From the Headlines ...

Man Trapped In 23-Year 'Coma' Was Conscious

This is just a fascinating story. A guy from Europe was thought to be in a coma for 23 years. However, he was misdiagnosed, and was actually conscious.

Check out the story here.

It does make you wonder, in a small number of cases, if life support has been terminated prematurely, when a patient has been fully aware of what was happening. Almost sounds like something out of a Stephen King novel.

Via E-Mail ...

2% or 98% of Population?

Just follow these instructions, and answer the questions one at a time and as quickly as you can! Again, as quickly as you can but don't advance until you've done each of them .... really. Now, scroll down (but not too fast, you might miss something).

THINK of a number from 1 to 10



MULTIPLY that number by 9



If the number is a 2-digit number, ADD the digits together



Now SUBTRACT 5



DETERMINE which letter in the alphabet corresponds to the number you ended up with (example: 1=a, 2=b, 3=c,etc.)



THINK of a country that starts with that letter



REMEMBER the last letter of the name of that country



THINK of the name of an animal that starts with that letter



REMEMBER the last letter in the name of that animal




THINK of the name of a fruit that starts with that letter





Are you thinking of a Kangaroo in Denmark eating an Orange?

Isn't that FREAKY!! If not for you, you're among the 2% of the population whose minds are different enough to think of something else. However, 98% of people will answer with kangaroos in Denmark eating oranges when given this exercise.

Random Thoughts

Call me sentimental, one of my favorite parts of the whole Christmas season used to be all those old Christmas variety shows - you know ... Andy Williams, Bing Crosby - hey, I even liked the Osmonds (except for the "Donnie and Marie" phase). I wonder if just one of the seventy-five cable channels that never gets watched will decide to put on old Christmas programming in the next few weeks that would draw this viewer for an hour?

Speaking of Christmas, I'm working on a sermon where I am going to attempt the concept of "home" to the Christmas holiday. It has spurred me to take a trip down memory lane as I remember some of the Christmases I had as a kid.

Some of things I remember fondly:

My grandmother's fruitcake - I absolutely HATE fruitcake. But my grandmother is gone now, and I know how much she loved to make it. I tend to associate Christmas to her fruitcake.

The silver tinsel Christmas tree - again, this tree belonged to my grandparents. It was theirs and that's what made it special!

Family gatherings - this usually took place at my other set of grandparents' house. All the uncles and aunts and cousins would show up, and man could they cook!

Worst Christmas as a kid: I had figured out the whole Santa thing, and knew that our Christmas gifts HAD to be hidden somewhere in the house. I found them ... in the attic. With the surprise ruined, so was my Christmas! lol

Got any Christmas memories you'd like to share? Feel free to comment. I'll add to this list as the season progresses.

Student Driver

My oldest daughter will soon be joining the ranks of those who can legally drive a vehicle on a public road ... by herself!

A little backstory: My daughter just turned 18, which puts her behind age-wise to other new drivers. However, my insurance agent strongly advises that all teenagers wait until they turn 18 to get their license because their insurance will be lower than if they get their license at age 16. Since she is paying for her own insurance, she thought that was a good idea, so she wisely chose to wait. And, since I feel she showed a little bit of maturity in making that decision, I feel more at-ease with her abilities to make good decisions in other matters as she grows older ... and ultimately on her own.

Over the last couple of years, she has had her temporary license and we have let her drive some. The very first time I ever let her get behind the wheel, we went to a huge empty parking lot of a store that had closed. Before she started, I first lectured her - like any good Dad would - explaining that she was to listen to me and that she should obey me immediately - none of this asking "Why?" to everything I told her. "Obey first, and THEN ask questions!"

After we went through the typical car safety rules such as adjusting mirrors, seats, and safety belts, I took a deep breath and told her to start the car. She started the car and immediately the radio blared to life to a local Contemporary Christian station.

I kid you not ... the song that was playing the moment my daughter started the engine for her first driving lesson, was Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take The Wheel."

Who said God doesn't have a sense of humor?

Strange Sighting ...

A few weeks ago we were out, and in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart, we saw this sight:



Someone wanting to get a leg up on their Christmas shopping?

Test ...

This is a test blog sent via my cell phone. If it works, I am smarter than the machine. If not ...