Dadisms

I love my Dad. Over the years I've grown to love and appreciate him more and more, especially since I've left the nest and have gone to live on my own. Where I'd be in life without him, I could hardly imagine if I would've turned out the way I have. I'm forever grateful for times we get to hang out, whether its moving stuff in the house, going to visit Granny, etc. There's just something about father-son time that is hard to put in words, but it's the best feeling in the world.

Over time, I began picking up and doing things my Dad did. Here are but a few:

1. Work ethic. My Dad worked all week growing up; even now with him being retired, he stays busy.
2. Grunts. Whenever my Dad would reach down to pick up something, he'd let out a brace-yourself grunt...do this on occasion even when the object isn't heavy.
3. Farting. Whenever he'd let one go, he'd look around the room puzzled and would jokingly wonder where that noise came from.
4. People skills. I've watched him interact with his customers during the job; good habit to pick up.
5. On occasion whenever he would get furious with his laptop for work, he'd let out a "DANGIT ALL." lol He would also talk to himself as he worked through the issue "Ok so I go here;" "trying to print;" etc.
6. Chair recliners. How it's nice to lean back on that couch and take it easy. This will be an important buy in my first home.
7. Coffee every morning. Took me a little while, but now I'm engulfed in coffee; though, I don't drink it black like him. yuck.
8. Taking good care of possessions. "You treat your stuff better because you own it, but when something isn't yours, you aren't as careful."
9. TV shows. "24" was the best series ever. Even when we weren't watching it together, we would turn the lights out and never answer the phone while it was on. If Mom came in the room, she would be silenced (because she knew it was the Bauer-hour not to be disturbed and wanted a reaction from us haha).
10. He's a family man. Dad loves Mom very much, and cares very much for all his kids. I desire and Lord-willing I'll get an opportunity to have my own family to pass on this fatherly love.

...but seriously, where's my green grass?

My previous post was a plug for a book by Stephen Altrogge, The Greener Grass Conspiracy, in which he makes the case against the empty promises this world offers. Get the new iPad, and you'll be brushed up on the world's newest technology. Invest in this new company, for your nest egg will be secure. Watch this movie filled with all manner of perversion and your hormones will be raging. Drink this beer and you'll have a good time. Use this make-up, ladies, for you'll have countless men running after you. Use this body spray, men, and the ladies will flock to you. Even though partial satisfaction is given in these situations and more, we're still left empty every time. The fix we desire becomes stronger every time we give in. And though paradise is waved in front of us, we find ourselves in a barren field disheartened, empty, and fooled.

Where's My Green Grass?

This book looks interesting and will be released by CrossWay at the end of the month. The author is addressing the "if only" notion that we tend to audibly and/or tacitly say to ourselves when we desire something. My life, up to this point, has consisted of many "if only" moments, desiring both good and bad things, both leading to utter disappointment in some way, shape, or form. I don't agree with Buddhism that desire is bad and you should get rid of it, but if we have experienced the rebirth of the Holy Spirit then everything falls in place after we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We have salvation, that which is paramount, but if we desire the things God gives over-against God Himself, we find every time that the grass we yearn to lay on isn't so green after all.