I was talking with one of my acquaintances recently who is a huge politophile. This guy loves talking politics. Actually, this guy loves talking anything. He just loves hearing himself talk if you want to know the truth. Anyway, I enjoy getting him going on politics. He is a self-proclaimed traditionalist-- a.k.a. O'Reillyite.
The topic of our conversation was the current race for the candidacy of the GOP and Democratic tickets. I personally like Huckabee. He is the strongest conservative candidate out there. My acquaintance doesn't think Huckabee can pull it out (which it is beginning to look like he can't) and really likes Obama. He thinks Obama is more conservative than Hillary. This is a perfect example of Obama's success at painting himself as the candidate of "change". This acquaintance of mine really knows nothing about what Obama stands for. If he did, he would realize that he stands pretty much with Hillary on almost all issues.
Anyway, here are some thoughts on what could happen in the coming months. 1) Huckabee receives a huge surge from conservative voters because he begins to pick up those that were backing Romney. Huckabee then becomes the VP nominee on the ticket with McCain. 2) Obama ousts Hillary as the Democratic nominee and energizes a large independent bloc of voters. 3) Michael Bloomberg waits until the Democrats and Republicans begin beating each other and then announces his run as an independent. Bloomberg makes a decent run for office because a vast majority of voters are sick of the political games.
My colleague said he would buy me Jimmy Johns if Huckabee makes a real good showing in the GOP race. He also said he would buy me 10 Jimmy Johns if Bloomberg becomes president. I didn't set out to gamble on the election, but I will definitely take some free sandwiches if some of my musings turn out to be pretty close.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
It's that time of year again. Time to show the significant individuals in our lives how much they mean to us. In my case, I needed to let my lovely wife know how much she means to me.
Not only has my wife been a good spouse, but she has also been an exceptional mother to our kids. She tirelessly tends to their needs while I spend a lot of time away from home. This weekend basketball season is over. That means that I am ending a 2 and a half month stretch of 4+ nights a week out until 9 or later. My wife has had to deal with the kids single-handedly for most of that time. She not only has survived, but she has kept the kids healthy (at least as healthy as can be expected for two young kids in the dead of winter), kept up with the laundry, and kept the family on track.
Oh, did I also mention that she has also been working a part-time job?
So, here's to you, Celane. Happy Valentine's Day!
Not only has my wife been a good spouse, but she has also been an exceptional mother to our kids. She tirelessly tends to their needs while I spend a lot of time away from home. This weekend basketball season is over. That means that I am ending a 2 and a half month stretch of 4+ nights a week out until 9 or later. My wife has had to deal with the kids single-handedly for most of that time. She not only has survived, but she has kept the kids healthy (at least as healthy as can be expected for two young kids in the dead of winter), kept up with the laundry, and kept the family on track.
Oh, did I also mention that she has also been working a part-time job?
So, here's to you, Celane. Happy Valentine's Day!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Currently Reading...
I like to read. I have always enjoyed reading. In fact, I have always enjoyed reading almost anything. There are always about 3-5 books that I am making my way through. Do you remember having to do book reports in grade school? I never did understand those at the time. Interestingly enough, they may have been one of the best preparations I had going into graduate school. It sure does seem that higher one goes up the tier of education, the more one must educate oneself. This is where not only reading, but being able to analyze and synthesize what you read comes in handy. Therefore, hats off to you, 6th grade book report. You were invaluable.
I recently finished a very interesting book titled "By His Grace and For His Glory: An Historical, Theological, and Practical Study of the Doctrines of Grace in Baptist Life" by Nettles. While the thrust of the book dealt with the influence of Calvinistic teaching in the Southern Baptist Convention, the book also had great sections dealing with Baptists in general in an historical sense. I came away with a greater appreciation of my Baptist heritage. I also came away with a greater understanding, and appreciation, for Calvinistic thought. While I still am struggling with the whole issue of "Limited" or "Direct" Atonement, I would definitely classify myself as a staunch 4-point Calvinist at the conclusion of this book. I won't venture any further on this subject at this time. There are entire communities of blogs devoted solely to the critique or defense of Calvinism, and I have neither the time nor the wisdom to begin down that path in this posting.
