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My Trendy Wendy notebook that I did my math homework this year and last year is no more. The spirals got all messed up and made it nearly impossible to turn the page of the notebook without ripping the page out. I retired Trendy Wendy and her brother Todd and dug through our school supplies basket for a new Algebra II/Trigonometry notebook to do my homework in. I unearthed a green College Ruled spiral notebook and packed it in my bag to take to school the next morning.

Yes, I did homework in it, but I noticed that the closely spaced lines made writing between them more inviting for me. Smaller print means more words can fit on the page – it’s a no-brainer. So, for the past couple weeks or so, I haven’t been paying attention in Trig (and I’m sure that my average has suffered a little if not immensely). Instead, I’ve been picking up my pen and getting lost in words I have written. Poetry’s always been my forte, but until a couple of weeks ago, I hadn’t been writing any new material. Now, thanks to this green notebook, I haven’t been using my laptop in school as much. Instead, I’ve been distracted by the beauty a clean, white page can provide. Just knowing I can fill that blankness with words makes me want to write all over on every page. So, that’s what I’ve been doing.

The green notebook isn’t for Trig anymore. No, I unearthed a new notebook for that subject (this time it’s red!) and have been using that instead. I’m letting this plain old green notebook help me stretch my writing abilities. I’m writing everything I can (it’s all poetry, mind you) even if it ends up sucking. At least I’m getting everything out of my head.

Lately I have been trying to write beyond my comfort zone. I’ve always kind of written G-rated poetry subconsciously. Now, my most recent works hold a new, deep and hidden meaning that it will take a reader several read-throughs to figure out what it’s truly about. Some of my recent poetry could be rated R or PG-13 at least. I used to be cautious about what I wrote. Now I find myself wanting to write about everything that I hold in my mind, no matter how vulgar or inappropriate my thoughts are (and let’s face it, every mind thinks vulgar and inappropriate thoughts sometimes). One of my most favorite poems is by this poet called C.B. Trail. He obviously didn’t care what the reader thought when he wrote “Sonnet”:

This is for the afternoon we lay in the leaves
After it had been winter for half a year,
And I kissed you and unbuttoned your jeans
And touched you and made you smile, my dear.
And of all the good things that love means,
One of them is to touch you there
And make you smile, among the leaves,
And feel your wetness and your sweet short hair,
And kiss your breasts and put my tongue
Into the delirium between your soft pale thighs,
Because the winter has been much too long
And soon will come again, when this love dies.
I will hear sermons preached, and some of them be true,
But I will not regret that afternoon with you.

I love his honesty and just the truth behind this sonnet. I have had some of my friends read this poem, and their first reaction is “ew! That’s disgusting!” but me? I think it’s beautiful. I think the way it was written is beautiful. I don’t necessarily think that the act displayed in the poem is beautiful (though, what in love isn’t beautiful?), but the way it was written is just phenomenal. Total honesty. Total fearlessness. I want to write like that. I don’t want to be reserved with my writing just because I’m afraid of being obscene or inappropriate. Marilyn Manson’s song “mOBSCENE” has a line that goes “Be! Obscene! Be be obscene!” I’m going to be totally honest with everything I write to get my point across, and if it means being obscene in the process, so be it. I’m willing to take the risk. This green notebook is helping me stretch that ability and is nursing it to reach its full potential. I write how I feel instead of how I pretend I feel. I make up stories in my head and then write them down in poetic form. I create magic with my poetry.

So, I’m trying to be open-minded with everything I write. Even if I think it’s horrible, I keep it. Even if I think a subject is a little iffy to write about, I do it anyway. I’m broadening my horizons. I’m making way for the new – so, out with my old ways and techniques!

Here are samples of my random thoughts in poems from school days (I’m keeping this G-rated here):

You Don’t Know Me

I appear miserable all the time
angry, sad, never happy
to you, this appears to be quite the crime.
Oh, how you don’t know me.
I’m filled with laughter and smiles
and I know, laughter you can’t see
but even though I run miles and miles
I don’t think you know me.
You think you know all my quirks
and what I like to be
the truth is, I’m not the queen of jerks
which shows that you don’t know me.
For as long as there is air to breathe
nobody – nobody – will ever know me.

