Seriously... one of the best... FAITH

Seriously -
This is one of the funniest, thought provoking, shallow and deep TV shows.

I like it!




Eli Stone
ABC, 10pm.

Funeral for a Friend

This morning Dawn & I went to the funeral of a friend of mine. David James Cranford. I met Dave when he came to work at Argent Mortgage. Dave left Argent months before I did - but we kept in contact and we were friends. A couple of us had a nick-name for him, "Turd Ferguson" - what... why that name, well if you have ever seen Saturday Night Live, you will know what I am talking about. "Turd Ferguson", that's a funny name.



Dave loved that...

At the funeral, during the eulogy and while listening to the family 'storytellers' I found myself wondering about death - funerals and the like - which I am sure that many people in attendance were doing as well.

But, I had a rather distressing phone call this morning from a good friend that is struggling with some personal stuff right now - which really had me thinking about how God works in the lives of those who serve him and those who don't.

As far as I knew - from my many talks with Dave (since he sat next to me at Argent) he never really admitted to knowing who Jesus was - in fact, he commented on various occasions about how my relationship is 'good for me' but he didn't have the same relationship. I tried to plant that seed, to walk with him as did our manager, Jeff. But, Dave was a strong willed man - he would choose when he wanted.

I was very saddened to hear of his death, knowing that - for as much as I knew - Dave didn't know Jesus - and being a Christ follower, I know what that means when you die.

Dave's family (wife's family) is Mormon, but he was not. During the 'comforting words' talk at the funeral there were statements like, "Now that Dave has moved on to the next level" and when the speaker took the opportunity to tell everyone where Dave is right now, he spoke of a 'place' where the soul and body are detached from each other, until Jesus rejoins them as one. The speaker quoted scripture - but still it felt odd. Odd because it wasn't true. Dave isn't there.

Now as Christ followers I know what happens at death - but I also know that during our lives, Jesus gives us the opportunity to grow in our faith with him through trials, both good and bad. So my thoughts (and prayers) turn to my good friend who is struggling - knowing that he is in God's favor - even though it doesn't feel like it - don't you hate it when God is doing something so big in your life that when he rocks your world you try to run from it - but can't. It is during that time my Calvinism comes in handy - I know a Sovereign God and I know a God that irresistibly calls us to him (those he chooses) and I know a God that knows we are human, frail, full of sin and fault and thus only He can give us the grace we don't deserve. As humans, we are full of fault and blame and fall into sin - we trip on our sanctity robes all the time. Fall flat on our face. Sometimes even trip others around us. Or, worse yet, fall on innocent people when we trip. But you know what comforts me? Knowing Jesus Christ - and knowing that He knows me. Blessed Assurance.

So, as I sat there in the 1970's looking pew at Saddleback Chapel's Funeral's and Crematorium, I realized - We Christ followers lead a tough life - filled with challenge and at the same time, loaded with grace. And on the day we are called home, we will be rejoicing with the Christ followers that have gone before us. Those who do not serve our Lord however, may have what appear to be joyful lives - yet have an eternity of...

Nothing.

So I was comforted in that thought...
...and even more deeply saddened that David James Cranford may not be there.

Lunar Eclipse Tonight

Depending on where you are you may be able to see a RED Moon tonight!

On Wednesday, February 20, 2008, beginning at 7:01 p.m. PST, the moon will move completely under the shadow of the Earth in a total lunar eclipse. The eclipse can be seen in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Hope for good weather because the next total lunar eclipse won't happen until December 2010. The moon will be completely under Earth's shadow for about 50 minutes. During this time, the moon won't be completely obscured because of indirect light coming from the Earth's atmosphere. But the moon will appear to change colors from light gray to orange or deep red. The shade depends on the amount of dust and clouds in the Earth's atmosphere. Caption and Graphic Credit: NASA TV – Sequence Image Credit: F. Espenak

The whole KITT and kaboodle...

Ok, I just forced my family (yes, including Mike) to watch the DVR'd series premiere of Knight Rider.

I loved it. I didn't know how much I knew about the infamous Michael Knight and the Knight Industries Two Thousand (K.I.T.T.) car... until I found myself putting the show on 'pause' to explain to my two children who the original was (my son's jaw dropped when I told him the original was the 'Hoff...), what his mission was, who F.L.A.G is (the foundation for law and government) and the entire KITT team.

Anyway - I sure am glad I DVR'd the whole thing cuz the commercials would have turned my stomach - that aside, the serious product placement was getting out of control with all the Fords everywhere and the constant close up's of the Ford logo, sheesh - and me being a GM man (yeah, I know I drive a Dodge - but come on Cummins kicks serious boo-tay) was very saddened by the replacement of the original Firebird

with a Mustang -

But hey, if you are going to replace a GM - you do it with a Shelby GT500KR - right!

I like that 'Doc Holiday' (Val Kilmer) graces the show with his voice for the car. Overall, to be honest, the car is the best part of the whole show.

Guess who's (or is it whose) birthday is today.

No.. Not Lincoln or Washington - although it is "President's Day"...



It's hers....



do you remember her... do you know who it is?

If I tell you - you will feel really, really OLD.