I am about halfway through an interesting book on chronicling the globalization factor in our times. "The World is Flat" by Friedman, details the many factors that have come together in recent years to "flatten" the playing field between developed countries and much of the rest of the world. Friedman discusses technological innovations, business models, economic models, international trade issues, and Wal-Mart. At first glance, a book on these subjects might seem to be latest cure for insomnia, but Mr. Friedman quickly gets your attention and keeps it. He has a knack for taking these highly complex issues and making sense of them in a way that the average guy, like me, can understand. I am currently beginning a section of the book in which he discusses the changes that will need to occur in the way we educate in this country if we want to stay ahead of the game. If you think that the trend of outsourcing jobs overseas is an important issue you need to read this book. It will give you a new perspective to consider on this and many other issues that not only affect the U.S. economy but also the economy of your family.
For pleasure, I am beginning to read through the Chronicles of Narnia again. For this I must thank my wife. She brought Lewis' classic series home one day recently and I couldn't resist. I know that I must frustrate her because I am constantly stealing her book. I haven't read this series since I was about 13 or 14, and I am thoroughly enjoying the read. I might even get through Prince Caspian before the movie comes out later this year.
Finally, I am about to start a very small book titled, "The Cross Centered Life." I will keep you posted.
I recently finished a very interesting book titled "By His Grace and For His Glory: An Historical, Theological, and Practical Study of the Doctrines of Grace in Baptist Life" by Nettles. While the thrust of the book dealt with the influence of Calvinistic teaching in the Southern Baptist Convention, the book also had great sections dealing with Baptists in general in an historical sense. I came away with a greater appreciation of my Baptist heritage. I also came away with a greater understanding, and appreciation, for Calvinistic thought. While I still am struggling with the whole issue of "Limited" or "Direct" Atonement, I would definitely classify myself as a staunch 4-point Calvinist at the conclusion of this book. I won't venture any further on this subject at this time. There are entire communities of blogs devoted solely to the critique or defense of Calvinism, and I have neither the time nor the wisdom to begin down that path in this posting.
I am about halfway through an interesting book on chronicling the globalization factor in our times. "The World is Flat" by Friedman, details the many factors that have come together in recent years to "flatten" the playing field between developed countries and much of the rest of the world. Friedman discusses technological innovations, business models, economic models, international trade issues, and Wal-Mart. At first glance, a book on these subjects might seem to be latest cure for insomnia, but Mr. Friedman quickly gets your attention and keeps it. He has a knack for taking these highly complex issues and making sense of them in a way that the average guy, like me, can understand. I am currently beginning a section of the book in which he discusses the changes that will need to occur in the way we educate in this country if we want to stay ahead of the game. If you think that the trend of outsourcing jobs overseas is an important issue you need to read this book. It will give you a new perspective to consider on this and many other issues that not only affect the U.S. economy but also the economy of your family.
For pleasure, I am beginning to read through the Chronicles of Narnia again. For this I must thank my wife. She brought Lewis' classic series home one day recently and I couldn't resist. I know that I must frustrate her because I am constantly stealing her book. I haven't read this series since I was about 13 or 14, and I am thoroughly enjoying the read. I might even get through Prince Caspian before the movie comes out later this year.
Finally, I am about to start a very small book titled, "The Cross Centered Life." I will keep you posted.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Just Cognitizing... For The First Time
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
What better way to launch my first blog than to borrow one of the better opening lines in literature? That line pretty much sums things up. I could just go ahead and wrap it up right here. But, I've never been one to quit while I'm ahead.
