me to forget.

*sigh*

No worries.

--jq

4.28.2008

Tough Times.

Click here to read my wife's blog and what's been on our hearts lately.

--jq

4.16.2008

Tax-free Internet shopping going away?


Americans gather at the base of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., to protest the income tax and federal government overreaching. Rep. Ron Paul spoke at the rally earlier in the day.

Always good to see the Tyranny Response Team on hand.

I am all for paying my taxes, don't get me wrong. I think our tax dollars do some great things, and some not so great things, and God has called us to follow the rules. So pay'em. :-) I found this news interesting from the Taxing the Internet standpoint.
But..."Read my lips...," you know the rest.

That's what I'm talking about.

4.15.2008

Peace.

God must want us to have PEACE.
Here is how many times it's mentioned in the Bible.
  • NIV = 231 seperate places*
  • NASB = 337 seperate places*
  • The Amplified Bible = 394 seperate places*
  • The Message = 206 seperate places*
  • KJV = 400 seperate places*
  • American Standard Vers. = 412 seperate places*

* Source: http://www.biblegateway.com

4.14.2008

Comforting Words.

28 If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.

29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.

30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30
Contemporary English Version

4.10.2008

Sorry, I have been tired.

I have been just too tired to post lately. Work has also been super crazy so no time before or after work...Little League coaching started...Workin' on getting sleep...Dr's appointments...blah blah excuse...

New posts will come soon...

:-)

4.06.2008

Who's who?

Fisher or JT?
Fisher or JT?

4.02.2008

Dave's New Phone.

Nice pink phone Dave. It goes with your lipstick.


Click photo to enlarge.

My Day Today.

Dress for success work attire. I love my job camo.

Time to leave...I am an early riser...not...

Drop car off at the shop...BUT they didn't have the parts...drove off...

Doctor appointment at 11am...he prescribed healthier lunches...YES SIR!

Time to go home...38 MINUTES AGO!

On my way home snack...mmm...seeds...


Top down, clear skies on the way home...who took that pic?


JT with his classic punch greeting when I get home. WACHAW!


Taco pizza. NOT Taco Bell...but veddy veddy good.


Chores...I didn't fold but I put away.

Bed.

4.01.2008

Will Google Ever Stop?

Take a look at Google's next project, Virgle. Watch the video below.


Wow, amazing!

April Fools. Don't trust the Internet.

I am not sure if this is true, because I don't trust anything I read on the Internet on April 1, but if it is...cool.

Hot Teen Trend: Hanging with Mom and Dad.

3.31.2008

Sin? It's covered.

A couple questions came to mind this weekend while I was sitting in church listening to the sermon. These are questions most of us who are Christians may know, but if you don't know "church speak" you may not know the answers.

What's the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian? One thing. The Christian believes that Christ is God(Savior) and that without Christ he/she is destined for eternity apart from God. The non-Christian does not believe Christ is the Savior and God.

Christians believe they are "saved" by Christ. Does this mean we, I say we because I am a Christian by definition above, have somehow lost our humanity and are now perfect? Yes...OK...No and No :-), and far from it. My heart is inherently sinful by nature of being human. Sin is something I was born into because of the first sin by Adam (Eve's fault). I am born under that same curse from long ago. Because of that I also do certain things that are sinful, or sin. So, there is sin the noun (a curse), and sin the verb (a real time action like I punched that guy in the face because he looked at me funny). Both are real sin, and I have never punched a guy in the face because he looked at me funny.

So, God (Jesus) came to Earth, lived a sinless life, and was killed on the cross as a perfect and blameless sacrifice for the sins of ALL mankind. I now have been covered and my sins are forgiven. I now have Heaven to look forward to.

I believe Heaven will look like this, but way better. My job in Heaven will be to play Golf.

3.30.2008

We Love Coffee.

Coffee Economy.

Coffee plant. Coffea aribica.
Coffee beans. Roasted.

Coffee Beans No No.


Do you drink it? Probably.

Why do we drink it? Caffeine. Here's what caffeine looks like.

Caffeine is a bitter white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a psychoactive stimulant drug and...(click here to read more about this drug)

Mmmm...I can't wait 'til my next cup.

3.29.2008

Alcoholic in Christ.

A voice beats me, it's impossible to think.
A fall's on its way, I've become bigger, starting to sink.
Only darkness is offering its help, its ringing.
I look into nothing waiting for something. Nothing.

Passionate about what comes, I long for goodness and favor.
My sin arrives again and again like the sun rises to the day.
Darkness befriends in disquise, guilt takes me further, none the wise.
The battle not prepared for grows, tempting forever, Satan knows.

