Multiple projects have been started around the house, and, unfortunately, all of them are occurring simultaneously. It only seemed appropriate to be working on our GREEN house on St. Patty's Day.


We're remodeling our downstairs bathroom. Originally a 3/4 bath, we'd like to make it a full bath, which means removing the cheapo standup shower and the wall with the supply lines. Once that is out, I'll pull the shell-style vanity (seriously, it's UGLY), then the toilet. Lay down a tile floor, all new bath units, some new lighting and fresh paint.


Outside, I'm framing in a new steel door that accesses the garage. The original door is probably the original door, and it's warped so much and isn't very safe with the window glass just a smash away. New lock 'n key knob 'n bolt for some added security to the house.


I'm also working on some landscaping aspects. The bed around the house was lined with 8x8s, and our yard is so moist that they've been rotting away over the years. So, I'm removing them and replacing the wall (hopefully) with retaining wall cement blocks. The corner going around the house (pictured above) will be a challenge.


The retaining wall will also be part of a window well that will be dug to install an egress window for the basement bedroom (the window for the room is picture above). Since there is no other egress than the stairs going to the main floor of the house, we can't claim that bedroom as an official bedroom, but an egress window would allow for that. The clincher is that we'd be sawing a hole in our foundation. Messy stuff.


But, at the end of the day, we got to try out our new fire pit. This is shot is from this morning...the embers all fizzled out...just like the end to my mini-vacation working at home.

UNC wins it. No Cinderellum, but some good upsets (N Dakota State over Kansas, MSU over U-Dub, USC eeks a win over BC, Zona over da Utes, Temple over ASU)

Even though I don't mention Grace Bible College very often, I gotta brag a little bit for my alma mater. The Men's B-Ball team just won the NCCAA Division 2 National Championship! Way to go, Tigers!

I just read news that a rare copy of Action Comics #1, which features the first appearance of Superman, was recently auctioned for the final bidding price of $317,200.

Originally released in 1938 and sold for 10 cents, this comic was sold by a guy who, himself, bought the comic at age 9 from a second-hand store for 35 cents in the early 1950's. There are only about 100 copies of the comic still known to exist.

I was a comic collector when I was younger (and I still have a few boxes of items). My grandma would tell me the story of my late grandpa, who once had a copy of that very same comic when he was young. But his mother thought comics were rubbish and trashed that and his other comics.

And, suddenly, I'm feeling nauseous......

We've geared up for Easter and are starting to cement programming ideas. Now, onto artistic endeavors to make those ideas happen. These images were from last year. I borrowed the original image from somewhere on the Web (hey...what's an artistic if he doesn't have someone to create from, right?) Thanks to whomever created it!

The "Sunday" tomb image was created exactly from the "Friday" cookie-cutter pieces from image of Jesus (except the eyes and blood drips). Add in a light flare for dramatic effect. Pretty fun.

Tonight in our small group, we watched Rob Bell's "Luggage" NOOMA. Watch it below...The issue of personal baggage evolved into forgiveness, and our discussion took off. Many ideas arose. The thought that stuck with me the most comes from the truth that I would not be able to forgive if I didn't know what it's like to be forgiven previously by someone else. Forgiveness cannot be taught. GOD forgave me for an insurmountable number of things, so I know what ultimate forgiveness is.

What boggles my mind is that GOD had a forgiveness plan for me before He came to earth. So, when the Son actually did come, His perspective wasn't of wrath and judgment--"fire and brimstone", "all of you are sinners and going to hell...too bad"; His perspective and His message from a forgiven standpoint. His coming to earth was to finalize that forgiveness and redeem us.

Can you imagine Jesus laying the smack down on everyone He encountered? What if Jesus' coming was Old Testament-style where GOD showed His mighty judgment on the wicked...the great Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Nineveh.

And yet it wasn't. The mercy of the Old Testament combined with Grace in the New Testament with Jesus' arrival...because we're forgiven...and because He loved the world SO much.

Parkview Church has voted, resulting in the affirmation of this congregation to purchase land off of Forevergreen Road. The land straddles the Coralville/North Liberty lines and is located two miles north of Coralridge Mall in Coralville.


Here's more detail on the land layout.


This vote comes after the church endured the Flood of 2008, during which 4-1/2 feet of floodwater stood in our building. University of Iowa researchers theorize the chances of another major flood are 20% within the next five years...and higher chances in latter years.

We're not taking those chances...Lord willing.