Thanks to the current "crisis" in the prices of gasoline, our Memorial Day plans will not involve travel. We plan to stay home for the weekend and maybe grill some burgers and watch a movie. I am hoping that we get to watch Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Krystal Skull. If we can't do that we may just have a family "camp out" in our living room and watch some movies on the DVD player.
Since Texas is having a "tax free" weekend to encourage the purchasing of energy saving appliances, I plan on going to Wal-Mart or some other store to buy two or three new ceiling fans to replace some that are no longer working properly. I might spend part of my holiday weekend working on that.
It is supposed to rain in our part of Texas this weekend, which means I will probably spend Memorial Day (Monday) mowing my yard, unless I get it done this afternoon. Maybe I can convince the kids it will be fun to go through all their "summer" clothes and sort out what fits and what does not. That will surely make Monday a special family day. (Ha-Ha!) Not to mention I will be filling out some new job applications. (See Previous Blog)
Oh yea, I almost forgot...our family just purchased Wii Fit, which is a family game designed by Nintendo for the Wii System. It incorporates many different levels of physical fitness and health activities that you can work on. Wii Fit, measures your weight and helps you set goals to loose or gain your needed pounds. It also gives suggestions and tips to eating healthy, exercising, and maintaining good posture. The best part is it makes it fun. You can do Yoga, do strength exercises, aerobic exercises and exercises to improve your balance. So far our family loves it.
About ME
- Mr. E
- Grand Prairie, Texas, United States
- Mr. E is a Christian, Husband, Father of 2, former Army Officer and Texas Rangers Baseball fan.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Calling All Prayer Warriors, We Need Some Prayers
The Devil seems very determined to keep my family from having a great summer.
It's time we do a little fighting back! So pray hard fellow saints, pray hard!
First prayer request...My wife, Jamie, had her first mammogram early last month. (Click here for more information about that.) It seemed the doctor found something so they scheduled her for a follow up visit, which happened today. After a second test, the doctor decided to perform a biopsy on the "abnormality". It is probably not anything to worry about, but of course we are concerned. Her mother and both her grand-mothers are survivors of breast cancer.
Second prayer request...I found out today that the Adult Education Program at Kilgore College is doing a little "reorganization" and as a result, I will no longer be employed as of July 31st. So, just like last summer, I will be job hunting. So far I have found out that 3 school districts near me, including my last employer, are looking for Social Studies or History teachers. I am even checking out a possible General Manager position at a local hotel chain. It's a start.
Third prayer request... My wife and I wish you to pray for the success of our new home-based business. We recently signed up to be on-line travel agents. If you wish to book a vacation, come check us out at Four English Peas Travel. We want more than anything to honor God with this new business. So pray that we do just that.
One thing to know about us is, that we fully believe that God will lead us through all of this! After all He is the God of "Miracles and Wonders" according to Psalms.
It's time we do a little fighting back! So pray hard fellow saints, pray hard!
First prayer request...My wife, Jamie, had her first mammogram early last month. (Click here for more information about that.) It seemed the doctor found something so they scheduled her for a follow up visit, which happened today. After a second test, the doctor decided to perform a biopsy on the "abnormality". It is probably not anything to worry about, but of course we are concerned. Her mother and both her grand-mothers are survivors of breast cancer.
Second prayer request...I found out today that the Adult Education Program at Kilgore College is doing a little "reorganization" and as a result, I will no longer be employed as of July 31st. So, just like last summer, I will be job hunting. So far I have found out that 3 school districts near me, including my last employer, are looking for Social Studies or History teachers. I am even checking out a possible General Manager position at a local hotel chain. It's a start.
Third prayer request... My wife and I wish you to pray for the success of our new home-based business. We recently signed up to be on-line travel agents. If you wish to book a vacation, come check us out at Four English Peas Travel. We want more than anything to honor God with this new business. So pray that we do just that.
One thing to know about us is, that we fully believe that God will lead us through all of this! After all He is the God of "Miracles and Wonders" according to Psalms.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Why do we run from what we are so desperately longing for?
The past couple of days I have noticed a theme, that keeps popping up in books, movies and in everyday life.
The theme is that "God is relentlessly pursuing us in order to show us his love! Our response it to run away from what we are so desperately longing to have." God offers us mercy, grace, love and eternal life with Him. These are the very things most people on this little planet so desperately want in our lives. Instead of accepting this we tend to run from it. Why?
Maybe we are afraid of seeing the reflection of our ugly, deformed, sinful self. We must come face to face with the fact that we are sinners and have no chance to heal ourselves, no matter what we do.
The book Captured by Grace tells the life stories of several famous folks, including C.S. Lewis, John Newton, and Paul the Apostle, and how they compare their lives as running from themselves and a very loving God, only to find out that when they finally run into God and He captures their hearts, that they finally realize that they have been running from what they have been seeking all along.
I watched the movie Finding Nemo with my family on Sunday. I have seen this movie many times before, but I never caught this particular theme. Nemo is amazed that his father has overcome impossible odds to find him. His father tells Nemo, "Don't you realize I would do anything to find you! I love you!" Hasn't our Heavenly Father done the same thing for us. He went through "Death" to pursue an everlasting relationship with us.
We know that God is there. We know He calls out to us daily to join in fellowship with Him. Why do run? What are we scared of? Are we so afraid of facing up to our own sins? Are we afraid that we are so ugly and scarred that God cannot really want a relationship with someone so sinful? I guess we are. Why don't we just quit running and let God capture our heart? When He does he will transform us into such incredible people, we will start running again. This time running with God in pursuit of others who flee the grace of God, that they are so desperately looking for.
