utechblog

If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask?

Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?

- Scott Adams

Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who swapped a glamorous football career to enlist in the U.S. Army, has been killed in action in Afghanistan, ABCNEWS has learned.

The 27-year-old former football player was killed in direct action during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan Thursday, Pentagon sources told ABCNEWS.

A former member of the Arizona Cardinals, Tillman, along with his brother Kevin, enrolled with the U.S. Army Rangers a year after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

…

Tillman, an unrestricted free agent, traded a $3.6 million, three-year contract with the Cardinals for approximately $18,000 a year in the military. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Tillman was an exceptional student with a 3.84 grade point average through college and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in marketing.

…

The former Cardinals safety shocked his teammates and fans in May 2002, when he returned from his honeymoon and signed up with the Army.

Pat Tillman turned down a $9million contract with the NFL to serve along side his brother. He gave up everything on Thursday. To the family and friends or Mr. Tillman, my thoughts are prayers are with you.

Pat – Thank you for your service, I truly appreciate the freedom that you have helped to provide to my family, my country, and the world.

News Links

ABC News – U.S. Army Ranger and Ex-NFL Player Pat Tillman Killed in Afghanistan

NFL – Former Cardinal Tillman killed in Afghanistan

WSJ – Privileged to Serve

Glenn Beck offered a great suggestion for the NFL. Pat Tillman wore the #40 jersey with the Cardinals. The NFL should honor the memory of Tillman by changing the white 40 yard line to be Red, White and Blue in every NFL stadium. You can contact the NFL at (212) 450-2000.

1) Zerubabbel — First captives return and begin to rebuild the Temple.

Ezra 1:1-11 – The King of Persia allowed some Israelites to return to build their temple and even provides material for them.

We can survive captivity. In life we will suffer. In the midst of that God is faithful. See Joshua 1:5 & Hebrews 13:5.

2) Haggai, Zachariah — Encourage rebuilding of the Temple in difficult times.

A new King comes to power in Persia and they are told to stop building. The people stop for a time.

Haggai 1:1-8

Now is the time! 2 Corinthians 6:2

The people were doing their own thing. It was time to be about The Lord’s intended work.

Zachariah

If you build this temple a greater glory will fill it up.

God wants YOU to be a temple where He resides. John 4:23 & 1 Corinthians 6:19

3) Ezra — Second group of captives finishes the Temple.

When the temple was completed, at the dedication the young rejoiced (they had never had a temple) the old cried (this temple was nothing like the original one). This same vantage point still occurs today. We need the ambition of youth and the wisdom of age.

The temple is completed. Worship is done right, sacrifices are followed. For a time.

4) Nehemiah — Third return and rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

Book of Nehemiah – Last story of the Old Testament.

Nehemiah 1:1-11

What is our response when we think of our community, our family, our culture? Those who are far from God, do we weap, do we mourn?

Nehemiah gets permission from the King to return to Jerusalem. When he arrives he is over whelmed with the devastation.

He was just a cup-bearer, he was not a mason or an architect. We are not prepared either, but God calls us to do His will, not by our ability but through a willing heart.

In 52 days the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt. Everyone is given a small part of the wall to rebuild near their home. This is the same call that we have. To make a difference around our dwelling place.

“The people had a mind to work”

The half point is where the mess is the biggest. Nehemiah reminds the people, “Who’s project is this?” reminding them that this is God’s task and that this is for the next generations to come.

The wall is complete, Nehemiah proclaims that it is time to party. The people mourn because they have nothing but debt. Nehemiah cancels all debts! The slate is cleared (Just the same as Christ does for us when we are made right with him, all debts are canceled).

The law is read and the people are consumed with a desire to keep the law.

The people get it right, God fills the Temple.

Note: It dawned on me that I need to finish posting the notes from the series. I am doing more work in regards to this series so stay tuned for more info, hopefully coming this fall. Here we go…

1) Judah taken captive.

2) Ezekiel – Explains, advises & prophecies.

God gives Ezekiel a vision to answer his question of why are they in captivity. This is the vision takes him under the temple and shows him the past leaders all bowing down to false gods. It is because they didn’t have a true heart for God that they are captive.

3) Daniel – God’s influence in Babylon.

(Daniel 1:7) The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

Daniel (and the other three) resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. (verse 8)

There is never anything negative written about Daniel in the scripture.

The book of Daniel contains a good portion of the sunday school stories we have heard.

4) Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazar, Darius/Cyrus.

Nebby has a dream that disturbs him. He calls his wise men together and wants them to tell him the dream and the interpretation. God reveals to Daniel the dream and the interpretation.

The dream and interpretation are the high light of the old testament.

