Is death ever "good?"

How’s this for a nice, light post after my ebay blurb. And don’t worry, I’m still planning on posting about my social networking fast, but that’s getting pushed to the back for a while.

I recently was informed of the death of a friend of mine, someone I knew many years ago from a Bible study I attended. Service is this weekend. Having experienced my share of memorial services this past year, there’s a part of me that’s not exactly looking forward to going, in spite of the fact that it will mean a reunion with good friends from long ago, people who were lasting influences in my life.


Earlier this week I came across my “keepsake box,” a catch-all containing everything from my plastic Yamaha recorder from my 3rd grade music class, pay stubs from my first job (The Hobbyist), and birthday cards & letters from throughout the years. I also found tons of letters from my mom & dad during my time studying in New York. I spent a couple hours reading them, bawling, reading some more... more bawling.

Letter from when our dog Randy died... you guessed it! [sniff]

As a Christ-follower, what exactly is the “correct” response to death? Don’t base your theology off this (though, maybe I’m quick to discount it based on my personal bias...and the fact that I’m writing this wearing a bathrobe while eating wasa bread while listening to Clifford the Big Red Dog in the background.)

I’m sure you’ve heard them - the “Christian-ese” expressions (better place, with the Lord, God’s plans, etc.) offered to the grieving. I’m convinced that these are given, not out of insincerity, but maybe a lack of knowing the “right” thing to say in the midst of such pain and loss.

As one left behind, there’s also the temptation to try to be strong, to answer “ok” when asked by a friend or loved one. To be or do any less might seem to be lacking in faith or something. The ones who died, those who knew Christ as their Savior are with Him now. No more pain, worry, sorrow... we should be rejoicing, right?

Well...

Now, before you start throwing things at me (putting some extra pillows under my robe), hear me out. Death sucks! Whether it was over quickly or dragged on for many months, it leaves those left behind wounded. Those wounds may heal over time, but there will always be a scar, a permanent mark reminding us of our loss. That scar on my pinkie finger from when I cut it 24 years ago working at McDonald’s hasn’t produced pain in... about 24 years, but the reminder is there & will remain until I’m old & gray (no smart comments, please! :-)

As Christians, there is incredible comfort knowing that our loved ones are with God, that they’re no longer afflicted by the pain, illnesses, worries, losses, etc. that mark this broken, fallen world. There’s also security for those of us that remain, knowing that this isn’t the last stop for us. Thank you Jesus for making a way for us to know God the way He intended before sin wounded & scarred creation. Hallelujah!

As I prepare to see my friend who lost his wife tomorrow, I really can’t fathom the “right” thing to say. I anticipate that there may be no words at all, that as one husband to another, the best I may be able to manage will be to simply hold him & weep, and to continue to lift him up in prayer as he faces life without his beloved.

Dave's ebay secret

Here's a light post for the day - I've been using ebay to buy & sell stuff since 2005, but it's not until the last couple years that I've perfected my technique for winning auctions. After some really good buys this past week (i.e. $175 snow pants for Jen for $13.06), I'm feeling pretty good, so I figured I'd share my secrets.

(1) Know the value of what you're bidding on. It's not a deal if you end up spending more than it costs in stores. I laugh when I see people get into bidding wars & drive the price to full retail or even more!

(2) Watch for bad descriptions & photos. I love picking up items that are listed as "Patagonia fluffy jacket" along with a blurry photo. A casual glance may not reveal much, but closer inspection may reveal that the "fluffy" jacket is actually a Patagonia Retro X windproof fleece, last year's model based on the pocket design & zipper pulls, that retails for $185. I'll pick up the "fluffy" jacket for $30, turn around & list it accurately with great pictures and double or triple my money.

(3) And lastly, the "Dave Snatch." I'll set my scope on a particular item, watch it closely throughout the auction period, and if the price is still low enough where it'd be a deal for me or I could easily resell it, I get down to business. First, know your maximum bid. Don't get swept up in the thrill of the hunt. Give yourself the maximum you're willing to spend on the item. If it goes for more than that, it wasn't meant to be. Let it go! :-)

During the final minute, watch the bids. With about 30 seconds left, enter your maximum bid (the most you'd consider bidding) and place the bid. Go with an amount that's weird. For example, instead of entering $100, enter $101.22. I can't tell you how many auctions I've snatched by 50 cents because of entering an odd amount.

Here's where it gets fun. Ebay will ask you to confirm your bid. WAIT!!! You'll want to wait until about 6 seconds left before confirming your bid (a second or two longer depending on your connection speed.) This timing prevents someone from submitting a counter bid before the auction ends.

BAM!!! The moment of truth. You either just won the item or another bidder's maximum bid was greater than you were willing to spend in the first place.

Happy ebaying!

The real tragedy of Global "Warming" (btw, the polar bears are fine!)

