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This week has been the week of season premiers.  Is anyone excited as I am?  It seems like Hollywood has decided that writers actually do something good and decided to shelve reality TV for some good, old-fashion sitcoms.

Last night, The Office season premier started with a bang — literally!  We finally find out what happens between Jim and Pam (I won’t ruin it for you if you haven’t seen it).  It was, by far, the best episode I’ve seen.  Did anyone else notice that they are using a new cinematographer?

The Office isn’t the only one either.  House has a new cinematographer too.  House is being shot more like 24 with the quick takes and fast zooming.  Despite this, however, House raised the roof by being his cantankerous self.  I did notice, however, that his team is still on the starting credits, but weren’t actually in the episode.  Could they return?  If they did, I think it would be horrible.

Now let’s talk about the new shows.Did anyone else hate Back to you?  I love Kesley Grammar.  But canned laughter?  Really?  I think that ended with Seinfeld.  I watched the previous and thought it would be pretty good.  But I was very disappointed within 10 minutes of the show.

Chuck, NBC new drama-comedy, is actually pretty watchable.  I’m not sure if it will be a permanent addition to my DVR list, but I’m watching a second episode.

What about you?  What shows have you enjoyed so far?  Leave a comment!

It’s oddly eerie to be working in the Pentagon on the sixth anniversary of September 11, 2001’s terrorist attacks.  The commute to work was sparse, the corridors less crowded, and halls quiet.  On the way to work, I began to think about where we are at a nation and what we’ve come to expect of the world.  I began to ask myself, "Have we really learned anything?"

It’s a weird feeling.  Since becoming a Christian, I have not really feared death.  But I’ve wondered if anyone else reacts the same way…or if people simply ignore it, much like the squiggly line in your eye fluid.  I’ve really begun to enjoy life because of this lack of fear.  I rock climb, even though I’m really bad at it.  I’d love to go sky diving!

As the day continues to tick by, I’m left with a stillness that even if something terrible were to happen, I will fear nothing.

O Lord, I have so many enemies;
      so many are against me.
So many are saying,
      “God will never rescue him!”

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
      you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord,
      and he answered me from his holy mountain.

I lay down and slept,
      yet I woke up in safety,
      for the Lord was watching over me.
I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
      who surround me on every side.

Arise, O Lord!
      Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
      Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
Victory comes from you, O Lord.
      May you bless your people.

Psalm 3 (NLT)

I love how Switchfoot says it:

Maybe redemption has stories to tell.
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell.
Where do you go to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here.

To the selfless firefighters, police officers, paramedics; to our solders overseas who risk their lives so we don’t have to; to the civilians who do things that no one knows about; to countless lives affected by global terrorism; to the ones that have to make the hard decisions…

We stand united with you.

I’ve been going through the Old Testament lately and have been amazed by the faith of Jewish people.  I’m constantly humbled by the fact that these people had so much faith in God.

Today, I was reading 2 Chronicles 1:8-10 and it’s weird.  I’ve read this section before and heard sermons on it several times.  But it’s the first time I’ve actually caught the glimpse of Solomon’s humanity.

Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

I saw this from the perspective of someone who felt like he didn’t feel qualified to lead the country.  Someone scared of failing…someone who wanted to do more than he knew he was able to.  So Solomon could have asked him for wealth or honor…but it would not have made him an effective leader.

Sometimes I wonder what it takes to have faith like that.