tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76874832024-03-23T13:10:25.976-05:00The In-BetweenThe stuff that pulls at me.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-18681969235137531492007-06-19T23:12:00.000-05:002008-12-08T16:02:01.343-06:00In a Family Way.....part 2So I had to change the background color of my blog so it didn't remind me of poo.I see a lot of it these days.So if you're wondering where I have been, and what I have been doing, well.........here they are!Samuel Kyle and Georgia Kathleen came into the world on April 22, 2007. It's kinda crazy....I'm a Dad! Now, I am no Bill Cosby.....but there are some things that I became completely aware of Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1153723411158584322006-07-24T01:25:00.000-05:002006-07-24T01:44:31.580-05:00RestorationGod's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem,who regathers Israel's scattered exiles.He heals the heartbrokenand bandages their wounds.He counts the starsand assigns each a name.Our Lord is great, with limitless strength;we'll never comprehend what he knows and does.God puts the fallen on their feet againand pushes the wicked into the ditch.~Psam 147Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1149289353720743402006-06-02T17:44:00.000-05:002006-06-02T18:02:52.746-05:00In a Family Way.....Unfortunately the title for this entry is not about pregnancy.I wish. We wish....that is Kristin and I. Maybe soon. Who knows?The title for this entry is in regards to the Family Reunion/Birthday Party Kristin and I were just in Tennessee for. Last weekend we were in Tellico Plains, TN for our annual family reunion and celebration of my Grandparents 90th birthdays. My Grandma and Grandpa. 90 Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1147133468059132222006-05-08T19:08:00.000-05:002006-05-08T19:11:08.060-05:00Kyle's FilmFor those of you who have not seen the trailer's for Kyle's film please click on the banner to your right to see them. I hadn't looked at the site in a while and went in and watched Trailer #2. It left me speechless for a good 30 minutes. Kyle was a great friend and I think that this film will be a testament to his character and mission. Please support it if your heart leads.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1146619139842164022006-05-02T20:12:00.000-05:002006-05-02T20:19:12.523-05:00A long time gone.....Hello friends.I feel like I have abandoned my duties as fellow blogger and friend.Fear not.I have merely been gainfully employed!Training at Dell these past 7 days has been tiresome but fun!I am learning a lot and very excited to get my team at the beginning of July.For those of you who have not heard I am a Sales Manager at the Dell Call Center in McGregor, TX. Just a few miles west of Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1144256487657999072006-04-05T11:00:00.000-05:002006-04-05T12:01:27.716-05:00In Vino VeritasSo Meg asked me the other day what my top three favorite wines are. So I thought I would wax poetic about the grape and proceed to give my humble opinion.First of all the disclaimers:1. While I did go to Culinary School I am by no means a connoiseur! My experience is mainly from restaurant work as a cook and server, and as a fan of the vino myself.2. I am a bit of a wine snob. I don't care if "Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1143835642113066332006-03-31T13:44:00.000-06:002006-03-31T14:07:22.500-06:00A word about my links.....I have made some changes in my links over the last couple of weeks and just wanted to drop a note about some of the stuff that's going on in the sidebar........The bulk of the blogs I read are friends from UBC, my church, they include:Tom, Craig, Adam, Amanda, Janalee, David, Jen, Jordan, Blair, Ben, Harris, Singleton, Carney, Katy, Meg, Candace, and Scott. Actually the last two I had the Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1143736063876977102006-03-30T09:59:00.000-06:002006-03-30T10:27:43.936-06:00What's Your Story?the Blog editionSo I spoke at the Hub on Wednesday night. I had a good time...I'll be honest, I started off a little shaky, but then I found a rhythm and began to feel like my old self again.I found this poem that began as my inspiration for a reflection on Lent. It goes a little something like this:I am a story hoping to unfoldas my future meets my pastI am a talewaiting to be toldwith the rightMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1142962055018773012006-03-21T11:11:00.000-06:002006-03-21T11:27:35.090-06:00revolver*I have had one interview (was offered the job) and another invitation to sell DirecTV with an old friend of mine since I have been back in Waco. Another interview to go at Dell....keep your fingers crossed.....still looking.*Went down to my Dad's last week to spend some time with him and my sister and the nieces. Went fishing. Lost my glasses to the depths of Lake LBJ....oh well. Bought new Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1142054165248569592006-03-10T22:55:00.000-06:002006-03-10T23:16:05.290-06:00Happy Birthday Mom........In the months following my mom's death back in 2001 I made a decision.That we, my wife and I, would celebrate my mother's life, not her death.In the past 5 years my wife and I have done a number of things to commemorate her life on her birthday:We got fried chicken (a favorite of my mom's) and had a picnic on the Suspension Bridge in Waco.We ate at sandwiches from the Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1141798051153787552006-03-07T23:31:00.000-06:002006-03-08T00:09:45.473-06:00Albums I am taking with me as I drive to Waco:*Synchronicity ~ The Police*The Joshua Tree ~ U2*The Essential Johnny Cash*The Essential Willie Nelson*The Garden State Soundtrack*My Spymix (Songs featured on Alias including:Blur, Wyclef Jean, Peter Gabriel, and Depeche Mode)*My Valentine Mix (including Aqualung, Tristan Prettyman, Lyle Lovett, and Elvis Costello)Things I intend to think about as I Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1141265969205512332006-03-01T19:46:00.000-06:002006-03-01T20:19:29.260-06:00Homeor: Where you lay your head is a pillow not a metaphor for something that is a lot more philosophical in nature than practical.I personally like the alternate title, even if it is lengthy.So here's another quote from Donald Miller:"Everybody has to leave, everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons." (from Through Painted Deserts)So I am Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1140934775906081792006-02-26T00:08:00.000-06:002006-02-26T00:20:23.606-06:00My Wife and I had an argument last week......and we argued well.When the dust settled and everything was said that could be said we looked at each other differently.Don't worry, it was a good different.It was the kind of look that let you know that there was nothing left to fester.Nothing pulled back or unsaid.Not even an ounce of animosity or anger.No resentment or regret.Only catharsis and Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1140812122185260532006-02-24T12:16:00.000-06:002006-02-24T16:02:16.996-06:00Love First"Jesus said, 'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."Matthew 22. 