I have decided to change my blog location after much prayer, and careful consideration. (haha yeah right...it's just a blog)  Yes, I'm a Microsoft sellout...

The new location of my is http://spaces.msn.com/members/aclifford

My new blog is not complete, but I will be adding photos and new modules soon.  I'm writing this like I have a bunch of readers....haha - I know of 3 people who read this blog!

Time

Friday afternoons in the corporate world are a complete drag!  There are rarely any meetings that are pertinent to any projects that are progressing, which would make one think “Well, since there are any meetings, I can get a lot of work done, cause meetings are a waste of time to begin with.” However, another mentality slips in…The, “It’s Friday afternoon, what’s the point in being productive on Friday afternoon?” mentality.  The only time that this mentality doesn’t prevail is when there is a major deadline, or you haven’t done anything all week and you want something to show for the week.  At least that is how things are in my neck of the woods.  I am all for 4 day work weeks(32 hours, not 40).  Fridays are extremely unproductive in my estimation.

 Enough ranting and raving…

Had Toastmasters today, and bombed during Table Topics.  I was the first table topics speaker and was asked “Are video games a waste of time?”  I totally sounded like a politician because I said yes at first, then I explained that if a person was single it maybe a good use of their time depending on what their life structure was.  Geez…What a crazy answer!  Oh well…I think overall Toastmasters has helped me, and I would encourage anyone who has a fear of public speaking like I do to join.  Actually, if you enjoy public speaking and don’t have a fear of it, join and help the rest of us out.

 Top 3 Things that waste my time

3. Traffic – Nashville traffic – need I say more?

2. Internet – At work and at home, the internet can be a good use of time, however, what benefit do I really gain by reading Drudge Report and Yahoo’s top news story???? 

1. TV – obvious…

I read (listened) a good book that dealt with time management, and not wasting time called Getting Things Done by David Allen. Obviously I am not practicing everything I read, but the seeds are planted and I hope to make a better effort of “redeeming the time…”

 Jam 4:14 Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

I wonder if I’m wasting time with this blog?   Probably am… 

We had our November family birthday party tonight at our house, and it was a lot fun.  At least to us.  Our house is a bit small for 22 humans (8 small kids, 14 bigger people), but it was still enjoyable.

Okay, today's top 3 list.

Top 3 Reasons I love my wife:

3. Her personality - She is smart, she laughs easily, and she makes friends easily. She is articulate, organized, determined, and extremely diligent in everything she does. 
2. She's an incredible mom - She has an unbelievable love for our 3 kids.  She lives her life for her family.  She has exceeded every preconceived thoughts I had on what it takes to be a good mom.  She is loving, kind, and patient with the kids, and desires only the best for them in life.  She's a wonderful mom.
1. She's a true Christian - She loves the Lord above all else.  She lives a life that demonstrates a love for Christ and His ways.  She has a compassionate heart, and emulates the love of Christ to her family and others.  She values her walk with the Lord, and as someone who lives with her, her life is a witness of His grace.

When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it. - Bernard Bailey

I thought that was a great quote.  I sure am glad that I am not self-absorbed...I mean, I only have a blog that I write about my life, and my thoughts...

Just think of all the words that start with "self-".  Or google the term "self-".  Just notice how many times I have used the word "I" in today's blog...

Anyway, I think (there I go again) aaaahhh can't get away from the word "I."  The only remedy from self-absorption is the Holy Spirit doing a work in our lives that would cause us to say, and more importanly live, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)

Well, my third blog.  I think my wife is the only one that reads this.  I'm a closet blogger!

Anyway, I'm still not sure if I'm going to stay with xanga for my blog, but for now it is just okay. 

I'm really starting to get excited about the holidays.  I am on the holiday planning committee at work, therefore, I am having to research a bunch of fun stuff for my department to do during the holidays.  Lydia is going to have a lot of fun this Christmas, and that is really exciting for me.  When I was a kid, my holidays were always a lot of fun.  I have a lot of good memories of the holidays as a kid, and I hope that Janelle and I can make them special for our kids.

Well, Lydia is next to me requesting songs from the Barney website, so I'll wrap this blog up with my top 3 list.

TOP 3 TV Shows (Current)
3. Apprentice (Donald Trump) - It's a lame show, but somehow Janelle and I have fallen into watching this season.  We didn't watch it last season, but now we're watching this crazy season.
2. Biggest Loser - Okay, another lame show, but it's a bit inspiring.(to those of us overweight)
1. 24 - Best show ever...New season in January. 

My Spiritual Thought of the Day: (new feature on my new blog)
Eph 2:5 - Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 - And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 - That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

It is hard to grasp that God loved us even when we were dead in our sins, and furthermore that His sole purpose of quickening us spiritually was that He wants to show the exceeding riches of His grace throughout eternity towards us! So I pray that I daily will turn toward Him, cause there is so much that is going to be shown toward me throughout eternity.  "Why should He love me so?"