Daniel 2:36-45.

500 years before Jesus shows up, Daniel proclaims the coming Kingdom of God.

Matthew 25:1-13 We MUST be found ready.

5) Esther – Preserves Jews in Persia.

Thanks to Will for the link.

Which 1990’s Subculture Do You Belong To?

[Another Quiz by Kris

@ couplandesque.net]

Man has the past few weeks been a blur. Finally got the New PC up and running. NewEgg finally got the replacement case back to me almost a week ago. Took about a day to get all the components hooked up and wires tied down and looking nice. (Mike, the therapist is on hold) Then it took about a week to get just the ATI AIW card working to my satisfaction. If ATI had a better designed website I could have found the answer quicker.

Saturday while mowing the lawn for the first time this year there was a little issue. The engine blew apart, sending a 2×3 inch side of the engine into the road (about 45 feet) Thank God! no one was standing in the way or a vehicle wasn’t going by. Last time I buy a reconditioned mower from Sears. One of the neighbors let me borrow his mower which I used for a while until it shook apart 3 times, I fixed it but I was DONE with it. So my father-in-law brought down his LawnBoy, not sure if that is the same one but it is close. Janet really liked the look of the lawn when the clippings were bagged. I am pretty sure we are gonna buy the new mower from Lowe’s, the vacuum I got there works great, instead of from Sear’s as I have gotten a lot of crap from them. Kinda looking at the Troy-Bilt mowers but don’t know which is better the TUFF CUT 210 or TUFF CUT 220. Your suggestions are welcomed. Maybe I should check with my local lawnphile, seriously if you haven’t seen Planck’s lawn you need to check it out. I told him the other day, “You don’t have a lawn, you have a putting green with a house in the middle of it.”

On the fitness side of things. I am really happy with the last week so far. We started up Challenge #2 and I have made some committments. Last week I didn’t cheat! It was awesome. I am also really trying to focus on eating more natural foods, like unprocessed stuff. So a lot of chicken, fish and eggs on the protein side and fruits, oatmeal and new skin potatoes. Also lots of veggies. Working really well so far. Sunday was different for a free day as well. Had an approved breakfast, then a ‘free’ lunch at our favorite mexican place, Paisano’s. Had a few chips at House Church and then I had some ice-cream. That was it! It may sound bad but trust me it is a lot better than most free days. Already dropped to 202! So in 2 years I have lost 50 pounds! Only 40 or so more to go.

There has been a lot more going on but my brain has run out of steam and I need to go eat my vanilla protein oatmeal. Later.

April 20, 1999

Columbine Remembered

Columbine High School Memorial

On a sunny spring day in April 1999, a suburban high school in Jefferson County, Colorado, found itself under attack by two of its own. In less than fifteen minutes of the first-lunch period on that Tuesday, two student gunmen killed 13 and wounded 21 before they turned the guns on themselves – the most devastating school shooting in U.S. history.

…

There are indications that their initial plan was for the Columbine High School attack to occur on Monday, April 19. While there was no specific reference made in their writings to this date being an important anniversary, it must be noted that April 19, 1999 was the fourth anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the sixth anniversary of the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Texas.

However, the Columbine tragedy occurred on April 20, perhaps due to unfinished preparations on the part of the killers. Or perhaps there is a connection with the history of this date. To begin with, 4/20 carries the same numerals as 420, the California criminal code for possession of marijuana. Due to the significance of these numbers in popular drug culture, some students were absent from school that day in recognition of what they termed “national marijuana day.” April 20, 1999, also marked the 110th anniversary of Adolph Hitler’s birth.

Source Columbine Report

Doug has a post on his site today about April 19, 1995. Do you even remember what happened that day?

I find it sad that as an avid talk radio listener I have yet to hear a mention about this today and it is 10am. Let’s make sure we don’t forget again.

Oklahoma City National Memorial

UPDATE

The top of the hour break at 11 today finally mentioned Oklahoma City and the Murrah Federal Building.

Glenn Beck had a mind blowing interview with Jayna Davis during the 10 am hour. If this information is true it is outrageous.

Here are some links that are worth reading…

9-11 panel confronts Freeh on Iraq link – Author of WND book says ex-FBI chief’s response lends credibility

From Oklahoma City to the Middle East – An Investigative Report by Jayna Davis

I am sure by saying this someone out there will prove me wrong, maybe I can count on Jen, but I can’t find any information to discredit Jayna Davis.

Update 2 Even more…

Document: Oklahoma City Bombing Was Taped

Secret Service log

My sympathies to his family and friends, but isn’t this a little ironic?

McDonald’s CEO Dies of Heart Attack