Disqus - Latest Comments for tysdaddy

Re: Daily Devotional for Small Group Discussion: Memory Work - United Church of Christ

Brian — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 07:40:04 -0000

This devotional brought back memories of my days working nights as a CNA in a nursing home in North Dakota. Most residents slept well, but a few would just pretend, resting their eyes. I would do my rounds and pause to chat with the ones who were night owls. Always a precious time of touching base with the humanity around me.

Re: Things You Can’t Do When You’re Not A Toddler

Brian — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 19:30:10 -0000

I don't care who you are, that right there is funny. Thanks for the laugh ...

Re: Work-Life Balance At the Intersection of Dad & Athlete

Brian — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 18:54:59 -0000

I hate sports. For the most part. But I do love this. Great post . . .

Re: Ever Elizabeth, You Are Two | Flux Capacitor

Brian — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:45:47 -0000

Here after seeing a mutual friend comment elsewhere. Glad I stopped by. A lovely tribute. I miss when my kids were this little. My oldest turns 19 tomorrow. GASP! Babies rock . . .

Re: Don’t Forget To Play!

Brian — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:08:09 -0000

We had bacon for dinner last night. And some pancakes. Because the baby girl wanted that. She's 11, I'm tightly wrapped around her finger, and a total treat to be around.

Make bacon. I can do that . . .

Re: formation friday: security

Brian — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 09:37:45 -0000

Mine would be something along the lines of: "Brian, you are loved. Be you today. Just be."

Something like this . . . http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Re: what it’s like…when your child comes out as gay

Brian — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:47:29 -0000

"a lot of people just stopped connecting."

I recently had a very harsh falling out with a member of a church I used to attend over the Chick-fil-A thing. We weren't close friends, but her daughter had been friends with my son and had been in a class I'd taught on Wednesday evenings. We were Facebook friends, so her stuff popped up on my wall occasionally.

On the day that Christians flocked to restaurants to show "support," she posted something about how awesome it was, how Christians should be diligent in speaking up. I said, "Yeah, because fags are such horrible people. Right?" She said that's not what she meant, but of course that's what she meant. We went back and forth. She said I should know her better than that. I told her that I really didn't as we'd never really connected after I left the church, and even when I was there it was mostly about potlucks and spiritual high fives or other assorted Christian whatnot. We had never connected as honest people.

So she blocked me.

Yeah, I was a bit harsh. I tried to be civil at first. I pointed out that the chicken sandwich thing was not about free speech but about knowingly slapping homosexuals in the face for food. I simply got tired of all her Christianese. About how she loves the sinner but has an obligation to hate the sin. All that nonsense. I asked her how many homosexuals have pounded down her church door seeking salvation because of her prayers and loving spirit. Of course, there were none.

When people refuse to connect, especially when things get tough and answers aren't so black and white, or where emotions and feelings are raw and real, then people suffer.

Thank you for having an open mind, Lisa. I wish I could have been there, to lend an ear and not judge. To tell your son that he is loved more than he can ever imagine.

And thanks, Kathy, for this forum. It's been a while since I've been here, and I love the new look. And, as always, your heart . . .

Re: It Could Be Far Worse

Brian — Mon, 07 May 2012 06:59:43 -0000

Holy hell.

I had a dear friend who was robbed blind several years ago, and she's never really recovered. I'm sure that's exactly what you want to hear, right? You, however, seem to have put things in a proper perspective, something she was unable to do.

Peace to you as you sort through what remains . . .

Re: This is what 42 looks like. Without makeup. Or airbrushing. (+Giveaway)

Brian — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:08:37 -0000

Ya know? That melty-face Nazi effect isn't bad considering it's been, what, over thirty years ago? HOLY COW, now I feel old.

Re: Forward, Onward, Upward

Brian — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:44:09 -0000

The first step is the hardest, and forgiving ourselves is perhaps the biggest obstacle we'll ever face. It is a daily thing, even as it is one moment.

Live this next moment as forgiven. And then the next. Peace to you . . .

Re: The little things and Earth Wind & Fire

Brian — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:01:07 -0000

Interesting that I chose "After the Storm". That song, when listened to at just the right time of day, or under the right set of circumstances, always makes me cry. It just did, listening to it again, thinking of The Blues and my own predilection for Doom. "Love will not break your heart." "Death is just so full, and man so small." Perspective. And I find a sad face is good for the heart . . .

Re: The little things and Earth Wind & Fire

Brian — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:56:23 -0000

Photograph! Lovely . . . Me? "Don't Carry It All" by The Decemberists does a fine job of lifting my spirits. As does "After the Storm" by Mumford & Sons. That one in particular puts things in perspective . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Re: So Your Son is Going to Prom With a Porn Star…

Brian — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:13:19 -0000

Hmm . . . This is a toughy. Would anyone have the courage to put the brakes on this thing? A parent? A friend? The principal is just making it worse. Hmm. As this is the first I've heard of this, I am wanting more details.

