Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Blog-Linkity Goodness 2.24.10

A few nuggets from the interweb. Click away.

1. SWAT Team. Jarvis Varnado is eight blocks away from breaking the all-time record for blocked shots. It could happen tonight against Alabama. Great article.

2. What's an edition of Blog-Linkity Goodness without something from Jon Acuff? Dude is legit and writes in a way that just makes me want to read his stuff over and over and over. This post is one part gross a thousand parts ugly truth sprinkled, okay maybe drowning, in a whole lot of God.

3. Some goodness written by one of my favorites, BooMama, over at All-Access. That quote for Beth Moore? Does it come in a yogurt flavor? Because all I want to do is pour a bunch of rainbow sprinkles on it and eat it all up.

4. This video had me weeping at my desk early this morning. Not only is the video good but this guy's voice is nutso incredible.





5. Seen this before. Except it was a frat boy in his boxers smeered with all kinds of unmentionable stinky things and hog-tied to a 2x4. And he had just gotten engaged.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Survey Says...Olympic Fever

Forgive the overwhelming amount of posts today. Just take it as me making up for lost blog time.

From Linda.

1. If you could compete in one Olympic event (not necessarily winter sports) what would it be?
Swimming. Not sure which event. Probably the one that's over the fastest. Can Michael Phelps be my coach? Or Ryan Lochte?

2. Do remember a specific Olympic moment from the past?
The Carrie Strug stress fracture incident. I recall it as if it were yesterday.

3. Have you ever known anyone who competed in the Olympics?
Not in the regular Olympics but my friend Josh competed in the Paralympics.

4. If everyday activities were Olympic-worthy, which activity would you have a gold medal in?
Hitting the snooze button. Or the number of hours one can hit snooze. I'd win gold for sure.

5. Do you know anything about your ethnic heritage?
What does this have to do with Olympics? I'm pretty sure I have some Native American in me. Other than that, I'm not really sure.

6. Do you enjoy sleeping late?
More than life itself. Okay, maybe I exaggerated a little.

7. Have you ever performed CPR on anyone? Do you know how? (Yes, that's two, I know. Whatevs.)
Never performed on anyone. But I am certified. Or was. Maybe I should update that.

8. Name one country you'd like to visit and explain why.
Australia. Because they have really cool accents, I have a slight obsession with Koalas and I want to go to Hillsong and hear Brian Houston speak.

9. Have you ever fixed up a couple romantically?
Nope. To busy taking care of myself.

10. What is the last book you read?
Last book I finished was "Dear John". So good. I'm almost finished with "War Child" by Emmanual Jal. One more chapter to go.

11. Do you enjoy sleeping late? NO, YOU write the question! How's that for random??
Um, okay:
If you could start a charity/ministry of your own, what would it's premise be?
My answer:
I have many ideas about what kind of charity/ministry I would one day like to coordinate. This could turn into a whole 'nother blog post.

Ministry-wise, I want to coordinate a sports outreach camp. Using sports to share the gospel. Bring in athletes (Tim Tebow types) to speak to groups of kids (teams or individuals) about using their platform to bring glory to Christ. I would even take it as far as taking the camp to a team or to a different country. So, Tim, really anyone out there, if you need some help, give me a shout.

Charity-wise, I want to start a homeless shelter much like the one that is in the book "Same Kind of Different As Me" except I'd want to reach out to teenagers and/or refugees from other countries. So maybe not so much a homeless shelter. Just a ministry tied to a church comprised of a body of believers who know what their purpose in life is. Okay, so maybe that's more of a ministry as well too.

12. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant?
This is pretty hard to answer because, as we all know, I am a lover of food. Shrimp fettucini alfredo to be exact. Well, shrimp anything to be exact. Well, seafood anything to be exact. But I have to go with the redneck in me and say there's nothing better than a platter of crawfish from the Cajun Steamer.

Vroom Maroon? Seriously?

After the serious post below, I thought I should share this. I couldn't stop laughing.

The Nazi's view on this "Vroom Maroon" crap.

Thoughts On Some Things

I'm completely defeated right now. I don't understand why I bust my butt to do my best at something and get it done on time when the people I have to depend on to get the project to its finality completely disregard what I say. Hello. You are an editor. Do some edits. When I ask for something to be changed. Change it. It's frustrating that I get blamed for something not being done on time when I have to depend on other people to help me get it done and they aren't doing their job.

