Oooooo...Fuuuunnnn

It doesn't take much to amuse me...i found this site:

Online Etymology Dictionary

It is fun...type a word and get its history.

God's Politics

God's Politics
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

I just got an email from Sojourner's with a this link to Jim Wallis's appearance on the Daily Show. He was plugging this book. I really want it.

If anyone wants to know what to get me for my upcoming birthday this is it.

Please watch the clip. It is really cool how Mr. Wallis talks about the Christian duty to care for the poor.

The War on . . . SPONGEBOB!!

Yup. You read that right. Dr. James Dobson has declared war on the heathen cartoon sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

"Does anybody here know SpongeBob?" Dr. James C. Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, asked the guests Tuesday night at a black-tie dinner for members of Congress and political allies to celebrate the election results.

SpongeBob needed no introduction. In addition to his popularity among children, who watch his cartoon show, he has become a well-known camp figure among adult gay men, perhaps because he holds hands with his animated sidekick Patrick and likes to watch the imaginary television show "The Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy."

Now, Dr. Dobson said, SpongeBob's creators had enlisted him in a "pro-homosexual video," in which he appeared alongside children's television colleagues like Barney and Jimmy Neutron, among many others. The makers of the video, he said, planned to mail it to thousands of elementary schools to promote a "tolerance pledge" that includes tolerance for differences of "sexual identity."

So, promoting tolerance is bad? Well, Gooooleeee, I gues we have our values all out of whack. I am sorry, but this is just as STUPID as when Dobson's buddy Falwell got into a tizzy claiming that The Teletubbies were gay.

For being 2 of the most visible faces of the Christian community, these guys are making me ill. You do not have to condone or even accept others lifestyles, but last time I checked tolerance was a good thing.

If you are claiming to be a preacher of the Gospel, for cryin' out loud. Do it. The Gospel preaches tolerance and forgiveness and love. The judgement this is best left to the Big Guy.

This has gone on longer than I expected, but i guess it must have struck a nerve.

(BTW hat tip to Oliver Willis for pointing out the article.)

New SideBar

I have decided to keep myself accountable on my reading this year. On the sidebar you will seen Books 2005 with Completed and In Process. Feel free to add suggestions.

Peace

Living into the Cliche

It is true what they (They being in the emlpoy of The Man), "Don't like the weather in Chicago? Wait 20 minutes and it will change."

I left the house today and was soaked from the rain by the time I got to work. I went to lunch in a blizzard. I will be going home with nothing but clouds. Cool.

WOW

The Freepers' are pissed. (Freepers are members of the conservative blogging community at Free Republic.) Apparently Mel Gibson is now a heathen and a con and a flaming liberal because he liked F-911 and feels a "kinship" with Michael Moore and has questions about the war in Iraq. This is absurd.

--via Atrios

and apparently i like run on sentences yes i do really i do because they are so muchh fun to write and because it uses too much energy to puncuate and because well it is fun and this is probably the first post in ages without and elipse

A Small Change of Plans

Phil and his Crew
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Earlier in December I mentioned that my cousin was on his way to Iraq. (That is him in the middle with the green coat and brown pants). Well, if you heard Sec. of State Powell on Meet the Press this weekend he mentioned that there are some Carrier groups and Amphibious groups heading to SE Asia to help with the Tsunami relief. Well, Phil is part of the Amphibious group. He navigates a hover craft...I have seen pictures of this thing...it ain't no swamp buggy.

Anyhoo...

Phil seems a bit more aprehensive about doing this than going to Iraq. In Iraq they know what they are facing. Here it is still unknown. Earlier last week he got injected with a bunch of stuff. Also, apparently where they are going is littered with unmarked mine fields and stuff.

Please continue to pray for peace and the victims of the tsunami. Also for those sent to help aid the victims.

Jerry

Jerry
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

I just read that Jerry Orbach died last night. He will be missed. A song and dance man that is best know as a cop.

Rest in Peace.

Fantastic Voyage

Raquel Welch
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Fantastic Voyage is on TV right now. I love this movie, and not JUST because of Raquel Welch. It is just a plain kick butt movie. That is all.

Goin' Home

Memory Eternal.

Waiting

Brother Cliff and his family are waiting this advent. Waiting for one life to finish its course. Vigil is being kept by family, friends, hospital personell. Sister Anna's brother will be going home soon.

Having gone through what they are now going through, my heart breaks all over again. These are dear, dear people and I pray they are granted the strength to make it through this extremely tough time.

