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Baby #2 is home!

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:03:00 GMT

We are now parents of 2 boys. Our newest addition is now about 2 months old and he's doing great. Big brother is doing wonderful too. He just turned 3, wow how time flies. The hardest party is now figuring out a routine that works to make everyone happy! ..and trying to decide if we are brave enough to want another!

Daily Devotional

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT

This is a great site for a daily devotional to start the day!--Short, sweet and to the point. www.rbc.org Enjoy!

I love this! Great work guys!

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:52:00 GMT

Great job on the instantspot facelift. It was great before but, WOW, now, it's crazy great! Wonderful features and the look - I love!

Congrats on a HUGE success!

Is it ok to cancel a vet's funeral because he's gay? Who are we to judge?

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:06:07 GMT

Vet's Funeral Canceled Because He Was Gay

Church Says Homosexuality A Sin

POSTED: 12:25 pm CDT August 13, 2007

www.nbc5i.com

ARLINGTON, Texas -- A megachurch canceled a memorial service for a Navy veteran 24 hours before it was to start because the deceased was gay. Officials at the nondenominational High Point Church knew that Cecil Howard Sinclair was gay when they offered to host his service, said his sister, Kathleen Wright.But after his obituary listed his life partner as one of his survivors, she said, it was called off.

"It's a slap in the face. It's like, 'Oh, we're sorry he died, but he's gay so we can't help you,"' she said Friday. Wright said High Point offered to hold the service for Sinclair because their brother is a janitor there.Sinclair, who served in the first Gulf War, died Monday at age 46 from an infection after surgery to prepare him for a heart transplant. The church's pastor, the Rev. Gary Simons, said no one knew Sinclair, who was not a church member, was gay until the day before the Thursday service, when staff members putting together his video tribute saw pictures of men "engaging in clear affection, kissing and embracing." Simons said the church believes homosexuality is a sin, and it would have appeared to endorse that lifestyle if the service had been held there. "We did decline to host the service -- not based on hatred, not based on discrimination, but based on principle," Simons told The Associated Press. "Had we known it on the day they first spoke about it -- yes, we would have declined then. It's not that we didn't love the family." Simons said the decision had nothing to do with the obituary. He said the church offered to pay for another site for the service, made the video and provided food for more than 100 relatives and friends. "Even though we could not condone that lifestyle, we went above and beyond for the family through many acts of love and kindness," Simons said. Wright called the church's claim about the pictures "a bold-faced lie." She said she provided numerous family pictures of Sinclair, including some with his partner, but said none showed men kissing or hugging. The 5,000-member High Point Church was founded in 2000 by Simons and his wife, April, whose brother is Joel Osteen, well-known pastor of the 38,000-member Lakewood Church in Houston.Now High Point meets in a 432,000-square-foot facility in Arlington, near Dallas. Wright said relatives declined the church's offer to hold the service at a community center because they felt it was an inappropriate venue.It ultimately was held at a funeral home, but the cancellation still lingered in some minds, she said.

American Idol auditions anyone? Who attends?

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:07:39 GMT

Ok, would you do this audition thing for American Idol or did you? Did anyone go or know anyone that did?...

Thousands Gather To Audition For 'American Idol'

POSTED: 10:07 am CDT August 6, 2007

UPDATED: 3:05 pm CDT August 6, 2007

IRVING, Texas -- Standing outside Texas Stadium with thousands of other "American Idol" hopefuls Monday, LaCondra Davies knew she was bound for Hollywood. Again."I know the game now," said Davies, 29, who was booted from the show last season after making the first cut. "You can't give them everything at once."Resuming a star search for the seventh season of "American Idol," producers from the ratings juggernaut gave about 15 seconds each Monday to the latest horde of would-be celebrities. Last week in San Diego, more than 12,000 people showed up when the show kicked off its seven-city casting call.