I don't want to talk about the Mississippi State-Kentucky debacle that went on last night in Starkville, but I'm going to. Why? Because some things just can't go unsaid. First things first. From two weeks ago until yesterday, the behavior of the Mississippi State fans, in respect to calling Kentucky forward Demarcus Cousins, was uncalled for. Now, I think it's kind of a fun idea to get a player's number and call and say, "Hey, you're going down on Tuesday," or "Ready to get beat," or whatever. However, calling the kid and making racial and homosexual slurs or talking about the kid's family is really uncalled for and it makes the rest of the nation continue to believe the stereotype of Mississippi people that we have so long tried to move past.

Secondly, the officiating what atrocious (someone give me a benjamin because that's about how much that word cost me to type). From the time that State was up 67-60, the referees called 10 fouls on Mississippi State. TEN FOULS. How many on Kentucky? Zero. ZERO. There is no way that a team that ranks number one in least fouls made per game (13.6) can come out one night against the No. 2 team in the nation and get called for 28 personal fouls. NO WAY.

And while we are on the subject, I know how officiating can set fans off. I know. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Literally. And I have to say, that given the height of emotions and the atmosphere that was present last night, it's commendable to both teams that nothing got out of hand on the court. No punches were thrown, and not a lot of jawing. But the fans need to remember that line that can be crossed and do what the can, no matter what the circumstances or the outcome, not to cross it.

There is a statement made by my conference, the Southern Conference, that I think applies to all conferences and institutions. It says:

"The scoreboard will reflect the quality of the teams in competitions while the kind of support given by the spectators will reveal the character of the fans."

I think that speaks volumes about the kind of character that our fans allowed themselves to show last night. It was embarassing. When the officiating and behavior of fans overshadows the undeniable fight that your team showed, there is major problem that should be dealt with.

I'm even embarassed to say that I am a graduate of Mississippi State right now because that spectacle will be what people remember for a long while. When Mississippi State fans are grouped in the same category as Alabama fans (the nastiest of them all) and Ole Miss fans, when it comes to fans in the SEC, THAT is embarassing.

I just hope that people realize that when you are fan, whether its little league or professional sports, you are not only cheering on your team but you are representing them well. If you wouldn't want bottles and coins thrown at you, take a minute, sober up, think about how you would feel, and then don't do it. Not all emotions are meant to be acted upon, and anger and frustration is one of those. Believe me, I've learned that lesson well in my short 26 years of living. Acting on anger and frustration gets you nowhere...unless you need to bust down a door in an emergency. Then you're like Superman.

Lastly, and to completely switch gears, if you are a Christian (and even if you're not), I encourage you to find a chronological bible reading plan and go through it. I've only read through Genesis, Job and Exodus and am utterly dumbfounded at the truths that are being revealed infront of my eyes and in my heart.

The reason I said "if you are a Christian (and even if you're not)" is because I know that believers and nonbelievers read the Bible through two completely different scopes. There's a whole long explanation that I could go into but maybe I'll save it for another blog post. Let's just say it has to do with when the Holy Spirit indwells us and what he chooses to reveal to us.

Anyway, I encourage you to read through it this way because you are able to see the amazing story of redemption that is threaded throughout the Bible. And if I've already been able to see it through three books, I guess I should brace myself for the other 63 books.

I'm pretty sure my life, my heart and my entire way of thinking is about to be turn upside down.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Phone Tag

Freshman forward for the Kentucky men's basketball team, Demarcus Cousins, has been receiving a number of random phone calls and text messages for the past couple of weeks. Why? Because someone posted his phone number on the internet. It's become a bigger deal this week because, as you'll see in the video, most of the calls are from Mississippi numbers, and the Wildcats are due to play Mississppi State in Starkville on Tuesday.

As a former Rick's Rowdies officer, I can tell you we went to great lengths to get dirt on many opposing players in order to try and "distract" them during games. But the contents of the phone calls that Cousins has been getting is a little over the top. You'll know what I mean when you watch the video.



Please, if you are a Mississippi State student or fan, don't show your ignorance and stupidity, and furthermore, don't prove the Mississippi stereotype true, by calling this kid and insulting him. This guy is a good kid who is getting an education while doing what he loves.

Bloody Valentine

Okay, okay. I know that's a gross title but it popped into my head and stuck so I rolled with it.

And it's not a cheap shot at Valentine's Day because frankly, I woke up yesterday and forgot that it was Valentine's Day until a friend sent me a text message about it.