I would tell you how the sun rose
but I’ve never seen its birth.
I know that the light slowly grows
and gradually heats the Earth.

All I know is when I wake
her silky rays reach my eyes
I know there is no mistake -
I’m in the right place when I rise.

I would tell you how the sun rose
but you’re asking the wrong girl.
This secret, nobody but her knows.
We’re both little girls in a big world.

Alone,
hated,
discombobulated.
She’s alone,
hated
and discombobulated.
I…
I’m alone,
hated
and discombobulated.

Surrounded by millions, thousands, billions
she smiles for the camera constantly.
She’s mocked and her popularity’s docked
all around her, bodies are flocked.
She looks in the mirror, but cannot see.
The flashes blind her temporarily.

She faults in her footing, cameras still shooting
capturing a moment that lives on forever.
She’s harassed and so embarrassed…
never did she ask for this.
She looks for her shoe, but cannot see
the flashes blind her temporarily.

She never has that moment, the missing component
to calm herself down completely.
Not missing a beat, she’s again up and on her feet.
She struggles, but won’t admit defeat.
She walks on, but cannot see…
the flashes blind her permanently.

Quite the come on Sharks performance in their 5-4 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers. After the 7-2 debacle last game against Chicago, I expected a bit more effort tonight, but alas, this is San Jose. Effort is harder to come by than a 2012 convention at your local church.

Patrick Marleau scored a hat trick with Joe Thornton as the set-up man on all 3. And every goal of Patty’s looked similar. All involved Joe being at or behind the goal line and throwing the puck to Patty in front of the net. Easy pickings for Marleau, who also tallied an assist later for a four-point night.

Ryane Clowe was the other goal scorer. He and Joe Pavelski camped out in front of the net, and Clowe pocketed the rebound.

Not many Sharks showed up tonight, unfortunately. And since all my angry emotions are drained from the Chicago game, I won’t be going off on them as much.

Please tell me why you wouldn’t play as hard as you could after a crappy performance. Your manhood was tested and you come back tonight with another ball-less act. You’re making a joke of yourselves. This should have been a blowout. Edmonton is destined for the NHL cellar and you guys needed a shootout to beat them? Really now?

I’ve avoided the Todd McClellan criticism, but this goes on him. I still don’t know what he’s like in the locker room, but if he doesn’t yell, that needs to change. This was inexcusable.

Joe Pavelski fights for position (From SJSHARKS.com)

OK, I’m really tired of talking about defensive letdowns but tonight it was as blatant as ever. One Edmonton goal came when Dan Boyle tried to bring the puck into the Oilers’ zone and was pickpocketed. A breakaway later, the Oilers were on the board. Another time, Jason Demers attempted a stretch pass, which was promptly intercepted. An offensive breakout later, another Oiler goal.

I guess I should just accept these kinds of things because that’s what Boyle and Demers do — try to create offense — but it’s just so annoying seeing it EVERY SINGLE GAME.

Tell Me Why

Kent Huskins and Derek Joslin were on the ice in overtime for a 3 on 3 situation. For the love of all that is holy, give me one good reason why those two have any business being out there.

Other Notes

Hit-O-Meter: SJ 16  EDM 22; Douglas Murray and Ryane Clowe led with 3 each.

Torrey Mitchell returned to the lineup for the first time this millenium; however, we didn’t get to see much from him. He accumulated 6:25 of ice time with one shot.

The Sharks play Vancouver on Sunday.

–Ray

I want to give thanks to God for several things today. 

#7,  I thank God for opportunity.   Overtime I have had a chance to have an impact and add value to some ones life that is a great opportunity that God has given me to better the kingdom of God.   Thank you God for using me and giving me opportunities to impact peoples lives.

#8  I thank God for our country. I know we are in an unstable area in America and some of the freedoms that we once enjoyed have been attacked. In this country I can continue to go to worship where I would like and how I want to.  Thank you God for our country and I pray for America to turn back to you.

#9.  I thank God for our men and women in the military who serve and sacrifice for us on a daily basis. If it was not for those men and women we would not live in the country we do today.  I have cousins who have served in the military along with many of my friends.  I thank you for the great service that you have given,  also the families who sacrifice just as much to see them protect our freedoms.  I pray for our military and give thanks for you daily.

DISCLAIMER: Minor language. Proceed with caution.

Quite the piss poor, I-feel-like-disowning-you “performance” by the Sharks in their 7-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks should have just stayed home in their cribs and choked on their pacifiers rather than “play” tonight.

Joe Thornton: Hey guys, let’s step on the ice.

*SILENCE*

Team: …and do what Jumbo? Are you going to finish that thought?

Thornton: Ya know, step on the ice and succeed with good ol’ fashioned California chillin’.

Team: OMFG, you iz brilliant Jumbo! Why didnt us think of that?! LOLZ.

Give me a damn break. This was disgusting. Absolutely putrid. Um, helllllooooo? Um, hi? You little children play professional hockey. Sounds kinda cool when you think about it. How about you actually play the game. And try. Just try.

What the hell happened during this long layoff to make the Sharks play like a beer league team? They allowed three, THREE shorthanded goals. Two of them were on the same power play!

Nobody wanted to play, everyone played with jocks on their heads. Turnover after turnover, fail after fail. If there was any doubt left about our defense, those were put to rest. From now on, if anyone tells you the Sharks defense is good, go ahead and tell them to remove their secret Ducks jersey or to go watch the NBA.

What a joke. Jason Demers played his worst game of his career. Dan Boyle felt like playing with an injured foot because this was a big game. He did end up scoring very late in the game, but it’s refreshing to know he waited 56 minutes to do something with his life. He finished with a -4 rating.

Also joining Pimple — I mean Boyle — with a -4 rating were Thornton and Dany Heatley. For all the great stuff they’ve done recently, this game shat all over it. Good gracious, it was atrocious. They must be stunned to know you have to play defense too. What a concept!

Manny Malhotra does his best pylon impression (From NHL.com)

With five minutes left to go in the second period, the shots were 26-7 Chicago. What in the blue hell is that about? Seven shots after 35 minutes? I could get eight shots on net by doing cartwheels the whole time.

At that time it was 4-0 and after the fourth, Ryane Clowe took it upon his messed-up-nose self to take a penalty. Brilliant. What a smart hockey player. Take a penalty and you show those bad guys you can beat them even with a man down. Ryane Clown. Blow me up a balloon while you make a joke of yourself.

Let’s go ahead and give credit to Chicago. They came in with an exceptional gameplan and their coach Joel Quenneville and perfected it. Sharks coach Todd McClellan was lost in the Tao of Joel’s stache.

This is the Blackhawks’ eighth win in a row and they’re no signs of slowing down.

LOL WUT?

Frazer McLaren managed a +1 for the Sharks. Ha ha ha ha.

AHL

Five AHL players were in the lineup: Jamie McGinn, Benn Ferriero, McLaren, Steven Zalewski and Derek Joslin. Certainly looked like Worcester was playing.

Kent friggin’ Huskins…

…was on the power play. Yes. On the power play and caused the turnover that led to a Chicago goal. Don’t EVER put that guy on the PP again.

Optimism Corner

Hit-O-Meter: SJ 26  CHI 17

Faceoff Percentage: SJ 56%  CHI 44%

The game ended.

Other Dreadful Notes

The Sharks’ injuries are plaguing them so badly now. Rob Blake, Devin Setoguchi, Jody Shelley, Brad Staubitz, Torrey Mitchell need to come back.

Per NHL rules, the Sharks are required to play again. They play Edmonton in Edmonton, Friday.

–Ray

I thank God today for my friends and family.  I have so many people who I have had the priviledge of calling my friend over the years ranging from high school to college and to now.  Friends are placed for certain times in my life  at certain points to help me grow.  All friends even though we lose contact are people I’ll cherish for a lifetime.  I also am very thankful for the friends that I will never lose contact with.  These friends are really a blessing because though sometimes all we can do is talk on the phone we still know all the ups and downs we go through.

I want to thank God for my aunts and cousins. There are too many to list but they all have been a blessing in my life. I miss seeing and talking with them. As I watch all our kids grow up I’m amazed how great God has blessed our entire family.  I love all my aunts and cousins and I thank God for you.

