I’ve been meaning to do this for a while but haven’t taken the time to do it until now. I want to be sure and let you know about several great projects my friends have recently been a part of.
Continue reading Support indie artists
Category: misc
Answering the question :: What should I blog about?
I have several friends (and family members) with blogs that get updated somewhat frequently. Others are far more occasional, and still others, I have to wonder if they’ve forgotten their password.
When I ask them about it, their usual response is, “Well I don’t know what to write about.”
I understand, I’ve had writer’s block before.
But there’s one thing I’ve found that gets me over my writer’s block every time — writing.
I know you’re all looking at me funny now but perhaps I can explain.
Continue reading Answering the question :: What should I blog about?
Texas child deaths increased sharply in 2009
280 Texas children died as the result of child abuse and neglect in 2009 — up more than 30% from 2008.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is still trying to figure out why.
According to one think tank, the reason is likely due to increased teen pregnancies and increased poverty — which seems very probable. But Texas DFPS isn’t convinced.
Another possible cause is case workers being overworked (the average caseworker in the North Texas region is 20 investigations per day) and a turnover rate of nearly 24%.
Just my uneducated assumption is that Texas DFPS is removing far less number of children from their homes over the past five years — it would seem that if you’re removing less children, either parents are doing a better job — or you’re going to end up with more fatalities.
In 2005, DFPS removed 17,428 children from their homes.
In 2009, they removed 12,107 children from their homes.
There may be other factors to this — but that would be the first place I would look.
Austin’s KUT has a report on the issue.
You can also read the full DFPS study online — or I’ll post some highlights tomorrow.
HT Funky Shapes for the photo
I am an atheist…
I am an atheist when it comes to the god of violent jihad.
I am an atheist when it comes to the lord who converts by the sword.
I am an atheist when it comes to the mission of politicians using religion as ammunition.
but
I believe in You – the Artist of trees and galaxies.
I believe in You – the Poet of oceans and rivers and streams.
I believe in You – the God of compassion who calls us to action
I can’t believe what they believe but I believe in You
I believe in You – Majestic Designer of space and time
I believe in You – Composer of beauty and music of life
I believe in You – The Holy Forgiver and Wild Reconciler
I am an atheist to the gods of the greedy ignoring the needy.
I am an atheist to the gods who make others torture and suffer
I am an atheist when it comes to view of the chosen few, who
judge and condemn all who differ them.
I believe in You – Mighty in meekness and gentle in power
I believe in You – The Word who has spoken good news to the broken
I believe in You – Transcending mystery, with us in history
What do you think?
Sometimes…
you’re the bug.
Sometimes you’re the windshield.
Today I feel like the bug.
22 songs about Heaven
Artists always have a great way of bringing out theology through their art.
I always love art that makes me asks questions. That helps me wrestle with life and the tough stuff, the muck and the mire.
Art forces you to re-consider. To look at all of life differently.
Continue reading 22 songs about Heaven