RANT RAV!NGS 2013 - Righting societal atrocities...since 1981.

The Tides of Sorrow

Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 
— Luke 11:10

Lately, I've fallen into discouragement and sadness about various situations and predicaments in my life.

I can usually tell when I'm on a journey towards Depression Ave, and it's usually a conscious decision on my part.

And though it's been a good while since I last visited, the surroundings are still vividly familiar.

On the way I pass all of the usual signs and banners:

Discouragement. Pressure. Loneliness. Despair. Nostalgic melancholy.

Hell "Freezes" Over

The 79th Annual Liberal Academy Awards have concluded, and before I begin my rant I would just like to ask one question:

Who ate Al Gore?

Awhile back I came to recognize the Oscars for what they really were: yet another vehicle to promote the liberal Hollywood agenda.

And if you can watch with that perspective actively in mind, you will understand why the award does not always go to the most deserving nominee.

You Alone Are God

Words and Music: Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding
Album: Hillsong Live: Mighty To Save

I confess my hope
In the light of Your salvation
Where I lose myself
I will find You're all I need

Sing my soul
Of the Saviour's love
Sing my soul
Unto God alone

I will meet You here
In the life we call surrender
Let the world I know
Be the glory of Your grace

You alone are God
You alone are God
We declare the glory of Your name

Reign in all the earth
Reign in all the earth Jesus

What's Your Status?

Recently I met up with Irish Salsa's Brent Newberry for a "meeting of the bloggers". We attended the 7PM service of Discovery Church's Status service, where Rebecca Loveless spoke on "GOD - The Father" in the first installment of a sermon series called The Trilogy.

I've been friends with Brent ever since our freshman year at college, and it was really great to see him again.

Hopefully it won't take over three months to get together next time.

By the way, be sure to check out the newly redesigned Irish Salsa (the self-proclaimed "one-stop tonic for shortened attention spans and bouts of boredom).

Happy Love Day

Due to popular demand, I present the infamous Valentine's Day Facebook profile picture from 2006. Depending on your romantic status, you are celebrating one of two holidays today:

1. Valentine's Day
2. Single Awareness Day

Odds are, you've celebrated both of these in your lifetime.

So, hopefully people who are single, dating, married, divorced, or apathetic can all agree on one name for today...

Happy 1 Corinthians 13:8 Day! 

A Police Grammy Reunion

For those of you who missed the Grammy's last night (and from what I saw, you didn't miss much), I've decided to post the main highlight of the evening: a historic performance of "Roxanne" from the recently reunited Police.

In addition, the five-time Grammy award winning group announced today that they are going back on tour beginning on May 28th!

Noise From The Ceiling

Sometimes life throws you curve-balls.

Other times: strikes and spares.

Right now, I've got the Jolly Green Giant competing in a bowling tournament upstairs.

Sounds like he just dropped his ball.

Ever since college it seems like I've been plagued with noisy people living on the other side of the wall/ceiling...the unearthly screams for help inside Whittington...the two dudes doing God knows what to each other inside New Men's...and now this noisy racket above me at the Extended Stay.

CONTINUING COVERAGE: Bon Voyage, Suitee Hearts

When the Suitee Hearts showed up in Orlando on January 25th, they had their own personal valet (myself, above) waiting for them in the baggage claim. (Photo by Grace Thornton)

View more images from the Suitee Hearts cruise (Facebook members only)

"You look like a nice guy..."

Well, it's official:

I'm a nice guy.

I was ordering a pizza from Pizza Hut today, and the employee who took my order advised me that since I was paying with my debit card, the delivery person would have to make an imprint of the card upon arrival.

When I heard the knock 40 minutes later, I was surprised to find the delivery guy was the same middle-eastern man who took my order over the phone.

We chatted a bit about the amount of orders they had to complete today because of the Superbowl, and then he handed me the purchase receipt to sign.

"Hold on, I'll go get the card," I said.

"No no...though it's Pizza Hut policy to get the imprint, I can tell from dealing with you that you're a nice guy," he said. "Have a great day."

Update: Prayer for Grandad

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for praying for Grandad. The tests revealed there were no major problems with his kidneys, so we're very thankful of that. He's recovering well, so hopefully things will progress without any problems. He will continue to remain under supervision while he recovers.