In case you haven't figured it out, the title "Just Cognitizing" is just my way of humoring myself. I could have titled my blog "Just Thinking", but that's a little too vanilla for my taste. I decided to add some chocolate syrup and sprinkles so it has some extra appeal (at least to me). I tried to title this blog several different times before settling on this one. Unfortunately, all of those were already in use.
So, what can you expect to find at Just Cognitizing? My grand plan is to offer (on a somewhat regular basis) my thoughts on sundry subjects. I will try to offer rational and reasoned thoughts, though an occasional rant may slip in. We all need our soapboxes once in a while. You may often find thoughts on coffee, politics, theology, and education. Education because it is my profession, politics because I want to sound sophisticated, theology because it shapes my worldview, and coffee because it is my passion. Of course, I may also throw in sporadic references to my family-- my gorgeous wife and two kids, who are the cutest you can find. (No, seriously, they are cuter than yours.) The above will not be an exhaustive list, but these themes will return with regularity, I am sure.
I do not want to drag out this introductory posting, but I must share a bit of good news. Just previous to posting this I finished up my taxes. We will receive a nice refund! Of course, this means that I probably should make some adjustments on how much Uncle Sam takes from my paycheck each month. From the time I first started receiving a paycheck people told me to try not to have more than necessary withheld from my earnings. To this point it has never really seemed too terribly important to me to do this. Every year I receive some amount of refund and have viewed it as a "bonus". Now that I have a couple of kids I am realizing why being intentional with my withholdings is important. $100 or more each month that we are able to use to buy food, diapers, clothes, GAS, etc. Goes along way. So, let me leave you with a final thought. (I do realize that by making this statement I will sound old and boring to anyone younger than 21.) Do not just blindly pay your taxes. Know what you should pay and adjust your monthly withholdings to reflect that. Getting money back from the IRS does not equate to a "bonus." It equates to a refund of YOUR money that YOU could have been using to accomplish YOUR goals.
What better way to launch my first blog than to borrow one of the better opening lines in literature? That line pretty much sums things up. I could just go ahead and wrap it up right here. But, I've never been one to quit while I'm ahead.
In case you haven't figured it out, the title "Just Cognitizing" is just my way of humoring myself. I could have titled my blog "Just Thinking", but that's a little too vanilla for my taste. I decided to add some chocolate syrup and sprinkles so it has some extra appeal (at least to me). I tried to title this blog several different times before settling on this one. Unfortunately, all of those were already in use.
So, what can you expect to find at Just Cognitizing? My grand plan is to offer (on a somewhat regular basis) my thoughts on sundry subjects. I will try to offer rational and reasoned thoughts, though an occasional rant may slip in. We all need our soapboxes once in a while. You may often find thoughts on coffee, politics, theology, and education. Education because it is my profession, politics because I want to sound sophisticated, theology because it shapes my worldview, and coffee because it is my passion. Of course, I may also throw in sporadic references to my family-- my gorgeous wife and two kids, who are the cutest you can find. (No, seriously, they are cuter than yours.) The above will not be an exhaustive list, but these themes will return with regularity, I am sure.
I do not want to drag out this introductory posting, but I must share a bit of good news. Just previous to posting this I finished up my taxes. We will receive a nice refund! Of course, this means that I probably should make some adjustments on how much Uncle Sam takes from my paycheck each month. From the time I first started receiving a paycheck people told me to try not to have more than necessary withheld from my earnings. To this point it has never really seemed too terribly important to me to do this. Every year I receive some amount of refund and have viewed it as a "bonus". Now that I have a couple of kids I am realizing why being intentional with my withholdings is important. $100 or more each month that we are able to use to buy food, diapers, clothes, GAS, etc. Goes along way. So, let me leave you with a final thought. (I do realize that by making this statement I will sound old and boring to anyone younger than 21.) Do not just blindly pay your taxes. Know what you should pay and adjust your monthly withholdings to reflect that. Getting money back from the IRS does not equate to a "bonus." It equates to a refund of YOUR money that YOU could have been using to accomplish YOUR goals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)