-

Warning: If you are avoiding spoilers for Lost, stop reading now?

Lost is my favorite show on TV and is fast becoming my favorite show ever. If you have not been watching it, go rent the DVDs.

The season 2 finale was on last night and it was awesome. This whole season there has been an underlying theme about faith. To make a very long story way too short, there is a guy on the island named John Locke. Before the plane crash (the show is about these people that crash landed on an island) Locke was paralyzed, we don?t know why we just know that he couldn?t walk. After the plane crash he could walk, he experienced a miracle (we are lead to believe it is because of the island.) Through a series of events over the course of both seasons, he develops a faith in ?the island? (I know it sounds weird but it makes sense in the context of the show.)

So, in season two we find out that there is this computer in this hatch that has to have a certain sequence of numbers entered in every 108 minutes or the world will end. Locke believes it whole heartedly, it is part of his faith in the island. Others question the reasoning and suggest that it may all be a game and that the world really will not end. Locke is undeterred and is faithful in pushing the button. That is until a series of events cause him to question the reason for pushing the button and his faith in the island.

Someone lies to him and tells him that they didn?t hit the button and nothing happened when, in fact, they did hit the button (which we don?t find out until the finale.) That lie put a crack in his faith which was split wide open when he finds another hatch with an instructional video instructing the residents of that hatch to monitor the button pushing hatch and record their actions, as a behavioral experiment. Once Locke finds this out he has a crisis of belief and rejects his faith, thinking he has all the facts, thinking that he can see the big picture, thinking the button did nothing and that it was nothing more than a psychological experiment. Then he acts on that unbelief and the error of his ways almost destroys the world.

In the finale we find out that the button actually does something. It discharges some sort of electromagnetic field that builds up every 108 minutes. Locke doesn?t believe it and is determined to keep the button from being pressed in order to free himself and everyone else from the ?oppression? of having to press the button. He destroys the computer so the button cannot be pressed, the counter reaches 0, alarms go off, and the whole hatch starts to shake, metal starts flying towards the center of the hatch and Locke begins to see the error of his ways. His faith is restored when he sees that his assumption (arrogance) that he knew the whole picture begins to literally blow up in his face. And not only that, the consequence of his actions threatened him and everyone around him.

As I watched that I thought, ?what a great allegory!? I don't think I've seen matters of faith treated so well and so intelligently as they are on this show. Its just not so obvious at first glance.

If you want to know what happened next, you?ll have to watch the show.

]]>

-

I have always been a wand'rer, over land and sea.

Yet a moonbeam on the water, casts a spell o'er me.

A vision fair I see, again I seem to be.

Back Home again in Indiana

And it seems that I can see

The gleaming candlelight still shining bright

Thro' the sycamores for me

The new mown hay sends all its fragrance

From the fields I used to roam

When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash

Then I long for my Indiana home.

Fancy paints on mem'ry's canvas,

Scenes that we hold dear

We recall them in days after,

Clearly they appear.

And often times I see, a scene that's dear to me.

Back Home again in Indiana

And it seems that I can see

The gleaming candlelight still shining bright

Thro' the sycamores for me

The new mown hay sends all its fragrance

From the fields I used to roam

When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash

Then I long for my Indiana home

I was going through a ?thing? a couple of weeks ago when I was really missing Indiana. Although I know we are called to ministry and we love Arkansas, Indiana will always be home.

May is a great time in Indiana. School gets out for the summer, there are blooms on all the trees and all the flowers are popping out. There is the Indianapolis mini-marathon and the Greatest Spectacle in Racing: the Indianapolis 500, which will be this weekend. I had been to the qualifications or time trials many times but never to the race. That is something I always wanted to do but never did.

This got me to thinking about other things that I love about Indiana and Columbus and the things I miss or just bring warm memories.

I love springtime. Washington Street is beautiful with all the white blooms lining both sides of the streets. When the wind blows it showers white petals from the trees. Also on Washington St is the Commons Mall. The playground in that place has been around since I was a kid but it is so stinkin dangerous. Any parent who has been there will know what I am talking about. Ah, the Chaos and its metal ?bowling balls.? Do you know if I close my eyes, I can see and hear the cycle of that thing? It was always fun to throw pennies into the water around it. I enjoyed it as have Luke and Elizabeth. It was always fun to see kids fall in that thing, my kids included!

Washington Street is also the town?s parade route, whether it be Ethnic Expo or the Christmas parade. Where else in America can you see the city?s newest trash and/or recycling truck in the parade?..oh yeah, don?t forget every Girl Scout/ Boy Scout troop in the county!

Zaharako?s, also on Washington Street, is an excellent place to get a cinnamon coke. They are AWESOME!!

