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Brain of Dane

02
Sep 10Dane
Author Spotlight: Woot!

This is a fairly unconventional author spotlight, but I hope you will bear with me. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you have probably heard of woot.com. If you haven’t heard of woot, let me just tell you a little bit about them.

Woot.com has been selling one deal per day every day since 2004. The site is based out of Dallas and every night at midnight central time, if the current product of the day hasn’t been sold out, they simply post a new product. As ridiculous as it may seem, the site has been highly successful. If you need to learn more, simply go to woot.com and check out their FAQ.

What I mainly want you to focus on while you’re at the site is the product description. While most sites want to be accurate and helpful to their customers, woot takes a different direction and adds entertainment to the mix. I honestly don’t know who does the product descriptions (the author on the blog is listed as wootbot), but there is a distinctly dry sarcasm involved while peppering all of the pertinent information about the product. Here is a sample from a Mobile Receipt Scanner sale:

Hydraulic suspension. Triple chrome dubs. Flaked and laced gold-and-red paint job. This is gonna be the year I take first prize at the West Coast Custom Receipt Scanner Rally.

I first got into customs back in ‘06. ‘Til then I thought a receipt scanner was something that, like, some nerd or somebody might use to scan some receipts or something lame like that. Well, truth be known, I didn’t even know what a receipt scanner was. But if you had told me what one was, I would have punched you in the mouth for boring me half to death.

read the rest here

It just goes on from there. While I have only bought a few items from there, I still visit the site every day, hoping for a good deal on something and enjoying a little bit of entertainment in the meantime.

So go and check it out. Buy yourself a nice new Roomba or a new TV, or at least have a laugh.

sean’s musings

31
Aug 10sean
Mt Rainier Sunrise from Reflection Lakes

On our recent camping trip to Mt Rainier, my buddy Nick and I got up at 5:15am in the 38 degree chill, in order to get to Reflection Lakes in time for sunrise.

When we first showed up, the lake was completely socked in by clouds and we considered bailing. The fog coming off the water was enough to warrant staying a little bit.

When arrived in the second parking lot, we noticed a lot of cars. Apparently there was a photography class going on, so we took our place on the edge of the class, slightly away from everyone.

The clouds cleared for about 20 minutes, just as the sun was rising, and then quickly closed back up leaving the view totally obstructed. It was a beautiful sunrise, and we were lucky enough that the elements aligned to take a couple shots.

It’s crazy how much of getting a “good” landscape shot depends on being in the right place at the right time. I think God smiled on us as the clouds parted for just the right amount of time for us to take our pics. I’m REALLY excited about these.

Random Musings of a Beautiful Letdown

26
Aug 10Amanda
Truth

First off…I have to preface this post, sadly, by saying “I AM NOT ON A QUEST FOR TRUTH!” I know the Truth! I met Him 15 years ago last month! I am not struggling in my faith. I know that the Lord has wonderful, amazing things planned for me here in this life! I know that I was saved for His glory and that I live this life in honor of and to worship Him. My goal is to spread that saving knowledge to others and to one day meet Him face-to-face. I live my life joyfully and with my heart full of love (for both God and for others).

Now…having said that…I post I feel I had to preface it because often, when I post things that come from a secular standpoint, my Christian friends and family misunderstand it to mean that what I’m posting is what I believe. That is absolutely not true! I post things because I think they’re worth thinking about…not because I necessarily feel the same way or agree with that which spurred my writing.

But, going into this, I also have to remember not to judge others, as I don’t know where their relationship with the Lord is, or whether or not they even have one! I’m going to post some lyrics for others to think and reflect on. I tend to think these were written by someone on a quest for Truth (although I cannot judge that the writer doesn’t know the Lord…perhaps they’re simply struggling with their faith, as we ALL do at some point! Any Christian who denies this is fooling themselves!). But coming from what I assume is a non-Christian standpoint, I feel like the persons writing these lyrics are SO CLOSE to understanding God and His salvation, if they don’t already. God can use all things for His glory, and I just pray that He will use things like this to make non-believers start thinking about Him…about His higher purpose for us, and then eventually about what true salvation is.

Ack! This probably doesn’t make sense to most of you out there, but in my crazy, spinning mind, it does So here are some of my favorite Mumford and Sons lyrics…which I hope can actually impact SOME searching souls, whether that’s their intent or not Because think about it…those who don’t trust the Lord, but are deeply impacted by music aren’t USUALLY going to go out and pick up a David Crowder album or some worship album that glorifies God. But perhaps they’re going to pick up Mumford and Sons or Mat Kearney or even Coldplay. And perhaps through some of the more spiritually-based lyrics of some of these bands, they’re going to begin to wonder and begin to look for the deeper meaning behind the songs that tout these words. Perhaps, inadvertently, the seed will be planted for people to know the Truth.

With that…Here you go! Tell me your thoughts and interpretations, but PLEASE…Do not pass judgment on the writers of the songs! That is not for us to do!!!

Nothing is Written

I came home, like a stone
And I fell heavy into your arms
These days of dust which we’ve known
Will blow away with this new sun

And I’ll kneel down
Wait for now

So break my step and relent
You forgave and I won’t forget
Know what we’ve seen and him with less
Now in some way, shake the excess

And I’ll kneel down
Wait for now
And I’ll kneel down
Know my ground

Now I’ll be bold as well as strong
Use my head alongside my heart
So take my flesh and fix my eyes
The tethered mind – free from the lies

And I’ll kneel down
Wait for now
And I’ll kneel down
Know my ground

Raise my hands
Paint my spirit gold
And bow my head
Keep my heart slow

From “Sigh No More”

Love that will not betray you, dismay or enslave you,
It will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be.