She just turned 40

...along with

Dr. Dre (43)
Matt Dillon (44)
Vanna White (51)
John Travolta (54)
Cybill Shepard (58)
Yoko Ono (75)


give up yet.. or have you guessed?


It is Molly Ringwald...

remember

Apple bottom jeans and the boots with the fur....

I have been trying to find a way to get this song on my blog - it happens to be my favorite right now...

Then I stumbled on this ad... which really showcases the reason why I like this song - it makes me dance... yeah, sorta like the 'kids' in the video... best you just watch it...



I saw the original movie and love it. Now I want to see this one - it opened valentine's day - but I had other plans...

Valentine's Day, actually Night

Well, the dudes took the ladies out for a night of GREAT food and even better company.

I hired a car to pick up the group...

and take us to "the Melting Pot" for their special Valentine's Dinner. We enjoyed a 5 course meal and an evening with great friends. Seriously, if you have never eaten here - you have missed true "dining".

Darrenn really began to enjoy himself on the ride home....

Thanks for the great night Darren & Jenny and Tim & Michelle!

The PRESIDENT signed the "Stimulus Package"

What does it mean when you have a REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT - a president that is concerned with the nation's economy. Ok all you haters out there...

The Fed. Stimulus Package

President Bush signed the Fed. Stimulus Package today.

This should bring new loan business.

1. FHA......

New loan limits of 125% of median price with a max. of$729.750. Reverse mortgages, 203(k) loans and standard loans shouldincrease.

2. Conforming Loan Limits.....

Could be raised to as high as $725,000.

3. Tax Rebates......

More cash for buyers! $300 to $1,200

4. Refinances....

Will become affordable again!Plus....

5. FHA Secure....

Helping owners with teaser rates to refinance.

6. Project "Lifeline".....

Some homeowners will be given the opportunityto put the foreclosure process on hold for 30 days while lenders work outa way to make the mortgage more affordable.

Update on the Strike

...and now for some important news:

In case you have read every book in the library and are wondering when TV will return to it's regularly scheduled programming...

I stumbled on this post: When do our shows come back?

Comedies will return to the air first after the strike ends, because of shorter production schedules and leftover scripts, while serialized dramas take longest. Most shows will return from mid- to late April with four to six new episodes.

A partial list:Expected to return with new episodes this spring
•Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
•Desperate Housewives (ABC)
•The CSIs (CBS)
•Ugly Betty (ABC)
•House (Fox)
•ER (NBC)
•Two and a Half Men (CBS)
•The Law & Orders (NBC)
•Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
•Big Bang Theory (CBS)
•Lost (ABC)
•Criminal Minds (CBS)
•The Office (NBC)
•30 Rock (NBC)
•My Name Is Earl (NBC)
•Without a Trace (CBS)
•Cold Case (CBS)
•Samantha Who? (ABC)
•NCIS (CBS)
•Gossip Girl (CW)

Back, but not until later
•Pushing Daisies (ABC)
•Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)
•Private Practice (ABC)
•Chuck (NBC)
•Life (NBC)
•Heroes (NBC)
•24 (Fox)

Gone for good
•Big Shots (ABC)
•Bionic Woman (NBC)
•Cane (CBS)
•Cavemen (ABC)
•Carpoolers (ABC)
•Journeyman (NBC)
•K-Ville (Fox)

TV Guide is keeping an up-to-the-hour update on the shows... here is what they say...

24 -Season 7 likely postponed until January '09.
30 Rock -Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.
Chuck -No new episodes until fall.
Criminal Minds -Expected to shoot 4 to 9 new episodes to air in March/April/May.
CSI -Expected to shoot 4 to 8 new episodes to air in March/April/May.
CSI: Miami -Expected to shoot 4 to 9 new episodes to air in March/April/May.
Heroes -No new episodes expected until fall.
House -Expected to shoot 4 to 6 new episodes to air in April/May.
Lost -Six pre-strike episodes remain. Five additional episodes could air this season.
NCIS -Expected to shoot 5 to 9 new episodes to air in March/April/May.
The Office -Expected to shoot 6 new episodes to air in April/May.
Pushing Daisies -No new episodes until fall.

Huge discussion... simple answer...

Well, at the LOST season premiere we all had our opinions of who was in "Jacob's Chair".

Well many websites, blogs and discussion boards have posted this picture...

There is a conversation with Hurley himself here. Where he reveals that it is Jack's dad in the chair.

But why?

The other question we discussed was, "Who's eye was that in Jacob's house?"

Check out this website for possible answers and a very clean HD clip that shows the whole face of the person - I still can't tell who it was.

Stuff to ponder.

I wanted to know which candidate I really agree with the most so, I took this quiz and got this result.

	John McCain Score: 70	Agree Iraq Taxes Stem-Cell Research Health Care Abortion Social Security Line-Item Veto Energy Death Penalty Gun Control Environment Education	Disagree Immigration Marriage
-- Take the Quiz! --

Huckabee was 2nd with a 62% agreement.

It was no surprise at all that I am in 5% agreement with Hillary (she is on the bottom of the list) and we only see eye for an eye (I mean eye to eye) on the death penalty.

How do you compare to your favorite candidate(s)?

Does anyone wonder....

Whatever happened to this guy?



Didn't think so...