BJ Not BK

The cutest picture of L ever.

2008-12-03T11:10:00Z

A couple of weeks ago we had a photographer and friend, JonSpot, take our family photos.

This is one of the cutest pictures ever of L.

This is a great shot of the family.

You should visit JonSpot's flickr page [link]. The guys is an amazing photographer.

Unconfortably numb

2008-12-03T10:52:00Z

Nothing, nada, zilch, zippo, zero, one big fat goose egg....that's what I've had for the past few months as my mind has slowly turned to watermelon flavored slush puppy. I can't even begin to explain it other than I haven't had the desire or the words to say much.

Busy? You betcha. Here are a couple of updates for those of you who have been looking for me on the back of milk cartons.

Seminary - I just finished my first semester of seminary (A-) and have a bit of a break until January when classes begin. I have signed up for Systematic Theology I, which makes me think there might be quite a bit of reading involved.

Family - M is doing much better during this pregnancy. The first 12 weeks were so hard for her with sickness and a complete loss of energy. Next Tuesday we go for the big ultrasound! Now M is experiencing "expansion" pains and I will just leave it at that. She is so cute though, you should see her, all 5' 2" inches of her round beautiful self.

Extended Family - Thanksgiving was a hoot this year, we replaced turkey with spotted owl, which I would not recommend, while the meat is exotic it has a "gamey" taste to it? After a great time of food and fellowship we hit the field for our annual football game. This year was perhaps one of the most evenly matched as both teams had great talent. Joe's team won on game and my team won the other. We ended up playing until dark thirty.

Bling - We sold the Yukon XL, I got tired of everyone calling me a playa and a pimp and singing "white and dirty" every time we drove up, the 13 mpg didn't help matters any. So we did what we should have done in the first place listened to a certain Fluffy Cow and purchased the sweetest Honda Odyssey, which is a much better fit for the family.

Post-election-traumatic-stress-disorder - OK, so he won...I get it. I am moving on and praying for him. Our country and our leaders need our prayers.

You? How have you been lately? I haven't heard much from you in a while?

Happy 7th Birthday iPod!

2008-10-23T12:54:00Z

Today the iPod turns 7 which in tech years means that it is actually 726 years old.

I am a total tech geek in that I love gadgets, technology, digital everything, and when my wife gave me a 60gb video iPod for my birthday several years ago I never ever looked back. My only experiences with Apple previously had come via Oregon Trail [link] played out on the 1980s Mac in the library, who doesn't love a good text based game on a green screen? From that point on Apple quickly faded out of my life as another obsolete technology that never really took off. Enter the iPod stage right.

From the first time I fired up my iPod I was completely hooked. What impressed me? I love the styling of Apple's products, I love the inherent features/functionality, but more than that I absolutely love the fact that it is simple to use and it works! Almost every day for the past 3 years I have used my iPod. I subscribe to free podcasts via itunes and listen to sermons, free college course lectures (last year I began a series on C.S. Lewis which was really great), I have watched movies on my iPod while flying and sitting in airports, and of course I have listened to hours of music on my iPod as well.

I would highly recommend an iPod to anyone who loves music and anyone who has to travel or to commute on a regular basis.

What could be better than my 60gb Video iPod?

A 32gb iPod touch!

Before and After

2008-10-22T11:06:00Z

I was going through some pictures this morning and I came across these and thought I would share them with you as well as share with you my personal testimony. My goal here is to glorify Jesus and minister to anyone who might be facing some of the challenges I have faced in the past.

Before - 199lbs - October 2007

After - 159lbs - August 2008

Back in March I went through the Setting Captives Free course on eating - The Lord's Table http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/lords_table/ and it has forever changed my life. The focus of the course is to teach how to feast on Jesus and how to turn from anyone or anything in your life that you may have placed in a position of glory other than Jesus. Setting Captives Free offers free online courses in food addiction, gambling, pornography, smoking, etc.

I did the course on eating called the Lord's Table.

