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First off, I want to thank those of you who took time to not only wish BON a happy birthday, but also for those of you that shared with me that you are also going to pick up a book and dedicate a part of your day to reading.  That was very uplifting.

Some of you emailed and asked what I decided to read today, so instead of replying to each email I thought I would just post about my day.  Unfortunately when I was younger, I use to feel guilty reading things other than the Bible or Christian books, so I was really looking forward to today’s reading.

I started the day off with reading the book of Philippians since that is what my Bible Community is studying.  Paul is an amazing character.  Imagine if Hitler repented and became a missionary to the Jewish people.  That’s basically what happened when Saul was reborn into Paul.  It’s encouraging to know that no matter how bad your past life may have been, you can certainly turn things around and be remembered for the blessings you bestowed on others.

I was so fascinated by Paul that I opened up my Who’s Who in the Bible that my father gave me way back when and read up on Paul.  There were 13 pages dedicated to him and then I decided to read up on some other foks that intrigued me.

Next on my agenda was to finish a book Ross Perot wrote.  I figured since I actually had a conversation with the guy that I would read up on him.  It was one of those books that I started and didn’t finish, so today I finished the remaining 50 and so pages.

After Ross Perot I wanted to reread the sections on homosexuality and abortion in Jimmy Carter book I read earlier this year.  The man had a horrible presidency, but I truely admire how after he left office he just didn’t retreat off into the sunset, but continued to use and reshape his image and influence.  I also identify with the man.  We are both Christians who are Democrats, and we both have cut ties with the Southern Baptist Convention.  This truely is one of my favorite books.  As many times as I’ve been told that I can’t be a Christian and be a Democrat, this book just really helped address any of those concerns.

After all that reading I decided to go to the gym and lift some weights and get on the treadmill.  I bought an outdated book by Peter King of Sports Illustrated called Inside the Helmet and started to read that as I walked on a steep incline on the treadmill.  If you are a football fan that wants to know how a skill position players and coachers prepare and go through a game, this might be up your alley.  There’s a section on Jimmy Johnson when he was coaching the Cowboys I can’t wait to get to.

After the workout WifeGeeding and I went out to eat some Vietnamese food.  When I got home I did something I’m sure will shock all my buddies – I cracked open an english literature book from college and read Herman Melville’s Bartleby, the Scrivener [Full Story] [Wikipedia].  It was a little longer than I remembered, but I really enjoyed reading it for a second time.  It’s like an old version of the movie Office Space or the television series The Office.  I would prefer not to – cracks me up every time.  Ah, Bartleby! Ah, humanity!

After I took the dogs to visit SisterGeeding at her new apartment, I came back home and read more of the Peter King football book.  Overall the day was a bit melancholy, but I think I made the best of it.  I think this point forward I will make sure I make Aug 15 a reading day.

Yup, I’ve been making posts to this silly website for the last two years.  I think I started out with about four dedicated readers, and have picked up a few more along the way.

Today also happens to be my mother’s birthday.  She would have turned 59 today.  In honor of her, I’m going to take the day off from posting and focus on reading.  Mom loved to read, she really was a voracious reader.  I encourage you to pick up a nice little read today as well.

George W. Bush talks to God but he also talks about God. Here are his top 50 quotes about religion, the Almighty, and putting words into God’s mouth.

1. I am driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, ‘George go and fight these terrorists in Afghanistan’. And I did. And then God would tell me ‘George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq’. And I did. Sharm el-Sheikh August 2003

2. I trust God speaks through me. Without that, I couldn’t do my job.
Statement made during campaign visit to Amish community, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Jul. 9, 2004

3. I’m also mindful that man should never try to put words in God’s mouth. I mean, we should never ascribe natural disasters or anything else to God. We are in no way, shape, or form should a human being, play God. Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 2005

4. God loves you, and I love you. And you can count on both of us as a powerful message that people who wonder about their future can hear. Los Angeles, California, Mar. 3, 2004

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