Fireproof

On our date night last night we watched the movie Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea.

If you have not seen this movie then I highly recommend it!

The synopsis of this movie is that Caleb, who is a captain in the local fire department is having major marital problems after seven years of marriage. The couple have drifted so far apart that they are ready to move on without each other.

Caleb talks to his parents, particularly his father, a born again Christian, who tells him how their marriage was saved by something called the 40 day love dare. He challenges Caleb to do this.

While hoping The Love Dare has nothing to do with his parents' newfound faith, Caleb commits to the challenge. Now, I am not going to ruin the movie here, so I will say you need to watch the movie to find out if it works or not.

The movie is unashamedly Christian and gives the gospel message of Jesus Christ. If you are not Christian, then be prepared.

The DVD came out on Tuesday.

If you want more information on the movie or the Love Dare, click the link below.

Date Night

To all the married men and dads out there, you need to have a date night with your wife. It is that simple. For those with kids, ship the kids off to the baby sitter and then spend the evening with your wife. It is refreshing, fun and most of all, it helps bring that love, fire and intimacy back into your marriage. Now it is not usually a one shot deal that will turn your marriage into a marriage in which all is happy and everyone sings, dances and throws flowers into the air, but it will certainly lead you off into the right direction.

My wife and I had really what amounts to our first one last night. The kids were at the grandparent's house, and we had a candlelight dinner, and then settled into watch Fireproof. If you haven't seen this movie, then you should. I will blog about that in the next post.

There is a lot to be said about the feeling you get, sitting next to each other in that closeness, with really no cares at that moment. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next date night we have.

So if you have not had one, do one. If you have had one, have more. They can and usually are a marriage strengthener.

Pocket Purifier Giveaway!

Kimberly, over at She Scribes, is giving away, not just one, but two Pocket Purifiers. If you don't know what they are, don't worry, just click on the title or on her blog in this post and you will find out. She does a wonderful job of reviewing them.

Good Luck!

Win A Build-A-Bear Gift Card!

For those with kids who love Build-A-Bear, go over to Shannon's The Mommy-Files and enter in to win a 25$ gift card. I did!

Good luck!

Something for the Men to Win!

Okay men and those who love Japanese Animation, Valerie over at Mom Knows It All is giving away an awesome prize:


That's right. It's a Dragon Ball Z Super Saiyan Goku figure.

I don't know about you, but I am really hoping to win this one. Go over to her site and enter.

Win A Lexan Juicer!

Yes, you read that correctly! Dianne over at Something Snappy is giving away a Lexan Juicer.


Now, you might wonder why in the world you would drink wheat grass juice, but it really is not that bad, and the benefits are wonderful.

So mosey on over there and enter to win.

Vinyl Stickers Giveaway!

For those of us who are fans of stickers, you have to go over to Battlemaiden Studio and see her giveaway. She is an artist extraordinaire. I am already a fan and will have to purchase a couple of the heraldic stickers she has.

Where Are All The Dad Bloggers At?

My wife has turned me onto blogs that hold giveaways as you can plainly see from the last few hundred posts on what you can enter to win. Okay, not the last few hundred but it really seems that way. All in all we have entered in more than 1500 giveaways over the last 4 days. Her hands hurt. I'm used to all the typing.

That being said, I have to admit that I am really jealous of all the cool blog buttons, and blog rolls and organizations of blogging moms and mothers that are out there. I mean where is the blog roll for Dads? Is there such a thing? Is it like Nessie, rarely seen but everyone swears it's there? My oldest daughter believes in ghost, but I like the proof to be shown.

So I don't think a dad's blog role, organization or whatever exists. Dad's, prove me wrong. Moms out there, prove me wrong! I would love to see one. Any one. Please?

Signed,
A lonely blogging dad.

Win This!

Here is a chance to win. Go to Blessings Abound and enter to win. You won't be disappointed if you don't win, because you will like the site. I did.

Win A Wii Build-A-Bear Game for the Kids!

Go over to Sandy's blog and enter in to win a great game for the kids. Build-a-Bear for the Wii.

Another Chance to Win A Smart Shopper Organizer

If you don't win the smart shopper organizer on another blog, then check out Sandy's site and enter there. I did.

Good luck!

Changing Still

In the past I have blogged about religion, politics, and very controversial topics. Lately I have been thinking that I really need to lighten up, to have more fun and be more lighthearted. My wife has turned me on to the blogger giveaways and I like the lightheartedness of what I have seen so far. So you will see more of the buttons, a new header, and more fun posts.

