Just spent the last three hours translating Ezekiel. At my wife’s suggestion, I didn’t use the internet the entire time.
It was the most I’ve ever translated in one sitting.
Coincidence? Most likely. 
Rent your school books. Brilliant. I just might use this in the Fall.
What is the biblical basis for the practice of dressing up in nice clothes to go to a ‘church service’?
The group Mercy Me does a pretty good (and funny) cover of “Thriller.”
And make sure you check out the related videos… It’s a whole series apparently. Ice Ice Baby, Staying Alive, and Eye of the Tiger amongst others.
HT: Scot McKnight
I like playing chess. Played it as a kid at school during rainy recesses. Played my dad whenever he was willing. Played it during that free time between 1st and 2nd period in high school when there was nothing better to do. I think I am drawn to the strategy of it; the combination of pieces working together, the way the same start can go a million different directions. Easy to learn, hard to master.
But admittedly, I’m not that good at it. I’m alright. I’ll stumble into a good move every once in a while. But I’m certainly not consistent. I think that’s another reason why I love playing it so much: the hope that this next game will finally be the one in which I put things together. But it hasn’t happened yet. I’ll let you know if it does.
What game do you love to play, but you’re not very good at?
Interesting article about Presidents and churches… and Obama and his new home church.
I’m translating Ezekiel 16 for my Hebrew reading course. I feel… dirty… just reading it. I have an utterly disgusted feeling in my stomach. I’m thinking that’s what God intended.
An old Italian lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:
Dear Vincent,
I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.
Love, Papa
A few days later he received a letter from his son.
Dear Pop,
Don’t dig up that garden. That’s where the bodies are buried.
Love, Vinnie
At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son.
Dear Pop,
Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That’s the best I could do under the circumstances.
Love you, Vinnie
Aug 20.
That’s the day I am slated for surgery. Simple description: they go into the area that’s causing trouble, shave off the pain-causing disc material that’s pressing up against the nerve and then take out a little bit extra of the disc material to make sure that stuff doesn’t bulge out again. A 45 minute surgery.
I go home the next day. Should be able to walk, though I’ll probably be stiff and in pain. I’ll be on the heavy medicine for about a week. Won’t be able to lift stuff for a while. First a single bag of groceries, a briefcase or a laptop. Then nothing more than 10-15 lbs. Physical therapy gets mixed in there somewhere as well as pushing through whatever residual pain until all the muscles are returned to normal.
Super encouraging things:
- “This is the easiest and most frequently done surgery we do.”
- Surgeon-man had the same procedure done to him 3.5 months ago. Steph and I wouldn’t have been able to tell unless he told us. Brother was walking and standing without any hitch in his get-along.
So until Aug 20, I just have to avoid doing anything gigantically stupid. Praise God for doctors and medicine.
Got the results from my MRI. If there was any doubt about my getting surgery, I think it’s gone now. Here are the results (for the conclusion, which is closer to English, skip to the bottom):
_____________
MRI Exam: MRI Lumbar without contrast
History: 27-Year-Old with Low Back Pain
Findings: Comparison is made to prior MRI dated 2/26/2008. The L1-L2 and L2-L3 disc levels are unremarkable.
At the L3-L4 level, again seen is a moderate central disc protrusion indenting the thecal sac and contributing to moderate spinal stenosis along with developmental shorterning of the pedicles. Disc space narrowing and disc desiccation are noted.
L4-L5: Moderate diffuse disc extrusion is similar to prior study and is causing diffuse indentation of thecal sac and contributing to moderate central canal and lateral recess stenosis along with developmental shortening of the pedicles. Disc space narrowing and disc desiccation are noted.
L5-S1: There is a moderate central and left-sided disc extrusion causing moderate indentation and displacement of the left-side of thecal sac and compression of left S1 nerve root. This disc herniation is larger than compared witht the prior study.
Bone marrow signal intensity and vertebral body alignment are within normal limits. Conus medullaris terminates at T12 and appears unremarkable.
Conclusion: Slight increase in size of moderate central and left-sided disc extrusion at L5-S1 with indentation of left-side of thecal sac and compression of left S1 nerve root.
Moderate disc extrusion at L4-L5 contributing to spinal stenosis with diffuse impingment on thecal sac slightly worse on the right.
No significant change central disc protrusion at L3-L4 indenting thecal sac.
_____________
Basically, last year I really only had 2 herniations. According to this, I’ve now got 3 (L5-S1 is the new one). Ugg. The pain has not been as intense overall, but the fatigue this time around definitely has been. I see the surgeon on Tuesday; I’m hoping to get this thing scheduled mid-late August. I have a free month between Summer classes and Fall classes that would work perfectly for this. I do admit that the prospect of surgery on my spine has me a bit afraid. Prayers for strength and courage are appreciated.