I thank God for my grandparents though they are no longer with me and have been gone for several years. I remember going over to their house and eating  Thanksgiving dinner or they come to our house to eat with us.  I miss my grandparents but I am thankful that I know I will be with them in Heaven one day.

Houston, TX is gaining one of the most kick-butt family’s that I have ever known.  We all love you…..

Jason and Nicole Reynolds

Alex Reynolds

Keep up with the Reynolds at their blogs:  Notice Nicole & Reynolds Family

Or if you need cutting edge pediatric/medical advice visit Dr. Jason Reynolds at the Smart Parents Blog.

Quite the methodical win for the Sharks as they defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. The Sharks are two-for-two against Anaheim this season, and while this game wasn’t as dominating as the first, the result was the same: a win. Also remember this is the second time San Jose beat Anaheim at Anaheim.

It was KISS night in Anaheim. I can’t think of a stupider promotion. I was forcefed two makeup artists during the Ducks broadcast. I will say the makeup was more fun to look at than listening to the commentators.

There wasn’t anything flashy about this game; it was all hard work and determination. Both teams made mistakes — of course a few Sharks giveaways in their own zone stick out to me. But I’ve come to expect that, unfortunately, from the Sharks.

Douglas Murray was bad tonight. Don’t let the +1 rating fool you. He had so many giveaways and positioning errors — one of them led directly to a goal ten seconds later. He also took a penalty late in the second period, and the Ducks converted 11 seconds later. Dan Boyle was just a step behind tonight and couldn’t cover for Murray’s mistakes.

Frazer McLaren and George Parros get busy. (From SJSHARKS.com)

Things were frisky early with a quick fight out of the gates: Frazer McLaren vs. George Parros. Frazer won the first half of the fight, and Parros won the second half. Draw. Good to see Frazer making an impact with such a minute amount of ice time.

It looked to be another boring, close game after a scoreless first period. But the red lights were tiring out from four goals in the second. Ryane Clowe got on the board with a shot from the point. It’s his second straight goal from the point. Not the place you usually see him scoring from, but hey, whatever works.

Dany Heatley scored to keep his title of goal-scoring leader (18). It came off a Joe Thornton shot and rebound. I don’t think Anaheim was expecting Joe to shoot after his passes last game. That’s probably why the play worked.

But Anaheim hung in there, leaving the second period tied at 2-2.

The third period resembled the first, and I started getting deja vu; the game looked a lot like the playoff series between these two from last year. The difference? The Sharks were the ones who willed a goal out of themselves. Heater played passer and found Thornton coming up the side. Jumbo pocketed the puck perfectly to the far side to put the Sharks up for good.

People questioned coach Todd McClellan’s move to keep Evgeni Nabokov in goal for back-to-back games. He didn’t look as sharp as he usually does, but he was competent enough to earn the W. He’ll get a long rest because the Sharks won’t play again until Wednesday.

Other Notes

Hit-O-Meter: SJ 20  ANA 19; Scott Nichol (4) and Joe Thornton (3) led the team.

Every Sharks player who was on the ice for an Anaheim goal redeemed themselves; No Shark had a negative +/-.

The Sharks battle the Blackhawks, Wednesday at HP Pavilion.

–Ray

I thank God for my church.  The Freedom Church is a great ministry. I enjoy being able to grow and work along side of the pastoral staff  in ministry. Pastor Bud Plake and Pastor Carl Kelley  and their pastoral staff  are some of the strongest teams that work great together and I love being a part of such a great team. I can not begin to mention all of the staff because every single one has become such an awesome part our lives either through us helping them in ministry or them impacting my kids and family in ministry. I thank God for you today and pray God to continue to bless and guide you as we grow the kingdom of God.

 I thank God for great pastoral friends that I have all around the country. I want to mention two of them  for just a quick second. 

1.  Pastor Shane Craven of Ringgold, Georgia just planted Origin Church this year. He is a friend,  pastor, and like a brother to me. I miss hanging out with him as we would challenge each other on a day-to-day basis. We now do it on the phone. Pastor Shane thank you for your friendship and your ministry. I know God is going to bless your ministry go forward more than you could have imagined.