May the Holy Three in One descend on them
May God the Father hold them in his hands
May Christ the Shelter wrap his arms around them
May The Spirit of Healing fill their souls.

God of family, watch and work wonders
Christ of suffering, take their pain and heal their souls
Spirit of God fill them with solace and comfort

Holy Three in One, bless this family, as they are yours.

Amen

The Candy Man

Willy Wonka
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Just click this. I can not wait.

Amendment XXVIII?

Bono
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

From Richard Roeper's column in today's Suntimes:

"...I fully support that grass-roots campaign for a constitutional amendment that would enable a foreign-born, internationally beloved entertainment superstar and longtime political activist to run for the highest office in the land.

After all, Bono would make a great president."

I can second that.

Warning

Mini-Gripe alert:

I love winter, but I hate one thing about it...public transit!

On days when we need to bundle up to go outside, why does the temp. on the trains and busses have to be a million degrees? People are bundled up. I end up at work hotter and sweatier than I do on the hottest day in August...URF.

Today

"'Merry Christmas Uncle George and Aunt Brenda' signed Philip 76"...then

Signal Flags G and T up on the ship. A young man salutes in memory of his beloved uncle...then

Pushing out to sea. Going to a war zone. Taking men to land on the beach of the Euphrates River in Baghdad...now.

Today my cousin Phil Thornburgh ships out of San Diego harbor with about 5,000 other Sailors and Marines. Today Tania will be saying good bye to her new husband. Today my Aunt will cry. Today my Uncle will make jokes. Today I sit and stare...thinking.

I think about this war. I think about how it has torn families apart. I think about the grief it has caused the 1,259 families...and counting. I think about the at least 15,000 Iraqi familes suffering the same grief. I think about how the suffering is universal. I think about how mothers 6,500 miles apart pray the same prayer. Cry the same tears. Feel the same pain. I think about the father of children I babysat. I think about him sitting in Baghdad wishing to be with his family this Christmas. I think about his son, a child I babysat, possibly going to join his father. I think about Phil.

I pray everyday that this mess ends. I pray for the safety of our troops. I pray for the safety of the Iraqis and Afganis. I pray for peace to come to a land that has too long been in the grip of war. I pray that our leaders take of the rose colored glasses and see the mess we are in. I pray that we, Americans, remember the teachings of Christ and serve with humility our world.

In this season of waiting, I pray for the Spirit of the Living God to fall a fresh on us...all of us.

Phil, George and the many others know that you are loved.

Godspeed.

VIOLET You surround yourself with art and music and are constantly driven to express yourself. You often daydream. You prefer honesty in your relationships and belive strongly in your personal morals. Find out your color at Quiz Me!

Thanksgiving

I was blessed with a great Thanksgiving weekend. Mae was here for a week, and it was most wonderful. I love her very much. She is a great person. We were going to leave Chicago on Wednesday night, but alas, this happened...much nastier, though. So, we got up bright and EARLY Thursday monring...4:30 am early. We drove to Springfield and celebrated Thanksgiving with my family. 'Twas marvelous. All but 2 cousins and their families were there. It was the first time we all have been in the same place at the same time in ages.

We returned to Chicago on Saturday, and boy was it windy. Mae headed back to St. Paul yesterday afternoon. She took our friend Laura back to school on the way. It took a while, but she got there safely...huzzah!

We also officiall opened The Church of Jesus Christ, Reconciler last night. That, too, was wonderful. The little group seems to be growing. A few weeks ago we were 5-6. Last night we were about 20. 'Tis a blessing.

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

The Countdown Has Begun

Mae (forgive her for not updating recently, but this happened to her computer) and I had our first premarital counseling sesion last night. It went extremely well, and yes, we are still going to get married! We chatted with Pastor Doug, and told him our story. All in all it went very well.

On another note, after 3+ years of saying we want to sing a song at North Shore, our band is going to sing this:

40
by U2
by way of The Psalmist

I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song

He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and fear

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long...how long...how long...

News

I have just discoverd The Lark News...It is hysterical. Kind of The Onion for us evangelical types.

Holdin' Me Accountable

"There is such an enormous gap between our words and deeds! Everyone talks about freedom, democracy, justice, human rights, and peace; but at the same time, everyone, more or less, consciously or unconsciously, serves those values and ideals only to the extent necessary to defend and serve his own interests, and those of his group or his state. Who should break this vicious circle? Responsibility cannot be preached: it can only be borne, and the only possible place to begin is with oneself."

- Vaclav Havel