The tree is there but fatigue hinders my desire.
I ache for Christ like a child for love, it consumes like fire.
A touch that warms my within, like soothing water on my skin.
I turn towards it, He's there again. He's always been.

I can't lose sight or free the night while seized by my own will.
Failure to stand so strong, Holy Spirit be with me on and on.
Shadowed light below the Cross, it falls upon without loss.
I remember now, in God's embrace, He beat death and my sin erased.

I am free.

>>Written by me (JQ) in dedication to the alcoholics in my family, and in His family, who are covered in Christ.

Ugly Beauty.

Bogie, our Ugly Beauty dog, with Riley.

Licker. Stinky Breath.
Barking mad outside our paw streaked back door.

Napping with a blankie stuffed in his mouth. Stinky blankie.

Ugly Beauty.

3.27.2008

Deep breath...4 weeks without LOST.


There, I said it. Saying "4 weeks without LOST" was as hard as The Fonz trying to say "I'm Sorruuu, Sorraaa, Sorry." It's an ETERNITY! Sure, I know it's just not "new" episodes but it might as well be off the air.

I suspect I may watch the reruns...and probably eat more than I should...and probably start biting my nails...and probably twirl my hair (if i had any)...and probably start drinking alone...and probably NOT be productive at all...for 4 weeks.

Pain, anguish, heartache, pizza are the only words that come to mind...

What are you going to do to cope? Maybe I'll do what you do.

3.26.2008

Got 5 Billion Dollars?

What can you buy with 5 billion dollars? Here's a few things...


2,512,562,814 – 2 Liter bottles of Diet Pepsi @ $1.99ea from local convenient store.

1,388,888,888 – Gallons of gas @ $3.60ea in Portland, Oregon.

25,125,628 - iPod Nano’s @ $199ea from Best Buy.

58,823 - Kidneys @ $85,000ea on the black-market in India.

16,072 - Lamborghini Mercielagos @ $311,100 from Lamborghini.

18 - 777 Passenger Airliners @ $279,000,000ea from Boeing.

5 – Gallons of gas in 2009 @ $1 billion/per gallon in Portland, Oregon.

1 – Satellite Radio station @ $5 billion dollars from XM radio.

3.25.2008

Do you Hulu?


It's obvious that the internet has changed since it's full consumerization in the 1990's. In my opinion the major change that has allowed super growth of the internet is the speed at which consumers are able to download content. Can you imagine trying to download YouTube videos on a 56K dialup connection? I mean people are still doing it but to really grasp everything the Internet offers, and enjoy it, you need a high speed Internet connection. I now live on a 3000K connection and I could never go back to a slower connection...spoiled for sure. All this high speed shtuff has laid the foundation for websites like Hulu.com. Downloadable video content blew up with YouTube, and now Hulu.com is trying to do the same with premium video content. It's just plain cool, and FREE.

What is Hulu.com? Hulu offers U.S. consumers a vast selection of premium video content, on demand, free and ad-supported: full episodes of TV shows, both current and classic, full-length movies, thousands of clips, and much more.


Now I can watch that Tom Brokaw Report I missed and my favorite Make Me A Supermodel episode...you know the one, anytime I want, for free. And it doesn't stop with TV, I can watch movies for free too.

Here's more nuts and bolts of Hulu.com, it's the "web's most comprehensive selection from more than 50 content providers including FOX, NBC, MGM, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, and more to deliver premium programming across all genres and formats, television shows, feature films, and clips." (That's straight from Hulu's site)

Check it out.

Oh...one thing I found that I don't like about Hulu. No LOST...yeah, that's a problem, but I can get those from ABC.com.

3.23.2008

† Screwtape's Easter.


† Screwtape is the name of a Senior Demon from the fictional book The Screwtape Letters written by C.S. Lewis. "What if we found a long lost letter from old Screwtape instructing his nephew (Wormwood) on the horrors of the Ressurection?" was the question Bob Silver asked when he wrote this letter in the same fashion as C.S. Lewis wrote his book. It's well worth the read.

3.22.2008

You can take our wives...

What’s your favorite movie speech or monologue of all time? Which one gives you chills everytime you hear it or see it. For me it’s this:

Braveheart Freedom Speech by William Wallace.

"I am William Wallace. And I see a whole army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny! You have come to fight as free men. And free man you are! What will you do without freedom? Will you fight?"

"Two thousand against ten?" - the veteran shouted. "No! We will run - and live!"

