"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

You know ... after 4 years of teaching, coaching, and camping, I'm still utterly amazed at how weak this generation of kids are. They're fragile, both emotionally and physically ... it often takes just one word, one failure, or one measely cough to leave them totally incapacitated.

And we're making it worse, with all of our therapeutic talk, low standards, and unnecessary overmedication. We're constantly sending the message that being comfortable and secure is more important than being strong and resilient ... and I'm afraid that this generation of kids will enter adulthood vastly unprepared to be relevant citizens, creative minds, or worthwhile workers. They simply don't know how to suck it up.

But the root of my disgust isn't the kids ... I'm really tired of fighting "overly-gracious" parents. Their watered-down standards totally conflict with my leadership and teaching style. I want to challenge kids to open their lives to the world around them and learn from it, not sink into a pitiful pattern of sedentary self-absorbtion ... while they simply want their kids to be "happy" (whatever that means).

Newsbreak:
The answers are not inside of them.
They are not perfect just how they are.
Failures and pain are essential to their growth.

There, I said it.

J.weed just sent me what is perhaps the most well-crafted request for a shift trade at the Apple Store that I've ever received. I only wish I was available on this date to have the honor of responding to such a high calling:

My fellow Appletons,

The World is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- the request for a shift off.

Given in a space of time, we have taken up our burdens to achieve a Degree, and there is now a time where a test must be given to show if we are indeed worthy. This test, this exam, we will not falter to schedule, we will not falter to study, and we will not falter to pass.

It is this test, this exam, that we have committed our time, our effort, and our Tuesday. This harrowing day, where together we uncover the truth of our studies, is a day that we cannot falter, cannot fail, and cannot attend our shift.

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we call only for a few hours, a bit of time to aid in our darkest hour, as we have aided in theirs. It is in this way that our 5:30-10 shift on the 3rd of May will hopefully be covered in our absence.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of this request.

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your Apple can do for you; ask what you can do for your Apple.

-John F. Kenne-wedaman-dy

(um, I need my 5:30-10 shift covered... please.... I have exams that day and can't make it in until at least 7:00. My professors love surprises... so they only tell me now that I have exams so late...)

A student of mine is in desperate need of prayer. Most immediate is her need for physical safety ... there is an immediate threat of bodily harm.

Secondarily, she is simply in need of love ... in need of receiving and understanding the message that she is wanted and valuable and desperately loved. Regardless of what has happened to her or what is being asked of her, please pray for opportunities for those who are near her to connect with her heart. She needs to be embraced as she navigates the next couple of weeks; to be told over and over again that it's ok to feel; to be genuinely laughed with and cried with. Ultimately, she needs to experience the love of her heavenly Father.

Thank you.

Have you seen these HomeVestors billboards and signs posted all around your town? They inspire me. I want to plaster Cincinnati with these:

If you're complaining about high gas prices, here's an easy solution for you. Just invest in the oil and oil service industries. It'll create an inversely proportional relationship in your personal finances ... the more gas prices go up, the more your investment will be worth (making you back the money you lost at the pump)!

Let me try to make this clear once again ... please stop submitting my name or email address to Bebo.com or any other online address book aggregator. I will never give them my personal information, yet you people keep trying (over ten times this week alone).

I urge you to boycott these services as well (and remove any existing information ASAP). Let's look at Bebo, for example ... by submitting your information to them voluntarily, you are agreeing to their terms of use and privacy policy. And if you read those documents, you'll find a couple of interesting things:

1. They can change their service and/or terms of use whenever they want and without notice. In fact, it specifically says that they'll only let you know "from time to time", and then only by posting something on their own website (or sometimes by emailing you).
   
2. They specifically say that they are not liable for the use of your personal information, especially if their company is bought out by someone else ... in that instance, their existing privacy policy is void and the new company's privacy policy (or lack thereof) will be in effect for your personal information. Essentially, a shady company can purchase your data and do whatever they want with it ... you have already consented to this.
   
3. They will hold you liable, even in court, for any problems that occur. In other words, you've agreed to pay for their mistakes.

Think, people. Just think. It's a recipe for disaster ...they are collecting personal information from thousands (and probably millions) of people around the world, with little obligation to protect it in the future. By voluntarily agreeing to their ludicrous terms of use, you might as well make copies of your social security card and pass them out at the mall.

Leave me out of that.