2 outs.  Bottom of the 9th. Armando Galarraga steps to the mound.  His heart is beating faster than it ever has before.  He only needs 1 more out to be perfect.  Before tonight he has been anything but perfect.  Armando has lost almost as many times as he has won.  He’s anything but perfect.  He’s never made the All-Star team and was even sent to the minor leagues earlier in the season.

2 outs.  Bottom of the 9th.  Jim Joyce resumes his position behind 1st base.  Jim has spent the last 23 years of his life saying “Safe” or “Out”.  He’s the umpire.  And he’s the best.  Jim has umpired in All-Star games, Playoff series and several World Series.  He was even named the best umpire by the players.  He was as close to perfect as an umpire can get, until June 2, 2010. [..]

Ever since I got engaged, I get asked the question, “How did you know?” quite a bit.  I usually respond with, “When you know, you know”, and while I still feel like that’s somewhat true, I have another answer.

First, let me throw out my disclaimer – To the best of my knowledge, I have never been married a day in my life.  Likewise, I claim to know nothing on how to have a healthy marriage, although I am getting counsel and reading books on that.  This is purely my opinion.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s how I knew. [..]

I love Twitter.  It has become my first option when it comes to social media surpassing Facebook.  It’s quick, easy and a great way to get information out.  In order to make sure everyone has a great Twitter experience I have decided to compile “The Twitter Commandments.”  There are only 5 at the moment, but I’m sure more will come as the world turns.

When Twittering try and keep these in mind.  You will make the Twitter world a better place.  Without further adieu, I present to you “The Twitter Commandments, Part 1.” [..]

I remember it like it was yesterday.  I was standing outside church talking to Richard who was a year older than me.  I had heard that he was thinking about going to a school dance and that was a big no-no.
“You aren’t going to go to prom are you?”
“Yeah, I am.  It’s my junior prom and I don’t think I should miss it.”
“But, we have an alternative. You can get dressed up and hop on a bus and go to Atlanta.  Plus you will be kicked off Youth Council.”
“I don’t care anymore.  I’m going to my prom.” [..]

This lesson is still going and it has to do with community groups.

I lead a small group.  I take that back, I lead a medium group. Well, it really could be called a large group and has been called a small church, but let’s just stick with “medium group.”  It all started one September afternoon after reading The Hole in our Gospel with a friend, we decided to start a small group. [..]