"Yes!" Wallace shouted back. "Fight and you may die. Run and you will live at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives but they will never take our freedom!"





The running joke with my buddies is taking the last line of this famous speech and changing it to “…they may take our wives, but they’ll never take our freedom!”

In all seriousness, this speech reminds me of one that Jesus would give us. He sees his army getting scared, doubting, and then he busts out his loving freedom speech to remind us that if we fight this battle we will be free because we are free in Him, always. And we will fight.

I have heard a form of the question so many times that starts “And dying in your bed many years from now...”, and when I hear that I know what my answer is, no matter how that question ends; I don’t even have to think about it.

I know what I want my legacy to be. Do you?

3.21.2008

Shhh...play number 7.

Are your kids Hannah Montana fans? If they’re like my kids they must be. As we drive down the road we have to put in the HM CD and I hear the constant requests to play “number 1”, “number 7”, “number 9”, etc. Naturally, or unnaturally, over time I start to develop MY favorite HM songs. When they’re blurting our requests I’m thinking “Say this number or that number”, and as soon as I hear the one I want, I go to that one. Funny? Crazy? Weird? All the above. Nobody is more perplexed by this than me. Dude, I am old, and I am a dude. I listen to Kutless, Skillet, and occasionally some Metallica to keep it real. Hannah Montana?

My wife laughs and jokes about this. We were at Blockbuster Video a few months back, we split up looking for our favorite movie genres so we could regroup and try to convince each other of which movies to get. At the regroup my wife shows me three different movies and then pulls out this comment, “OH…and I picked this out for you.” I was like cool, the wife is thinkin’ about MY tastes. Then she hands me the Hannah Montana movie case. VERY FUNNY! We gut laughed for a bit before I said, “Let’s get it.” J/K! We did not get it.


I am not the only “dad” to do this. I know this first hand. My friend Eric, with 4 kids, and I work together and were on a lunch/errand trip around town recently. With the radio on we cruise around talking and ranting like most guys do. We pull up to a stop light, stop, and we both catch ourselves humming a HM song on the radio. I said, “You too huh?” He was like “Yeah”, forlorn and depressed. “It’s OK dude, it’s OK” I said with love and sincere compassion. We chuckled for a sec and then cleared our throats, stuck our chests out, and quickly changed the subject. The light turned green, we burned the tires like guys do, got to cruising speed as fast as possible, and put the whole conversation behind us.

I say oh well, what can you do? I love my kids and I want them to hear kid music. It just happens to be kinda catchy. FYI…I have NO Hannah Montana songs on my iPhone playlists…seriously…just Miley Cyrus. J

3.20.2008

Familiar Face.

Do you recognize this friendly face?

It's Kerby from Coffee Bar in Scappoose (best coffee in Scappoose). For the past 5+ years she has been the constant through 3 different owners. She knows your drink and has it going before you order it (if you visit regularly). She does a great job managing the awesome staff there too, always welcoming and friendly.

If you visit CB regularly, give her a big high five and let her know she's awesome!

3.19.2008

Today is my B-day.

I am 36.

Here are 4 famous people with my birthday, March 19. Obviously not the same year. Can you tell me who they are?


The last one may be obscure, unless you are "radio" Dave. (hint hint)

3.18.2008

John is cool.

For those of you who haven't seen the TLC show John and Kate plus 8, it's time. If you have kids, one or two or any "normal" number of kids, this show will make you feel like your life is a vacation. a literal cake walk. Even with three kids, I can honestly say that, when things are looking grim and I am asking myself why I had 3, I watch this show and thank the good Lord above I don't have 8.

I really can't relate to John and Kate, with my 3 kids, while they have 8, but I really do relate to John. Guy to guy, shoulder to shoulder, eye to eye, we totally connect, we're buds. I wish my wife could see me on camera rolling my eyes like he rolls his at Kate. If you are a dad, and a husband, watch this show and you will see what I mean. John is cool. I will also say that he appears to have the most patience I have ever seen in a dad.

TLC will you come and do a show in our house so my wife can watch herself on camera and see how silly she is? I have seriously seen that same look, on Kate's face below, on my wife's face! Very funny. Keep up the good work John and Kate.


Flying Humans.

If you ever wanted to fly this sport will give you the chance.



Amazing!

This post sponsored by Red Bull Energy Drink.

3.16.2008

A house divided.

Mark 3:25 "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." According to the Bible, we are headed for a serious fall. Somehow I don't think this is what the Bible is talking about.

Ducks vs. Beavers. Divided boys against girls. Houston, we have a problem.