B Certain Texas

Tomorrow night @ 6:45 FUMC Mansfield will be kicking off its inaugural "Letters From Dad" program. Its mission is to learn to leave a legacy of faith, hope and love that will impact your family for generations to come, to learn how to communicate your unconditional love and blessing.

This is a program that I have been praying for, for over a year. I cannot fathom not being there for my son on those special days in his future, when he turns 18, graduates from High School and then College, gets married, has his first child, has his first argument with his wife, but I can learn how to write letters that he can read and know what advice I would have given him if God calls me home first instead. And not only for him but what impact would those letters have on my great-great grandson? To show them an example of Christian masculinity.

I am excited to embark on this journey and excited about the impact that this will have on my entire family. I am absolutely convicted about impacting the world in which I touch. I know that I cannot change the entire world. But I can change my heart and hopefully through my example the hearts of others around me.

It is not too late to share the journey �wont you join me tomorrow night as we change our world.

Today Tammy, Cooper and I had lunch at the new Freebirds at Arlington Highlands. They have the Worlds Best Burrito's! Here is Cooper enjoying the outing.

Last night Tammy and went to see "Fireproof" at the Cinemark theater in Mansfield. We have had this night as a date night on our calendars for the last 2 months. we both loved "Facing the Giants" when it came out almost exactly 2 years ago and were expecting great things from this movie as well. We even got a sitter for our son! we took him to see "Facing The Giants" but with this movie being more about marriage we thought it best to invest in just the two of us.

We arrived about 30 minutes early because I was concerned that the theater would be crowded. I guess the truth is that I was hoping that it would be crowded. We ran into some friends from church and all 8 of us went into the theater. We had no problem finding seats, but that soon would change. As we got closer and closer to the start time we saw the seats start to disappear. About 10 minutes before the start time the manager of the theatre came in and announced that the movie was a sell out and would we all shift in toward the middle so that everyone could find a seat. Thank you God! As the start time approached more and more people came into the now packed theatre. I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing. there seem to be a wonderful buzz in the air in anticipation of what God was doing in all of our lives. As the lights dimmed everyone hushed in anticipation.

I will not ruin anyone else's movie experience by reveling any more of the story than you have already heard, but I will say that there were times when the audience was laughing so had it was hard to hear the next line and I am confident enough in my own masculinity to share that I was not the only man in the audience with a tear or two running down my cheek.

Here is the amazing email that i received form the "Fireproof" team just a few minutes ago.

Thank You ... Thank You ... Thank GOD!
Throughout 2008, you have followed the behind-the-scenes story of FIREPROOF, an action-packed love story about a fireman, his wife ... and a marriage worth rescuing.

Friday, on opening day, you experienced the movie firsthand. With friends and family, with small groups and entire churches, you went. And laughter, tears, and cheers filled 839 theaters across the country.

Today, as movie-industry insiders look at all of the statistical data from yesterday, they are trying to figure out how in the world a movie they didn't even know about was one of the most popular movies in the country on Friday.

That's right: FIREPROOF was the No. 3 movie in America yesterday! You have thoroughly confounded Hollywood.

Will FIREPROOF stay No. 3 the rest of Opening Weekend? By industry standards, it seems extremely unlikely. The next five movies that finished behind FIREPROOF are playing on approximately 2,500 screens each.

So the key is that people like us keep showing up at movie theaters, both today and tomorrow. Let's show Hollywood that FIREPROOF is the kind of movie you will support. Let them know that this is more than a movie ... it's a movement.

As we found out with Facing the Giants two years ago and FIREPROOF last night, with God, all things are possible ... even in the movie industry. Make that especially in the movie industry.

Thank you! And thanks for continuing to support FIREPROOF on this all-important weekend.

Wow, Number 3!!! Against some major pictures on 3 times as many screens. That is truly God at work.

I cannot urge all of you enough to go and see this movie. I will be there on the day that it is available on DVD. i can see it being a Christmas gift for some of my family


Please let me know your thoughts and impressions on this powerful movie.

