Updating more often?

Apparently I can now blog from my phone...maybe I'll update it more now

a month without TV

As I mentioned previously I gave up TV for Lent, which is a first for me. Television has always been a part of my life, sometimes TOO MUCH a part of my life, and I am now going on one month without it. The only exceptions that I have made were for the Presidential press conference the other night as well as the weekly couple of hours on Sunday which is allowed during Lent.

I have found that now each night it is getting harder and harder to live without it unless I have a busy night. This shows me even more that I have allowed it to become too much of a priority in my life. However, this has also been a benefit because this constant tension is reminding me daily of what IS most important in my life, my relationship with the Lord and with Megan.

So what will happen after Lent? I will be glad when Easter Sunday comes so I can watch TV again-it has been hard not to watch American Idol and other shows, but I don't think I'll watch as much. I am going to try and limit my time as well as keep busy with other things in the house so I don't repeat the cycle that ended on Ash Wednesday. It won't be easy though, so please pray for me. I grew up in a home where TV was just a part of life and I used TV as a way to stay up on pop culture, so believe me when I say this is a HUGE lifestyle adjustment for me.

That's the latest!

Cletus Take the Reel

I was recently introduced to Tim Hawkins via his "chik-fil-a" song, and laughed until it hurt.

I have also never been a fan of the song "Jesus take the wheel" by Carrie Underwood. I have always just thought it was just plain corny and campy...not to mention that her newer songs don't seem to reflect the same values as the Jesus song. After viewing this video though I was brought to a tear and I believe the song has finally been redeemed. Enjoy!

Still Here...

Sorry for the quietness lately, just seems like life has been crazy and I haven't taken the time to blog. I'll try to do better from now on. Not a whole lot is going on, but here's a quick update on life in our household...

First, I gave up TV for lent, which has been quite the adventure for me. I did this, because I found that TV had become TOO important in my life. While I do appreciate the freedom that Sunday brings to watch a little bit, if I'm being honest, I don't miss it near as much as I thought I would and I am finding time to do things I have wanted to do for awhile. While I am looking forward to Easter and being able to not worry about recording LOST, Survivor, and Heroes, as well as being able to watch AI I have realized that there is more to life than prime time.

Second, just for kicks and giggles Meg and I went to an open casting call for the Biggest Loser last weekend in Columbus. It really was a neat experience seeing how it works and getting to meet some of the previous cast members, but I don't think anything will come of it, and even if it did, you'd have to wait until next fall to see because I wouldn't tell you! So with that said, I guess the weight loss battle continues on our own. Meg is down 10 pounds, and me-well I've just plateaued and am still sitting pretty right around 360. It is getting warmer though, so I am trying to be more active outside and walking again.

Finally, we'll be heading to Pcola this weekend for the annual McGuire's 5k and I'll be speaking at Ensley Naz, so I'll have plenty of pics up next week sometime hopefully.

That's it for now!

Idol Thoughts...

Your winner of American Idol season 8 is...

Danny Gokey

I guess it's probably too soon to say for sure, but he's got my vote for the winner this year. What an amazing voice and a great performer, and he's a worship leader to boot!

Yes we can?

It is true that we have experienced history today in the inauguration of President Barack Obama. There is no doubt about that. My only hope is that he can live up to the expectations that we as Americans have placed on him. There almost seems to be a messianic expectation placed on him, so I believe now more than ever that we as believers need to unite in prayer for him, regardless of our political beliefs about him.

I wonder though, how different really was today than 8 years ago when President Bush took office? I really don't think it is that much different, there was a high expectation placed on Bush when he was inaugurated as well. He was coming into office on the heels of a presidential term filled with scandal-just of a different sort. I don't think I am alone either-my friend Adam McLane has some great thoughts about the whole idea here. Take a read and let me know what you think.

I also have been wondering-and I need to unpack it more before I blog about it, but I wonder if we have seen the death of "conservatism" as we know it with this inauguration. Basically, the world with the help of the liberal media and Hollywood seems to be making a cultural shift to what some would define as liberal. It began in 2006 with the shift in congress and now seems complete with the inauguration of President Obama. I'm not saying its the end of the world as we know it, but there just seems to be a shift taking place. I think the Republican party, and conservatives as a whole (I'd like to argue there is a rising difference between the two) will have a long road ahead of them to "take the country back" if you will.

Either way, we have experienced history today and I have to admit, I'm a little excited to see what is to come. Thoughts on any of this?

Just a little taste...

Here's just a little taste of the new single from the upcoming u2 song...a bit different, but sounds pretty amazing!

He's BAAAAACCCCK!

Happy new year to you all, and just for fun, here's is the brand new Evolution of Dance 2 video. Enjoy!

One good thing about being back in Ohio...

There are several great things about being back in Ohio again, this being one of them. Ironic that I am posting this after the Sarah Palin picture, but here goes-ya gotta love deer season. They are so thick here that they NEED to be thinned out, so I am just doing my part and Megan and I both love venison so we are good to go for a while. Here's the pic from my cell phone, I hope to have a better picture later this week...

That explains alot...

No wonder Santa didn't make it to our house last night...Merry Christmas from the McKee's! No we had a great Christmas, I'll post pictures later. Hope yours was awesome too!

I wonder...

As we celebrate the birth of Christ this season, I just have to wonder if maybe it might have gone down something like this? We all know it REALLY wasn't a "silent" night. :) Merry Christmas and hope you got a laugh!

No line on the horizon...

It's official...March 2nd is the release date for the brand new U2 album entitled "No Line on the Horizon." Needless to say, I'm stoked and can't wait to grab a copy of it. Not to mention that it probably means a summer tour next year. Anyone up for a show?