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Producers wouldn't immediately give an estimate on the turnout at Texas Stadium, but the line stretched as wide as 30 people and snaked around a fourth of the building.They sang (though not always well), waited (for several hours to be herded inside) and sometimes wilted under a stifling morning sun in the parking lot. Ice packs were given to some would-be contestants who struggled with temperatures that climbed past 90 degrees.Dallas has proven fertile ground for Idol talent before. Kelly Clarkson, the first and most successful "American Idol" winner, is from the neighboring suburb of Burleson. Nikki McKibbin, who finished third to Clarkson, is from nearby Grand Prairie.Patrick Stephens, 23, said he auditioned in Birmingham, Ala., last year only to file out "like a loser." His approach Monday was more laid back as he fiddled with an iPod like scores of other tryouts -- but instead of rehearsing songs, he watched videos of standup comedy."I don't have an interesting back story if I get picked," said Stephens, a technical recruiter from Plano.Tryouts who advanced Monday must still pass another audition in front of show executives before getting the chance to sing in front of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson for the taped portions of the show.Tyler Hargrove, 21, won't get that chance. After learning he couldn't play his guitar during the audition, he sat in the parking lot strumming songs for other tryouts as they filed into the stadium.The University of Texas at Arlington student said he wasn't going to "sell out." He then scrolled around his open laptop to pick a new song from a folder he titled "American Idolatry.""I probably won't be here much longer," Hargrove said. "But I've got nothing to do today."Five more auditions are set in the coming weeks in; Omaha, Neb.; Atlanta; Charleston, S.C.; Miami and Philadelphia. The show returns to the air in January.

Posted on www.nbc5i.com

Sermon notes from today...Sunday, Aug. 5

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:52:00 GMT

Influence: Leadership Redefined

Leading without Control August 5, 2007

Directed by: Dr. Jeff Warren, Lead Pastor of FBC McKinney

Leadership Redefined:

A leader is a person involved in a process of influencing and developing others in order to accomplish God's purpose, in God's way, and in God's power.

Leadership = Influence

The Beatitudes - Matthew 5 (great reading)

1. Leading without Control (Matthew 5:1-5)

2. Leading without Power (5:6-8)

3. Leading without Fear (5:9-12)

The Beatitudes are...

...for all followers of Christ.

...characteristics that describe the follower of Christ.

...qualities that cannot be attained through our own natural ability

...the difference between a Kingdom person and a non-Kingdom person.

So,

"The first task of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say "thank you". In between the two, the leader is a Servant and a debtor. That sums up the artful leader." --Max Depree, from Leadership is an Art

The Kingdom Influencer...

...is first poor.

->Knows who he/she is; namely in great name for God.

...is mournful.

->Grieves over the things that grieve the heart of God; namely sin, evil, injustice.

...is meek.

->Recognizes that God is in control (and allows Him to be in control).

Therefore gather this from yet another wonderful sermon by Dr. Jeff Warren:

"Kingdom leaders allow God's Control (sovereignty) to guide them in their personal lives and in their leadership.

Whoopi?

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:26:35 GMT

Will you watch the View with the new star, Whoopi, replacing Rosie O'Donnell? I think she'll be much better for the show and the viewers! I couldn't stand Rosie. Here's what she and Barbara Walters chatted about:

Whoopi Goldberg Joins 'The View!'

Posted by Extra Staff on August 1, 2007 8:48 AM

Whoopi Goldberg is the new co-host of “The View!”

Barbara Walters and the rest of the women made the announcement that the comedienne was chosen to fill one of two coveted spots on the ABC gabfest.

“Extra” was with Whoopi on set this morning moments after the big announcement came, and the wise-cracking Whoopi wasted no time getting started!

“Do you ever watch ‘The View?’” Barbara asked Whoopi.

She replied, “Once or twice. You look familiar!”

Whoopi told “Extra” she knows it’s not going to be easy replacing Rosie O’Donnell.

