HymnSunday - Old Rugged Cross

Philippians 2:8 (NIV) And being found in appearance as a man, the humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!

Words & Music: George Bennard, 1913

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

Pic 'o the Week-o - Say Cheese!

Have a great weekend.

New Fall Shows

Chuck
Humor, action, government secrets, placed in an everyday setting. Chuck has a little bit of everything, and it works. The characters are likable. The plot, though a bit far-fetched (but c'mon, it's TV), is intriguing. This was as fun, exciting, entertaining, humorous a new show as I've seen in quite some time. This has the potential to be the best new show of the year, in my book.
- 2 thumbs up from Stephen

I liked Chuck because its action sequences reminded me of Alias in its glory days and also because the title character possesses a charm and likeability reminiscent of Adam Brody's turn as Dave on Gilmore Girls or Jim Halpert on The Office. Stephen's right in saying that Chuck has a bit of everything, and while sometimes that can make for a show with little cohesiveness, it works for this one. I'm looking forward to seeing how the season develops, and I hope the next episodes are as good as, or surpass, the first one.
-2 thumbs up from Erin

Back to You
There were some humorous moments of the show. It will be well-acted with Kelsey Grammer (Frazier), Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond), and Fred Williard. The concept and setting of it taking place on a news show setting is unique. I'm not sure how much drama they're going to try to include, but it seemed to be about half and half in the premiere. It appears to be back story driven, and I'm not sure I'm interested in that. I'm still undecided on if I'll be watching regularly. I'll give the 2nd episode a try and then decide.
- 1 thumb up from Stephen

Aside from the seemingly requisite side character who inserts raunchy oneliners into the dialogue, I didn't mind Back to You. I have to disagree about the setting being unique; Mary Tyler Moore also took place on a news set, as have other shows, but I do think that having Kelsey Grammer play an anchor who is returning to his first station after falling from his elite status is interesting. Heaton and Grammer have good rapport together, but I feel like the show is going to head in a rather predictable direction. While entertaining, the show probably won't be on my "must-see" list.
-1 thumb up from Erin

Journeyman
This just didn't work for me. It seemed choppy and confusing. I didn't relate to or sympathize with the main character. I'm a fan of time travel movies, books, shows, and I was hoping for something more along the lines of Quantum Leap. In the end, I just didn't care enough about the plot or any of characters to consider watching this again in the future.
- 0 thumbs up from Stephen

I think Journeyman is trying to revamp Quantum Leap, but I don't think it works so well. The plot had me a bit intrigued, but I was left with too many questions by the show's end, and I don't think I have the patience to endure one more show that thrives on raising questions in the minds of the viewers while rarely answering them (see LOST and Heroes and, for a brief time, The Nine). Having just taught a time-themed composition class last semester, I was curious to see how time would be dealt with in this show, but it often was hard to determine exactly what time the main character was in. Good in theory but poor in execution, Journeyman will likely not keep my interest.
-.5 thumbs up from Erin

Poll of the Week - Furnace or Lions?

In a reasonably close and spread out result, Bourne Ultimatum takes the best (among the highest grossing) movie thus far this year. That was my choice as well. I think it was definitely the best of the trilogy. It was a fun, action packed summer movie. I don't know that it will rank among the all time greats, but it was definitely with the price of admission.

This week's poll question:

There were two situations in the book of Daniel in which God saved His people from a dire circumstance: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace and Daniel from the lions’ den. They each have a sense of impending doom, but they each carry with them a different stigma. If, for you, the proverbial writing was on the wall, which do you pick… the toasty furnace or the pride of hungry lions?

Here’s the outcome that Erin and I chose, in her words from a previous post:

“I decided I'd rather be burned than watch myself be chewed to death, but Stephen said he'd rather risk the lions because there's a slight chance that he could fight them off, whereas you can't really escape a fiery furnace unless you have an angel protecting you.”

Results this time next week. Don't forget to post your reasoning in the comment section below.