I went into the course thinking I was "out of shape" and that I needed to lose some weight....what an idiot I was :-) God quickly opened my eyes to show me that I was falsely worshiping food instead of Jesus. I saw that when I was hungry I would eat (naturally) when I was stressed I would eat, when I wanted to celebrate I would eat, when I was bored I would eat, sad, lonely, and on and on. It also showed me that food wasn't the issue where my love and affection was placed was what was holding me back. For most of my life I have exercised and focused on food in an effort either to stay fit, maintain weight, or to lose weight with little or no success. Yet, since completing the Lord's Table study this year for the first time in my life I have complete freedom in Jesus!!!! I began the course at 199 and as of yesterday weigh 159. That's exciting in and of itself but more important than the weight loss is how my relationship with Jesus has grown and how I can now see other areas of my life that were similar where I was not fully worshiping Him.

In addition to all the personal blessings this has had a tremendous impact on my witness and testimony! A couple of weeks ago I attended a family reunion and everyone kept asking me how much weight I had lost and how I did it. At one point I was in the kitchen when someone asked me, there were probably 10 or so people in the room, when I began to answer the whole room got quiet and I got to share the gospel and how Jesus saved me from my sins! As of this morning three of my family members are going through this study and my prayer is that this will begin a revival in my family. I have also been able to share my testimony with two of my customers.

Setting Captive Free is the name of the ministry and they have courses on purity, gambling, alcohol, food, smoking, etc.

The course on food is called the Lord's Table - http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/lords_table/

The online ministry is comprised of several components as follows:

1. Daily Bible Study - very very rock solid lessons based on the Bible, hard hitting - here is an example of the first day's lesson http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/lords_table/day01.php

2. Daily Accountability - each person who signs up online is assigned a mentor for the duration of the course - the Lord's Table is a 60 day class

3. Daily Eating Schedule - no food is off limits, ice cream, burgers, everything received with thanksgiving is ok to eat as the focus isn't on the food but on Jesus. There is an eating schedule for the 60 days in order to discipline the body to turn from food and to turn to Jesus. Here is a copy of the eating schedule with details http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/lords_table/Eating_Schedule.pdf

4. Weekly Accountability - weekly weigh in

Blessings!

W.I.W. 2.0 - New and Improved 10.17.08

2008-10-17T10:55:00Z

Key up the trumpets, Que the firetrucks, bring in the Arabian dancing horses....it's Friday and that means another installment of the Week in Weird 2.0.

1.0 Friday is for photos - this one was taken of L at a party.

Real friends don't let friends wear spandex.

If this guys falls down will he have to burn those?

Here are a some collections I would love to add to the E and C library....the Harvard Classics

The Franklin Library (collection of the 100 greatest Western Authors)

and the complete sermons from Spurgeon

and just for Joe I would add the Time Life Western Collection to the E and C bathroom.

2.0 Moment of Zen? I don't think so....how about Psalm 23..."still H20s"

3.0 Music...right now what is the soundtrack of your life? Mine is comprised of the classics as L loves the CD Wesley made for her a couple of years ago. She is the only 3 year old I know of who asks for Beethoven.

4.0 We all now know about Joe six-pack, Joe the Camel, Joe the Plumber, and of course Joe Napalm......but what about Joe Cool? May we never ever ever forget Joe Cool.

5.0 Have you voted yet? I went yesterday and am glad my ballot has been cast. Now we wait and pray. Don't forget to pray for our country regardless of where you stand or who you vote for please pray for our country.

6.0 Weekend watch.....word on the street is that the Virginia Creeper trail is due for a full on assault by the family and a whole horde of bikes. Never heard of the Virginia Creeper? You have now [link].

7.0 Personal update....my first semester of class is almost over, M is feeling somewhat better but still not at 100%, it's me and the kids this weekend as mama goes to visit a girlfriend, and the air is cool, the night skies are bright, the moon is full, and fall is here with all of it's brilliant color.

That's it, that's all I am out.

Shalom to you and your home.

Library Blogging 10.16.08 Just for Joe

2008-10-15T17:43:00Z

Joe is famous for his library blogging [link]. I came across this article and thought he would really enjoy it as this library kind of reminds me of the Napalm library.

Jay Walker's Personal Library

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/16-10/ff_walker#

You won't believe some of the items housed in this personal collection.

Enjoy!