2. Pastor Jeff Miller of Pennsylvania is planting a church called Experience Life Church. I met my friend in Bible College and never lost contact with him.  I remember the many times we spoke into each others lives at Wendy’s.

I love all my friends and Pastors and Thank God for you everyday.

Quite the suhweeeet performance by the Sharks in their 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Sharks withstood the punches and counterpunches, both figuratively and literally, and sealed the win.

The man of the match was Dany Heatley who notched his ninth career hat trick and second with the Sharks. Winning co-man of the match was Joe Thornton who received the primary assist on all three Heater goals and added a fourth assist.

It was just an unbelievable game all around. The Flyers haven’t beaten the Sharks since 2000, but the games are always entertaining. They bring out the best in both teams, and I hope this is a Stanley Cup Finals preview.

Everything for the Sharks worked tonight: the even strength forecheck, the power play, the penalty kill. All exceptional. Well, I may be wrong about everything working. The defensive zone giveaways were enough to give fans and coach Todd McClellan migraines. If it weren’t for those, it would be a 6-0 victory.

Philly sure didn’t like Sharks ice. They saw it as a slip-and-slide, with public enemy #1 Chris Pronger as the main slip-and-slider. One of his slips ended up being a Heater goal. It really was home-ice advantage tonight.

Heatley’s hat trick was the EPS Trifecta (trademark pending). Even strength, power play and shorthanded goals. Two were carbon-copies. Joe would receive the puck in what looked like a perfect shooting opportunity, but it he would stop right to the side of the crease, wait, wait, wait for the defenseman to make a move, then BAM! Pass to Heater’s stick and it’s as easy as an Ovechkin toothless smile.

Dany Heatley notched his second hat trick as a Shark (From SJSHARKS.com)

San Jose now has its top two lines set in stone for at least the next month. McClellan saw some great play between Heatley-Thornton-Marleau last game and decided to start them tonight. That choice proved epic as every time they took the ice, something good happened. Remember when everyone shook in fear from the Marleau-Thornton-Cheechoo line? Multiply that by 10,000.

The second line was Malhotra-Pavelski-Clowe and they meshed talent with will. This line will probably be broken up since Devin Setoguchi will come back from injury. Move Clowe to left wing and put Seto on the right. While Malhotra did net a goal tonight, he also netted a goal for the Flyers; for some reason he tried to handle the puck in the crease during a scramble, and instead of just knocking it out, he thought it best to backhand it first — bad idea.

The Sharks still haven’t lost in regulation at home either. Oh, how sweet the confines of HP Pavillion are.

Friday Night Fights

Frazer McLaren, up from Worcester took on Daniel Carcillo and McMan-handled him. I this kid is better than Staubitz and should get a few more looks. And he will because Staubitz is out for a couple weeks with an injury. I wish it were under better circumstances, but whatever the situation, cease your opportunity F-Mac.

Wait…Who? And he’s fighting who?

That’s right, my friends. Marc-Edouard Vlasic showed a nasty side tonight. Don’t know if someone stole this pickles from the pickle jar, but he was angry tonight. He dropped the gloves for the first time in his career with Daniel Briere and earned the win. Vlasic was the only one to throw a punch, and he also took Briere down. Vlasic also was featured in some scrums. I really hope this continues; I don’t want another Thornton situation where a guy plays better angry, but chooses to be angry once every leap year.

Other Notes

Hit-O-Meter: SJ 25  PHI 26; Jed Ortmeyer (6) and Douglas Murray (5) led the team.

With the amazing play of the top two lines, the fourth line saw as much action as a young Bill Gates. McLaren played for two minutes, Benn Ferriero played four and Logan Couture played six. That’s fine with me if I can get first-line production like this every game.

The Sharks travel to Anaheim to face the Ducks. In their first meeting, the second game of the Sharks’ season, San Jose pummeled Anaheim 4-1.

–Ray

Todd who?

Yeah, it feels that way sometimes. We don’t see him much these days, as he is wrapping up his work on God of War III.

He and the rest of the Sony crew did have a new release of their first two games this week, though, so I thought it worthy of a mention!