There is a Design, an alignment, a cry of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be

From “Awake My Soul”

In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life

Awake my soul, awake my soul
Awake my soul
For you were made to meet your Maker

From “Roll Away Your Stone”

Cause you told me that I would find a hole,
Within the fragile substance of my soul
And I have filled this void with things unreal,
And all the while my character it steals

Darkness is a harsh term don’t you think?
And yet it dominates the things I see

It seems that all my bridges have been burned,
But you say that’s exactly how this grace thing works
It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart,
But the welcome I receive with the restart

Darkness is a harsh term don’t you think?
And yet it dominates the things I see

To Darkness

I will not fall
Once more I’m called
Time comes for all
Then dark is whole

But oh, my heart was flawed
I knew my weakness
So hold my hand
Subscribe me not to darkness

I will not speak of your sin
There is a way out for him
The mirror shows not
Your values are shot

But oh, my heart was flawed
I knew my weakness
So hold my hand
Subscribe me not to darkness

And I fall short

But oh, my heart was flawed
I knew my weakness
So hold my hand
Subscribe me not to darkness

Little Heart

16
Aug 10Nixie Pixie
changed my mind

how important it is for Christians to know how to live whole lives, holy lives.

naturally, too much favoritism poured into living a certain way can result in a legalistic mindset, but, i think that so little weight is put on us anymore, that lifestyle doesn’t matter anymore. it’s as though how we live, what we say, what we do isn’t a problem as long as we openly confess, “i’m struggling with this or that,” but then we keep saying, doing, and living however we want. not always, of course. but, i’ve registered this as a common thing among Believers.

it’s good to be honest, and it’s good to struggle, because if you ARE struggling with something, you will need an answer, a friend, a comfort, and be willing to accept advice from Scripture and godly people. no one would know you need help unless you talk about it.

that’s how you CEASE struggling. however, if your favorite thing to do is complain about life, whine that God isn’t close enough, go on rants that no one understands you and that nobody cares, and not accept assistance, then perhaps you are not really interested in finding God, going deeper, and conquering all your vices. you’re not really looking for answers. or maybe you just don’t like the answers you’re getting.

i speak to myself as much as to anyone else.

walking in the Truth is not easy. it’s not always a breezy stroll through a world of wonderful feelings. it’s harder than that most of the time, and that’s okay. struggles really are good, but only if you’re actually fighting them, and not letting them steamroll your faith. there are some things i’ve never thought to doubt, but there are things i’ve been curious about, and want to find out why these things are so.

i’ve realized, though, that when questions about God arise – the basics like, “why does God send people to hell if He’s so loving?” come out of brains and mouths because they haven’t studied God. or they haven’t trusted Him or found Him trustworthy. i’ve not questioned that aspect of Him, because i have been blessed enough to know Him closely, and i understand His motivations better than to ask that. the answer i would give is only going to sound mechanical to anyone who doesn’t know Him closely, and might just bounce off a hardened heart if they’re asking the question, anyway.

knowledge – and the regular study – of God is what causes one to live a holy life. because to live like He wants us to, we must know who He is, what He wants…and aren’t we happier knowing “why” something is? it comes with knowing God, which leads to loving God.

the regular study and better knowledge is what i am currently after, and i want to put down some things i find out about God that help uncover who He is, because i have let my faith become frail with disuse.

xoxoxoxo

Gompers Growing Up

15
Jun 10dan
Easter Eggs and Ear Aches

Sorry for the delay in posting. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been able to sit down and do this. First I was working nights and babysitting days, so any break in the action and I was sleeping. Then I got laid off, so more regular rest. But all my spare time has gone into getting the house ready to sell. Most of that’s done, so I hope to post more regularly.

So, you may have heard there was a wedding last month. We decided to grace the event with our presence, no matter the hardships we would endure and overcome. The following is the saga of our epic journey.

We flew out of Indianapolis early Thursday morning. We were quite the sight going through the airport. Two big suitcases, a car seat in a carrier, a carry-on bag, a back pack, the laptop case, the inevitable diaper bag, and a baby in a stroller. Even after we checked the big bags and car seat, we still had a lot of stuff! On the first flight to Denver, Beth was great , she slept most of the way.

O.k., I started this blog a month and a half ago. I’m gonna finish it real quick like. The second half of the flight Beth got cranky. We thought she was just tired and upset. Turns out she had an ear infection. Imagine the pain when we changed altitudes. Anyway, we went to the wedding, had a great time. If you were there, you know what I’m talking about. If you weren’t, you should have been. Had a wonderful time the rest of the trip, it was too short. Here are some pics of Beth from the trip. Sarah’s mom made her dress for the wedding and my mom made her Easter dress. Coming soon, POTTY TRAINING!

I'm related to these people?

Shoes are hard, so is modesty.Just like Daddy, just not the anger.

Pretty dress and a dog to play with.These came out of a bunny?

Flower girl? I don't know what it means, but everyone's looking.Me and my pajama jam crew.

Me and my pajama jam crew.

These came out of a bunny?Just like Daddy, just not the anger.

mumblings of a humble servant

19
Oct 09sarah
Kate and Amanda

Sean and I took the lovely kate and amanda out on a photoshoot and had a blast. It was a little cold but thats oregon for ya! It took me forever to finally finish these but here they are! ah1 ah2 ah3 ah4 ah5 ak4 ka1 ka2