Theaters rely upon on snack sales to stay afloat, especially since they account for nearly 50% of major chain’s profits and their most profitable, popcorn. Popcorn continues to get more expensive as corn is more increasingly being used for alternative fuels. Read More . . .

Four days until my surgery and it is crazy around here. I have so much going on at work that I am trying to stabilize or hand off, which is really a hard thing for me. Preparation for leaving work for this long of a period is a little overwhelming and stressful. This is weekend my mom comes into town, Em has the annual Women’s Tea, she plays bass at the church for all three services, and a family party for Connor’s birthday all this just days before I go in to the hospital.

I guess I am feeling relieved because I have good friends and employer that will be there through this, but still concerned for being a burden. It is kind of funny how people react to you when you tell them you going under the knife; most are cool about and crack a joke, but some people go off the deep-end. I hear stories about someone’s third cousin and how bad it was for them, but they are sure my doctor is better, they remind how scary the whole thing can be, etc; it is just weird, because they aren’t really helping at all.

I would be lying if I didn’t say I am so nervous (dare I say scared, nah).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtGQgSY9Nn4[/youtube]

This is what you get when you are bored in the airport.

I know some may feel I am mincing words, but I am thinking out loud here.Isn’t a revolution something that is more likely to bring destruction and division not the inward change that is actually sought? Revolutions force change on a system or people, not actually bring them to a change. Revolutions are usually marked with violent changes to individuals or systems in an attempt to change thinking or behavior. Maybe real transformation comes from a gradual change in thought and behavior and not a change in behavior that is forced or demanded? A traumatic change that is forced is a revolution to that person’s thinking. But when a person changes their thoughts and behaviors through growth and development that is evolution. Doesn’t REAL change in character come from the growth in an area in your life, not the change that you are required to do.

Take this example. I can tell, require, my son to not make fun of his sister or he will be in grounded from an activity. He most likely will comply with my demands, as long as that which may be taken away is important to him and we are near. But it never fails, when we are not around trouble ensues. His sister will come to us complaining about what her brother said about her. My son hasn’t really changed at all, but only changed his behavior due to a demand; if he had a real heart change then it would not come up again. I could argue that my son has suffered a revolutionary change of thinking that he has been subjected to. When he adopts the change gradually over time and makes it a part of his core being, because he believes in it than that would be an evolutionary change.

Continued later . . .

So what would you prefer a Revolution or an Evolution in the transformation of the church?

Revolution –noun (root Revolt)
1. An overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed.
2. Sociology. a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure, esp. one made suddenly and often accompanied by violence.

Vs.

Evolution –noun (root Evolve)
1. Any process of formation or growth; development: the evolution of a language; the evolution of the airplane.
2. A product of such development; something evolved: The exploration of space is the evolution of decades of research.
3. A process of gradual, peaceful, progressive change or development, as in social or economic structure or institutions.

More to come soon . . .

I was diagnosed with a condition called Pulmonary Sequestrations about a month ago. The short is I have tissue that has developed in my lung tissue. The tissue receives blood from my thoracic aorta, but is not connected to the bronchial airways and it performs no respiratory function. The major complication that I am suffering with is a constant cycle of respiratory illness, such as infections and even pneumonia. I have been struggling with being well for nearly 6 years and I guess we know why now. When I was diagnosed my Pulmonologist he said we needed to remove it.

I had my surgical consult on Friday and he confirmed that we needed to remove it. I will be having a segmentectomy, the removal of a section of my lung, on March 10 at Rush Copley and I should on be there a few days if all goes well. The hope is that surgeon will be able to verify that the sequestrations are isolated and not connected in manner that will require a complete removal of that lobe of my lung. Either way we are talking an invasive surgery that has to be done the old fashion way, doctor’s hands in my body, no robots and a long recovery.

Needless to say I am not looking forward to it, but good news all the doctors have agreed once the remove this source of illness and I am recovered that I will feel better than I have in years, so that is something to look forward to.

(I decided to use some good judgment and not post any pictures.)

I have always had concern with Hollywood and their influence on politics in this country. Hollywood has an incredibly strong voice that can be used to sway the opinion of many American people. Unfortunately, this will most likely come off wrong, but I am not sure there is another way of saying this, but a large portion of people are not willing to make their opinion and are unwilling to do their own research to form that opinion. Here lies my concern; celebrities can garner the attention and publicity because of their status, which can persuade the weak minded and star-struck individuals.

I say all this to put into context something I read this morning that really made my morning. One of my favorite current actors is Ryan Reynolds. He voiced his opinion to Entertainment Weekly and I can’t say that I can agree more. Reynolds said, “When it comes to politics, I think the best medicine is for most celebrities to have a steaming-hot bowl of shut the f— up.” In this quote it is noted that Reynolds is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, mostly so he can vote. (Entertainment Weekly – February 15, 2008)

In my opinion this is well said.

Em had an ultrasound today and we discovered the sex, it’s a girl.

A friend of mine discovered the other day he had dropped his brand new iPone on the way into work. He realized he must have dropped it getting out of a cab, so he went out to see where he got out of the cab, only to find destruction. Well, he discovered something the iPhone doesn’t do; stand up to being run over. Ouch!