Turn Off TV Week

Wow. I never dreamed it would be such a big deal, but turning off the tv for a whole week is going to be huge for our family. If you would like to know the stats and background on this "movement" you can go to: www.tvturnoff.org

Last night was the end of day 1. Only 6 more to go. If you've not got kids, there's no way you can understand how important the idiot box really is. It's a filler. It occupies their time while supper is being fixed. It entertains one while the other is in the tub. With small kids, there has almost always got to be some sort of something for them to do, or else they'll be right up your butt...constantly!

Our 3 year old confessed to me yesterday, "Daddy, I dont think I like turn off tv week!" But while it has been demanding on mom and dad, so far its been great. We've played outside, we've read lots of books and we've told our very own homemade stories.

It's nice to know that God has involved Himself in our little escapade this week as well. While I dont like it, He has given us something new. Actually, some cone-head from town dropped it off. A KITTEN! YUCK! I like cats about as much as I like getting kicked in the shins, or elsewhere on the bod. But this little kitty is ok I guess, for a cat. Kitty's name is Slash (GNR, Velvet Revolver influenced, of course). Slash is pretty funny. He longs for our attention about like a kid. Since we're not vegging in front of the tube this week, we all go from room to room playing with whatever is there. After about 20 seconds of "new" room, lo and behold, on the window ledge outside, Slash presents himself. Its crazy. A stalking cat. That thing can hear us on the inside and hops up on the corresponding window so he can see us. He breaks the monotony of life without Directv.

I'm hoping that by the end of the week I'm not so disgruntled about turning off the tube. (Which we did of our own volition) Right now its sort of like having withdrawals, like when you quit some sort of bad habit. It has certainly helped me see how much time I lead our family in wasting. Oh well, there's no need to continue rambling.

I Think I Can, I Think I Can.......

Just checking in. It's been days, maybe even weeks since I've posted anything. I have been So busy. The Easter Season was long. It was good, but very demanding. I have wanted to post a few comments concerning Easter, but just haven't had the time.

The Family Life "Weekend to Remember" conference was great. I wanted to post a lot of comments on that and just haven't had the time. I will say this much. I think it has even changed the way I do pre-marital counseling. I think I'll never do it again. Instead, I'm going to recommend every young couple attend the weekends pre-married version. It was that good. I think had we been to something like that early in our marriage, or even before, we could have missed out on some crummy days in our version of "Bliss."

Turkey season has started both here in KY and also in IL. I have not yet harvested any turkeys, but I've had a great time trying. Probably if I wasn't out running around the woods, I'd have more time for stuff like this. But the change of pace and the sunrises in the forest have been great. It seems like just about every waking moment, my mind is constantly working on a sermon idea or on some ministry idea or something along those lines. Sometimes I just cant escape my thoughts. That's why I like hunting in general. Often it gives my mind a break. I think that's probably why I like sci-fi movies and good books too. Just a way to escape the mental machine. I wish there was an on/off switch to the brain.

Of course, there's also the Virginia Tech shooting. And while I dont have time to say much, I would say this. We again have a situation where a person exhibited all the warning signs, and yet here in our society of self-centered, self-promoting, self-absorbtion...nobody cared enough to do much. Nobody got too involved, nobody befriended him. And he freaked out. When are we going to learn this lesson? I wonder how many more tragedies we will endure until we learn to treat people as Jesus requires.

And then there's the small step forward in the supreme court's ruling about partial birth abortions. While a number of options for murdering children are still available, at least the supreme court saw the disgusting evil inherent in this practice. Maybe more doors to abortion will shut and locked in the future.

And then there's the Public Library. Did you know you can check out movies at the library??? The very same one's I'd rent from blockbuster are free, yes I said FREE, at the library. Whoda thunk it. My lovely wife came home with a whole sack full of movies: kids movies, instructional videos, books on tape and even 2 potty training movies for the kids. That's just an amazing find. Both, my wife and the library.

All in all, though not fully aware, I am able to see that I am deeply and richly blessed. God is good to me.