OK, it's time for a less serious post. And what better topic than shows that have made me laugh over the years? These shows have provided levity and enjoyment when I needed it the most. TV may have a lot of pitfalls but it can also be used to bring a smile to your face.
1) Seinfeld - There is no other sitcom in history with more memorable lines and characters - both regular and non recurring
2) M*A*S*H* - OK, not a true sitcom...more of a dramedy. The writing on this show was well ahead of its time and the characters endure on a deeper level than most. This show had something to teach us.
3) Cheers - The show felt just like the bar. You always felt at home when it was on. Great cast and great consistency over time.
4) The Office - This one will likely climb up the list a bit if it can stick around longer. The mockumentary format is original to US television. It's been fun to see a mostly unknown cast use this vehicle to launch their respective careers.
5) Family Ties - It will always have a special place in my heart as Alex P Keaton was the perfect role model for a young Republican such as myself. I grew up with this show and that brings back good memories.
6) Friends - This show came along during the end of my college years which was perfect timing given the young characters that were taking on the world. I watched it through my 20s. Kinda fell off at the end but they definitely captured some magic for awhile.
7) Newsradio - Phil Hartman was a genius and I miss him. This is also the most normal Andy Dick probably has ever been and his talent was on display. Great cast and great chemistry. Very underrated.
8) King of Queens - Jerry Stiller goes from one great show to another. Kevin James and Leah Remini (yummy) play off each other wonderfully. Still watch the reruns almost every day.
9) Scrubs - Another show that has held up well over the years. Now that NBC let them go it looks like ABC picked them up. That's a sign that there is still some life left.
10) Will & Grace - Great fast-paced writing. Always funny. A cast that really cared about each other.
Honorable mention: Wings, Growing Pains, Night Court, Fresh Prince, Saved by the Bell, Arrested Development, Cosby Show, Mad About You
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Breaking News
Our benchmark index, the Russell 2000, was down 10.7% today. Yes, today.
Overall, this was the 7th worst day in the history of the market.
Hope everyone enjoyed their "mental break" over the holidays. Because it sure doesn't last long in this environment.
History in the making...and not in a good way.
Nothing really surprises me anymore.
How long till Christmas again?
Overall, this was the 7th worst day in the history of the market.
Hope everyone enjoyed their "mental break" over the holidays. Because it sure doesn't last long in this environment.
History in the making...and not in a good way.
Nothing really surprises me anymore.
How long till Christmas again?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone
I'm thankful that I was able to gather with my family once again. There is nothing better than coming home and being with the people you love. I cherish our traditions...worship, dinner, cards, laughter. It's a wonderful time to stop and embrace what is right and true and pure. I wish I had more of these days.
Plus, I finished 2nd in cards to my grandmother. I don't think I could have given her a better holiday gift...as if I had a choice. :)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Maybe I was wrong
Maybe this economic/market meltdown is God's judgment after all.
Never seen anything like it. Granted I am only 36 but historical parallels aren't holding up. Every major financial institution appears to be on the brink of insolvency. Our Big 3 automakers are done. Commercial real estate is going the way of residential. Every major insurer appears to be in big trouble. Every high quality retailer is seeing their stock decimated. Commodities continue to be in free fall. The market seems to go down every single day.
It's either the end of the world or one hell of a buying opportunity.
Never seen anything like it. Granted I am only 36 but historical parallels aren't holding up. Every major financial institution appears to be on the brink of insolvency. Our Big 3 automakers are done. Commercial real estate is going the way of residential. Every major insurer appears to be in big trouble. Every high quality retailer is seeing their stock decimated. Commodities continue to be in free fall. The market seems to go down every single day.
It's either the end of the world or one hell of a buying opportunity.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Matthew 5:10
"Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight." - Psalm 119:143
This verse was the highlighted passage of the day as I went to BibleGateway.com in order to prepare for this post. Coincidence? Not with God.
The "Philadelphia 5" in October 2004...a Canadian pastor arrested for preaching against the sin of homosexuality...2 Catholics arrested outside their church in MN for passing out pro-life literature in May...the slogan "radical right" coming into existence in the 1980s...the media-led propaganda campaign that the separation of church and state means ZERO religious influence in the public square...and now the intense hatred and violence following the approval of Prop 8 in California as well as similar passages in numerous other states. Keep in mind, Prop 8 simply reaffirmed what the people of California had voted for in the past but what was undone by 4 activist judges in that state in May. This is not a radical redefinition. This is the people of California just trying to get their state Constitution back.
Can you feel it? I know I can. Any Christian with any awareness of Scripture and the world we live in has seen the signs coming for quite some time. Yet, I have been a bit shocked at the acceleration in the past week. The level of vitriol and absolute hate coming from those who live in direct opposition to God's Word has been eye opening. I think it was the creation of antigayblacklist.com that was the real awakening. It's a list of monetary supporters for Prop 8 with the intention that those on the list would not have their businesses patronized. It has already led to a job loss for one and likely intimidation and fear for many others.
