Boy. Was. I. Ever. Wrong!

When did toothbrush technology become so advanced? All I wanted was a simple toothbrush…but, no! There are now so many choices it took my the better part of the evening just to recognize the options…vibrating, tooth whitening (in the brush?), left-handed, multi-lingual (okay, I made those last two up, but I bet their coming).

I just wanted a standard, plain-ol’ toothbrush and that was nearly impossible to find.

But I persevered…sort of. Way down at the bottom of the shelves were the “standard” toothbrushes. And yet, the one I got still has more technology than I think is necessary (flex bending head, squishy thumb hold, etc).

When did life get so complicated? I think it started with THIS (click the link to read my last rant).

Okay, I feel better now…back to our regularly scheduled programming…

This post is mainly for those who grew up in Denver or have lived in Denver for any significant amount of time. If you’re in that boat with me you know that KOOL 105 has always been known as Denver’s “Oldies” station. When I was growing up it played mostly 50′s and 60′s music. Not exactly music I wanted to listen to so I largely ignored the radio station.

Here’s my distress. I discovered it this week. I “accidentally” listened to KOOL 105 last week (thinking I was on Jack 105.5)…and found out that I like the station. A lot! How did this happen? All of a sudden they’re playing music from the 60s, 70s and 80s (and most of that from the last two decades). When did MY music become “oldies”??!?!?!?

So, I’m listening to the station…but I absolutely REFUSE to assign the station a preset on my radio dial. I just can’t bring myself to do it….yet.

;o)

If you liked that, here’s a bonus…

These are classified ads, which were actually placed in a U.K. newspaper:

FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER.
8 years old.
Hateful little bastard.
Bites!

FREE PUPPIES.
1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbour’s dog.

FREE PUPPIES.
Mother is a Kennel Club registered German Shepherd.
Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall fences in a single bound.

JOINING NUDIST COLONY!
Must sell washer and dryer £100.

WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE.
Worn once by mistake.
Call Stephanie.

**** And the WINNER is… ****

FOR SALE BY OWNER.
Complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 45 volumes.
Excellent condition, £200 or best offer. No longer needed, got married, wife knows everything.

There, I admitted it. I can’t help myself. And no, I’m not making light of the situation (okay, maybe just a little…but only to make myself feel better…it’s another thing I do).

Ever since I started losing weight the first time (several years ago) I became a scale watcher. I weigh myself several times in the morning and at least once at night. It’s not a bad discipline for those of us whoa re trying to lose weight. After all, you need to know where you stand…so to speak.

The problem for me is that it becomes an obsession. A focus that is just a bit off center. I did…and still do…need to lose weight. The scale did…and still does…help keep me on track. I know when I need to become more disciplined…now would be good…and when things are moving in the right direction…down.

But do I need to weigh myself before AND after a shower? Do I need to weigh myself in the morning AND at night? Do I need to consider getting a new scale because the one I have now is a big-fat stupid head (and don’t even get me started on that Wii Fit thing!)?

No.

What I need to do is get a little more discipline in my life, use the scale once in awhile to make sure I’m on track…and enjoy life in the process. The scale is a tool (in more than one way). =0)

I’m sure there’s a spiritual application here somewhere, but I’ll let you hash that one out on your own (leave a comment if something really good comes to you)…I’m off to see if I’ve lost any weight from the calories I burned typing this…

Happy Saturday!!

Here’s today’s submission (feel free to send me ideas during the week…there may be a reward!)…

I think it might be me!

Ever read something in Scripture that makes you say, “HUH?!?” Happened to me this afternoon as I opened my study in the book of Judges. Here’s what I read…

Adoni-bezek escaped, but the Israelites soon captured him and cut off his thumbs and big toes. Adoni-bezek said, “I once had seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off, eating scraps from under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them.” They took him to Jerusalem, and he died there. (Judges 1:6-7, NLT)

First of all…OUCH!! Second, who thinks of doing that? Not me…that would be the last thing on my list of punishments. Third, this had to be one funny looking dude once his punishment was done (yes, that’s how my brain works).

Obviously God had something to do with the punishment since Adoni-bezek had done this to others…but still!

I never cease to be surprised by Scripture. Always something there to get your attention.  ;o)

I heard the first “beep” and thought nothing of it…pushed it aside. A minute later…another. And another. And another. Finally I had to get up to see what that infernal interruption was! Arrrrgggg! It was one of our smoke detectors notifying us that it needed a new battery! This is a great feature and will likely end up saving our lives at some point (we have two boys…fire is coming at some point, right?). But I have a few questions born out of this frustrating night (and I wish it was my first, and last):

1. How do smoke detectors know that it’s night-time?
2. Why do they only start beeping when it’s dark out? I’ve never had one beep during daylight!
3. Why does the beep happen so infrequently that it takes 20 minutes just to figure out which detector is the culprit?
4. Why do you never seem to have a 9-volt battery when you really need one (thankfully that wasn’t the case this time)?

This is one of those eternal set of questions that we may never have the answer(s) to. And, no…I won’t be asking Jesus any of them when I see Him face-to-face.  ;o)

But the LifeGroup leader was doing a great job guiding the discussion and keeping the group on the right track. Paul is talking about how Christ overcame Adam’s sin…how His sacrifice conquers our legacy of sin. He’s talking about how Jesus brings us into right relationship with God. He’s talking about the power of grace over sin. Great topics and great discussion.

Like I said, the leader was doing a great job. And he had just finished making this great point…bringing some of the discussions together…when someone’s cell phone sang out: “Message Received!” The timing was brilliant. It brought a laugh and drove the point home.

Message received.

I wish I had that more often in my life—some external indicator to tell me when the message is received. For me and for others.  ;o)