PS. Tammy and started talking last night about renewing our marriage covenant as a result of seeing this film. If we do that here in Texas, I will let you know so that you can be there with us to share our committment to each other, our marriage, our son and to God.

A friend of mine recently posted about trying to fix a frittata for the first time. It brought back many memories for me as this was one of my first recipes that I really experimented with. I saw Jeff Smith on the PBS show “The Frugal Gourmet” fix a Spaghetti Frittata and said to myself, I can fix that. Now this was around 1989 - 1990 before I knew that was this thing called the internet was and certainly it was in its beginning stages. There was nowhere to go and “look up” a recipe. You had to have someone show you how to cook it (Thanks Mom) or you had to go out and buy a cookbook and hope that you could figure it out on your own. Jeff was the first cooking show that I watched and picked up a lot of great tips and techniques from. I own 5 or 6 of his cookbooks that I still pull out to this day. I would actually record his shows on my VCR (yes I know that I am showing my age) and watch them when I got home that night. He would actually go through almost all of the recipes in the cookbooks with great detail on techniques and ingredients'. I still remember one of the things that he used to say that I am now teaching Cooper when we cook together�”Hot pan, Cold oil - Never stick”. Try it� you will be amazed at how well it works.
The Spaghetti Frittata was a recipe that I fell in love with from the first time I fixed it. It met all of my hot buttons as far as my taste buds go. Pasta, olive oil, garlic, caramelized onions and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Here is the “original recipe” or as close as I remember it without a cookbook
Ingredients
Angel Hair Pasta about a silver dollars worth
Garlic 5 or 6 cloves - Fresh, Chopped
Olive Oil 5 or 6 tablespoons
Onions 2 large yellow (I really like the Texas 1015 or the Georgia Vidalia's)
Red Pepper Flakes 1 teaspoon
Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese ½ cup
Eggs 4 large

All of the ingredients are approximate are I am doing this from memory. If you have ever been with me when I cook you KNOW I never measure ANYTHING.

Boil the pasta in water with 3-4 tablespoons of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the water. The water needs to be slightly salty to the taste. You have to remember that you are trying to approximate sea water. The oil will allow the pasta to cook without sticking together so much. Cook the pasta until “al dente” or cooked just long enough to be still firm, and not too soft. Drain thoroughly and put aside.

Peel and slice your onions. What I do is I ALWAYS cut off the root end first - then the tops (I don't know if it really helps with the sulphur but I NEVER tear up when I cut up onions this way). I then cut the onion in half from top to bottom and then thinly slice each half. Heat your skillet pan up until it is hot, but not scorching. Put in enough olive oil to give a light coating on the bottom of your pan. Add onions and stir (or toss) until the onions are lightly coated in the olive oil. Cut your heat to medium and stir occasionally. You are trying for a light or dark brown color on your onions(depending on your taste). After about 15 minutes add the garlic and stir into the onions. (Now Tammy and I LOVE garlic. So add to your own taste. I have given you less garlic in the ingredient list than I would add.) After 5 more minutes add the Red Pepper Flakes and stir together. (If you and yours don't like a lot of heat in your cooking or you are cooking for small ones, then you can leave this out). Remove from the heat when the onions are done to your taste.

In a large mixing bowl, break and scramble the eggs. The eggs are there as a binding agent. Add ½ of the Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese to the eggs and scramble thoroughly. Add the cooked pasta to the bowl and thoroughly coat the pasta in the egg and cheese mixture. Then fold in the onion mixture with the pasta and mix well.

Heat the skillet back up and put in a little more olive oil. Pour the pasta and onion mixture into the pan. Stir or shake the pasta occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan but you want to pasta to develop a little crunchiness to it.

