I started blogging almost five years ago, right after graduating from college.  A lot has changed since then; I have changed since then. In some ways, I have lost interest in blogging.   I have certainly lost the extra time required for it.  I am also more aware of the dangers of expressing my opinion on so many issues.

If I do go back to blogging, it will likely be to keep my relatives and friends updated on my family.

I have enjoyed posting.  I hope that you have enjoyed reading.

I wouldn’t trade places with any man in the world (not even a former version of me).  God is so good!

2. A prayer for those who want to want God.

3. Signs of Spring (Great pictures at the Big Picture Blog)

4. Why a man should carry a handkerchief at all times (from the Art of Manliness blog.  I just started doing this about a month ago, after reading a similar post about it.)

On January 22, the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, President Obama issued a statement:  “While [abortion] is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make.”

The next evening, after the news people had put away their cameras and notebooks for the day, the President quietly rescinded the Mexico City Policy. This was an executive order first implemented by Ronald Reagan that barred federal funds from groups that perform or promote abortions overseas.”

[...]

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Russell Moore noted, that this is  “akin to civil rights activists joining hands with pro-lynching vigilantes in … early 20th-century America to ‘reduce the number of lynchings’ through better funding of segregated African American school systems.”

[...]

More states are passing legislation that works to reduce abortion. Fewer Americans now support abortion on demand. America’s youth are increasingly pro-life. Crisis pregnancy centers are full of volunteers. Planned Parenthood is under more scrutiny than it has been in decades. And the abortion rate really is decreasing. It’s now at the lowest level since 1974.

We are not talking about reducing the abortion rate. We are actually doing it.

Read the whole article.

On a similar note, a recent study finds which U.S. city has the highetst murder rate.  The answer will surprise you.   [HT: Justin Taylor]

Mark Story at the Lexington-Herald Leader writes:

Some Kentucky basketball backers are calling for a boycott of potential UK games in the NIT. Others want the school to refuse to play in the second-tier tournament at all

[...]

Kentucky is 20-13 this season. It is a loser of 26 games in the past two seasons. It is a loser of 51 games in the past four seasons. Right now, UK basketball is an NIT-level program. So those elements of the Kentucky fan base who are acting like the NIT is somehow beneath UK basketball are deluding themselves.

Kentucky should accept an NIT bid and make a good-faith effort to win the tournament. Alabama football does not turn down the Independence Bowl because in the past it has played in many Sugar Bowls. Jennifer Aniston went out with Vince Vaughn after she lost Brad Pitt. UK fans may as well make the best from this.

It’s official now that UK has had to settle for the NIT tournament.  Some people see UK missing “the Big Dance” as the equivalent of Coach Gillispie smacking their wife, and they want him to pay for his awful actions.  Some people need only to look at a box score to  evaluate a player’s human dignity.  I am trying to remind myself that win or lose, it’s only a game.

While I have found myself often (very often) disappointed and frustrated with this season’s team, they have not failed me.  They don’t owe me anything.  These young men are people who just happen to play basketball, and I know that they are more frustrated with this season than I am.  They are sons, brothers, students, and friends to other real people.

I think that for many people (myself included), this has been a “check-your-god season. “  For non-UK fans, hopefully you don’t get revved up by seeing other people fail.  For the UK fans,  hopefully, your world hasn’t collapsed.  For all, hopefully your primary source of joy is the immutable and faithful God.  He will never disappoint.  He will always be the victor.

I wish you could listen to the whole song.  A short audio clip (Track #6) is the best I could find on the web.

Intro:

Lyrics:

It knocked me down, it dragged me out, It left me there for dead.
It took all the freedom I wanted and gave me something else instead.
It blew my mind, it bled me dry, it hit me like a long goodbye,
and nobody here knows better than I that it’s a good thing.
Love is a good thing.

It’ll fall like rain on your parade, laugh at the plans that you tried to make.
It’ll wear you down till your heart just breaks and it’s a good thing.
Love is a good thing.

It’ll wake you up in the middle of the night, it’ll take just a little too much.
It’ll burn you like a cinder till you’re tender to the touch.
It’ll chase you down, swallow you whole.
It’ll make your blood run hot and cold.
Like a thief in the night it’ll steal your soul, and that’s a good thing.
Love is a good thing.

It’ll follow you down to the ruin of your great divide,
and open the wounds that you tried to hide.
And there in the rubble of the heart that died you’ll find a good thing.
Love is a good thing.

Take cover, the end is near.
Take cover, but do not fear.

It’ll break your will, it’ll change your mind.
It’ll loose all the chains of the ties that bind.
If you’re lucky you’ll never make it out alive,
and that’s a good thing. Love is a good thing.

It can hurt like a blast from a hand grenade
when all that used to matter is blown away.
There in the middle of the mess it made you’ll find a good thing.
Yes, it’s worth every penny of the price you paid.
It’s a good thing.
Love is a good thing.
Do not fear.

The night of the birthday party, I was driving back home after picking up pizzas.  I decided to prepare a little bit for the prayer that I would say in front of family and friends before the meal.  I reflected on Noah’s first year, and my first year as a father.  There have been a lot of joyous occasions–a lot of laughing, smiling, and “awww-ing.”  But it has certainly been more than that.  I realized that because of Noah, my wife and I work harder and sleep less.  We have less money and less time for ourselves.  And then, while driving, I started to tear up at the thought of God’s blessings.

No, I didn’t go back to thinking about all the happy moments.  It’s the other stuff that is the biggest blessing.  It’s the stuff that I wouldn’t ask for.  It’s the stuff that I don’t desire. It’s the stuff that involves discomfort, inconvenience, sacrifice, and…well faith. You see, I’m a sinner who needs to be changed.  I’m still going through that refining process.  Marriage and parenthood are two of the processes that God uses the most to sanctify and humble his people.  I am so thankful to God for his mercy and grace to me through those things. I am so thankful to God for giving me a son and a wife to love.

Derek Webb said it well: “Love is different than you’d think.  It’s never in a song or on a TV screen.  And love is harder than a word said at the right time, and everything’s alright.”

The path of love involves self-sacrifice and pain.  Christ showed us that in his cross.  And no servant is greater than his master.

I just ordered four CD’s: “Psalms,” “Together for the Gospel–Live,” “Songs for the Cross Centered Life,” and “Savior.”  I already have the “Valley of Vision” CD, and I highly recommend it.  I have also read Stop Dating the Church and The Cross Centered Life, and highly recommend both.  All of their stuff is Christ-centered and richly rooted in the gospel.  You can’t go wrong with any choice.

The website is great too.  They have long audio clips for all of the songs, and they have a free download of one entire song from each album.  Even if you have never heard of them, at $6 they are worth a try.  But hurry.  The sale is only good for February.