Everyone gets their fifteen minutes, right?

Re: A Month of Love: Should marriage be “work”?

Brian — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:50:04 -0000

Interesting thoughts, yours and your readers. My wife and I have four children (11-18) and celebrated twenty years of marriage last June. If by "work" you mean taking the time, and often making the gargantuan effort, to really listen and communicate effectively? If by "work" you mean occasionally setting aside your own significant and numerous needs for the sake of the more urgent needs of the other? If by "work" you mean recognizing the absolute necessity for frequently celebrating even the littlest of things, especially when the little things tend to slip by unnoticed? Then, yes. Work, work, work. And it's funny how much work looks like the stuff of life ...

Re: Hearing hoofbeats

Brian — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:59:38 -0000

This shit sucks, regardless of what time of day it is. I'm reading, and here for you ...

Re: Why shouldn’t we just quit Twitter?

Brian — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:30:00 -0000

All the really good and lasting friendships I've made online are a direct result of my blog. It came first, before Twitter, before Facebook. Those relationships have spilled over onto those forums, but the blog is still our main connection. It's more work, but worth it ...

Re: Why shouldn’t we just quit Twitter?

Brian — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:43:20 -0000

Hmm . . . There are times when Twitter has been fun. Like when I need a plethora of answers to a quick question. Those times are fun. But lately, most of my feed is marketing. And I'm not on Twitter for that. I guess I could weed out the accounts that bug me and keep only the ones of people I enjoy reading, but then I'd find that nearly all of them are already on FB, so why not just go there? What little blog traffic I do get is not from Twitter.

I guess if there is an advantage, at least everyone gets to see your feed. FB seems to be weeding out stuff lately, and I'm sure there are those who don't see that I have a new post up.

And about comments: I find it interesting that the comments on FB take on a life of their own, even when it's about a blog post. And I can't do two conversations all that well.

Only recently have I begun to pay attention to my Reader account. I need to weed it out as well, but who has time for that?! ;-)

I remember when I started by blog. I read a lot of blogs and commented a lot. And my blog his a peak late in 2009. Lots of readers and interaction. And then I got on Twitter and Facebook and started hanging there more. And neglected my blog. And now I'm trying to build it up again, but finding it hard.

Sorry to be rambling in your comments. But you've got me thinking before coffee, and that's not good . . .

Re: TLC to Premiere ‘Virgin Diaries’ to Expose the Lives of Adult Virgins, ‘Virgin Suicides’ Likely Follow

Brian — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:49:50 -0000

Nope. Not going to watch it. The show, or all those vids you posted. I just can't . . .

Re: Blogging Vulnerability

Brian — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:06:00 -0000

Interesting, and timely, post. I have crossed back and forth upon this bridge way too many times. I relate to the part about Christianity. I too went through a very powerful and meaningful Christian experience many years ago, but now consider myself, after A. J. Jacobs, "reverently agnostic." I still embrace Sacred things, but they may not be what others consider theologically, fundamentally, sacred. Oh, well. I am who I am. I used to call my blog a "living memoir" and described myself as a palimpsest. Still do.

Great post. Stop by for a visit if you'd like. I'd love to interact . . .

Re: Kathy Escobar: Insecure Christians

Brian — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:14:00 -0000

Good to see you here, Kathy. Thank you Rachel for allowing her to post here. And Kathy? You rock, sister. Always, you rock . . .

Re: Out of Ideas ~ The One SFD

Brian — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:20:54 -0000

Um, so there it is. My comment. I'm so confused. Carry on while I get more coffee ...

Re: Out of Ideas ~ The One SFD

Brian — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:19:39 -0000

Typed a lengthy comment. It got chewed up while logging in to Disqus. I hate Disqus ...

Re: Out of Ideas ~ The One SFD

Brian — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:18:22 -0000

This may be a bit much for young ones, but with my kids (10 - 17) I tend to carry it through to the extreme. I join in the yelling. Agree with the insults. Add a few of my own. All to demonstrate how silly and ultimately futile arguing can be. We end up laughing. And I've noticed that they engage is serious disagreement less and less ...

Re: Potty Training, By The Numbers ~ The One SFD

Brian — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:36:18 -0000

Wow. By the time the fourth kid came along, I had a very "I just don't give a fuck!" attitude about the whole deal. And she learned quickest of all . . .

Re: Sweet and Sour

Brian — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:31:20 -0000

Love anything sweet and sour. Might have to give this a go over the weekend.

To go back to my childhood dinner table would take roast. Lots and lots of roast . . .