Incidently, Washington Street is shown in the movie, Madison. The men go to steal a jet engine from an old military plane. That plane sits right outside the Columbus Courthouse. Also, the bank that is in that movie is across the street from the Commons Mall.

Indiana is also home of some famous people: David Letterman, John Cougar Mellancamp, Jane Pauley, Sandy Patti, Larry Bird (Indiana State University alum (woohoo!), and Tony Stewart. If I sat here long enough I could think of a lot more. Oh, this is the part where Mike would chime in???He would say ?Karen almost married Tony Stewart.? Completely false, of course. My junior year of high school, Tony was a senior. No one had asked me to the prom so I asked him if he wanted to go. He said he would like to but had a race the same night. I went ahead and asked another friend instead. The next day Tony came to school and said his car was in the shop and wouldn?t be finished in time. He asked if I still wanted to go to the prom. I was too much of a nice person to cancel with the other person.

At this point it is just easier to list all the great things that I miss and love:

Knowing exactly where someplace is without needing directions or street names, the Crump theatre, Bartholomew County 4-H Fair (where else can you see someone you haven?t seen in years?) watching airplanes take off at Bakalar while eating in The Hanger restaurant. The farmhouse and the many memories made for my kiddos there, 2941 18th Street and boy and girl neighbor & Katie dog, 460th 25th Street (the first house I ever lived in/ Mike and I moved in right after our first anniversary), 2018 Fremont Drive (my mobile home address for 24 years).

Aldi grocery store (dirt cheap and you can actually stay UNDER budget), stopping by Grandpa?s classroom to watch robots and/or cars, seeing people I know almost everywhere I go, not fearing for my life every time I drive!, fresh watermelon, tomatoes, corn on the cob, and ?Fireworks Display (you fill in the year)? at Grandpa Riley?s. We miss Donner Park with the shuffle board court and public swimming pool, the Hospice concerts at Mill Race Park and the fun Kiddie shows at Donner in the summer, First Christian Church Preschool and Moms at Heart, CNHS fall football games, Hoosier Hysteria, Colts, Pacers, Indianapolis at Christmas (especially Monument Circle), Mexico Viejo,

There is also a ?country? smell of the surrounding corn fields, driving on the back roads at dusk, Hardin?s Christmas Tree Farm, Youth Camp, Grouse Ridge, going by Garland Brook to put flowers on Emma?s and my mom?s grave, taking walks down Franklin Street, Popfest, softball games at Lincoln Park, Bulldog Lanes (bowling alley), Columbus Skateland (Celebration?long live Kool and the Gang!), Lucas Brothers, having donuts with the kiddos at The Olympia, going to Brown County in the fall, Beckers (which will always be A&W to me), cow tipping, Homemade Ice cream and lemon shakeups, Oktoberfest, ISU, family gatherings at CERAland and Dad?s house, Community Church of Columbus, my family and friends.

I am looking forward to the 4th of July as I will be back home again, in Indiana!

]]>

- I told them I would do it. Luke decided he wanted to be bulbed (bald)and Isaiah wanted a buzz. Elizabeth wanted a boy cut.

I began with Luke, did Isaiah's, and finished with Elizabeth. I will leave Elijah's first cut for a salon or barber so we can tape and take pictures.

After about 45 minutes of cutting and shaving, Luke became a hairless little boy who looks like a little cancer patient! He likes it. The past two mornings we have lubed his head in sunscreen. Last night Elizabeth decided to use that shiny white head as a fresh slate for green permanent marker. What did she write? “Elizabeth,” respectively!

]]>

- …everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7

Each one of us was built by God with the purpose of glorifying him. I don't know why he did but he tells us he did.

How do we glorify God? I'm guessing there are nearly infinite ways to glorify God but there are some ways that come natural to you.

You know, those things you do that you have a knack or talent for, those are the things you can do to glorify God. The things that God has called us to do.

“So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded.

Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.” - Exodus 36:1-2

Bezalel and Oholiab had been given skills and abilities by God. And, here is the key, they were willing to work. Willing to work in the area that God had gifted them. Have you ever seen someone trying to do something where they clearly do not have the gift? It is usually obvious to everyone around them before it is obvious to them. And it usually isn't bringing glory to God.

Here's the thing, we are glorifying God whenever we are doing what he built us to do and when we are doing that it brings us pleasure and joy.

The preacher preaching a sermon,

The teacher leading a Bible study.

The musician crafting a song.

(those are the easy ones, we see them in church every Sunday)

The mother raising her children.

The doctor treating a patient.

The policeman walking a beat.

The pilot flying a plane.

The architect designing a building.

The carpenter building a cabinet.

The engineer designing a machine.

The programmer writing code.

