In case you've missed my mentions of one of the great loves of my life, listen up: guacamole was surely the first veggie combo in the Garden of Eden.

There are entirely too many bowl games named after snack foods, hotels, and auto parts stores. I mean, come on, the Meineke Car Care Bowl? What happened to oranges, roses, and sugar? And what does AT&T (disclaimer: The Papa is employed by said corporation) have to do with cotton?

2008 is a leap year. One more reason not to start off with a long list of resolutions: a longer year to have to keep them.

Iowa has two more days of prominence on the national stage before it recedes into oblivion for at least three more years. Is anyone else glad?

Did you watch the Rose Parade? Aubrey and family were there, in the good seats. Some watchers probably got more than they bargained for:

Two groups were protesting at the parade. Dozens of anti-war protesters led by "Peace Mom" Cindy Sheehan staked out spots across from television cameras, hoisting signs reading "Impeachment is Patriotic." The protesters were booed by parade watchers sitting in the grandstand.

Good thing we live in a free country.

On this first day of January, the foundation of the coming year, I am reminded of the firm foundation we have in Jesus Christ and His word, and am therefore reflecting on the lyrics to one my favorite hymns...

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

~~From A Se­lect­ion of Hymns from the Best Au­thors, by John Rip­pon, 1787

May your life as well as your year be planted firmly on the only foundation that holds.