After about 10 - 15 minutes comes the fun part. You can either take the easy way out or join in with the pros. The easy way is to add the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese to the top of the dish and put under a 500 degree broiler in your oven to get the top crunchy as well, (Just make sure that your pan is oven proof - metal handle) about 10-15 minutes. Or you can join the pros by flipping the entire dish over ala omelet style. I will tell you that this takes practice, a sure hand, boldness and confidence. If you are lacking in any of these areas as you do the flip, you will be cleaning up your stovetop. Sometimes a little and sometimes a lot . You start by shaking the pan to make sure that the pasta is not stuck to the bottom of the pan. Then in one clean motion you will flip the pasta over catching it in the pan on the other side. After you flip the dish over add the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese and let it melt on top as you get the now bottom side golden brown. About 10 - 15 minutes.

The top and bottom should now be golden brown and have a nice crust on both sides with the middle firm but not crunchy. Cut the Frittata into pie shaped pieces and serve. You should have enough left over for leftovers the next day.

This makes a great vegetarian meal as it is, but does not feel like it. If you want, you can add any number of things to the recipe to “kick it up”.

I have added
leftover grilled chicken - chopped up
pesto - email me and I will send you my recipe for that as well
cut up rotisserie chicken
any leftover beef or pork

Your pan becomes your pallet upon which to paint yours and your family taste buds. Let me know if this works for you and what alterations you make to the recipe.
Bon appétit

A friend sent me this article a few days ago and i am still chuckling at it. Please enjoy

ABOUT THE WRITER
Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist for the Miami Herald.

Dave Barry's colonoscopy journal:

I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy. A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis. Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner. I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, quote, 'HE'S GOING TO
STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'

I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription
for a product called 'MoviPrep', which comes in a box large enough to hold
a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice
it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America's
enemies.

I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous.
Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation. In
accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all
I had was chicken broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor.
Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder
together in a one-liter plastic jug, and then you fill it with lukewarm
water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32
gallons.) Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour,
because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat
spit and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon.

The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great
sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose watery bowel
movement may result.' This is kind of like saying that after you jump off
your roof, you may experience contact with the ground.

MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here,
but: Have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the
MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you
wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much
confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything.
And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink
another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your
bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not
even eaten yet.

After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep. The next morning
my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried
about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of
MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you
apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.

At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and
totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a
room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little
curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital
garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you put it on,
makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked.

Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand.
Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already
lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep.
At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I
pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the
bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode. You would
have no choice but to burn your house.

When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where
Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the
17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I
was seriously nervous at this point. Andy had me roll over on my left side,
and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my
hand. There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was
'Dancing Queen' by Abba. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that
could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' has to
be the least appropriate.

'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me. 'Ha
ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for
more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am
going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like.

I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, Abba was shrieking
'Dancing Queen! Feel the beat from the tambourine' and the next moment, I
was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood. Andy was
looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even
more excellent when Andy told me that it was all over, and that my colon
had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal
organ.

On the subject of Colonoscopies...
Colonoscopies are no joke, but these comments during the exam were quite humorous..... A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing their colonoscopies:

1. "Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone before!

2. "Find Amelia Earhart yet?"

3. "Can you hear me NOW?"

4. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

5. "You know, in Arkansas, we're now legally married."

6. "Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?"

7. "You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out..."

8. "Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!"

9. "If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!

10. "Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."

11. "You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?"

12. "God, now I know why I am not gay."

And the best one of all....

13. "Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?"

(this is from the "Fireproof" website

FIREPROOF opens this Friday. Kris Fuhr, the Vice President of Provident Films, explains why it's so important for people to see this movie on Opening Weekend, September 26-28.

"There are all kinds of ways to measure a movie's success. With a movie made by a church, the first place to start is with the ministry impact." Kris says. "We are trusting that God will use FIREPROOF to impact countless marriages on Opening Weekend ... and for years to come.

"From a business perspective, the most obvious starting point for determining a film's success is the Opening Weekend box office. If you look at USA Today or your local paper on Mondays, they list the top 10 movies from the previous weekend based on box office revenue. I heard one well-known Hollywood producer say that within 24 hours, he knew if the previous two years worth of work had been worthwhile.

"Combining the business and the ministry aspects, you realize that every person that sees the movie on Opening Weekend is someone whose relationships may be impacted by the story. And that's exciting!"