Hope = Change

2008-10-13T18:31:00Z

Change brings about hope unless the change is not good which dashes hope but hope brings about change which I hope does not nor never changes. Hope, change, both very good words that I hope you do not miss out on and I hope this change of tone does not throw you for a loop of change which would not be hopeless but devoid of the hope that usually comes with change. Change your mind in the hopes that hope that comes with change will really usher in a new era of hope.

Hope you enjoyed this....

W.I.W. 2.0 - New and Improved 10.10.08

2008-10-10T14:16:00Z

Here at bjnotbk we strive to make the user experience excitable, enjoyable, and entertaining...the three "E's" of marketing. Our goal is complete satisfaction and remember that every post comes with our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your post we will refund up to 200% of your purchase price.

What can I expect out of W.I.W. 2.0? Here is a short, but certainly not exhaustive list.

-fresh content - each post marked with a born on date to ensure the cleanest, purest post possible

-new pictures - Friday is for photos so look forward to new, interesting photos

-new format - time to change the format up a bit in terms of design and layout

-new paint - there are plans in the future to paint the walls here at bjnotbk and I'm not talking about just rolling over the nose gold with the same ole same ole

-twice the sarcasm - all readers will be asked to sign a wavier before being granted access to the archives, please note that women who are pregnant or who are planning on becoming pregnant should not handle bjnotbk without first asking you physician

On with the show

1.0 Friday is for photos - I pity the fool who ponders to punk Mr. P (To see more incredible Mr. Potato Head Mash-ups visit here [link].)

I have to give my props to Joe Naplam for some great witting as of late. I guess that case of Wheaties I sent you is finally starting to pay off? What is the world's most expensive action figure? You got it...G.I. Joe [link]. This baby will set you back a cool $200k but with the recent financial crisis I am told that the owner will trade for one used moped or one ham sandwich...please no mayo.

Speaking of expensive...I know that many of you are asking yourself...."self, what can I do for bjnotbk?" And I have to say...great question. Have you thought about this beauty? At a cool $730k this is by far the world's most expensive pen. One owner was quoted recently as say..."doh, doh, doh!" When realizing he had left his pen at the Chucky Cheese along with his credit card receipt.

2.0 Moment of Zen? There are several things we do not do at bjnotbk. We don't tug on Superman's cape, we don't do feung shuai, we don't eat lima beans, and we don't do Zen. We do Psalm 23 - "still H2Os"

3.0 Music is my passion, no it's books, no it's my family, no it's Jesus. I love music, books, my family and Jesus. Anybody can play the guitar but not everyone can be the world's greatest air guitar hero.

4.0 I am all about technology and I think I would really dig a kimble [link] but there is something very cool about holding a book in your hands, walking through the stacks of an antique bookshop that connects me back to humanity and gets me closer to the authors than mere bits and bytes blinking at me on a screen. Here is an old school bookstore that I love.

I am completely consumed with Psalm 119 right now.

5.0 Bumpersticker blogging

2 new favorites of mine - 1. CLIMATE CHANGE IS A HOAX - Sea levels are rising because Jesus is crying 2. Picture of a whale - "SAVE THE HUMANS"

6.0 B****** Oba**** is a traitor [link].

7.0 B****** Oba***** is not the Messiah [link].

8.0 On the personal side...M is still feeling yucky as the first trimester is almost over. School is going well. Work is going well.

Shalom to you and your home. Peace out

Proof that God has a sense of humor - my new life verse?

2008-10-08T11:55:00Z

Yesterday I had the privilege of taking part in a neat celebration of God's word. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the NIV translation, I know some of you clutching your KJV just fell from your chairs, and to mark this event Zondervan is hosting a cross-country, one of a kind promotional tour called Bible Across America [link].

The gist of the tour is to create what will be called "America's Bible" where if you visit one of the stops along the promotional tour you can hand write a verse of the Bible that will be published, mid July 2009, in your own handwriting and the handwriting of those who participate. What a really cool way to promote the Bible.

Well, yesterday the tour was in Knoxville and I was able to stop by. As I stood in line one of the team members explained the process...."Currently we are going through Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus. You can choose which one you want and...oh, look, Leviticus just came open if any of you want to you can go ahead to the Leviticus line."