All of those things can be done in a way to bring glory to God and they bring pleasure to the person doing them. Those last two are what I was built for. I get excited about them, I enjoy them. If I were independently wealthy, I would still want to do something in either of those fields, just for the fun if it. I like it.

I am at FamilyLife doing what God designed me to do. Its behind the scenes, I'm not out planning FamilyLife events or counseling couples or speaking on the radio. I am behind a computer, working with others to design and build software, without which, the ministry could not operate or at least could not operate at the level it does and reach the number of people world wide that they do.

Every one of us has a gift, talent or ability that can be used to bring glory to God. In fact, that is the reason you have that very talent. So, quit reading this and go find where you can use it to bring glory to God. And have fun!

Side note: I know there is a difference between a spiritual gift and being gifted with a skill. I recognize I've sort of blurred that line here.

]]>

-

asparagus urine (#1 by far with 16 hits not counting the other variations. What sort of freaks search for this kind of stuff
As The Dear Panteth words

Ezekiel horse emission(See this post for details)

as the dear panteth

as the dear panteth for the water chords

asparagus smelling urine

asparagus-urine

chicken necks

dog returns to its vomit. bible

familylife and missionary staff

isaiah's blog

nip it barney midi

toenail dirt smell

weird smelling urine

andy griffith song about barney to the tune of my darling cleme

as the dear panteth in the bible

joseph addai-highligh-

toenail dirt toejam

]]>

- Weekend To Remember conference attendees that I will be meeting with plus some friends of my friends.

Not sure how its all going to turn out or what my final schedule will look like. I'm a little nervous about it, not knowing if I will be able to gain new monthly supporters. Fortunately, I'm not in control.

]]>

-

We layed him on our bed and smothered the tick with alcohol. Once it was dead Mike used tweezers to get it out. Although it scared Luke, it was pretty humorous to watch him as he realized it wasn't a leaf that was stuck on him. The more he tried to rub it off the more worked up he got. MOMMY THERE IS SOMETHING ON ME!!

]]>

-

]]>

Joseph Addai yesterday.

He's the first round draft pick for the Colts that will compete with Dominic Rhodes for starting running back.

After seeing that, Bill Polian just might retain his title of “Draft Genius.”

Addai looks like he has many of the same skills as James and then some. He can make holes, cut on a dime and has a killer stiff-arm. Plus he has more speed than James. The only thing missing from the reel is blocking plays. I'd like to see if he can lay down a block like James.]]>

Hollywood is working on a Knight Rider movie. This coming on the heels of Starsky & Hutch, The Dukes of Hazard, and the upcoming Miami Vice.

Ok Hollywood, you've been at this for about 100 years now and it is obvious that you are tapped out of ideas. Time to hang it up and let someone else give it a shot.

And they wonder why ticket sales continue on the decline. What movie exec gives the go-ahead to these things?]]>

Over the weekend I pondered what the past year has been like as far as the spiritual and nonspiritual growth in my life. Also, I have had many opportunities I would otherwise not have.

Next Saturday I will participate in my first 5K Walk/Run. It is called Run for Their Lives. It is a benefit for a couple different local ministries. I thought it would be fun to say I “have done that.” Actually, since we had been walking 3 1/2 miles each day I know I can walk 3.1 miles. It will be fun plus I get a new t-shirt

I have been on t.v. twice since we have lived here. The first was the Knock-Knock makeover last December. The camera arrived at my door at 4:30 a.m. I went to a local salon, received a free makeover, while being televised throughout the morning newscast.

About a week later the kids and I were on the same station while we were visiting “Santa” at the River Market.

I have served on the Women's Ministry Team at our church and I am now on the planning committee for the FamilyLife Women's Retreat.

I am enjoying myself and am thankful I have been able to do these things.

]]>

The East side is shorter but much harder.

Time up: 24 minutes

Time down: 23 minutes

Climbing down the rock piles is difficult.

I found a little plastic football close to the top. I thought, “Sweet! I wonder how far I can throw this.” Its so steep up there it looked like I could throw it to the bottom of the mountain. It went about 50 feet. :-(]]>

Monthly Man

:-)]]>

Geek Alert! If you are not a geek, please read no further…

http://www.therileyfamily.org

Ok, for the past month or so I've been working on updating the website. I've been toying around with CSS and PHP figuring out how to make things work in IE and Firefox (no small task.) Finally got a design I'm happy with (for now) and will soon be porting the blog section of the site over to Wordpress (very cool, free blog software.) Before I do I want to get it to look like the rest of the site.

I'll also be porting Karen's blog over too. Does anyone know how to run multiple blogs from the same Wordpress install?

Check out the rest of the site. Any graphic or web designers out there? I could use some pointers.]]>