Must see movie...

Hey Y'all!

Carrie and I went to see Fireproof with my parents in Stockton today! What a phenomenal movie with a solid Christian message!

All in all, this is definitely a must see movie!

http://fireproofthemovie.com/

Joshua

Love, devotion, family...

These are all adjectives that describe someone whose birthday we are celebrating today. There are many, many more though I want to touch on these today.

Love - Christ has given us a directive to "love one another" even as He loved us! This individual exemplifies this trait every day of their life whether it be with the mother of the Little Sister, the girl's tennis team, woman's Bible Study, Sunday School class members, etc.

Devotion - Devotion to Christ, family, and others. Devotion to Christ through their ministry to teaching/leading woman's small groups, devotion to family through intense love and heartfelt longing for wholeness, devotion to others through giving of their time and energies for the benefit of people around them.

Family - One minute into a conversation with this person and you will know that family is central in their life. The love, pride and joy in life comes from the members of their family and their desire to see everyone reaping the joys and benefits of life full in Christ.

This person that we are celebrating today is my mom, Darla Briggs. Happy Birthday Mom! We love you and are so blessed to call you Mom! Have a wonderful day!

Fascinating...

Here is a fascinating test that I took and thought others might want to take. I found that I disagree with Barack Hussein Obama 98% of the time. What I found fascinating were all of the CNN, CBS, MSNBC sources cited recently for BHO's positions....additionally, I found it fascinating that I actually agreed with him on 1 question. It would be interesting for the Constitutional Law experts out there to see how they would answer #2 under Defense.

http://www.barackobamatest.com

To a great role model...

Today is a great role model's birthday...my Dad! Sure, he is human...we all are! Sure, he has made mistakes...we all have! There are several facts though regarding my Dad that I am rock solid confident...

1) He loves his Lord, Jesus Christ and seeks to serve Him in his work, family and interactions with others

2) He adores his wife and is a Godly testimony/example of how a Biblical husband loves his wife

3) He loves his family and seeks to have his family whole

4) He is proud of every single member of his family and thanks God every day for blessing him with the family that God has given him

5) He gives 110% to everything and everyone who asks of him

6) He is an incredible teacher, mentor and coach to the students, families and lives that he touches

Happy Birthday Dad!

I love you and am so incredibly proud to call you my Dad and soon-to-be Grandpa to your latest grandson, Josiah!

Joshua

Nine weeks left...

Carrie and I are eagerly anticipating Josiah Kenneth's arrival in 9 weeks. Time certainly flies by! Last weekend I completed putting together the changing table/dresser that my parents got us! Will have to post pictures of it soon!

You can definitely feel Josiah moving around more and more and Carrie's belly is definitely getting a great deal firmer.

Still is amazing to me that we will be parents in a matter of basically 2 months! Life will joyously change!

View about the current state of affairs...

In recent months, I've been debating about starting a separate blog to vent some frustrations regarding the political season that we are currently in. My brother Daniel has frankly inspired me through his own blog to write my own blog though I'm sure my entries will not be as long or as involved as Daniel's are. By the way, you should definitely check out his blog. I enjoy reading his entries daily as they refresh and challenge me.

So, I've started a separate blog...

http://caforcommonsense.blogspot.com

Obnoxiously cute...

This is the new definition of Jackson, our 11 month old black Standard Poodle puppy. He defines "Obnoxiously cute"! When we are in bed, he decides that since he can't be between us then the next best thing is being ON me. Or when I am sitting on the couch, Jackson decides the easiest way of getting attention is coming around the back of the couch and putting his paws up on the armrest of the couch and then proceed to place one of his rather large paws on my shoulder or head. No scratching mind you since he has realized that he doesn't get the right kind of attention when he scratches.

Another thing that he does is take Harrison's rope tug toy and plays keep away from Harrison. :)

Definitely...."obnoxiously cute!!!!"

Due process...the great American gift...

Well, today I was able to celebrate a freedom others around the world can only dream about...jury duty! :) Several things struck me! First of all, we, the jurors, received a very informative history lesson from the Superior Court Judge in charge of juror summons. It was an excellent refresher for me! Interestingly enough, he believes that Russia's Putin has fashioned himself a Russian dictatorship. Amazing to me was the unprecedented gift we have to due process of the law...something that I know many take for granted...

Another thing that struck me today was the sheer depravity of mankind! As a believer from a strong Christian family, I haven't been subjected to this kind of depravity. When the judge asked the question, "Have you, a close relative or friend ever committed a crime?" I was personally shocked to not only see the hands raised but the answers many gave would have made Hollywood blush (possibly...well probably not). Then the judge asked "Have you, a close relative or friend ever had a crime committed against you?" and again I was shocked to see the hands raised and the answers given.

While sitting there hearing these personal accounts, I began praying and rejoicing silently how the Lord saw fit to place me in a Christian home where my parents both love and serve the Lord and imparted to my siblings and myself the same love and devotion to serve Him. When we have the Lord front and center in our lives, the depravity of mankind cannot enter in.

May the Lord bless His children and keep us continually seeking after Him!