tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:40:31 +0000<img src="http://photos6.flickr.com/9871283_f17c585c2a_m.jpg"><br> <b><i>Cross</i></b> - Jesus Christ, Savior, Lord<br> <b><i>Fish</i></b> - community of believers<br> <b><i>Freedom</i></b> - the full, free, abundant life<br> <b><i>Spam</i></b> - a gelatinous, random, quivering, amalgamation of "stuff" seasoned with <i>"salt"</i>...<br> "It is for <i>freedom</i> that Christ has set us free..." <i>Gal</i> 5:1http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Sam)Blogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-4237246356410843494Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:25:00 +00002008-04-22T15:28:51.790-04:00I was pleasantly surprised to see a Gospel message on the packaging of Brim's cheese puffs. It's a neat little company and their cheese puffs are actually really good. They even have an evangelistic message on their company website. Go out and try some.http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/04/cheese-puffs-with-purpose.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-247230113763313098Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:57:00 +00002008-04-22T01:03:13.400-04:00This is a good article on some alarming trends emerging as the first generations raised by "soccer moms" and "helicopter parents" enter adulthood. I guess I can understand why so many parents of my generation feel an overwhelming need to do everything in their power to raise "perfect kids." At the risk of dabbling in some stereotypes, I do believe that this issue is more pronounced in the http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/04/very-real-dangers-of-soccer-moms-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-6224238180753412793Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:43:00 +00002008-04-09T20:45:40.789-04:00It's a great time right now in Sam's magical sports land. The Mavericks are headed into the playoffs, the Wings are starting their Cup run, the Michigan hockey team is in the Frozen Four, the Rangers are now out of the gates and running, the Masters is starting tomorrow, the NFL draft is coming up, and March Madness just ended with a bang. So much to follow, so much to track, my sportshead is http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-sportshead-is-exploding.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-1399498619132219405Wed, 19 Mar 2008 07:55:00 +00002008-03-19T03:59:02.893-04:00Agonizing a lot these days over Hebrew. Old Testament studies, theology, ancient Hebrew - I'm trying to get this stuff down so that I can take this year's doctoral entrance exams later this year. It's tough sledding, but technology has produced an unexpected, cool study aid that I found the other day:iVocab! That's right, a Hebrew vocabulary study aid for your iPod and mobile phone. So now if youhttp://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/03/this-that.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-8386724741714108531Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:48:00 +00002008-03-12T10:49:06.906-04:00David Mamet, noted playwright, screenwriter, and author is not exactly the poster boy for conservatism. Ok, let's face it, David Mamet writing in the Village Voice would be the last place I'd expect to find any thoughtful musings on conservatism but here it is. Mamet gives us plenty of really insightful food for thought regarding the actual process/phenomenon of politics while also doing an http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/03/david-mamet-newsflash-no-longer-brain.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-7925421731661561171Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:14:00 +00002008-03-07T11:14:51.120-05:00Eugene Volokh (good blogger is you're into politics, law, etc.) reveals a classic ethical and moral conundrum for lawyers. In a nutshell: what if you're defending a client who admits that he committed a crime that someone else is being sent to prison for. Do you speak out and violate the sacred attorney-client privilege or do you keep the code of the law community and watch an innocent man go to http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/03/classic-ethical-dilemma-for-lawyers-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-4413248680334974409Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:15:00 +00002008-03-05T01:16:38.269-05:00Over the last few months I have discovered the joys of Facebook. However, this blog post - Enraged by Facebook (found via Instapundit)- is worth reading if you're a pretty active facebooker. I checked some of the privacy settings after reading this and it turns out that Sarah Pullman is right, you have to really double-check your privacy settings because they can definitely default to some prettyhttp://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/03/quick-hits-facebook-dangers-hugo-chavez.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-4373250423512323961Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:14:00 +00002008-02-27T12:15:51.702-05:00 In Ecclesiastes it is said that there is nothing new under the sun. This truth is no more apparent than it is in the realm of politics. No matter how hard candidates, media and the populace try to perceive change in each new electoral cycle, the more things seem to stay the same. In fact, this current free-for-all between Barack and Hillary is so intriguing because it is just overflowing with http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/02/wonderful-irony-and-futility-of-change.