Tony.Burgess410.com

Christmas is a busy time of year. I already need a vacation from this vacation. I need a nap or something.

I am on vacation for the next two weeks. Since my promotion back in July I have not had time to take off except for homecoming at Hiwassee College. This is a great time to have a break from the routine to enjoy some time away from the grind of the routine of life. Routine is good to keep order in ones life but sometimes it can drive you crazy. Well for the next two weeks I get to enjoy the holidays and have time for myself. I am one happy dude!

As a Christian you don't get to heaven by works alone. There is no amount of labor one can do to get St. Peter's OK to pass through the pearly gates. So you have to buy into this faith thing. There is a saying that works for most folks "Pray Like it Depends on God, Work Like it Depends on You". There is wisdom there. I have to have faith that God will help me on the job but he wants me to put feet to my faith and do the work. God's blessings come in mysterious ways and I don't understand them all the time. One thing I to which I am very glad is that he loves me to give me the opportunity to believe in him and to work in his kingdom every day.

Recently the Chattanooga Mocs basketball team took on arch rival and in-state foe UT-Knoxville for the first time in Chattanooga since the McKenzie Arena opened 25 years ago as the UTC Arena. The Mocs played the vols close and lost by only 6. The picture to the left is me and Mocs head basketball coach John Shulman. I have kind of adopted in part one of his famous motivationa quotes. He told his players before the game on December 4th, 2007 to "Rip open their chests, show their hearts and go for it" and they did and they showed Mocs fans a great effort in their loss. But this quote inspires me a little to do my best every day.

This is the opening titles from one of our favorite shows called "Torchwood". It's a spin-off from the legendary British Sci-Fi series "Doctor Who". The show features a team responsible for dealing with supernatural and paranormal activity in Cardiff, UK. It's very well done and has a "Men in Black" feel to it.

This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Well I am trying to be glad to be back to work on this day God made. Returning to work after a holiday can be challenging and sometimes tiring. I will give it my best today and thank the Lord I have another day to do the work before me.

Today I went to a book signing at "A Novel Idea" for a friends daughter who wrote a childrens book. Her name is Elizabeth Peters and along with her co-author/illustrator Lindsay Yerbey wrote a book "Worms Like to Wiggle". This book is clever and suitable for any young person starting out to read.  Elizabeth's dad is Jim Cunningham who with his wife Sandy Cunningham are members of my church. It was a very proud day for the whole family. To find out more visit http://www.wormsliketowiggle.com.

I love the song "Baker Street" from Gerry Rafferty. I think it musically takes you on a journey and has some great instrumental work. This song is featured on my MySpace page so I wanted to bring it here.

One of my favorite things to do is Cook. I also like to eat. Watching TV is a favorite past times. So put all three interests together and The Food Network becomes a logical destination for my TV viewing. Alton Brown, Bobby Flay, Giada DeLaurentiis, Tyler Florence, Nigella Lawson, Robert  Irvine, Rachael Ray, Guy Fietti, Paula Deen, Duff Goldman, Emeril Lagasse are among my favorite personalities/chefs on the channel. I would have to say Good Eats appeals to my geek side and Iron Chef speaks to the sports fan in me. I could watch Food Network all day long and not get tired of it.

Next week is Thanksgiving and for my website of the week it will be about turkey day. Wikipedia has a great article on this all-american holiday Thanksgiving. Let us not forget that this holiday comes before Christmas which is my favorite holiday because it celebrates the birth of Christ. But Thanksgiving celebrates all that God has given us and encourages us to share with those around us. Now its time for the turkey and dressing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving