Forgiveness has been a big thing on my radar lately. Not wanting it but giving it and the lack therof. I read something a few weeks back that hit home for me. I stopped reading this book to pick up another one. (I am known for reading 2 or 3 books at one time...must be the ADHD in me) Anyways, I picked this book back up and forgot where I left off so I opened it up to this page and it hit me just as hard as it did the first time I read it.

"Just when I think I know, I find out I don't know. What seems most obvious is seldom what's really true. What I don't know is almost always more significant than what I know.Compassion leads to forgiveness when we understand where our enemy cries."

Ouch! Do we see the sins of each other as opportunities to pray for one another or do we see them as a way to make us feel holier about ourselves? "At least I don't do that" or "I never act that way."

Do we see a man down as an opportunity to lift him up and make him stronger or do we see their situation as a way to gouge at a wound that is already tearing at their heart?

Where does our enemy cry? Think about that the next time we are quick to judge...I don't know where that came from but for what its worth, it spoke to me very loudly.

This is pretty freaky. I had a new subscription to my flickr site yesterday. So I went to Ty's site to check it out. It inspired me to go and take some pictures of the city. It was one of the reasons I baught my camera for in the first place. So I took some pics and went home and cleaned them up a bit. I go back to Ty's site to check his stuff out again and I was like "what the heck!?" We both took pics from the same area. Oh well, here are some of the pics that I took with my new digital camera. Thanks for the inspiration Ty. I promise I wasn't copying...lol

OK, here's some more random funniness. I was talking to one of Jennifer's friends at the house the other day. We brought up the subject of girls playing paintaball. Jennifer proceded to tell her that she should go out and play paintball with us some time to release some of her frustration and anger about her present "guy" situation. She said "what's better to release some anger than being able to shoot a man in the face leagally." Jen however deciced that it wouldn't be a good idea for her to play with a bunch of guys because pistol whipping is not allowed in paintball...

If that went over your head I apologise but I cracked up when Jennifer said it. Leave it up to my wife to come up with something totally off the wall like that. Vengeful women would change the sport of paintball forever. I can see it now...the headlines would read: Pistol Whipped Paintballer Screams "Stop her rampage!"

I finally broke down and bought a digital camera. I have been using a Chinon 35mm for quite awhile now. I bought a Kodak Z700 and I love it. It take great pics and I like the dock that came with it. I will post some pictures from it here soon.

It seems that recently there have been planes flying really low over my house. A few of them actually sound like they are going to land in my living room. Jen said that one flew over the other day and it shook the house.

I then came to the conclusion that being in the bathtub while a plane flew into your house would not be a good experience. Don't ask how this came about. We are talking about my thinking pattern here. It would take way too long to explain. Anyways, I thought it would be alot better not to die while naked.

Depending on the angle of entry for the plane, I might end up on Plum street. Then there would be a naked dead guy in the road. That would be kind of a disturbing sight. Especially for those who happen upon this. Now in my vision of this, I saw no blood. There was no mangled carcass. Nope, just a naked dead guy in the street. At least I would be clean.

Hence the title of this post because Jennifer has this odd sense of humor where she makes up Indian names for people. Now mine is Dead man Flying.

"Obstacles do not exist to be surrendered to, but only to be broken." These words were spoken by Adolf Hitler. Isn't it odd how you can find wisdom even in the words of a madman?

Hitler was brilliant if you ask me. I mean, he was evil and a bit off of his rocker. But he was brilliant none the less. He led millions of men in an attempt to "purify" the world, killing everyone in his path that got in the way. However appalling it is, it is interesting to think of how he got so many to follow his crazy plan.

I asked Jen the other day, "what would make an ordinary man want to follow someone in carrying out a plan of such destruction and death." He understood the importance of leadership to fulfill his mission. The fact that it was a phycotic plan didn't matter. Once the ball was rolling it was too late for those who were involved in the whole mess. I'm sure many men looked back after it was all over and thought "my God, what have I done?"

My point? There is so much corruption and chaos and so many obstacles in this world that sometimes we need to think like the enemy to defeat him. Hitler also said "What luck for rulers that men do not think."

"Lord, I pray that you put in me the mind of Christ. That I may be thoughtful of my actions and that my words will encourage those around me. That I will be aware of every move the enemy makes in my life. And that I will apply your word to break the holds that distract me."

Ok...Toys R Us was going out of business so I got a few more of the military guys that I am collecting. I'm trying to catch up on the ones that have been out for awhile. I have a few more on order. Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sgt. Hartman would be proud. Yeah I know...I'm addicted.

You in your shell
Are you waiting for someone to rescue you, from yourself?
Dont be disappointed when no one comes

Dont blame me, you didnt get it (X3)
I already told you that

Falling is easy, its getting back up that becomes the problem
Becomes the problem
If you dont believe you can find a way out
You become the problem
Become the problem

You, all alone, are you waiting for someone to make you a home?
Cant you see, arent you tired of this dysfunctional routine?

Dont blame me, you didnt get it (X3)
I already told you that

Falling is easy, its getting back up that becomes the problem
Becomes the problem
If you dont believe you can find a way out
You become the problem
Become the problem (X2)

Falling is easy, it's getting back up that becomes the problem
Becomes the problem
And if you believe you can find a way out
Then youve solved the problem
Youve solved your problem

I love this song by Staind. The last chorus makes me think of Romans 8:1 where it says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It goes on to say that God sent his son in the likeness of sinful man as a sin offering. He condemned sin in us so that His law could be met in our life. That is cool. Sometimes we fall off of the horse. It's good to hear that we are not hated by God for it. The way out is Jesus. You've solved the problem. Not for anyone in particular...just encouragement for us all.

There is a new Xbox 360 game coming out called The Outfit and it is looking to be quite a blast. It's kind of like GI Joe meets the game mercenaries. I can't wait to play it. I am giddy just thinking about it. Here are some screen shots. Yes, I am a game geek. Don't hate me for it.

I read a statistic yesterday that stated that teens spend over half of their time with their friends and only five percent with either parent. Yet parents have the greatest influence on the decisions that a teenager makes.

This got me thinking. I want to be as involved with my kid's lives as I can. If we are the greatest influence to our kids then it is fair to say that the more time we spend with them, our influence on them will become greater. It made me think of all of the field trips I have been on with my son. He looks to me for my approval when he attempts something. I fail him at times but I know he still loves me. He still looks to me for the answers. He still looks into the crowd to make sure I am at the school play or an award ceremony.

The time I invest in my kids now will draw them to me in the future when they are faced with obstacles in their lives. That's a big responsibility but one I am willing to put the time and effort into.