The theme is that "God is relentlessly pursuing us in order to show us his love! Our response it to run away from what we are so desperately longing to have." God offers us mercy, grace, love and eternal life with Him. These are the very things most people on this little planet so desperately want in our lives. Instead of accepting this we tend to run from it. Why?
Maybe we are afraid of seeing the reflection of our ugly, deformed, sinful self. We must come face to face with the fact that we are sinners and have no chance to heal ourselves, no matter what we do.
The book Captured by Grace tells the life stories of several famous folks, including C.S. Lewis, John Newton, and Paul the Apostle, and how they compare their lives as running from themselves and a very loving God, only to find out that when they finally run into God and He captures their hearts, that they finally realize that they have been running from what they have been seeking all along.
I watched the movie Finding Nemo with my family on Sunday. I have seen this movie many times before, but I never caught this particular theme. Nemo is amazed that his father has overcome impossible odds to find him. His father tells Nemo, "Don't you realize I would do anything to find you! I love you!" Hasn't our Heavenly Father done the same thing for us. He went through "Death" to pursue an everlasting relationship with us.
We know that God is there. We know He calls out to us daily to join in fellowship with Him. Why do run? What are we scared of? Are we so afraid of facing up to our own sins? Are we afraid that we are so ugly and scarred that God cannot really want a relationship with someone so sinful? I guess we are. Why don't we just quit running and let God capture our heart? When He does he will transform us into such incredible people, we will start running again. This time running with God in pursuit of others who flee the grace of God, that they are so desperately looking for.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Movie Reviews: The Great Debaters & Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Today I got to watch two different movies. My Adult Education class watched The Great Debaters staring and directed by Denzel Washington. This movie is based on the true story of the 1935 Debate Team of Wiley College in Marshall, TX. (Just so happens to be about 40 minutes from where I live.) This movie was an excellent story about perseverance and determination in a time filled with racism and prejudice. I thought the movie was very well done and it addressed several prominent social issues of the times. I especially liked the final debate speech over Civil Disobedience given by Wiley College against Harvard University. I highly recommend this film.
The second movie I got to watch with my children. After school today we watched The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Wow, another powerful movie. This movie based on the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis was a worthy sequel to the first Narnia movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I picked up several good points from this movie. The first was that we often under estimate the power of God based on size and appearance alone. The second is that we often truly believe that God is there but we don't go to Him when He calls or when we need Him. Third, we often don't trust that God will really protect us or take care of us, so we try our best to do things based on our own abilities. These behaviors often lead us to failure or less than perfect results. Only when we fully rely on God and His power and love for us, can we be successful. I also highly recommend this film.
Both of these films will make my top 100 movie list if not my top 25 movies.
On a different note: I am really missing my bride, Jamie. She is still in Michigan attending her grandmother's funeral. The kids are missing her as well. She should return to us on Sunday.
The second movie I got to watch with my children. After school today we watched The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Wow, another powerful movie. This movie based on the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis was a worthy sequel to the first Narnia movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I picked up several good points from this movie. The first was that we often under estimate the power of God based on size and appearance alone. The second is that we often truly believe that God is there but we don't go to Him when He calls or when we need Him. Third, we often don't trust that God will really protect us or take care of us, so we try our best to do things based on our own abilities. These behaviors often lead us to failure or less than perfect results. Only when we fully rely on God and His power and love for us, can we be successful. I also highly recommend this film.
Both of these films will make my top 100 movie list if not my top 25 movies.
On a different note: I am really missing my bride, Jamie. She is still in Michigan attending her grandmother's funeral. The kids are missing her as well. She should return to us on Sunday.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Weekend Plans
Not much is happening around the English house recently, unless you count starting the new business (see blog below). My wife, Jamie, has been out of town since Tuesday visiting family and attending the funeral of her grand-mother in Michigan. She will get back into town sometime Sunday afternoon. My son, Caleb, will be attending a band concert in Dallas on Saturday. His school's 7th Grade Band will be part of the performance. He will be gone most of the day. That leaves my daughter, Rachel, and I alone for the day Saturday. Maybe we can go get a snow cone and play some kind of games?
Friday, I plan on taking the kids to see The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I hope we can catch a matinee show before it gets to crowded.
As for the present...I am just missing my bride. It's not the same cuddling with a pillow. I am also praying, with much fervor, about our new travel business. I fully trust in God to do with it as he pleases; but my human nature really wants it to do well.
Friday, I plan on taking the kids to see The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I hope we can catch a matinee show before it gets to crowded.
As for the present...I am just missing my bride. It's not the same cuddling with a pillow. I am also praying, with much fervor, about our new travel business. I fully trust in God to do with it as he pleases; but my human nature really wants it to do well.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Four English Peas Travel
Would You Like to Be Here?
Four English Peas Travel
Looking for a place to help you plan and book your next vacation? Need help booking a hotel or renting a car? Give Four English Peas Travel a chance! (click name in red to go to our site.) This is a family owned buisness in affliation with YTB International. We can help you find the best deals for hotels, car rentals, vacations, cruises or almost any travel need you may have. Let us be your gateway to the world!
The English Family wants to give glory to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit through this business. We hope any plans you make through us, will also be blessed by God! Thank You!
Four English Peas Travel
Looking for a place to help you plan and book your next vacation? Need help booking a hotel or renting a car? Give Four English Peas Travel a chance! (click name in red to go to our site.) This is a family owned buisness in affliation with YTB International. We can help you find the best deals for hotels, car rentals, vacations, cruises or almost any travel need you may have. Let us be your gateway to the world!
The English Family wants to give glory to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit through this business. We hope any plans you make through us, will also be blessed by God! Thank You!
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