Kinda Makes Me Sick...

Children are not a "cost" to be rid of. Children are not a line item to delete once the irresponsible state governments get stuck in the red. Children rejuvenate cultures in downturns. Societies that act on what this woman (the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2nd in line to the Presidency) is saying, eventually die.

"Freedom has a scent, like the top of a newborn baby's head..." --'Miracle Drug'

A Big Day

The next 100 days should be interesting.

The fanatics will defend him with the old "you can't expect everything to change overnight" trick.

The critics will attack him with the old "you can't live up to your own hype, you're not God" trick.

They're both kinda right.

Pray for our President. He needs it.

Book Learning

Well, as I write this, I am preparing for the first class of my last semester in this round of graduate school. I will graduate in May, Lord-willing, with a Masters of the Arts in Ministry.

Now, I will surely write more about this whole thing later, but what I'd like to say now is that I have really been blessed by this whole fantastic experience.

Due to some scholarships, employee discounts, and generally affordable tuition, I think I can safely put the financial price-tag on this endeavor at about: $24,000-ish (tuition, books, fees...)

It seems cheap (both literally and figuratively) to put such a number on this education. So, this is the only time I will do it. And the only reason I do it now is because I am ashamed at how often I think of the price of pretty much everything (computers, deli meats, cars, Pringles, pants, plane tickets, and office chairs), and how unfair it would be to slap this number on that experience. I think I need to learn this lesson for everything else too. 

Spread out over 4 years, I was at once a part-time worker and a full-time student, and now I find myself with those roles reversed, but still intent on finishing the degree (albeit a different one than when I started). And it was worth every nickel and every second.

Today I had the privilege of sharing with a group of first-time grad students what a joy studying God's word for the last four years has been.

And it still is.

The President Reads Lots of Books

I came across this article a couple weeks ago.

Basically, it outlines a competition between two old friends and their desire to gain knowledge, insight, and different perspectives through the reading of good ol' fashioned books. The reason why it is in the Wall Street Journal is because one of those old friends happens to be the President of the United States.

I mean, even though he loses the competition every year, the fact that he reads almost 2 books/week on history, notable people, current events, and even sports, all while being President shows grit and determination.

Books are a worthwhile endeavor.

And he reads the Bible cover-to-cover every year. 

January First

A new year brings about all kinds of emotions. Emotions of a year gone by (fond memories or good riddance)? Emotions of a year ahead (Trepidation or excitement)?

This is a time for a new chances, new beginnings, new horizons, and being resolute. I have made a list of things to do this coming year, it is a tangible list and it can (and hopefully will be) checked off. Here are my ten categories (I have made a specific goal for each one):

1. Scripture intake

2. Debt management

3. Physical health

4. Creative output

5. Nature enjoyment

6. Fun reading

7. Money saving

8. Furthering education

9. Job performance

10. World traveling

Make one in each of these categories for yourself. Or make up your own categories.

Don't let another year go by without doing something awesome.