“Rosie is my friend. I’m doing a job she's done, that's all,” she says. “I can't be her. I can only be me and I hope that's good enough.”

Barbara told “Extra” that Rosie’s reaction to the replacement was nothing but happiness for Whoopie.

“Rosie is so supportive of Whoopi,” explains Barbara. “We’re email pals. We had a wonderful year with Rosie. This is a new chapter.”

But is “The View” still looking to replace Star Jones?

“I'm not actively searching for another co-host,” reveals Barbara. “If we find one then that would be great.”

Whoopi will officially join the chat-fest September 4.

BRITNEY, DEATH THREATS AND THROWING BABY BOTTLES?

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:57:56 GMT

Britney Accused of Making Death Threats

Posted by ExtraTV Staff on August 1, 2007 8:34 AM

Two photographers are considering suing Britney Spears, claiming she made serious death threats and made them fear for their lives!

The men claim Britney screamed “I am going to kill you!” and warned they should get a restraining order because she would hire someone to do the job!

The incident occurred last week at the Wynn Las Vegas casino as Britney and her two kids, Sean Preston and Jayden James, left the hotel spa.

When photographers tried to snap pictures of the tots, Britney and her bodyguard allegedly went ballistic!

Things turned ugly as the security guard, J.C. Camera, allegedly threw a lensman to the ground, supposedly punching and kicking him until hotel security pulled him off.

The photographers tell “Extra” that Britney then threw a baby bottle at the photogs and had to be restrained!

Britney hasn’t been charged with any crime, but Las Vegas cops have issued a summons for a charge of battery for her bodyguard.

If convicted, he could face up to six months in county jail.

IS NICOLE RICHIE OFF TO JAIL? WHO KNOWS?

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:55:47 GMT

August 1, 2007

Nicole Breaks Her Silence

Posted by ExtraTV Staff on August 1, 2007 9:30 AM

Nicole Richie has finally admitted she’s pregnant, after months of speculation.

Now the jail-bound starlet is breaking her silence about her drug use, admitting why she took Vicodin the night she was arrested!

“Extra” can reveal that Nicole took the prescription painkiller because she claimed to be suffering from menstrual cramps.

She tells OK! magazine that she took the drug, but didn’t have a prescription.

Nicole, 25, was pulled over in December after driving on the wrong side of the freeway in Los Angeles. She told police she had taken Vicodin and smoked marijuana.

After pleading guilty to DUI, she was sentenced to four days in jail.

She's now promising that her life is going to slow down so she can get healthy and care for her baby with Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden.

Have you ever thought about Heaven?

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 03:43:47 GMT

At our church we are in the middle of a sermon series about Heaven. The church has published an interesting site called www.whatsupwithheaven.com. I have found the sermons very interesting and thought provoking. Yes, I'm a Christian and believe in God and that I am going to Heaven, however, I have never really taken the time to read or understand what the Bible says about Heaven and WOW, no word can explain how wonderful it sounds when you stop, read and think. Enjoy!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY INSTANTSPOTTERS! (husbands take note)

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:22:03 GMT

Just wishing everyone a Happy V-day, yes, another Hallmark holiday, but oh well, society needs some pick-me-ups every now and again and fun ways to love our families...enjoy! Any cool plans? -- No stopping at those stupid last minute grocery store Valentine TENTS men, ok, and women, we are guilty too, but not me of course!

Top 20 Prescribed Drugs

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 01:57:33 GMT

I was doing some research for a non-profit organization to find out prices for the top 200 drugs. It was rather interesting. Here are the top 20 (data was from one of the major drug store chains):

Hydrocodone 16.99

Lipitor 89.99

Amoxicillin 12.99

Lisinopril 18.99

Hydrochlorothiazide 11.99

Atenolol 11.99

Zithromax Zpak 63.99

Furosemide 11.99

Alprazolam 11.99

Toprol XL 34.99

Albuterol 23.99

Norvasc 56.99

Levothyroxine 33.99

Synthroid 21.99

Metformin 21.99

Zoloft 93.99

Lexapro 79.99

Ibuprofen 11.99

Cephalexin 18.99

Ambien 134.99

It's no surprise to me that Amoxicillin and Zithromax both made the top 10, but the fact that Hydrocodone ranked #1 was kind of interesting.