The God of War Collection would make a great Christmas gift! (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.)

Todd Hollis, a 2005 Iron Man competitor, knows a thing or too about dedication. In order to compete in the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon that the Iron Man triathlon demands of its participants, Hollis had to train incessantly. In fact, he even had to learn to swim before the race to be able to compete in the swimming portion. But determination and dedication did not come naturally to Hollis: he had to learn it the hard way.

Hollis, the son of a Methodist minister, failed out of high school his junior year. While his classmates were busy dreaming about their futures, Hollis was resigned to failure. But at the encouragement of his mother, he did not give up.

After graduating from Duquesne University with a major in finance, Hollis was ready to take on Wall Street as a stockbroker. But after working day and night to succeed at his endeavors, Hollis realized that he wasn’t cut out for Wall Street. But he did not give up.

He went back to his Alma matter and earned a degree from the Law Program. Hollis began practicing criminal law. Now, with the Messiah Project, Hollis teaches others to never give up.

He offers his legal services to impoverished youth in exchange for their community service hours. Children and teenagers who would never be able to afford representation learn the value of hard work, community involvement, and a little love. Although Hollis had to work to become disciplined, his drive has always been second nature. 

I thank God for my wife and kids.  I want to brag to you about my beautiful wife.  She has such an awesome spirit,  there is not a day goes by that I am not amazed by her compassion and her love,  not only for me or her children but for others as well. God could not have given me a better person to walk along side of me in my life and ministry. Thank You for the best wife in the world.

I thank God for my kids. This is one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. I have two daughters that are so full of love and compassion. They want to follow God so closely. I could not be more proud of my kids. People tell me oh now you have teenagers and I tell them now I have two tremendous blessings that I can talk to,  goof off with, and hang out with. If you have ever heard my kids laugh you could not help  but laugh yourself.  I could be having a bad day and they get to goofing off and just make me laugh.   I tell you I am so blessed. I love you my blessings.

I thank God for my wife’s family.  I am so blessed to have another family that I get to call brothers and sisters and mom. I miss my father in law.  I wish I could hear his stories and would love to be talking about how great the Saints are doing this year. He would be amazed.  

I thank God for my entire family.

No one I know keeps his ear to the ground like Todd.  Between his connecs in the music biz and his sharp eye for talent, he’s managed to work with some really gifted artists.   Most recently, he’s been globetrotting with his latest artist, Nosaj Thing, who’s quietly become the face of LA’s burgeoning underground electronic music scene.

Nosaj’s debut album, Drift, is a good soundtrack for some of those rainy days.  But it’s his live show that really seals it.  Watching him gyrate sweatily over his Akai MPD-32 is oddly hypnotic; as he splices in Portishead or Busta Rhymes acapellas, it’s easy to forget that he’s this soft-spoken Korean kid from Pasadena.  Live Electronic music has always suffered from the lack of a visible performance aspect, which has prompted acts like Glitch Mob to tilt their controllers towards the audience.  But somehow, even though it’s hard to tell whether  he’s actually manipulating anything, Nosaj manages to engage the audience.

In the video below, he breaks down his live set a bit, which simply involves his laptop, Ableton Live, and the MPD (which also triggers his light show).  You can peep more of Nosaj Thing’s music in the sidebar music player.

I thank God today for my parents.   My parents are my heroes and role models.  They raised me in church, raised me to respect people.  My wish is that you see my parents in me.  They love people, love to reach out and help. You  will never hear them complain.  If you ever have the privilege to meet my mom and dad you will have met the most wonderful people.  Some of  the best things they have taught me was how to pray.  One of the best memories I have is one night coming home after being away I walked by their bedroom and heard them cry out to God on their knees for our family and friends. I know my parents pray for me and lift my brothers and family in prayer consistently.  God could have not given me better parents. Mom and Dad,  I love you and want to be like you. Thank you for being that example of how I should be.   

I also thank God today for my brothers.  I want to tell you I have 2 of the best brothers in the world.  They  have always been there for me in support of what ever decisions I made.  I do not get to see them much,  living so far away but I love talking to them and praying for them. I have some of the best sister in-laws and nephews and an awesome niece.