It's time to be a dad and husband and less of a political, controversial commentator.

Stay tuned.

Giving Away A Grocery Organizer!

This is a Grocery List Organizer and for those of us, men (yes men grocery shop too) and women, this is something you really need.

So go over to Momma's Review and enter in this giveaway.

For Those With Younger Kids - A Great Giveaway

Val's Views is giving this game away on her blog. I know my kids would like it and I think yours would as well. So go over there and enter. Just click on the link to go to the site.

Three Good Books Being Given Away

Here is another blog giveaway that I have entered, and I think you should as well.

The three books being given away are:

# The Healthy Kitchen with Andrew Weil, M.D., and Rosie Daley (some of you may know her from Oprah, methinks!)

# Trim Kids

# Lose Your Mummy Tummy

Good Luck!

And Get Your Chance At A Meat Cookbook!

I don't know about you, but I love to eat meat, and if you like to cook it, here is your chance to enter in to win a very good book. Click the link to go to the blog offering this chance.

They're Giving Away Hard Drives!

This hard drive, and also one in pink are being given away at the PlayLibrary.

I would go and enter. It's a fabulous prize! Click the title to go there.

Need a Power Supply? Enter this Giveaway!

Frugal Mommy of 2 is giving away an iGO power adapter plus tip. I would advise everyone to enter this one.

Blog Giveaway

You have to see this particular blog giveaway. The prize is a Medieval Book Journal from Renaissance Art. Gorgeous!

Click on the link on the title to go there.

Whole Armor of God - Wrap Up

I was finishing up my study of Ephesians and as I was reading Mathew Henry's Commentary of the Whole Bible, I felt this part summed up the Armor of God series I have posted about.

We must stand our ground: And, having done all, to stand. We must resolve, by God's grace, not to yield to Satan. Resist him, and he will flee. If we distrust our cause, or our leader, or our armour, we give him advantage. Our present business is to withstand the assaults of the devil, and to stand it out; and then, having done all that is incumbent on the good soldiers of Jesus Christ, our warfare will be accomplished, and we shall be finally victorious.

Next up is a study of Proverbs.

A Disconnected Connected Family

Last night my family spent a lovely time being disconnected while connected. Confused? Here is how it happened.

My oldest daughter was playing on her laptop, on the Webkinz website. My youngest daughter was playing on her Mom's laptop, also on the Webkinz website. I was on my laptop streaming Japanese Anime from Netflix. (see a pattern here?) My wife was making dinner.

So after dinner, my daughters and I go back to what we were doing and my wife sits down on the loveseat and says "Let's do something together."

Silence. No one looked up at my wife.

She catches my eyes and gives me that look. You men probably know that look. It's the kind of look you get when you are about to be in real trouble with your wife and may end up sleeping on the couch. So I paused the movie and set the laptop down and announced to my kids that it was time to play something not on a computer.

Silence. Not a child looked up at me.

Now by this my wife is looking like she could bite a nail in two and I am getting a little frustrated as well. I announce again we need to play as a family, while glancing at my wife. She suggests that we play a game as a family on the Wii. Well, my youngest daughter says ok, goes to the cabinet and looks at games. She picks up my Madden '07 game for the PS2 and after she is told this, she picks up my wife's Nintendo DS lite and pops in the Mario Kart game and starts playing it.

My oldest never really looked up from her laptop, but I thought I saw a smile on her face.

My wife looked at me, and said, "Go ahead and watch your movie. I guess I will check my email." She then got to work on her laptop.

Silence as we all went back to our connected little world.

We'll have to do something not connected to make up for this night.

Congress Debates College Football

You know, I could have swore that we have an economy to fix, two wars to win and end, and a host of other issues to take care of. What does Congress debate? A college football tournament.

This past week Congress met in session to pass a resolution congratulating the Florida Gators on winning the National Championship. That's not the bad part.

A few of the lawmakers decided to protest college football's much-maligned BCS system. I am ashamed to say that one of the Texas delegation, Joe Barton, was one of them and is even introducing legislation to force college football to enact a playoff system.

"A fine school with a great team deserves better than a national championship that was decided inside somebody's computer," said Rep. Joe Barton, a Texas Republican who has introduced legislation to force a playoff system. "The Gators certainly could have won it on the field, but they didn't get the chance any more than Utah, Texas and USC."