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-5442382410949747632Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:15:00 +00002008-02-26T13:41:30.847-05:00I like this response to Michelle Obama's statement that only now is she finding reason to be proud of her country. I'm intrigued by Obama, but it bothers me that he wants to "change" this nation when he doesn't necessarily love this nation. John Hawkins says what I think many feel. America is not a perfect nation, nor does it have a blameless history, but is there another nation that has http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/02/scattershooting-on-stuff-off-drudge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-1839645076819071157Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:07:00 +00002008-02-26T01:07:28.013-05:00 There's a reason why these pix are kinda' fuzzy - they were taken on my phone. Yes, I lucked out - a friend came up with 4 tix to tonight's game and they were excellent seats, lower bowl, 17 rows up. It was probably the closest I've ever sat for an NBA game and I love it. The proximity made things actually look smaller. We were close enough to see the game as we might watch a couple of teams http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome-home-kidd.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-4362161909250688078Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:14:00 +00002008-02-25T11:15:02.150-05:00This is not going to be a post about my ineptitude with tools (although there has been plenty of that in my life). Since we finally purchased our first house I have become quickly initiated into the world of home repairs and maintenance. For some reason I really enjoy turning a wrench on cars but have no desire to pick up tools for the sake of home diy jobs. It's not that I'm a poor handyman - http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-am-bad-at-this-home-repair-thing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-1896245526270497216Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:10:00 +00002008-02-22T13:24:53.153-05:00I'm coming to grips with the fact that I'm really not a "young adult" anymore. There's nothing like a basketball court to bring guys like me back to reality - basketball reminds me on a regular basis that I'm not 22 anymore. In light of this realization that I'm really more "middle-aged man" these days has also been accompanied by some interesting observations on those who are actually "young http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2008/02/ok-i-may-be-getting-old-but-todays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-7417641140209983323Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:04:00 +00002007-12-12T01:05:27.773-05:00What a significant moment and an interesting way to process it. It's 11:30, December 11, 2007 and I'm in labor and delivery room #9 ("Room 9" is pretty funny in Korean, by the way) at Baylor hospital. Hanna is about 6 feet away suffering through contractions as nurses and staff put in IV's, extract information, and hover about busily getting her ready to deliver Christopher. The doctor has brokenhttp://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/12/when-birthday-means-so-much.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-5256400241514355744Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:54:00 +00002007-12-10T01:55:06.421-05:00Still waiting on Christopher. Actually, other than the contractions Hanna had last Sunday, he's been pretty calm. The longer things go, the more likely it seems that he might actually make it to his due date (12/14). I just hope he doesn't arrive on my birthday, for some reason, I just think it would be nicer for him if his birthday wasn't tied to mine. I know Hanna's pretty ready for things to http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/12/scattershooting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-7723085979494689934Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:53:00 +00002007-11-27T15:54:12.582-05:00Been kinda' busy, but not in any rigid, business-like manner. Here are a few things of note that have transpired in the last few weeks.The Good: Went to prison again with Jimmy - no, we're not repeat offenders who keep getting sentenced to do time. We had the chance to join Champions for Life (Bill Glass ministries) for the big Dallas/Ft. Worth Weekend of Champions outreach. Jimmy and I were http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/11/catching-upthe-good-bad-and-ugly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-5265297196646646400Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:05:00 +00002007-11-07T10:06:42.003-05:00I had always believed that the missions window of opportunity in Russia was a limited one and now here's one more sign that our time of free ministry in Russia is drawing to a close. During our time living in Russia it was evident that the Russian government was ambivalent at best and downright hostile at worst towards foreigners and ex-patriates living within her borders. The process of http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/11/russia-continues-to-quietly-close-her.