My Wife and my iPod.

I haven't posted in a while. I have been working on a reply to the Dan's post and I've got nothin', well nearly nothin'.

Yesterday, my wife touched my heart in a special way. After church we went out to lunch. As we were exiting the car, Tricia hands me forty-five bucks. Of course I give her the "Where did this come from?" look. So she tells me, "I've been saving the cash you leave me, so I could buy you a new iPod." I was floored. That she would take what I had given to bless her, she was going to use to bless me. It made my eyes misty. Tricia is the best wife ever.

iPod™ Update

I finally replaced my stolen iPod™. Yea for me. I bought an "open box" 30gig in black. I saved about $55. That means I am happy on many levels. I thought I would use this opportunity to share my most played list as shown in iTunes™.

Be Back Soon!

I have been super busy and super lazy, hence no posting. I should have something up this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon.

Christian Sees Those Ahead...

Sunday nights are generally when my wife and I meet with our small group. We normally talk about that day's sermon. We are presently in the middle of a series on gender, sort of along the lines of Restoring Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

Near the end of last Sunday night's meeting, I brought up a survey that I read that says a lot of men see love and respect as synonymous terms. Most women, on the other hand, see these terms as very distinct from each other.

The discussion that followed seemed to reinforce that very idea. Early on, our group leader, Mr. Jones, said something to the effect of, "I don't think you can have love without respect." Later on he asked the question, "So is it possible to love someone you don't respect?" He did so in his usual manner, which is to say in an open and honest manner, lacking any tone of condescension or disapproval of the notion.

Immediately the lovely Mrs. Jones answered something to the effect of, "Yes, you can love someone without respecting them. You won't follow someone you don't respect, but you can still love them." Her response had no hint of trepidation or sarcasm. It was truly uninhibited, (yet) loving and respectful. Mr. Jones nodded an understanding nod.

This exchange was a beautiful example of a Husband moving beyond his own perspective and including the perspective of his Bride. This exchange gave me the impression that Mr. Jones has been loving his wife as Christ loves the Church. It was natural and flowing, giving the impression that this is the normal course of their conversations.

Mr. Jones' willingness to question his own paradigm in an effort to understand how others think and feel was inspirational to me. I hope to one day to be more like him.

This post was posted with the permission of Mr. Jones. Yes, that is his real name.

Big News!!!

Yes, really big, read all about it on the McDaris Family Blog. Go read it now, I'll wait here.

Announcement: Cigar and Theology

Just a heads-up for those of you in the L.A./Orange county area: I will be hosting a Cigar and Theology Night in the near future.

In addition to the fine cigar and theology you bring, there will be good beer and tasty ice cream. Partaking of cigars and beer is not required, but extreme peer pressure will be applied to those who plan not to eat ice cream.

I'm still working on a place and time. If you are interested, send an email to: ibeabrian@gmail.com.

I think the topic up for discussion will most likely be, "The persistence of sin in the life of the believer." I think one of the Pyro bloggers mentioned it a month or so ago (maybe on one of the solo blogs) but I can't find it now. If you remember reading the post and know where it is, let me know, please.

UPDATE: Link to the proposed discussion topic found here.
h/t to Even so... at VoV.