I thank God that he gave me a family that has so much love for each other and supports each other.  Thank You Jesus for my family they helped make me who I am today.

Former Pro Bowl running back and former Kansas City Chiefs player, Larry Johnson signed today with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Johnson was waived by the Chiefs last week and was suspended for his comments about his head coach Todd Haley via Twitter, signed with the top team in the AFC North.  LJ will most likely be an insurance policy as Cedric Benson came out of  Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a hip injury.

I’ll be the first to say I told ya so, but I for one seen this move coming before the injury to the Bengals feature back.  Look, Benson has had a great season, but the Bengals have been using Benson without any type of back up player to shoulder a little bit of the load.  LJ is another big back that can handle a boat load of carries if need be, and especially if Benson is not 100%, LJ can fill in for a week.

LJ has not been a productive back in the last few years at Kansas City, after two 1700 yard seasons, however with the change of scenery, and back on a contender, watch out for a revived season for LJ.  The Bengals will get the most out of LJ for the remainder of the 2009-2010 season, and LJ may even learn a thing or two about Twitter from Ocho Cinco.

Great pick up, and yes, yes I did call this one.

Our new album “Unspoken Words” is available at A Different Drum or Amazon for the US and via Poponaut for the EU!

You can preview the album at A Different Drum!

Get you copy now!

Tracklist:
1. Pure

2. My Creation
3. Holy Ground
4. Revelations
5. No Tomorrow
6. Sweet Illusion Part II
7. Live in Darkness
8. Lack of Silence
9. World of Confusion
10. Jericho
11. For the Devout
12. Unspoken Words
All the best!

/Endless Shame

Unspoken Words

Today, I thank God for most of all my salvation.  It is not about what God saved me from but more of what He saved me into.  God loved me enough that He sent His own Son that I might have a personal relationship with Him. It can not get much better than that.  God created me and formed me.  A day does not go by that I am not grateful for putting me in the position I am in my life.  He is positioning me for better things.  I would not be the same today without  Jesus Christ being in my life.  Thank You Jesus that you loved me enough to be willing to die on a cross that I might be saved and know you.  Today as Thanksgiving nears what do you have to give thanks about.  I look forward to Thanking God everyday as times nears comeback for more insight on why I am thanking God this year.

I am so interested in the American tour that Sarah Palin will be promoting this week for her book Going Rogue: An American Life. I think there is something we all can learn from this. If anything, it is a media spectacle unlike anything ever seen before: Sarah Palin, the former Governor of Alaska, who makes history as the first female Vice Presidential candidate for the Republican Party, dishes her perspective on the inside story behind the McCain campaign. While I haven’t read the book myself, (I plan on buying a copy soon,) it will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the end and how it will bode for the future of national and global politics, if at all.

The word Discipline means orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior or self-control. This word has been in my spirit for quite sometime.  I was praying the other day and I began to pray God give me discipline. There are areas in my life where I am not as disciplined as I should be. I began to pray and ask God to help me with being disciplined in those areas of my life.  Is it right to pray for discipline or is discipline something in our minds and hearts that we have to work toward? Is it something that God can help us with?  Yes,  I know God can help us in every area of our lives and even with discipline,  but He is not going to force discipline on us. The reason I say this is we have a decision to serve God and spend time with Him and can be disciplined in doing that on a regular basis. I can pray about it all I want but until my heart and mind is focused and the desire is so strong those areas I need discipline will not become disciplined until it is up to me. What do you think?   Where do you need to get more disciplined and how are you going about making those changes to be more disciplined?

Tomorrow I will be begin a blog series of 10 things I am thankful for. As I prepared to do this I began to jot down what I am thankful for.  What surprised me is that it took me 10 seconds to complete.  We have much to be thankful for.  Some of  these I have will make you laugh and some of what I write these next 10 days will make you cry.  It is doing what I know to do best and what God said in the Bible. Give thanks with a grateful heart or as David put it in the Psalms, Give Thanks for His mercy endures forever. These next 10 days hopefully not only challenge you but encourage you to stop and give Thanks to how great God is in your life. Lets begin our journey together and give thanks.