And while we are on the subject, what is it with people who aren't single giving you the sad puppy eye this weekend or telling you that they are praying for you because they know that this time of year has to be hard on "someone like you"? Are you saying I should be crying uncontrollably because I don't have a "valentine" to buy me nice things or to buy nice things for?

I don't know about any of the other single people out there, but I'm saving a whole lotta dough this weekend by being single. So, I'm not bothered at all.

Anyway, I digress.

Seeing that yesterday was Valentine's Day and Valentine's Day has to do with hearts and real hearts have blood flowing through them, I felt the need to share a bit of our lesson from yesterday's church service because it has a little something to do with the red stuff.

We are reading through the Bible this year, chronologically, and this past week's reading had to do with the Exodus, the Ten Commandments and the confirmation of the covenant between God and His people, the Israelites.

I don't know about you, but I'm learning a whole bunch of stuff that I didn't learn in Sunday School. Some crazy, confusing, harsh realities that I'm sure were sugar-coated or even omitted due to the fact that it could seriously scare some people away from the Christian faith if you really don't understand it.

But, I digress again.

Sunday's lesson was on the "Blood That Satisfies". We looked at the importance of the blood in Exodus 12 and 24 as well as in the new covenant that we are a part of today.

Exodus 12 tells of the Passover. You know the story. The tenth plague would kill all of the first born in Egypt and the Lord told Moses to have all the Israelites kill a spotless lamb and spread the blood of the lamb over the door frame so that the Israelite first born would be spared by the wrath of God. There is much more to the story but that is the gist. Read Exodus 12 to get the full picture.

We learn that the captives were freed by the blood of the lamb. The sacrifice of the spotless lamb is acceptable to God by the grace of God. And through faith, the sacrifice is applied to us -- man.

Then in Exodus 24, we see that God has given the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites. This is when the covenant is confirmed. The Israelites commit to following the Law that Yahweh has given them. There is sacrifice. Moses throws blood on the altar, read the Book of the Covenant (which is basically Exodus up to this point), and the people said, "All that THE LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient."

Then, here is where it gets a little ugly. Moses takes the rest of the blood and throw it on the people.

Now, let's just get something straight. If I went to church, and David Platt read from the Bible and then pulled out a bucket of blook and threw it on me, I'd be a little concerned at what I had gotten myself into in joining this church. I'd be a little caught off guard, a lot grossed out and pretty upset that he just ruined part of my wardrobe.

However, to understand what this really means, we have to go back to chapter 19 and see what happened there.

In chapter 19, (vs. 12-13, 21-23) God is getting ready to give Moses the Ten Commandments. When Moses meets with God on the Mount Sinai, he tells Moses to set limits in the camp so that the people cannot touch or even get near the mountain. If they do, they will be consumed by the powerful glory of God. Basically, they are dead. Dunzo. Finished.

Now, let's go back to chapter 24. Moses drenches the people in blood and then...see what it says in verses 9-10.

"Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel."

THEY SAW HIM! They saw God. They gazed upon the glory of God. When just five chapters ago, they were forbidden to even approached the mountain that God was on.

What changed?

Blood.

They were covered with the blood of the lamb. The blood of the lamb that was sacrificed and was accepted by God.

So what does this mean for us?

We gaze on the glory of God everyday because of the blood that was shed by the spotless Lamb called Jesus Christ.

His blood covers us, and he was a substitute for us, so that we could be brought out from under the undeniable wrath of God that we so completely deserve.

His blood covers us, and in turn, redeems us.

What is the difference between our cries of sorrow as we drown in our sin and the unfathomable freedom we know in Jesus Christ?

BLOOD.

I know I didn't do this justice at all here, so if this at all interests you, please go listen or watch the full sermon by David Platt. You won't regret it.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

5,000 Question Survey (Part 6)

501. If you could rename yourself what would your new name be?
I don't know. I really like the name Ruth. But I love my name. I wouldn't change it.

502. What is your Glam Rock name (the name of your first pet plus your street name)?
Sandy Wildridge.

503. Have you ever created your own 'what ___ are you' quiz?
Don't think so.

If you did make one what would it be about?
No idea.

504. What is your favorite song from the 70's?
I Will Survive

505. What do you feel like complaining about?
Nothing. I'm really, really annoyed with people complaining right now.

506. What do you feel like celebrating?
Not the ticket I just got for having an expired car tag.

507. Have you lost touch with anyone you should call?
There are probably a few people I should call, but I really don't like talking on the phone so I just text. The only people I make an attempt to call are my parents and my sister.