Now, I am a diehard University of Texas fan, but this is ridiculous. Congress needs to look at the real issues that need fixing and leave this alone.

You can read the whole story here.

Armor of God - Sword of the Spirit

I wanted to finish up the series by Neil Anderson on the Full Armor of God. I hope this has blessed you as much as me.

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 6:17
And take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

The Word of God is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the list of armor. Since Paul used rhema instead of logos for "word" in Ephesians 6:17, I believe Paul is referring to the spoken Word of God. We are to defend ourselves against the evil one by speaking aloud God's Word.

Why is it so important to speak God's Word in addition to believing it and thinking it? Because Satan is a created being, and he doesn't perfectly know what you're thinking. By observing you, he can pretty well tell what you are thinking, just as any student of human behavior can. And it isn't difficult for him to know what you're thinking if he put the thought in. But he doesn't know what you're going to do before you do it. He can put thoughts into your mind, and he will know whether you buy his lie by how you behave.

Satan can try to influence you by planting thoughts in your head, but he can't read your thoughts. If you're going to resist Satan, you must do so verbally so he can understand you and be put to flight.

You can communicate with God in your mind and spirit because He knows the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). Your unspoken communion with God is your private sanctuary; Satan cannot eavesdrop on you. But by the same token, if you only tell Satan with your thoughts to leave, he won't leave because he is under no obligation to obey your thoughts. You must defeat Satan by speaking out. The good news is that most direct attacks occur at night or when you are alone.

One night I woke up absolutely terrified for no apparent reason, and I knew it was an attack from Satan. Without lifting my head from the pillow, I applied the two-step remedy suggested in James 4:7. In the sanctuary of my heart, I submitted to God. Then I was able to resist Satan with one spoken word--Jesus--and the fear was instantly and totally gone. I went back to sleep in complete peace.

True Sportsmanship in Dallas, TX

Last week here here in Dallas, TX, The Covenant School girl's basketball team played Dallas Academy's girl's basketball team. The score at halftime was 59 - 0 in favor of The Covenant School. With four minutes and change to go, it was 100 - 0. The Dallas Academy girls never gave up and played with a lot of heart and with enough guts to shame the Dallas Cowboys.

Most people thought the losers of this game were actually the winners.

Today, officials from The Covenant School visited Dallas Academy to apologize for their girls' basketball team's "victory without honor". The officials were quoted as saying:

"This clearly does not reflect a Christ-like and honorable approach to competition," the post added. "We humbly apologize for our actions and seek the forgiveness of Dallas Academy, [the] Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools and our community. The school and its representatives in no way support or condone the running up of a score against any team in any sport for any reason. The school’s board members, Head of School Kyle Queal and Athletic Director Brice Helton have acted to ensure that such an unfortunate incident can never happen again.

I would like to applaud this decision and say I greatly appreciate the actions they have taken this day. Not many schools would have done this.

You can read the entire story here.

A Clinically Depressed Poodle?

From the "What the Heck?" department, former French President Jacques Chirac was rushed to the hospital after his "clinically depressed" Maltese Poodle went on a rampage and bit the former president.

(An example of a Maltese, not the dog in the story.)

The dog was taking anti depressants. I guess the doggy paxil just wasn't working.

Read the article from Fox News here.

What Do They Teach In Seminary?

I would like to introduce you to Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite.


Professor, Chicago Theological Seminary
Rev. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite is professor of theology at Chicago Theological Seminary and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. She was president of CTS from 1998-2008. Her area of expertise is contextual theologies of liberation, specializing in issues of violence and violation. An ordained minister of the United Church of Christ since 1974, the “On Faith” panelist is the author or editor of thirteen books and has been a translator for two translations of the Bible.

If you have never heard of her, don't feel too bad. I had not either. But I happened across an opinion piece from her that you can read here.

I am posting this mainly because she is a professor at a seminary, and she is teaching ideas that are not of the Bible. This scares me.

For example she says the following:

Rev. Lowery is a United Methodist and has joined the struggle in that denomination for equal rights for gay Methodists to be ordained. In 2000, Lowery gave an extraordinary speech where he called for full inclusion in the body of Christ for all Methodists, gay or straight, saying he preferred to err "on the side of inclusion."

Warren, on the other hand, would prefer to err on the side of exclusion. And after all, Rev. Warren contended in an October email, these civil rights only apply to a small number of people. "There is no reason to change the universal, historical definition of marriage to appease 2% of our population." He also believes "This is not a political issue, it is a moral issue that God has spoken clearly about." Really, where? The Bible does not mention gay marriage. The Bible does, in fact, mention that God loves the whole world--there is no 2% exception.