Happy voting!

HymnSunday (on Monday)

I didn't get around to posting a hymn yesterday, so here's your (sun)daily dose.

**Spoiler Alert**

Read Erin's post below to figure out this week's poll question. Also, in this week's "What We've Been Seeing", look for reviews of new some Fall shows. Now, to your regularly scheduled hymn (a day late), already in progress. Really read and think about the words. They are truly something we should all want. The song has been rattling around in my head, and I'm sure there's a reason for it.

***

“We also are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we shall live with Him.” 2 Corinthians 13:4

Just a Closer Walk With Thee

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Random Thoughts

If a frozen dinner calls itself "creamy rigatoni with chicken and broccoli," said dinner should include more than two measly stalks of broccoli.

I've heard the "I couldn't get out of bed" excuse for tardiness before, but for an 11 am class? Isn't that a bit much?

Why is it that during the "meet and greet" portion of the church service all I think about is how many germs are spreading throughout the congregation?

I wish Hubby and I had more refined palates. If we did, we'd have more dinner options to choose from when planning our weekly menu. We got a subscription to Everyday Food as a wedding present, but I've hardly used it at all because it involves cooking with foods besides beef and pasta. (By the way, planning a weekly menu is a great idea if you don't want to spend time every day figuring out what to eat for dinner. It also cuts down on spontaneous trips to fast food restaurants. However, if you don't check the menu each morning to see if anything needs to be thawed, you might end up going out to eat anyway, so don't be a ditz like me. Look at the menu!)

I really regret cutting my hair a few weeks ago. I feel sad every time I look at it. Getting a bad haircut has made me realize how completely vain I am, and I'd like to change that but am not sure how to do so. Any suggestions?

I don't remember how the topic came up, but Hubby and I were discussing whether it would be better preferable to be burned in a furnace or eaten by lions (oh wait, we were talking about the Book of Daniel), and we both came to different conclusions. I decided I'd rather be burned than watch myself be chewed to death, but Stephen said he'd rather risk the lions because there's a slight chance that he could fight them off, whereas you can't really escape a fiery furnace unless you have an angel protecting you. Interesting how his first instinct was to think which option would give him the best chance of survival, and mine was to think about which would be the less agonizing death. Which one would you choose? On another note, why is the adjective form of fire fiery and not firey? I guess the former looks better than the latter.

It's the second day of fall, and the temperature is currently 81 degrees and humid. Yippie.

Pic 'o the Week-o - Bailey

This is my dog, Bailey, when she was but a pup.

Thursday Thirteen #5

Thirteen Things about Erin Thirteen Words that Describe Me 1. Effervescent 2. Giggly 3. Insecure 4. Trustworthy 5. Reliable 6. Introverted 7. Encouraging 8. Critical 9. Hopeful 10. Loving 11. Affectionate 12. Complex 13. Sensitive Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Pen 2. Bare Naked Politics (Damozel) 3. Amy 4. Sparky Duck 5. DoubleDeckerBusGuy 6. Robin 7. Nicholas

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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What words describe you?

In the Books and On the Screen

To be honest, I haven't been reading much beyond Reader's Digest. I figured that once I started school that would happen, and it has. I am plodding my way, ever so slowly, through Becoming Jane Austen: A Life. I realized when I saw previews for the movie that I knew very little about one of my favorite authors, so I wanted to educate myself. I attempted the reading of another, much lengthier bio, but it was so detailed that I could not make it through. I have been much more satisfied reading this book, which appears to have much of the same information in a more concise format. I've only read through the fourth chapter, so when I'm finished I'll give a more thorough review. What are you reading?

Last night Stephen and I watched the season premiere of Beauty and the Geek, which was absolutely delightful. This season there's a not-so-well-hidden twist: one pair of beauty and geek is reversed (the guy is the beauty and the girl is the geek). The newest batch of beauties and geeks promises to be fodder for good entertainment television, and I look forward to seeing how the pairs fare. Once I watch the premiere again I'll update this post with some of my favorite lines.