508. Deep in thought do you forgive everyone?
I don't really understand this question but I really try and forgive people. If not, the beef just eats away at me inside. I forgive but hardly ever forget. But I won't forgive whoever wrote this question because I totally doesn't make sense.

509. Can a person speak out against their government and still support their country?
People do it all the time. That's what freedom of speech is about. I can speak out against things that our president does or our Senate or House does but by no means am I going to stop supporting my country. My country is what gives me the right to do that.


510. What do you have faith in?
God - Someone greater than I am who is in control of all that I can't be in control of.

511. Do you believe your government has a file on you somewhere?
Is that what the IRS and the DMV do?

512. What (not who) do you care about?
I care about a lot of stuff but right now, I mostly care about the lack of interest we as a nation and world have for the people who go without so that we can live frivolously.

513. What is the worst thing that could possibly happen to you?
Losing my parents or my sister.

514. Who or what is really the absolute root and source of all evil?
Read Genesis 3.

515. What do you want to change about the world?
See 512.

516. Why did you decide to complete this survey?
Because I didn't really want to work on what I was working on at the moment.

517. Has anyone ever led you on?
Seriously. Being led on is inevitable in life.

518. What was the last thing you did against your will?
I don't think that has ever been a reality for me. Life is about choices so we don't ever really do something against our will.

519. What are your plans for the rest of today?
Small group bible study at 7 then home to watch the State-Ole Miss game.

520. How can you make tomorrow better than today was?
It's all about attitude. And if I don't have to come to work, that might make things better.

521. Would you rather date someone 4 feet tall or 9 feet tall?
Nine feet tall. I'm already short enough as it is. I don't need someone shorter than me. I like tall boys.

522. How often do you get jealous?
I used to get jealous a lot. Now, I just try not to waste my time.

523. What is the one thing you do that your friends wish you didn't?
You'll have to ask them.

524. Do you do any soul searching?
Every day.

525. Do you believe you have a soul?
Uh, yeah. What kind of question is that?

526. Would you rather have a child that is more confident or more curious?
That's interesting. I think curiousity builds confidence. The more you learn, the more you confident you become, so probably curious. I think I was a curious child.

527. Are you a slave to love?
We are all slaves to love.

528. If you were going to write a bedtime story for someone you loved what would it be about?
A little prince named William.

529. Does anyone understand you?
I don't know.

530. Do you understand yourself?
Most of the time.

531. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: Which is your element?
I don't really know. I guess water.

532. Who influences you to be the way you are?
Christ, my parents, my friends, my pastor

533. What is one idea that you live by?
God created me to bring glory to His name. He's allowing me to be a part of that so why not live life in a way that does.

534. How can people act to make you want to get to know them?
I don't really know. There are some people who are just infectious. Pretty much anything that is not arrogant or negative, I'm attracted to.

535. Are you more delicate or tough?
I like to think I'm a good mix of both. When I need to be delicate, I will and vice versa. Today, I'm tough.

536. Would you rather be smarter or more beautiful?
Smarter. Beauty fades.

537. Have you ever had a surprise party?
Yep. My Sweet 16.

538. When are you at a loss for words?
Usually when I'm upset.

539. What is the worst time to be alone?
When I'm excited about something. Then I want to share it with someone.

540. What do your parents do that you will try never to do?
My parents have pretty much been great examples for me. There is nothing that sticks out in my mind that I want to avoid.

541. What gets you through the night?
Knowing that the sun will rise again and if it doesn't, I'll be in a better place anyway.

542. Do you really want to live forever?
In this life? No.

543. Do you often experience powerful emotions?
I'm pretty sure I've proved myself as a passionate person so probably any emotion I feel is a powerful one these days.

544. What could make you so happy right now that you would cry and laugh and sing?
Cookie cake.

545. Who is your favorite visual artist?
Hmmm...the guy who created Dennis the Menace. I love those cartoons.

546. What would you like to protest against?
I really don't like protesting.

547. What or who do you support?
There are a lot of people and things I support. Too many to be specific.

548. If you found out you were pregnant today, would you have an abortion?
Absolutely not considering that if it were to happen to me, it would be the second coming of Christ, I'm sure.

549. Do you like picking out greeting cards or would you rather write your own?
I love going to Hallmark and picking out the Fresh Ink square cards.