(emphasis mine)

Are you kidding me? How many times are the words Homosexual or effeminate used in conjunction with will not inherit, or are an abomination? If this is what is being taught in our seminaries, then I am sorely afraid for the spiritual health of this nation.

It's A Start

I really thought that my blog was too dark, perhaps, too foreboding. I wanted something lighter, friendlier, easier to read.

This is a start. I still have more things to do, but it is easier to read I think.

Tell me what you think I should do...I am open to ideas.

Time For A Change

It's time for a change.

No, not in politics, religion or family, but a change to this blog. It' too dark, it's not light enough, it's weighing me down. So I have decided to enlist the help of my wife, who has already won a best blog site award to help me redesign this blog.

So stay tuned and see what happens!

Armor of God - Helmet of Salvation

Continuing the series...

THE HELMET OF SALVATION

Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation

The next necessary piece of spiritual armor is the helmet of salvation . Should your shield of faith be a little leaky and your daily victory elusive, be confident that the helmet of salvation guarantees your eternal victory. In the metaphor of armor, the helmet also secures coverage for the most critical part of your anatomy: your mind, where spiritual battles are either won or lost. As you struggle with the world, the flesh, and the devil on a daily basis, stand firm knowing that your salvation does not come and go with your success or failure in spiritual battle; your salvation is your eternal possession. You are a child of God, and nothing can separate you from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35).

People experiencing spiritual conflict tend to question their salvation or doubt their identity in Christ. Satan may disrupt your daily victory, but he can do nothing to disrupt your position in Christ. However, if he can get you to believe that you are not in Christ, you will live as though you are not, even though you are secure in Him.

The Christian warrior wears the helmet of salvation in the sense that he is the receiver and possessor of deliverance, clothed and armed in the victory of his Head, Jesus Christ. Satan is the ruler of this world, and the whole world is in his power (John 12:31; 1 John 5:19). Therefore we are still in his territory as long as we are present in our physical bodies. But since we are joined to the Lord Jesus Christ, the devil has no legitimate claim on us, for Christ has "delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son" (Colossians 1:13). The helmet of our position in Christ assures us of ultimate victory over Satan.

I Am Proud Of My Wife

I am blessed to have met and married my wife, Angela. She is a great mother, great cook and has what seems to be almost infinite patience with me and the kids. But I am also proud of her creativity. She is one of those moms that is the one sought out for arts and crafts and projects of that sort. She is the creative one of the family, and it's a good thing that our daughters are taking after her in this aspect.

Well, not only did she do my banner above, she has now sold her first few graphics today to various bloggers. I wanted to tell her publicly that I am proud of her and provide a couple of links to show off her work.

This is the one that started her off today.
Helping Mommys Win

This is one she did for my training blog.
Big Man In Training

Here is one she did for her mother's blog.
The Divot Diva (look at the banner)

So I just had to say I am proud of my wife.

Eric

Newsboys

There is something to be said about today's contemporary Christian music. I have very eclectic taste in music and one of the genres I listen to is alternative. Now, you may not consider the Newsboys to alternative, but I do. One of the other things I like about them, and CCM in general, is that when you go to a concert given by a CCM artist, you can bring the whole family along. Parents, kids, even some grandparents. You'll see them all there. So anyway, I wanted to post one of my all time favorite songs done by the Newsboys here. It's called Breakfast. Enjoy!

You have to check this book out.

I came across this on another blog I have subscribed to. I will have to go out and buy this book if I don't win a copy.

Check it out by clicking on the book.

A Question Obama Should Answer

Thank you to my dear wife, who pointed this video out to me.

Marley and Me With My Daughter

I went with my oldest daughter yesterday to see Marley and Me. My oldest is nine years old and if you have not seen the movie, then you might not want to read anymore of this, as I will give some of the movie's plot away.

Now, I give you my daughter's age because some of the scenes in the movie are a bit risque. There is no real nudity to speak of, though the two main characters go skinny dipping and you know what is happening when they start kissing. It's a bit disconcerting to watch a movie when the adults are kissing, naked and your nine year old daughter is sitting next to you. I looked over at her, slightly embarrassed, and she had her eyes hidden, holding our bag of popcorn in front of her face.