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-9121447979509519324Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:56:00 +00002007-11-05T01:56:55.240-05:00Anyone who had hoped that Russia's upcoming elections might be an opportunity for positive change or regime revision should just go ahead and stop holding their breath - it ain't gonna' happen. This story from the Foreign Policy blog reveals that Putin has brazenly restricted the number of election observers that will be allowed to monitor the upcoming elections - not a good sign. Just a few http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/11/putins-just-given-up-pretendingyes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-5844045054090583867Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:55:00 +00002007-10-31T18:55:49.959-04:00I've been getting back in touch with some old friends from my Berkner days and it's been really interesting to see how many of my band friends have continued to stay involved in music - some are in church praise bands, others play in local bands, some continue to play in orchestras and symphonic bands, and some have even been able to "make it" as professionals. I got reacquainted with a friend http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/10/soular-rocks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-4926690700708877871Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:35:00 +00002007-10-29T11:36:23.062-04:00John Heuser of the Ann Arbor News has a great article on Jamar Adams, Michigan's senior safety and it's encouraging to read about a big-time college athlete who sees more to life than just wins, losses, and accolades - he lives for Jesus Christ and sees his place in this word through God's eyes. I've included a few highlights, but definitely read the whole thing. In September, Adams was invitedhttp://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/10/hail-to-victor-one-michigan-wolverine.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-4881060628478462718Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:27:00 +00002007-10-22T16:30:16.873-04:00The other day I was appreciating some classic coaching meltdown/rants with Ho and John. We were especially taken with the latest Mike Gundy meltdown - "I'M A MAN! I'M 40!" This got me to reminiscing about other classic rants and decided to try and compile some of the more well-known rants thanks to the wonders of the internet and youTube. Here's Dan Hawkin's less-publicized "Play intramurals, http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/10/classic-coaching-meltdowns-and-rants.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-6935021383086706166Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:57:00 +00002007-10-03T23:58:04.641-04:00Some important prayer updatesFor those who are following the progress of Patrick and Christy's situation with their unborn baby, Bella, here is an update. The doctors are not certain that the mass in her chest has not stopped growing. Please pray that the mass in her body would stop growing so that she can develop healthy organs and systems. Again you can follow her progress at the Laffertys' http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/10/some-timely-prayer-updates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-8414896486014973581Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:53:00 +00002007-09-25T14:53:55.582-04:00It's an interesting time for me as a dad. I have a daughter in middle school who is slowly but surely staking her ground in the land of "teenager-dom." I've got a little boy who is a kindergartener and I have a brand, spankin' new little one on the way. I guess it's not that common for parents to experience such varied ages of parenthood at one time - teen years, early elementary years, infant http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/09/fatherhoods-little-gems.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-863589074212618137Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:01:00 +00002007-09-20T12:01:43.637-04:00The start of another school year also means the start of another ministry year for our Campus Crusade team in Ekaterinburg. This is also a time when there's a lot of ministry movement in various mission fields because summer projects are done and follow-up has begun. I just wanted to share a few encouraging notes from various friends in Russia, as well as extend an invitation to join in prayer http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/09/god-is-not-still-in-russia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-4670331002523510806Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:18:00 +00002007-09-11T13:19:16.981-04:00I know that the web is just replete with remembrances of 9/11 and I know that there are many who have written poignant, meaningful, and inspirational thoughts on this ignominious anniversary, but I just felt compelled to share some simple memories of that day. Maybe this is more for me than anything else.September 11, 2001. Hanna and I were living in an apartment complex north of downtown Dallas.http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/09/911-best-that-i-can-remember-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11744489.post-5858631400026535103Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:58:00 +00002007-09-07T14:59:38.860-04:00This article by Steve Chapman deftly highlights some of the issues that concern those following Putin's movements in Russia. Once again, I'm left shaking my head at some of the things Putin is thinking, saying, and doing."President Vladimir Putin, when he is not busy restoring autocracy to a country that has known little else, has taken on the task of refreshing Russian history with a novel http://youngsamwon.blogspot.com/2007/09/putin-rewrites-history-and-jumps-shark.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sam)0