Tonight we're looking forward to the premiere of Back to You, which hopefully will be funny without being too raunchy. What new shows are you looking forward to? What returning favorites are you excited about (The Office, anyone?)?

P.S. Don't forget to vote in this week's poll, if you haven't already done so!

Sports Stuff

It's been a little while since I've tossed up a sports blog, so I thought I'd take my chance to do that now.

NFL
Notes:
*The Browns scored 51 points in 1 game. Unbelievable. I would have guessed that they score that much in about 8 games.
*One of my Super Bowl picks, the Chargers, are 1-1, which isn't all that shocking in and of itself, but I am very surprised that they got creamed by the Patriots.
*My other playoff team, the Saints, are 0-2 and look awful. Ugh, bad year for my preseason predictions so far.
*The Lions and the Packers are ahead of the Bears in the NFC North.

3 Teams Better Than I Thought:
1. Washington Redskins - Defense looks solid. Could be a Wild Card team in the NFC.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers - Should win the AFC North.
3. Carolina Panthers - Carolina was a team that I picked to win the NFC for several years running. When they made the Super Bowl, I became attached to them. After some frustrating years and injuries, it looks like they're back among the NFC contenders.

3 Teams Worse Than I Thought:
1. Philadelphia Eagles - McNabb isn't good, they have a mediocre receiving corp, and their defense is aging.
2. New Orleans Saints - Defense has been bad. So has the offense.
3. St. Louis Rams - Injuries and suspensions and 0 interceptions.

Power Rankings
My Top 10
1. New England Patriots
2. Indianapolis Colts
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Denver Broncos
5. Dallas Cowboys
6. San Diego Chargers
7. Houston Texans
8. Green Bay Packers
9. Chicago Bears
10. Baltimore Ravens

MLB
Cards are toast. RIP 2007 Redbirds. Get a new manager.

College Football
Consensus top 5:
1. USC
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. Oklahoma
5. West Virginia

I'm a little worried about my WVU pick. They've looked suspect this year, but have managed to get out of those games unscathed. LSU looks dominant. Even if I could change, I'd stick with that pick. I'm very happy to see my Gators in the top 3 after their dominating performance against Tennessee. My co-worker Paul has made a t-shirt in recognition of the Vols' struggles. If you're a Vol hater or just a frustrated fan, I'd definitely consider getting one of these clever tees.

Weekly Poll

In a photo finish, Autumn beat out Winter by 1 vote to win the poll. My vote went with Winter: best sports and holidays. Add to that the cold weather which I love, and Winter was an easy choice. I do admit that Autumn is the most visually appealing month, but it seems like the leaves only maintain their beautiful hues for a couple of weeks before they turn brown and hit the ground.

This week's poll question...

According to www.boxofficemojo.com, 8 films that came out this year have grossed over $200MM. My question to you is, of the 8 highest grossing movies that came out this year, which was your favorite?

Same routine, vote over there (<===) and if you are so inclined, leave your comments about anything film-related, why this was your favorite, which films this year were disappointing, what your favorite was if it wasn't among the 8, etc.

Results next Tuesday.

Happy voting.

Poem of the Week

If you read my Musings, you might remember my tributes to straws and Post-its. My inspiration for those pieces of writing comes from the following poem written by Pablo Neruda. His 100 Love Sonnets is a favorite of mine, but this poem comes from another collection of his, Odes to Common Things. Note how he takes an everyday item and elevates its status to one of extraordinary importance.

* * * * *

Ode to a pair of socks

Maru Mori brought me
a pair
of socks
that she knit with her
shepherd's hands.
Two socks as soft
as rabbit fur.
I thrust my feet
inside them
as if they were
two
little boxes
knit
from threads
of sunset
and sheepskin.