I looked around me and the two ladies who stood beside me blankly stared at me as if to say....'I'm not going to Leviticus...who knows what verse we will get?"

I thought for a moment to myself...."do I really want to write a verse out of Leviticus?" Wasn't this suppose to be a super spiritual event? Why couldn't I write something out of one of the gospels or the Psalms? How about Psalm 119:94..."I am yours, save me." Now that would be a very cool verse to write.

Well, no one was running to the Leviticus line so I stepped up thinking, "hey, it's the Bible, every verse is important, every word has it's meaning, and their is honor and worship in that right? Besides, how bad could it be?"

As I stepped up to the display the lady looked at me and then at the verse I would be writing...'Oh cool! You get to start a new chapter!"

That sounded promising.

Then I looked at the verse. What did I have to fear? Why was I so afraid of Leviticus? Three lines proving that God is sovereign and that God does indeed have a wonderful sense of humor.

Here is what I wrote:

Leviticus 15:1

Discharges Causing Uncleanness

1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Nice!

I couldn't help but laugh. Thank you Lord for the gift of laughter and thank you for your word!

I think I may have a new life verse.

The Week in Weird 10.03.08

2008-10-03T15:55:00Z

Another week gone by and another installment of the Week in Weird brought to you by Hockey Moms Worldwide or www.hmww.org

Friday is for photos so here a couple to help you ease back into the bjnotbk experience.

1. This one was taken at my mom's house. This is a really old and really cool door. At first glance it looks like it is made out of metal but on further inspection you can see it is really wood.

2. This picture was sent to me by Uncle Jesse. Our class recently finished our study on 1 John and so we ended the study in the Epicenter.

If you like great photography make sure to visit Steve Mckoy's Friday photos here [link] and Joe Thorn's here [link].

Want to see your photo published here? Submit all family friendly photos to bjnotbk@gmail.com for consideration. Please note that I reserve the right to publish or not publish any submission.

3. What are you reading these days? I just finished The Reformed Pastor, by Baxter, Desiring God, by Piper, and am getting ready to plow through Lectures to My Students, by Spurgeon. I am also doing some top secret reading for our new Bible study series that begins in November. I can't wait to share it with the class.

4. What are you listening to these days? Death metal? Acid Rock? Alternative Country? Polka?

Uncle Tupelo is one of my all time favorites. Have you heard this song before? No depression? Enjoy!

5. Palin - Biden...yawn....The first Presidential debate really changed my perception of McCain in a positive way. I saw him as an intelligent, respectful man. Unfortunately the VP debate was anti-climatic and left me feeling the opposite about Palin. To me she came off as cliched and inexperienced and most of her answers didn't come across as well thought out. Am I wrong?

6. Less than 35 days until we elect a new President. Is there any way the whigs will put up a viable candidate anytime soon?

7. Financial Crisis update - I heard yesterday that the Crisis bill included a section to give employers a $300.00 tax break for any worker who "regularly" commuted to work on a bike....at last! The crisis may be averted thanks to cutting edge legislation like this.

8. The free markets will always find a way to grow and to prosper even as the government continually tries to kill them. Need a loan? Try an online lending community and say goodbye to the traditional brick and mortar establishments [link]. please note that bjnotbk does not endorse neither lending nor borrowing and is not responsible for any financial loss....besides, why on earth would you take financial advice from a blog?

9. Thanks everyone for reading bjnotbk this week. My prayer is that you will be entertained and encouraged or challenged each time you stop by. I am also praying for you, my readers, that is, so be encouraged in knowing that no matter what someone, somewhere is praying for you. Now go read your Bible, love your family, lover your neighbor, get outside, and love Jesus!

Financial Crisis Conspiracy?

2008-10-01T14:03:00Z

I know what you are thinking before you say it. Big brother is cooking the books in an effort to take away our liberties, turn capitalism into quasi socialism, take away our gun rights, and slowly disolve our rights to own property. What next you ask? Bar codes on our foreheads tapping into a bank account full of government credits that allow us to trade our goods and services?