Weight Loss update...

Well I am weighing in at 360 which is only 2 pounds lighter than the last time I posted about weight loss, but I am encouraged. I haven't gained through the holidays and I am starting to exercise more.

I finally figured out how to trick y Wii Fit into working even though I am overweight for it, so that will GREATLY enhance my workouts. I am doing it about 45 minutes each day and to say that it is kicking my butt would be an understatement. I like all the aspects of it, and the cool down of yoga is the craziest part. It is MUCH more difficult than I thought, and its kind of funny...a fat man doing yoga. But it does help to cool down with it.

So who knows what's next...the game actually takes your character and makes it realistic, so needless to say my Mii is now "obese" and looks shall we say a little more realistic...just wish the game didn't say...YOU'RE OBESE!!!

Day by day, one step at a time. That's all for now!

Too Cute not to post...

This is one of the cutest videos I have seen for a good while. Unbelievable!

Thanksgiving - Hope it was a great one!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and it was wonderful for you. Enjoy this completely random and strange song. And remember to give Thanksssssssss........

Movie Review-007:Quantum of Solace

Here are my thoughts about the new Bond movie: All in all I liked it because of the new twists with the character of James Bond. I don't think it was as good as last year's Casino Royale though. However, the action sequences were good and I think Daniel Craig pulls off a good James Bond. I like the character of M, but if these are supposed to take place before the other Bond movies it would be better if they would have a younger actress playing the role instead of Dame Judy Densch.

The only problems I had with it was the fact that the movie seemed to be 2 hours of Bond traipsing around the world angry, killing anything that gets in the way. I know the character is supposed to be dealing with grief and a desire for revenge, but it just seemed to consume the movie more than the underlying story of figuring out who was behind the Quantum organization. Also the said action sequences seemed to go back and forth a little too fast for this guy. It almost made my head hurt to watch it.

As for teachable moments, this isn't a movie I would take a youth group to see, but I'd go see it with students if they were going. You could have some great discussions on dealing with grief, anger, and revenge after seeing the movie.

Overall not a bad flick, it's not the best Bond movie, but not the worst either. Grade B-

Become a follower of mine...

I don't claim to know everything or be an expert on anything, but I am curious who reads this blog. If you do-whether regularly or occasionally, would you join my following? I'd just like to know who reads this and I'll check out your blog as well if I don't already. Just click on the follow me tab to the right just under the about me section. Thanks! You ALL rock!

Senior Adult Choir Hip Hop

I couldn't pass this up. Props to Josh over at morethandodgeball.com for posting it first. I guess it was an opening video for a fall youth retreat meant to be funny, but has actually helped bridge the gap between the senior adults and teens. It makes me wonder what else we could do to bridge that gap. Anyone have any ideas that have worked for you?

300!

THIS

IS

SPARTA!!!

had to put that in there since this is offically the 300th post. Thanks for reading-whoever you are...

NYWC in pictures...

This was a new band called NewWorld Son. I had never heard of them, but was impressed by their eclectic mix of music-sort of rock-a-billy meets funk meets a little electronica. They put on a heck of a show as well. Definitely worth checking out!

Tic Long decked out in the leisure suit-I'm pretty sure it was just for Halloween but if anyone could pull it off it's Tic.



Starfield led worship for the first two days. I really like these guys. They were everywhere in Nazarenedom and that's how I got hooked on them. They are a great worship band and they have to attitudes to match. Awesome guys!

Tommy was thrilled because he got to meet Sarah Palin...not sure if you can tell or not, but there is a girl dressed as a moose in the background. Funny stuff-didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't the real Sarah Palin.

This is the Monongahela incline-yup it's that steep. It took us up to the top of the Mountain where we took a scenic walk to the other incline and grabbed lunch. Beautiful views of the city and well worth the 5 dollar round trip!

Vinny,Tommy, and I just goofing off-Vinny tried to mess with Tommy a bit! These guys are awesome!

The three amigos with the city in the background-beautiful view of downtown!

This is the area of the city called the "Golden triangle." That's point state park in the foreground and the point where the three rivers meet. You can't see the convention center, but its back beside the two twin yellow bridges in the background.

Back at the convention center with mercy me-yup we were that close! I just thought it was awesome that one of the focal points on stage all weekend was this RIDICULOUSLY large disco ball. AWESOME!

You can't see the sign on the front of this old church, but on the way through the strip district we found this old church now called the "Altar" bar. Ironic huh? I suppose it could be a nod to post modern thinking and is an inner city outreach but judging by the Jaegermeister yellow tape on the handrail I am doubting this is the case. Sad-wonder what the story behind the church is?

This is the menu on the wall at Primanti brothers-a local dive where we had lunch at one day. You know it's local when it is open 24 hours a day in the hood and has the menu on the wall. Not to mention you get EVERYTHING on the sandwich and it didn't look like the place to ask for something special to be done to the sandwich-it was pretty good though.

Vinny and Tommy in anticipation of their first bite posing with the sandwich. I guess this place has been featured on the food network.

And a picture of my sandwich-the roast beef. Here's what you get-the sandwich with fries, slaw, and tomato on the sandwich. I picked the tomato off.

Vinny REALLY enjoyed his sandwich-but he might have been posing for the camera. I guess we'll never know!

All in all, it was an awesome weekend. I also had the chance to reconnect with another friend of mine named Eli. We all grabbed hibachi one night, but I forgot the camera. I didn't post any Crowder pictures because we didn't get close enough to get good pictures that night. Here's to friendship, networking, and a chance to be refreshed. Can't wait until NYWC 09!