550. Do you like to be thought of as mysterious?
Yes. I think that it makes you more interesting.

551. What is the most magical thing that has ever happened to you?
Hmm... the first time I realized I was in love maybe?

552. How would you tell your friend his or her fly was open in public?
So, hey. Your pants are unzipped.

553. Does a good friend tell you you've got something in your teeth or pretend not to notice it?
Tell.

554. The world has many secrets. Have you learned any? Will you share it?
Nope.

555. Are there any bands you like so much that you want to get their music video collection on DVD?
Not so much music videos. But I would love to have a John Mayer or Ben Harper concert on DVD. I just love listening to them jam.

556. What do you need advice about?
The next step in life.

557. Have you been half-asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name. Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors? The voice might be one and that same.

558. Do you have a good luck charm?
Nah.

559. Should animals have the same right to life as people?
God gave us the animals for the purpose of nutrition. It's called the food chain.

560. What is your least favorite body part?
The mid-section right now.

561. Do you enjoy British comedy?
Monty Python is one of the funnies things I've ever seen.

562. Are there ever happy endings or does nothing end?
There are happy endings happening all the time.

563. What is your worst trait?
That's hard. I'm my own critic so I choose not to answer this.

564. Is the world more beautiful because of love?
Love makes things more beautiful.

565. What is the essence of you?
Christ

566. What really inspires you?
Music

567. Have you met your soul mate?
Thought I did. I was wrong.

568. Is everyday a special occasion?
In someone's life.

569. What sound would you rather hear than any sound in the world?
My sister sing.

570. Of the following which word best describes you:

natural:

outgoing:

polite: this one

quick thinking:

571. Do any commercials make you want to break your TV?
Pretty much all of them but right now it's the negative political ones. It makes me not want to vote for either candidate.

572. Have you ever lost your religion?
No.

573. Do you want to share your life with someone?
More than anything.

574. Where ARE the wild things?
Under my bed.

575. Would you rather have a child genetically related to you or an adopted child?
I'll take either one.

576. If I had a birthday party would you come?
Sure.

577. What seemingly impossible thing is POSSIBLE?
Climbing Mt. Everest.

578. What song do you love to sing out loud?
Have you met me? I sing everything out loud.

579. Have you ever run through the woods naked and played in a stream (you should)?
Can't say that I have.

580. Have you ever taken long solitary night walks?
No. I don't walk alone at night.

581. Is there more to you than anyone knows?
Sure.

582. Can you make tonight the night that you do the things you always wanted to do?
Nope. Too busy.

583. Would you rather watch life on TV or LIVE it?
Can I do both?

584. What keeps you chained down?
Fear

585. What is the nagging feeling in the back of your head?
There's more.

586. Do you celebrate yourself?
Yep. With cookie cake.

587. Does everyone get the same opportunities in life?
No.

588. What would you consider to be better than sex?
Cookie cake.

589. What evil is necessary?
War

590. What's your favorite one hit wonder?
MMMBop by Hanson

591. What would you do anything for?
I've have to agree with Meatloaf and say Love.

592. Do you celebrate the full moon?
I don't throw parties or anything but it's pretty to look at sometimes.

593. Have you ever gone in the water at the beach at night?
Yep.

594. Are you ordinary?
Yep.

595. What makes people want to hang out with you?
Ask them.

596. Have you ever felt like you've been a little bit too good to someone?
Oh yeah. There are few people who got a lot more nice from Katie than they should have.

597. What book did you like that you had to read for school?
Night by Elie Wiessel

598. What book should everyone have to read in school?
See 597.

599. Do you like the store Old Navy?
Take a look at my closet and answer that question for yourself.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Blog-Linkity Goodness 2.9.10

1. This article from Mississippi State University's newspaper really makes me miss being in college. Sure I'm still around college athletics everyday, but there's nothing in this world like MSU baseball and the Left Field Lounge.

2. LOST Thoughts, by Bryan Allain. Good stuff.

3. It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Dan Mullen!

4. Jon Acuff's warnings about awkward singles events.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Haiti: Who's fault is it?

This is a short one today. I just wanted to share Shaun Groves' post from today. Too good to not share.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Balance Beam

So, it's officially video day here on ye old blog. This time Francis Chan dishes out some amazing wisdom. This totally applies to me right now. I feel like I talk a big game about doing amazing things and taking risks for God and but then I just just on the beam, hold tight and expect God to give me a great score when I dismount in Heaven.

Hamm & Bubbly

These guys are hilarious.