There was some cursing in the movie, and several jokes about the lower male anatomy, with the jokes being told by the men in the movie, and lots of more adult issues than I was aware of for this movie. if you see this movie, bring lots of tissue. Marley has to be put down at the end because of old age and a twisted stomach. As a dog lover, it really hit home, and even if you're not a dog lover, you'll cry. There were not many dry eyes in the theater, and mine were not dry as I cried over the death of Marley.

My daughter liked the movie but was disappointed because there were some parts of the book left out of them movie. One, a toboggan scene, was not in the movie and according to my daughter, was the funniest scene from the whole book. Another part left out was at the end, where the Grogen family, the owner's of Marley, found a story written in a newspaper about a dog just like Marley.

I give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5. My daughter gives it 3. We both say see it.

"Go Back to the Oven!" and Sharing Your Faith

All I could do was shake my head as I read this headline on FoxNews.com. A pro-Palestinian demonstrator, a woman wearing Arabic clothing, was shouting this at Jewish protesters protesting in favor of Israel's right to defend itself in Gaza against repeated rocket attacks on it's territory. I wanted to write this blog and be strong in my support for Israel and the Jewish people. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that no matter how much is said, printed or shouted at the world, unless the world knows Jesus as Lord and Savior, the world will never know the truth.

They will always hate the chosen people of God, because the world worships the god of this world, who is Satan. Yes Satan is defeated, but he is still god of this world for now, until Christ comes back. And they will not know the truth; they will continue to follow the lies.

I grieve for this world, and for those who are lost, for I too was one of those who are lost. However, I was preached Jesus by a very loving lady who's burden is for the lost and apparently it was time for me to learn and understand and make a decision. But until that time, I was blind, deaf and dumb when it came to the truth. I understand why the world is the way it is, for I was that way. We all were. So I am beginning to feel that burden as well for the lost.

So instead of writing a post condemning this lady who cried out her message of hate to God's chosen people, I will pray for her. I will pray that the Father send someone her way to preach Jesus to her, and that it will be her time to learn the truth and make a decision. I hope that you will pray for her and all the lost as well.

Black Wednesday

I had a couple of things I wanted to blog on tonight, but I will put them off until tomorrow. Today was a very hard day for me as four people I work with were laid off from the company I work for.

Now you may not think that laying off four people is that big a deal, but when the company only employs eleven people, it's a significant move and a move that came out of left field. I watched first as one developer, then another, then a vice president, then a manager walk out with an escort. I had to go ask the question "Am I next?" but I was assured that I was "fine" and "Ok" there. After our quick staff meeting, I have to say that I and the others were shell shocked.

So the economy has struck my life in this way and I for one am ready for something to be done. Normally I would not want the socialist thinking that is overcoming Washington, and I am all for freemarket principles, but the economy is tanking and tanking quickly. I will wait and see what Obama and the Democratic controlled Congress does. I only hope they do the right things.

Today was a two edged sword, both good and bad and am glad it is almost over.

Armor of God Series - Shield of Faith

Continuing the Armor of God Series with the Shield of Faith.

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

Ephesians 6:16
Taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one

Paul mentions three more pieces of armor that we must take up to protect ourselves from Satan's attack: the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. The first three (the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace) are established by our position in Christ; these last three help us continue to win the battle.

Contrary to popular perception, there is nothing mystical about faith. Biblical faith is simply what you believe about God and His Word. The more you know about God and His Word, the more faith you will have. The less you know, the smaller your shield will be and the easier it will be for one of Satan's fiery darts to reach its target. If you want your shield of faith to grow large and protective, your knowledge of God and His Word must increase (Romans 10:17).

These flaming missiles from Satan are nothing more than smoldering lies, burning accusations, and fiery temptations bombarding our minds. When a deceptive thought, accusation, or temptation enters your mind, meet it head-on with what you know to be true about God and His Word. How did Jesus deflect the missiles of Satan's temptation? By shielding Himself with statements from the Word of God. Every time you memorize a Bible verse, listen to a sermon, or participate in a Bible study, you increase your knowledge of God and enlarge your shield of faith.

We all struggle with tempting and accusing thoughts. If you are a healthy and mature Christian, they will bounce right off your shield of faith.

Prayer:

Lord, I raise up the shield of faith today and stand against tempting and accusing thoughts from the evil one.

Happy New Year!

I wanted to take this time to say Happy New Year to everyone out there and may this year bring you many blessing from God, joyous times to share with family and friends, and many happy memories.

God Bless!