It’s the fifth Friday of the month, and the perfect time to take a break. Today, instead of writing a post, I figured I’d let some photographs do the talking.
Dive Right In!
Which is best… head first or feet first?
Fun
We Think We’re So Smart
We think we’re so smart. Everyone is an expert on something, and we’re eager to share our expertise. (I’m no exception—witness my two blogs!)
“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.” —Lord Kelvin, British mathematician and physicist, president of the British Royal Society, 1895.
I’ve been reading Ephesians lately, and this morning one verse popped out at me. Paul wrote, “Be completely humble….” (Eph. 4:2). Yeah, right.
“If excessive smoking actually plays a role in the production of lung cancer, it seems to be a minor one.” —W.C. Heuper, National Cancer Institute, 1954.
Don’t be a sucker
The internet is a strange and wonderful place. You can find information on pretty much anything, from how to blow your nose (over 100,000 Google results!) to a life-sized photograph of a blue whale. And everyone knows that mixed with the fascinating facts and helpful tips is an tremendous pile of pure, er, nonsense.
I recently came across a website that might take the award for “most audacious” among the myriad of con artists trying to swindle suckers out of their cash. These guys should receive a Pulitzer prize for their skill at sounding scientific while spouting unbelievable quantities of double talk.
Be a Tourist!
Summer weather is finally here, and it’s time for some fun. After last week’s post about leaving your comfort zone, here are some suggestions to motivate you to pack your bags.
As a California kid riding along in the back seat of our family station wagon, I’d often see cars with bumper stickers advertising the Trees of Mystery, with its huge statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox plunked down in the middle of the redwoods. Other signs beckoned you to visit the Santa Cruz Mystery Spot, where the law of gravity has been repealed.
As I got older, I regularly drove from my home in Silicon Valley to my parent’s house south of LA. A major milestone along the way was the Casa de Fruita, with its prolific billboards advertising a can’t-miss opportunity to enjoy a variety of dried fruit. Over the years, the place expanded, adding the Casa de Restaurant, Casa De Gas (and Casa de Diesel), Casa De Diner, Casa De Vino , and the Casa De RV Park. Apparently, there is now a Casa De Petting Zoo, complete with a Casa De Cow, Casa De Buffalo and Casa De Camel. Unbelievable. Located along Hwy. 152 south of San Jose (near Hollister), the parking lot is always full of out-of-state license plates and tour buses. Clearly the owners have a good thing going.
“Sunday’s Coming”
Why do we go to church?
I was wondering about this lately, after talking with a friend who hasn’t been to a service in almost a year. They hadn’t stopped believing in God. They hadn’t lost their faith. They just didn’t see the point of going to a worship service.
Lots of people feel that one can be spiritual without sitting in a pew. I know I feel closer to God when I’m out in nature than I do in most church buildings. A popular book, So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore, by Jake Coleson, deals with some of the many reasons people give up on church, and offers an alternative. You can agree with his viewpoint or not, but he has clearly hit a nerve.
In response to a growing movement away from traditional worship services, many churches are seeking cultural relevance. If your church is anything like ours, you will recognize it in this hilarious video.
Fifth Friday Fotos
It’s the fifth Friday of the month, and the perfect time to take a break. Today, instead of writing a post, I figured I’d let some photographs do the talking.
Why not join me in appreciating God’s handiwork by clicking on this link to spectacular panoramas of some absolutely incredible scenery. Then tell God “thank you” for making such a beautiful planet!
Gotcha
Salt in the sugar bowl? Cups of water balanced on the top of the door? April Fool’s Day is only two days away. It’s time to get creative. Why waste your efforts on pranks that have been pulled since Fred short-sheeted Wilma? Yes, my mom always stuck an April Fool note in the middle of my sandwich. But that sort of thing is small potatoes compared to some April Fool’s jokes.
The best April Fool antics are simple to execute, are creative, and harm no one. (If it isn’t funny to everyone involved, it fails, in my book.)
A little research uncovered some pretty amazing stories. Here are a few of my favorites:
Sock it to Me
Today’s the last Friday of the month—time for some randomness. Therefore, I’d like to expound on the wonders of socks.
The stereotypical woman doesn’t care about socks. She wants shoes. Closets full of shoes. Imelda Marcos levels of shoes.[1]
I, however, care very little about shoes. What really makes me smile are socks.
There are numerous ways in which socks are more worthy of our devotion than shoes. For one, they’re cheap. You can pick up a cute pair of socks at a discount store for a dollar. Even my beloved SmartWool socks cost less than most pairs of shoes.
Having a “Ro’tic” Valentine’s Day
It’s Friday, February 12, and in case you’ve been living on Mars, Valentine’s Day is in two days. Once again (or perhaps for the first time in a while), you don’t have a special someone to share the occasion with. Maybe you don’t even have a date. (A girlfriend of mine describes this situation as being “rotic”—E.g., romantic without the “man.”)
If this describes you, you’re probably miserably sulking in a corner somewhere, just trying to endure until next Monday (imagine looking forward to a Monday!) when the whole deal will be over and romance can be ignored until next February.
Shame on you! You’ve surrendered your pride and your self-esteem to Hallmark. Just because you aren’t currently in some sort of relationship, you aren’t a second-class person. Dump the pity party. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Being unattached on Valentine’s Day has some advantages.
The Best Valentine’s Day Ever
All right all you lovers, Valentine’s Day is less than a week away. Feeling the pressure?
What should be a simple holiday encouraging us to love one another has turned into a Big Deal, with sky-high expectations of chocolates, flowers, jewelry, romantic dinners in fancy restaurants, and the perfect partner with whom to share it all.
I’d like a reset, please.
On Friday, I’ll address the angst of facing a couples holiday in a state of singleness. Today is for those currently in a relationship.
With all the Valentine’s Day hype, I have to ask—how realistic are our expectations? Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate and consider what it is we really want. Are chocolates and flowers our goal? Maybe, what we really desire is to be desired. To have our special someone say once again, “I love you.”
Compost 