I think the current crisis goes much much deeper and darker than even this scenario. I think all of this was put into motion in 1999 by the doomsday Y2k crowd. You know, the guys who bought 12 cases of canned corne, powdered milk, built out underground bunkers, stocked up on amo, beef jerky, and spam. I blame this so-called crisis on them. Why? I call it recovery of investment.

You see, the Y2k crowd spent untold millions on stocking up for the end of the world that did not come and are still reeling from this loss. Besides, who could ever use up 1,685 cases of spam? Also, the Y2k crowd is still reeling from the taunts and jokes of those who did not prepare. Add all of this together and it looks like this.....

spam+humiliation= failure of Freedie Mac = 700billion dollars

Don't question me on this one....math does not lie and it not partial to partisan politics.

The impending financial crisis will shut down the free market. Trees will no longer grow. The sun will no longer shine. A baby seal will be clubbed to death and hundreds, if not thousands of Y2k doomsdayers wil have their sweet revenge along with a spam sandwich. Ha ha ha ha, insert diabolical laugh here.

The Week in Weird 09.12.08

2008-09-12T13:39:00Z

This week's week in weird is brought to you by Covergirl [link]. If you were a lipstick what color would you be and why? Me? Mine is a mix up of coffee toffee and french toast [link].

Friday is for photos and I have quite a few of them for you so bare with me.

This past Sunday we had a great time as we attended my mom's family reunion at her newly restored home.

1. This log home dates back to the late 1700's and was brought to TN from West Virginia. The grayed portion is the original part of the home. This is now a working, living home.

2. The back of the yard was the latest addition as my mom just finished the stone porch/deck. I don't think the picture really does it justice.

3. My mom is a huge flower person. At her last home she built her own greenhouse where she cultivated many of the native and rare wildflowers found only in the Smoky Mountains. The tall vine plants that you see in this picture are morning glories and cover what use to be a telephone pole(about 20 feet high or so).

4. And finally some pics of the kids.

If you like great photography make sure to visit Steve Mckoy's Friday photos here [link] and Joe Thorn's here [link].

Want to see your photo published here? Submit all family friendly photos to bjnotbk@gmail.com for consideration. Please note that I reserve the right to publish or not publish any submission.

5. What are you reading? Lately I have been going through a couple of things: 1. The Reformed Pastor, by the English Puritan, Richard Baxter - believe it or not this is a good read. 2. I am doing a word study on "heart" in proverbs. 3. 1 John. I have also been reading some of the more left leaning political blogs and sights and it is interesting how shaky many on the left now are since the RNC. The second guessing, the questions of their nominee and Biden even wondering if Hillary wasn't the better choice over him [link].

6. Found on the web - How about someone giving you a free, electric car and then charging you to charge it in the same business model as the cell phone industry? Better Place [link] is trying to do just that.

And what about Lance Armstrong coming back to Le Tour de France? Does anyone see this as a mistake?

7. What are you listening to? I have been listening to John Piper lately. I can't get enough of his love for Jesus and his enthusiasm. This guy spits when he preaches, he yells, he laughs. If you have never heard a sermon by Piper or have never seen him preach watch this one and enjoy. Do you equate love of God with keeping the law?

8. What you got cooking for this weekend? Tomorrow morning we are doing the Marine Corp Mud run [link] but other than that I think we might have a low key weekend. M is still feeling bad with the "morning" sickness although it seems to hit her hard in the afternoon and evening. I love you babe!

My pitbull ate your lipstick

2008-09-10T19:43:00Z

Anyone else tired of hearing about lipstick?

What www.bjnotbk.com looks like in Wordle

2008-09-09T19:53:00Z

I came across this awesome website today, Wordle [link] that takes text and translates it into word-art highlighting the most prominent words.

Here is what www.bjnotbk.com looks like.

You can also see the larger image here [link].

Here is what Joe Napalm looks like.

You can also see the larger image here [link].

Or, you can create your own here [link].

Send me yours if you create one and maybe I can post it here.

Enjoy!

Wish List Updated

2008-09-09T15:37:00Z

I am in the process of updating my Amazon Wish list to include books and materials needed in my Seminary training. Feel free to browse using the side button as well as to buy often and liberally.

Thanks!