A couple people got into the spirit of what I was trying to start on June 17. Go back and look at the 19th comment by Chris. I have a problem with the whole “dusk over dawn” thing (didn’t God mean for the day to begin at 5:00 a.m.?) and the sports movies over actual sports — 
— but his words are like peeking in on holy ground. Plus, I like the list. Beatles over Beach Boys. TX bbq over NC bbq. His mom’s chicken pot pie. Jokes that aren’t at anyone’s expense. “And feeling my son kick at [my wife's] belly before I go to sleep.”
Anyone else want to do their list?
ok, here goes.
Bonanza not Big Valley
Coke not Pepsi
Recliner not Rocking Chair
Nachos (or as Dr. Joe said “knockos”) not buttered popcorn
Cardinals not Yankees
Joe Willie not Johnny U
Bama not Auburn (duh!)
Steak not Lobster
Pepperdine Lectures not ANY other
JT not N Diamond
Cat Stevens not Ray Stevens
Carole King not Helen Reddy
Mercy not Sacrifice
Impeccable taste, amigo! Anyone who would choose Neil Diamond over JT . . . well, they’ve just stumbled onto the wrong blog. So, good on ya. Taylor, Clapton–guitar as it was meant to be played.
Keep it comin’ folks. What makes your day brighter? (Partly we’re participating in creation theology here –something Ecclesiastes would undoubtedly endorse.) What are the daily gifts that bring you joy? Bring it on!
ice cream not yogurt
hammocks not lawn furniture
books not movies
sand not snow
best friends not boyfriends
DVD not VHS
biscuits not cornbread
Spin class not free weights
I like nephews who think I’m funny and pretty, Girl’s Night Out, 38 Special and Sunday mornings with “The Sisters”.
Terri
I like……
Grandchildren
The lightning show from a West Texas thunderstorm
crepe myrtles
summer bike rides in the cool of the early morning with a cloud cover.
Grandchildren
fuzzy catepillars as long as they stay outside.
Star Trek
Jeff, for marrying Lorena and Jill for marrying Michael and giving me….. grandchildren.
7th Heaven, Touched by an Angel
photos of family vacations and holidays — especially the ones with grandchildren.
Church at Highland
The Wiggles, VeggieTales, Winnie the Pooh — but only if I am watching it or reading it to my grandchildren.
fresh picked peaches and sweet Hawaiian pineapple
Anyone who asks me to see pictures of my grandchildren.
I did a short list in response to your first post, but I thought I’d go ahead and put together a more exhaustive list since you asked so nicely.
I like
Lucky Charms not Shredded Wheat
Emmylou Harris not Shania Twain
Pancakes not waffles
Prague not Paris
Jimmy Carter not Jimmy Swaggart
Johnny Cash not Toby Keith
Pensacola not Panama City
Cozumel not Cancun
Gain not Tide
AirTran not Delta
Zoboomafoo not “The Wiggles”
Catfish not salmon
Atlanta not Nashville
The Edwin Hawkins Singers version of “O Happy Day” not the dreary one in the hymnal
Local restaurants not chain restaurants (this is almost without exception!)
I like Braves baseball and Coen brothers’ movies. I like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, authentic Mexican food (the complete absence of ground beef is your first clue!), and convenience store hot dogs. I like “The Grapes of Wrath” as well as “Curious George”. I love sneaking in a 20 minute nap in the middle of the afternoon. I like family vacations with my wife and kids, even if it means I have to put luggage on the roof of the van. I like Father’s Day gifts, Bama football, and long-time, faithful friends. I love cuddling with all my kids whether we adopted ‘em or birthed ‘em. I love how much I like my wife.
[My apologies to Serena who likes watching "The Wiggles" with her grandchildren. I had just finished writing my list when I saw yours! Hey -- when my kids want to watch them, I'll watch it, too. We even took them to a live Wiggles show last fall! Come to think of it, it's probably just the Wiggles overload talking...]
I like…
Fall, not spring.
Country, not city.
Ice skating, not roller skating.
Chocolate, not strawberry.
My three year old nephew’s giggle over a good joke.
My dad singing silly songs over any other music.
Quiet rain and a good book over sun and a beach.