[Getting on soapbox] Ladies and gentlemen, the myth of manmade global warming unravels almost by the day. Googling "Climategate" produces a wealth of information. Regardless of what you believe, read everything you can get your hands on. At the very least, it should prove that the theory of manmade global warming is far from settled science. We need to show our leaders that we have brains & can think for ourselves.

But this post is not about whether or not we're responsible for raising the earth's temperatures. It's about, in my opinion, collateral damage resulting most recently from this whole global warming mess.

(1) The death of network news. In the two weeks following the University of East Anglia's documents being made public, the "major" news outlets in the US remained oddly silent on the matter, even as it was being reported in major outlets worldwide. Instead, viewers who rely on NBC, CBS, and ABC were treated to more than 35 reports on Tiger Woods' marriage problems, even something about a moose, with nary a SINGLE mention of quite possibly the biggest scandal of modern science. Crickets chirping...

And they wonder why their ratings continue to plummet? It's because they've lost our TRUST. No longer champions in search of truth, they've instead become a glorified infomercial, hawking agendas.

(2) Corrupted science. Contrary to how Al Gore and other global warming acolytes would like to portray them, the recently published documents from the University of East Anglia are pretty damning. An article in the Wall Street Journal-Europe calls "Climategate" the "tip of the iceberg" as raw data from other researchers, including NASA and NOAA, has not been provided as required by FOI. Interesting to see how far the rabbit hole goes! Think Al will give refunds if all this proves to be a big sham?

Used to be the scientific method couldn't be corrupted, but when the politicians write the scientist's paychecks, what should we expect?

(3) Polar Bears. Ok, contrary to what kids are STILL being taught in school (the "drowning" polar bear pics were debunked years ago, btw) they're really not a victim in this, as scientists who actually STUDY polar bears for a living report that their numbers are increasing overall, that the varieties that are decreasing are doing so primarily as a result of hunting. Actually, according to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, if there's an increase in temperatures, it'll result in an INCREASE in habitat for wildlife, decreasing the arctic desert and increasing forested areas.

Bottom line? Study for yourself, guys! And you politicians out there, beware. Knowledgeable citizens vote.

A financial milestone

Besides being December 1st (WHITE RABBIT!), today marks a significant event in our family's financial history.

We don't owe anything on credit cards. Zip. Nada. Zilch.

Four years ago, Jen & I were introduced to Dave Ramsey & Financial Peace University. Both with good jobs, in debt up to our eyeballs, Dave encouraged us to take steps to change our situation.

We learned that that dread "B" word...budget...isn't a dirty word but a tool intended to gain control of the money we worked so hard to make in the first place.

Then came the debt repayment plan. Almost $40K in credit card debt is hard to ignore, and even harder to pay off playing by the card issuers' rules, especially when they CHANGE the rules frequently (ex. "New changes to your account terms and what they mean to you.") Four years later, that debt is gone & we never wanna go back!

Next are the car loans & student loans. We're working toward having those completely paid off within the next 1 1/2-2 years.

We're already talking about saving for and paying cash for a house. How crazy is that?

Where's my stone?

I'll be honest. There are times that I'd like to throttle people. There's one in particular, right now, that I'd like to kick the royal ####### out of.

"David!" (I can hear my mom gasp)

As a husband & father, I was made aware last night of a supposed follower of Christ who recently announced to his wife (with infant son) that he was leaving. Reason given? He wanted his life back & his wife and child were holding him back.

Wanna take turns swinging? I'll share my bat.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged." Luke 6:37 NIV

Ugh! Ok, God, I'm listening...

In this passage, Jesus isn't asking us to abandon discernment. It's not popular to say such things nowadays, but there still are things that are right and wrong. What Jesus is saying is that we should avoid self righteously judging others, whipping those rocks at someone who may honestly have 'em coming while we ignore the sin in our lives that deserve our own helping of judgement.

Pray for this family!

Memories of home

Spent some time last weekend transporting some things for my sister as she prepares to move back home to my parent's house. After bringing the last of the boxes inside, I found myself walking around the yard in the moonlight. It was amazing all the memories that came to mind...

* That scraggly little tree in the front yard that looked like a mop
* Dodgeball in the front yard with soaked Nerf footballs
* The apple "bush"
* Our dog's "minefield," especially when cutting the grass
* Riding bikes on the patio 'cuz dad didn't want us in the street
* Mom's chive plant by the back steps
* Throwing dried dirt clods at each other like hand grenades
* The grits I dumped into the evergreen bush when I made too much
* The play fort (manly 'til mom & Vikki painted flowers on it)
* Playing catch with Dad next to the garage
* Kickball games at the side of the house
* The Prayer Tree

Louis Vincent Albano - 1933-2009

I'm both sad & smiling as I write this, especially considering the substantial amount of time since my last full post. Who would've though that "Captain" Lou Albano would break my writing drought.