37-40 The MessageI get really pissed off when good Christians say stupid,Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1140573996784067042006-02-21T19:54:00.000-06:002006-02-21T20:06:36.836-06:00forgetfulHello......I thought about it and decided not to retire the site......funny thing is, I forgot why I got a Xanga account in the first place!It was to post a comment on a friend's site!!I remember being initially perturbed that I had to be a Xangan to comment on a Xanga site.Anyhow......I'll keep this one, but I might move things around a bit.I guess I just got restless.....wanting something new.IMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1140503543914440282006-02-21T00:29:00.000-06:002006-02-21T00:32:23.923-06:00goodbyeHello Friends..............I think I am retiring the site. Not out of blogging......I think I am jumping ship to Xanga. I'll post some stuff on this site here. Tell me what you think.....Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1138831915384278552006-02-01T15:11:00.000-06:002006-02-01T16:11:55.480-06:00Peace Like A RiverWhat I'm Reading.....If you have never read this book....do yourself a favor and pick it up. It's quite amazing. It's a little A River Runs Through It and a little Big Fish. The characters are vivid and well-drawn, and the most miraculous thing about it....you care about them right away. I honestly don't know how he did it, but there is no space between you and the page, it completely pulls you Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1137907493836583592006-01-21T23:10:00.000-06:002006-01-21T23:24:53.846-06:00Tired.......So...I turn 32 this upcoming Tuesday.No big deal, right?It's not that I am getting "older."Or that I am not as fit as I once was (getting a little soft, I must admit).It's that I am tired.Mentally, spiritually, physically........I honestly don't know what to do to make myself wake up.After Kyle died, It seemed as if the motivation came back.To do something great and be a better person.To live up Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1136490160775631852006-01-05T13:41:00.000-06:002006-01-05T14:00:25.613-06:00Greatest Game....Ever?My computer won't allow me to show you a picture......so let me paint one for you.Inches.Two inches to be exact.Two inches are what separated USC and their Third National Championship in Three Years......All my Texas friends will tell you that their Longhorns defeated my Men of Troy.I would have to disagree......the Longhorns did not disassemble the Trojans.Vince Young did that all by himself.I Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1135412351760254632005-12-24T01:46:00.000-06:002005-12-25T23:41:08.150-06:00Love. Embrace. Live.To love God is to love people.Spend some extra time with your family and friends this holiday season.If you play games, or sing carols, do so in exuberance.If you cook for your family add a little extra butter or pork fat.Hug a little longer.........linger, don't be restless.Enjoy it while you can.To embrace beauty is to see everything the way that God sees it.Beauty is truly the measure of a Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1134812813606646802005-12-17T02:48:00.000-06:002005-12-17T03:48:10.996-06:00baptismthere is a bottom to my griefi've been there many timeswhere the only thing i can dois look up and see the light i'm not a porcelain china dollwith a smile plastered to my facei have experienced enough sorrowto realize the miracle of grace the rhythmic ache of my guiltreminds me of what i am notnot worthy, not happy, not finishednot taking note of what i've got yet the hope that belies all Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1134638474589553642005-12-15T03:09:00.000-06:002005-12-15T04:20:27.140-06:00By the way....Howdy-ho neighbors, it's me again!I meant to say something about some of the new features of the site.Bravenet has some pretty cool stuff that you can play with....If you have been to the site and don't mind telling me about yourself (but don't want to post), please sign in on the guestbook. I added it really just to see where everyone is from.The second thing is that I have added and subtracted Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1134636670494823572005-12-15T02:28:00.000-06:002005-12-15T02:59:07.733-06:00It's late......hello friends.......it's another late night.I haven't been to bed before 2am in a very long time.I don't know what my deal is.Actually tonight I do.......Kristin and I went to see one of our favorite bands tonight at the Marquee Theater in Tempe.Nickel Creek was amazing as usual.....this is the third time for us to see them.Oddly enough.....it was also the third state that we've seen them in.The Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1134590437870113912005-12-14T14:00:00.000-06:002005-12-14T15:03:42.086-06:00For Art's Sake!Okay. I just recently had a fun exchange with a couple of guys regarding C.S. Lewis' intention for writing The Chronicles of Narnia. You can find it here. The posts are chronological from the bottom up. Check it out if you'd like. In fact bookmark that site if you've never read it. Cory's a friend and has a lot of great things to say. Check it out.So on to my main point today that has been Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687483.post-1134088875652283752005-12-08T18:37:00.000-06:002005-12-08T18:43:59.053-06:00Light and DarkI never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.~John ConstableThere is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.~Sir Francis Bacon There are things that I am convinced become more beautiful with tragedy. The splashes of black across an otherwise brilliant array of colors Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046316975047121753noreply@blogger.com2