Playing guitar, not basketball.
Cable high speed, not DSL
Dogs, not cats.
Being camp counselor to 12 teenage girls at CRYC every summer over any “vacation,” anytime.
West Texas over East Texas
Texas High School Football (go Katy) over any other football
South Padre Island over Padre Island
Expository over Topical
Authenticity over Sophistication
Eva Cassidy over Madonna
Covey over Peters
Sharp Cheddar over Velveeta
Taco Cabana over Taco Bell
Rib eye over Sirloin
Spirit Led over Purpose Driven
Red over White
West Texas over East Texas
Texas High School Football (go Katy) over any other football
South Padre Island over Padre Island
Expository over Topical
Authenticity over Sophistication
Eva Cassidy over Madonna
Covey over Peters
Sharp Cheddar over Velveeta
Taco Cabana over Taco Bell
Rib eye over Sirloin
Spirit Led over Purpose Driven
Red over White
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Well, Matt, I have to tell you that about a month ago, my husband and I were babysitting our three grandchildren, ages 1 to 3, when one of them wanted to watch an “iyo” (video). We had a couple of the Wiggles to choose from but we were at a time-share and couldn’t figure out how to make the DVD work. All three toddlers tried to “help” by picking up and aiming one of the four remotes at the TV. When Jim finally got the thing going, I wasn’t sure if I loved the Wiggles or hated the them.
By Serena, at 6/21/2004 06:37:01 PM
Serena, let me say that I know *exactly* how you feel! Ha!
I like this blog alot! Here is my list: an outdoor rock concert over an indoor venue; an historical novel over a psuedo spiritual book; Chili’s hot sauce over guacamole(sorry,Mike!), sharp cheddar over mild; going to hear a great Christian minister speak over the previously mentioned outdoor rock concert; little boys over little girls; anything my mom cooks over my cooking; being in a cozy cottage over a big house; having coffee with a friend in that cozy cottage over a big shindig; 60’s music over 70’s music; and finally, boxers over briefs for guys!
I like…
Coke more than Pepsi
Mexican food more than Chinese food
Soccer more than baseball
Dallas Cowboys football more than all other sports combined
Media on the ‘net more than TV/Cable News
Late nights more than early mornings
Kilborn and Letterman more than Leno and O’Brian
Mad About You more than Seinfeld
Thirtysomething more than Friends (I’m dating myself, aren’t I?)
Speilberg more than Scorsese
XBox more than PS2
Peter Sellers more than Jim Carey
Sam’s Club more than Wal-Mart
“Empire Strikes Back” more than “Phantom Menace”
Mulder more than Scully
Dharma more than Greg
SNL: vintage 1980-1990 (Myers, Carvey, etc.)
As a holiday: Thanksgiving more than Christmas
For inspiring spiritual insight: Buffy the Vampire Slayer more than Touched by an Angel (when I can find the time, that will be a whole ‘nuther blog unto itself)
I love the Gospel of Luke, Revelation, and Ecclesiastes.
I love playing with my kids: chess, soccer, XBox, PC games, basketball. I love watching my daughters dance. I love long walks and deep conversations with my wife, C.S. Lewis, the Sermon on the Mount, John Williams film scores, Chamber music, modern worship music, especially Jeff Deyo and United Live, and Mike’s thoughtful, grace-filled preaching.
I love playing Civilization III until 2 in the morning (when I don’t have to get up the next day).
I like…
bare feet not pantyhose and heels
dark meat not white
beef not chicken
scented candles not air freshener
old things not new
simple things not complicated ones
the Pacific ocean not the Texas Gulf Coast
unsweet tea not sweet
red licorice not black
feather pillows not foam
handwritten letters not e-mail
clean 100% cotton sheets not poly/cotton
sunsets not sunrises
mysteries not love stories
fall not summer
love notes written on toilet paper not expensive gifts
4 open windows in a fast moving car not AC
carbs not high protein
a walk with my dog not a walk on a treadmill
one Q-tip not two
hard belly laughter not subtle humor
a noisy house full of my almost grown children’s friends not the quiet we now have too often
I like the feeling of my warm little Yorkie pup curled beside me in bed, the sound of my sweet husband’s snoring (within limits, mind you), seeing him read his Bible everynight, the smell of a sweaty little boy fresh from play, fresh flowers on my table, being prayed for by my daughter, sitting and laughing around the dinner table for hours with family and friends, and the memories of skipping with my Daddy when I was a little girl. Most of all I like that God so generously provides all these joys and more to me daily!