Bush Library, Any SMU cheers?

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:16:23 GMT

I'm not a graduate of SMU but live in the Dallas area. To be honest, I was not too excited to see the headlines of the new Bush Library that will be at the SMU campus. It doesn't seem to be a popular topic to the SMU fans. Any SMU feelings out there about this? Just curious how someone feels that actually graduated/attended the school.

Yeah Bush or Booooo Bush?

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 02:37:37 GMT

Well, all I can say is I've never heard so many different ways of saying we're sending more of our precious troops and money to Iraq. Whatever happen to providing aid in our homeland or is that a thing of the past? Why try to cure the entire world? only God can do that!

Did you know this could help against house fires and lower electric bills?

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:26:33 GMT

  "The guy that fixes appliances went into the dryer pulled out the lint filter. It was

  clean. We always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes.

  He told us that he wanted to show us something. He took the filter over to the

  sink, ran hot water over it. Now, the lint filter is made of a mesh material

   - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. WELL.....the hot

  water just sat on top of the mesh!!! It didn't go through it at all!!! He told us

   that dryer sheets cause a film over the mesh, that's what burns out the

  heating unit.  You can't SEE the film, but it's there.  This is also what causes

  dryer units to catch fire potentially burn your house down with it! He said the

  best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time & to keep your

  electric bill lower is to take that filter out & wash it with hot soapy water

  & an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that

  makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!"...and it really is true!  This

  was quoted from  friends email.  Great advice, try it!

Need a Daily Devotional-try Our Daily Bread

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:13:55 GMT

If you are ever in need of an easy, simple Bible reading, try this Daily Devotional. It is easy and you can have it mailed to your house if you'd rather not do it online. It is a popular series called "Our Daily Bread."

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-01-09-07.shtml

Enjoy!

Dallas Cowboys Romo to Blame?

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 12:21:10 GMT

I really do not think Romo is to blame for the Cowboys loss. We all make mistakes and there were a ton of opportunities to score the points prior to his mistake...I do not think I could perform like athletes do being under the stress they are under for each and every game. So, no, I do not think Romo is to blame. What about other mistakes that were made during the game? Why are those players not to blame if Romo is?

When will my student loans be PAID OFF???

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 12:19:49 GMT

Frustration! Just finished paying bills for the month and I hate the fact that I'm now a stay home mom (after teaching for 6 years) and still paying on my student loans! I only have one left but it is so frustrating how much it costs for schooling, I can only imagine what it'll cost us to put our son in college when it's time! It's funny how they want you to start saving for your child's education the minute they are born but you don't finish paying your own off till they're in school!

Mercedes or BMW?

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 12:24:32 GMT

Out of these 2 classes of cars I prefer the Mercedes. To me, they have a more sophisticated body, better lines, etc. I'm not sure if I'd ever own either one b/c I've heard the mechanic work is extremely expensive and not too easy to find (plus my dad is big into American made cars, so that's how I was raised). However, it's a discussion that surfaces often between my husband and I when we are out and about in the car running errands or going somewhere. I think he likes the BMW more but of course he tells me I don't need either and then points out a Jeep or something! We'll see!

Jessica Simpson and John Mayer caught kissing-going public!

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:09:14 GMT

Well, well...not to long after and now another. Jessica Simpson and John Mayer were caught kissing and officially showing off their dating scene. Here's the article:

http://entertainment.msn.com/music/hotgossip/01-02-07

Who's next Jess? I hope someone will give our next generation hope on marriage! It does still exist!