Author: Jonathan Blundell

I'm a husband, father of three, blogger, podcaster, author and media geek who is hoping to live a simple life and follow The Way.

Newt Gingrich on InTouch

UPDATE: With Gingrich rising in the polls for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, this post is getting a LOT of hits now. I apologize for the broken link. It appears that InTouch has removed the video mentioned. I’ll try and update the links if I can track it down elsewhere. On the same topic you may be interested in how the 2012 GOP candidates view America going to war in light of the Just War Theory.

A friend in Austin sent me a link to video of Newt Gingrich on InTouch with Dr. Charles Stanley.

Still trying to watch/listen to the video. It’s taking forever to buffer. Update: Lowered the quality and it works a lot better now.

Gingrich talks about the “just war theology” based on St Augustine, Gideon and David in the video.

From the website:

Dr. Stanley and In Touch Ministries are happy to introduce a special guest speaker for our July 4th program. History professor, author and public speaker, Newt Gingrich shares insights into the spiritual climate during the time of our nation’s birth. He explains that, in our country’s history, the author of freedom was not the state or the founding fathers, but God. You don’t want to miss this exciting and informative message! If you would like more information, please check out his book, “Rediscovering God in America: Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation’s History.”

Related ::
InTouch Ministries
Wikipedia :: Newt Gingrich
Wikipedia :: Charles Stanley

Meeting the girl of my dreams

Almost 2 years ago… exactly (as I write this)… I sent a text message to a beautiful woman.
The message read, “standby for a knock at your door.”
She didn’t get the message till 4 or 5 hours later.

But in the meantime I met and got to know this same beautiful woman over a dinner at Blue Mesa, a trolley ride and coffee at Cafe Brazil.

Yup. 2 years ago today I met my wife for the very first time… in person that is.

Come to find out later – she’s not a big fan of Blue Mesa and she had a strict one-date rule. If she wasn’t impressed on the first date – you’re done – you’re through – no more attention from her.

Yet some how another I managed to impress her with not knowing where to board the trolley and running out of things to do by 8:30 p.m…. luckily you can always count on Cafe Brazil (or maybe it was the singing of the Aladdin theme that impressed her — doubtful).

Now after knowing her for two years its amazing to think about all the changes that have happened in our lives – and all for the better.

I can’t imagine my life any other way than with her by my side.

Happy “unofficial anniversary” Laurie. You are the pride of my life. I love you more than I ever thought possible!

DCCCD :: It all begins here

A while back I was an extra for a new DCCCD TV commercial.
Colleen just posted several of the new commercials on YouTube for your viewing enjoyment.
Here’s the one with me in it (twice).
See if you can spot me.

Related ::
DCCCD
DCCCD on YouTube
Photo from the shooting

Shawn Groves :: If my children grow up to be average Americans…

Shawn Groves writes:

“If my children grow up to be average Americans I’ll have failed them as a parent.”

he continues:

If they spend four hours a day watching other people live on a television screen. If they’re bored.

If they go to school to get a job so their kids can go to school so they can get a job so their kids can go to school…If they’re without purpose.

If they take more than they give and want more than they have. If they’re greedy.

If everyone in their prayers looks like them. If they’re unaware.

I’ve failed.

Read the rest…

Related ::
Compassion International
Sponsor a child
SSL :: using kids as buzz marketers

My podcast lineup

So… what do I listen to when I’m not working on the Something Beautiful Podcast? Well I’m glad you asked…. or at least are still reading….

Here’s the current podcasts I’m subscribed to and enjoy listening to throughout my work day and/or my commute to and from the office. In no particular order (other than alphabetical)

Emergent Podcast (rss)
encounter podcast (rss)
Homebrewed Christianity (rss)
Mars Hill (rss)
NPR: Story Corps (rss)
Bored Again Christian (rss)
The Nick and Josh Podcast (rss)
This American Life (rss)

Any great stuff I’m missing out on? (probably opening myself up to lots of spam) What do you listen to throughout the day…. besides boring sports talk radio?

Related ::
Wikipedia :: Podcast
Something Beautiful Podcast

Quote/idea/challenge for the day

“We tend… whenever we’re in an argument… I will argue the strongest part of my argument and I will direct it against the weakest part of your argument. You will in turn take the strongest part of your argument and attack the weakest part of my argument. And what I really want to do is to enter into dialogs where I can talk about the weakest part of my argument and you can talk about the weakest part of your argument and I can accept and celebrate the strongest part of yours and vice-versa.”

Dr. Peter Rollins
Interviewed on The Nick and Josh Podcast