"But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away." - Matthew 13:21
I think we are all familiar with the saying, "Adversity builds character", or some derivation thereof. Recently, I have been hearing what I believe to be a better version - "Adversity reveals character". Now, the first one is true as long as the level of adversity does not extinguish hope for without hope character doesn't matter very much. However, the second version seems much more meaningful to me, particularly as our faith will be severely tested in the months and years ahead. We may be running short on time to build character. The time for our character, our faith, our trust in God and our willingness to follow Him to be made real and evident to the world is here. This is not a drill. There is precious little time left to hide in our church pews, to barricade ourselves inside our comfy confines, to walk the line between being in this world and of this world.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:15
All Christians must strengthen their faith and cling to the Truth now more than ever. Be prepared to defend your beliefs in a Biblical way - with truth, boldness, love and grace. God loves homosexuals and non-Christians. Jesus died for them. God wants to see none of them perish eternally. Do not return hate with hate. This is where being a light amongst the darkness becomes so real and so important. Let people know that your disagreement is not personal although the majority will surely take it that way. Let them know you love them and are a sinner just like they are. In that way you may be able to reshape the conversation and put it back where it belongs - on Christ's unconditional and eternal love for us all.
This verse was the highlighted passage of the day as I went to BibleGateway.com in order to prepare for this post. Coincidence? Not with God.
The "Philadelphia 5" in October 2004...a Canadian pastor arrested for preaching against the sin of homosexuality...2 Catholics arrested outside their church in MN for passing out pro-life literature in May...the slogan "radical right" coming into existence in the 1980s...the media-led propaganda campaign that the separation of church and state means ZERO religious influence in the public square...and now the intense hatred and violence following the approval of Prop 8 in California as well as similar passages in numerous other states. Keep in mind, Prop 8 simply reaffirmed what the people of California had voted for in the past but what was undone by 4 activist judges in that state in May. This is not a radical redefinition. This is the people of California just trying to get their state Constitution back.
Can you feel it? I know I can. Any Christian with any awareness of Scripture and the world we live in has seen the signs coming for quite some time. Yet, I have been a bit shocked at the acceleration in the past week. The level of vitriol and absolute hate coming from those who live in direct opposition to God's Word has been eye opening. I think it was the creation of antigayblacklist.com that was the real awakening. It's a list of monetary supporters for Prop 8 with the intention that those on the list would not have their businesses patronized. It has already led to a job loss for one and likely intimidation and fear for many others.
"But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away." - Matthew 13:21
I think we are all familiar with the saying, "Adversity builds character", or some derivation thereof. Recently, I have been hearing what I believe to be a better version - "Adversity reveals character". Now, the first one is true as long as the level of adversity does not extinguish hope for without hope character doesn't matter very much. However, the second version seems much more meaningful to me, particularly as our faith will be severely tested in the months and years ahead. We may be running short on time to build character. The time for our character, our faith, our trust in God and our willingness to follow Him to be made real and evident to the world is here. This is not a drill. There is precious little time left to hide in our church pews, to barricade ourselves inside our comfy confines, to walk the line between being in this world and of this world.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:15
All Christians must strengthen their faith and cling to the Truth now more than ever. Be prepared to defend your beliefs in a Biblical way - with truth, boldness, love and grace. God loves homosexuals and non-Christians. Jesus died for them. God wants to see none of them perish eternally. Do not return hate with hate. This is where being a light amongst the darkness becomes so real and so important. Let people know that your disagreement is not personal although the majority will surely take it that way. Let them know you love them and are a sinner just like they are. In that way you may be able to reshape the conversation and put it back where it belongs - on Christ's unconditional and eternal love for us all.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Thought This Was Good
From Bill Keller...
"As irony would have it, many of the protests by pro-homosexual groups after
their defeat last week have been held outside of Warren's Saddleback
Church. I pray that this is a lesson to Warren and others that as long as
you compromise your beliefs, those who live in rebellion to God and His Word
are your friends. Once you take a stand for the Truth, they immediately
become your enemy. This is why these ecumenical associations are from the
pits of hell itself. It is always the Christians who are supposed to lay
down our beliefs, never non-Christians who are expected to lay down theirs!"
That last sentence was really good. I have never seen it put that way before but it is 100% true.
"As irony would have it, many of the protests by pro-homosexual groups after
their defeat last week have been held outside of Warren's Saddleback
Church. I pray that this is a lesson to Warren and others that as long as
you compromise your beliefs, those who live in rebellion to God and His Word
are your friends. Once you take a stand for the Truth, they immediately
become your enemy. This is why these ecumenical associations are from the
pits of hell itself. It is always the Christians who are supposed to lay
down our beliefs, never non-Christians who are expected to lay down theirs!"
That last sentence was really good. I have never seen it put that way before but it is 100% true.
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