A strong first weekend ensures a long-playing movie, which helps in other ways as well.

"With seven movies opening in wide release the week after we open, there is even more riding on our Opening Weekend," Kris says. "Hollywood looks at the success of Facing the Giants as an anomaly. FIREPROOF is flying under the Hollywood radar screen. This is a wonderful opportunity to show that there is an audience for authentic, inspiring, and entertaining stories that are created by people of faith."

So, DVR the debate ... and the weekend football games while you're at it. Let the grass grow a little longer. Relax at the movie theater instead of at home.

And thanks for making a difference by seeing FIREPROOF this weekend!


What People Are Saying
Check out a couple of the more-recent FIREPROOF endorsement quotes:

"FIREPROOF went beyond my expectations! It captures the real-life issues of marriage in a moving, emotional, and riveting way. It inspires you to put your faith in action and fight for your marriage. I encourage anyone who is married or even thinking about getting married to see this movie."
Dr. Tony Evans

"FIREPROOF is a gripping and powerful story. Its surprising twists and turns make for a great plot with a simple, but powerful message. I loved it and you will too!"
Mike Huckabee

"I've spent my entire life trying to win in two different pro sports. What I appreciate about FIREPROOF is that it's an entertaining and challenging reminder of what it takes to win in marriage! FIREPROOF is a great illustration that apart from Christ, relationships are doomed to fail. I'm so appreciative that the folks at Provident Films have stepped out and made a movie that will inspire husbands and wives to submit their marriages to the Lord and to stand up and fight for a battle worth winning."
Joe Gibbs - Owner, Joe Gibbs Racing, NFL Hall of Fame Coach


One Place to Be This Weekend
Okay, Friday is quickly approaching. There's a presidential debate you want to see. And then Saturday, all kinds of yard work needs to get done. And Sunday after church, a nice relaxing afternoon at home sure sounds nice.

But why make this a typical weekend? For the first time in two years, a truly must-see movie is opening ... and it needs your support. Opening weekend for FIREPROOF is the time for you to see this film.

• Don't wait for the second weekend ... it might not have a second weekend.
• Don't complain about the 7 p.m. showing being filled ... celebrate the lives being changed then and go to a show time that's a little less convenient.
• Don't go alone ... there are couples in your world that need to see this film.
• Don't wait to get tickets ... go online or go to your local theater and get your tickets today!
• Don't wait for it to come to DVD ... if you want movies like this to be made, you need to support them first in theaters.

This coming Friday- September 26, 2008 - a new movie will hopefully be coming to a theater near you. It is entitled "Fireproof". It was made by Alex and Stephen Kendrick and Sherwood Christian Church in Albany Georgia. They are the same people who made "Facing the Giants" back in 2006 and Flywheel previously.

This story centers on a firefighter who is facing what he sees as the end of his marriage. the Movie stars Kirk Cameron - here he is talking about the movie on the Today Show and here as well. During the interviews he talks about a plot device that is used in the movie called "The Love Dare".

I cannot urge you enough to stand up for this movie and what it stands for. Here is a link talking about the power of the book even before the movie comes out. This move (as well as "Facing the Giants") is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for having thematic material as well as some peril. I believe that this is code for some people have objections to a movie that puts God First. Isn't that crazy?

I will be there this weekend with my wife to support what I believe will be another great movie. No, I don't believe that it will win any awards for acting or cinematography, but a great movie with a great message.

Don't tell Tammy but I am on dare 14 of 40. I know that I cannot change my wife and in fact I don't even want to try. But I can change my heart, and I can be a better husband and friend. Won't you take the dare with me?

Where I Am... Well that a deep subject starter.
I am ...
45 years old
Married to Tammy for 11 years
Father to Cooper who is 8
Master to Laddie, Casey and Jessie - all Border Collies ages 12, 11 and 3 months
Own an Allstate Insurance Agency for 24 years
Live in Texas for 24 years
Avid Mississippi State University supporter and fan
Love Baseball
Christian - attending FUMC Mansfield
Bourbon aficionado - although I don't drink that much