My feet were
two woolen
fish
in those outrageous socks,
two gangly,
navy-blue sharks
impaled
on a golden thread,
two giant blackbirds,
two cannons:
thus
were my feet
honored
by
those
heavenly
socks.
They were
so beautiful
I found my feet
unlovable
for the very first time,
like two crusty old
firemen, firemen
unworthy
of that embroidered
fire,
those incandescent
socks.

Nevertheless
I fought
the sharp temptation
to put them away
the way schoolboys
put
fireflies in a bottle,
the way scholars
hoard
holy writ.
I fought
the mad urge
to lock them
in a golden
cage
and feed them birdseed
and morsels of pink melon
every day.
Like jungle
explorers
who deliver a young deer
of the rarest species
to the roasting spit
then wolf it down
in shame,
I stretched
my feet forward
and pulled on
those
gorgeous
socks,
and over them
my shoes.

So this is
the moral of my ode:
beauty is beauty
twice over
and good things are doubly
good
when you're talking about a pair of wool
socks
in the dead of winter.

* * * * *

What ordinary, everyday item would you write a tribute for?

HymnSunday - I'd Rather Have Jesus

Matthew 16:26: “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”

Lyrics by Rhea F. Miller
Music by George Beverly Shea 1966

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land;
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand:

Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin's dread sway!
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame;
I'd rather be true to His holy name:

Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin's dread sway!
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs -
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead:

Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin's dread sway!
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

Pic o' the Week-o - The Seasons

As we stand about a week from the changing of seasons from Summer to Autumn (and in light of this week's poll question), here is a visual display representative of the four seasons, and what makes each one unique.

EDIT: IT'S A TIGHT VOTE WITH AUTUMN AND WINTER TIED 5 TO 5. DON'T FORGET TO VOTE, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. THIS IS GOING TO BE A NAILBITER...

Thursday Thirteen #4

Thirteen Things about Erin 1. I have loved dolphins and all things related to dolphins since I was in the fourth grade and my teacher read my class Island of the Blue Dolphins (which, incidentally, doesn't have much to do with dolphins). 2. I realized my life's dream of swimming with dolphins the summer after I graduated college. My family went on a cruise to Jamaica, and I got to swim with a sweet dolphin named Hannah. She kissed me on the cheek, which means we're best friends for life. 3. Some kids got in trouble for talking in class, but I got in trouble for reading books by holding them under my desk. 4. I also got in trouble for reading books by flashlight in my bed, long after I was supposed to have gone to sleep. 5. The first time I babysat, I put the baby's diaper on backwards. I didn't even realize it until the parents gently pointed it out. And I took a babysitting course and everything! 6. I used to arrange my clothes by color (ROYGBIV), but now I arrange them by type (shirts without collar, shirts with collar, jeans, dress pants, skirts). 7. My paternal grandmother is from El Salvador. Whenever I see her she tries to get me to talk in Spanish, but I'm nowhere near fluent, sadly enough. 8. I'm left-handed. 9. I love driving on the interstate with the windows down and the music up. 10. My biggest pet peeve is when people use the word "alot." This word does not exist! Tell all of your friends! 11. I love daisies. They come in a fabulous array of colors and can last for weeks. Tulips are also lovely, but they have very short lives. 12. I really would love to go sky-diving, but I don't know if I'll ever get up enough nerve to do so. 13. Gilmore Girls is my all-time favorite show, and I was truly heartbroken when it got canceled. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Daniel 2. Lynn 3. Damozel 4. Nap Warden 5. Natalie 6. Denise Patrick 7. The Gal Herself 8. Ginny 9. Nicole 10. Robin 11. Thomma Lyn 12. Christine 13. L^2 14. Joely Sue Burkhart 15. Elisa 16. Samulli 17. Frigga

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

What I've Been Reading and Hearing

What I've Been Reading:

