I need Jesus.

Here’s a little story from our friends in Sugar Land, which happens to be the city where I went to high school.

Christmas decorations that have caused controversy in a Fort Bend County neighborhood have pitted neighbors against each other. A neighborhood association in the Lakewood subdivision in Sugar Land set up a nativity scene on the lawn outside the neighborhood.

I’m not sure if it’s just my imagination, but it seems like stories like this one are becoming more and more frequent. Maybe there’s just more attention given to them lately. But it troubles me, because, deep in my heart, I know that Jesus was born so that we would be free to put up displays on our lawns — the biggest and best nativity scenes on the market. And I know that we, as Christians, are supposed to win the lost by demanding that Target include Christmas in its sales fliers. Yes, it’s true that Christmas is too commercialized, but if retailers stop marketing their beautiful products directly to us … well, we’ll just buy them from somebody else!

Anyway, I’m glad to see Christmas decorations are pitting neighbors against one another, because that, my friends, is the reason for the season.

Guess he’d rather work out where
The only thing you earn is what you spend
In the end I’m in his office
In the end a quiet cough is all he has to show
He lives in New York City
- John Denver

I’m in Colorado visiting Dad and Jody this week. Harry and Kathleen are supposed to be getting here sometime on Wednesday.

Today is Labor Day, which means I spent the afternoon helping my dad mow the lawn at Jody’s aunt and uncle’s place. We also fixed a leaky pipe in their sprinkler system. I ran a couple miles this morning, but other than that, it’s been a fairly lazy day. I get to watch the U.S. Open while I’m off work this week, so I’m happy about that. A little while ago, I saw Agassi win his match. Makes me want to play. (Dan, you up for a game sometime when I get back?)

I’m just so sleepy right now. I realize I’ve had an active day, but I think something to do with the thinner air up here makes me want to take a nap all the time. I’m off to find a pillow!

it’s been over a week since my birthday and the gifts have finally trickled in. i really wasn’t expecting any gifts. so they were a surprise. it was mostly some money from my parents and a Bert & Ernie coloring book card from my older brother and sister-in-law. by far, the coolest gift i got from family was this:

we used to have this book when we were little kids. we’d spend hours trying to draw these crazy jagged animals, and we loved it. my younger brother gave it to me. when i unwrapped it last week, i was overjoyed. a very, very cool gift.

and, for the first time ever, someone bought me something from my Amazon wishlist. as promised, i’ll thank Kelli right here in front of everyone. it was completely unsolicited and downright unexpected. in fact, i specifically asked you not to get me anything. but now i have this and there’s nothing i can do about it except love it and hug it and click click snap click like there’s no tomorrow. thank you.

p.s. - give weapons inspections a chance to work

here are a handful of photos i took in florida last christmas.