I must first begin with the oddest new story I've read today: Skip work, make babies. Yes, you read that correctly. Russia's population is decreasing by the hundreds of thousands because the death rate outnumbers the birth rate, so the governor of one province devised a way to reverse this trend: offer prizes. Today, couples have been given the day off to procreate, and if a baby is born 9 months from today (on Russia's National Day), then the couple will receive prizes for the home, like a microwave or a TV or a refrigerator. Apparently, this year on June 12 3 times as many babies were born than in the previous year. The most disturbing sentence in the article? "The scheme is working. People want the prizes," he [Governor Sergei Morozov] said. People want the prizes?? Let's hope they want the babies, too! All I can hope is that this will simply encourage people who already desire children to attempt to have one, rather than sway those who simply want a way to obtain a free television.

I've also been reading a collection of poems by Billy Collins, Sailing Alone Around the Room. It's a compilation of poems from some of his earlier works, as well as a selection of newer poems. The poem "Forgetfulness" is in that volume. I really enjoy Collins' poems because they have a unique kind of whimsy to them, a tongue-in-cheek attitude, and sometimes they're just plain funny. I highly recommend his poems to anyone looking for some poems to read. (There need to be more people looking for poems to read, in my opinion.)

What I've Been Hearing:

I've gotten several new albums recently, and the one getting the most airtime in my car is Caedmon's Call's newest release, Overdressed. I was pleasantly surprised with this album, as I felt that their last two were a bit lackluster, but this one hearkens back to the sound that launched the group onto the Christian music scene. My favorites on the record: "Expectations," "Share the Blame," "Hold the Light," "10,000 Angels" (which I think is only on the special edition that I received for pre-ordering), and "Two Weeks in Africa," but there's something to love about all of the songs on the album. Definitely check them out.

What have you been hearing, watching, or reading?

Season Poll

This week's poll... which is your favorite season?

The following will provide you with some vital information to assist in your decision. Make sure to vote over there on the left of your screen, and post a comment giving the reasoning for your vote. You have until this time next week to vote for your season.

Happy voting.

WINTER
Number of Days (appx.): 89
Date Range: Dec. 21-22 through Mar. 20-21
Sports and Sporting Events: NFL (Super Bowl), NBA, NCAA basketball, NCAA football (bowl games)
Holidays: Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day
Characteristics: shortest days, lowest temps

SPRING
Number of Days (appx.): 92
Date Range: Mar. 20-21 through June 21-22
Sports and Sporting Events: NBA (Finals), MLB, NCAA hoops (March Madness)
Holidays: Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day
Characteristics: increased daylight hours, trees and flowers are in bloom

SUMMER
Number of Days (appx.): 93
Date Range: June 21-22 through Sep. 21-22
Sports and Sporting Events: NFL, MLB, NCAA football
Holidays: Independence Day, Labor Day
Characteristics: hottest weather, longest days

AUTUMN
Number of Days (appx.): 90
Date Range: Sep. 21-22 thru Dec. 21-22
Sports and Sporting Events: NFL, NBA, MLB (World Series), NCAA hoops, NCAA football
Holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving
Characteristics: leaves change color, days get shorter and colder, precip. increases

Poem of the Week

Forgetfulness

by Billy Collins

~

The name of the author is the first to go,

followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of,

as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.

Long ago you kissed the names of the nine Muses good-bye
and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag,
and even now as you memorize the order of the planets,

something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps,
the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay.

Whatever it is you are struggling to remember
it is not poised on the tip of your tongue,
not even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen.

It has floated away down a dark mythological river
whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall,
well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those
who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle.

No wonder you rise in the middle of the night
to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war.
No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted
out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.

~

If what we have learned is only represented by what we remember, then I know very little.

Here's an interesting animated version of this poem. (There seem to be quite a few animated versions of Billy Collins' poems.)


Bonus: The "mythological river" Collins refers to is the river Lethe, which in Greek means "forgetfulness."

Do you have a favorite poem?

HymnSunday - Be Thou My Vision

“When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal Myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams.” Numbers 12:6

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Two Minds, One Blog

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