Cheryl C
Oh, my goodness, I almost forgot! I like…
paper and definately NOT plastic!
Smiles,
Cheryl
So many beautiful gifts, which to mention?
I prefer Yancy to LaHaye
Watching a seeker/new believer being “scrubbed by Jesus” - as their faith grows and He cleanses them, inside out.
New Living Translation to NASB
Mahler to Hayden
Old Hymns a cappella - Praise songs with guitars, keyboard and drums
A child’s or new believer’s prayer (can’t decide which one I love most)
Authentic Mexican food over Tex- or CA-Mex (and I’m a GREAT cook of Mexican cuisine, btw)
Serranos in pico de gallo - not Jalepenos
Salad with a friend rather than pseudo-sophisticated 10-course dinners
Believers that unabashedly express their joy in the LORD
Hugs - not handshakes (we need to hug more at Highland imo)
Hearing any of my four favorite living preachers, Mike, Max, Rubel, and Tim Scott (were my dad still living, he’d be first on the list)
San Diego Padres over any other baseball team - also, any baseball team that beats the Yankees.
BIG cities over little towns (I’m a full-fledged asphalt flower)
Fresh fish over any steak
And I agree with previous commentator - Sunset over Sunrise (No Mike, 5:00 AM is for last round of deep sleep - first round to begin at midnight. LOL)
And what greater thrill than a sweet voice saying “Hi, Gramma! How ya’ doin’?”
I like…
sweet potatoes w/ brown sugar not marshmallows
great tasting not gourmet
cozy not stuffy
cold not hot
low cal not low cards
prepared not perfect
Disney World not Land
goose bumps not chill bumps
Scrabble not Monopoly
Spades not Hearts
Dillards not Foleys
Gymboree not Gap
Barns and Noble not B Dalton
Mom-n-Pop not Big chains
Sams not Costco
Simple not complicated
Clean not cluttered
Chia tea not expresso
McDonalds not Burger King
Subway not Quiznos
Charmin not Northern
Zest not Lever 2000
Crest not Colgate
Coke not Dr. Pepper
homegrown not organic
candle light not florescent
Flour tortillas not corn (unless really fresh)
sourcream AND guacamole
yahoo not aol
red not purple
I like the smell of fresh cut grass, cherry tomatoes fresh off my backyard vine, summer nights by the lake, the smell and sound of rain, stars in a country night sky, West Texas sunsets, Broadway musicals, tickle fights with my husband, Eskimo kisses and elephant hugs from my kids, Barbies with all their clothes on, baseball in the backyard, long talks with my mother, practical jokes with my Dad, Bacon wrapped green beans, Ritz Cracker Chicken night, Wednesday night meals at church, small group discussions that spill over into dinner and way past bedtime, Canton at 8am on Friday of market days, NAPTIME, boring Saturdays at home, the bedtime prayers of my 2 1/2 year old son, the touch of his chunky little hands, the tiny freckles that grace my little girls nose and cheeks, the made-up fairy tales she spins, DATE Night, falling asleep in a hug, feeling so loved that the top of my mouth tingles, the memory of my Granddaddy’s smile, the hope I’ll see him again someday! Stephanie
Aw, yes! Another grandmother!
I like…
Dogs not cats;
Meat & potatoes, not fancy cuisine;
The north not the south;
The Rolling Stones not The Beatles;
Google not Yahoo;
Dubya not Clinton;
Japanese cars not American;
Modern worship music not Stamps-Baxter.
I like seeing my nine-year-old son looking for me in the bleachers after he makes a good play at third base; a good, strong, hot cup of black coffee first thing in the morning (and any other time of day); John Ortberg books; Godly elders who support me; my wife’s smile; running (when I’m in shape); a hug and kiss from my seven-year-old daughter.
Isn’t it fun to talk about ourselves!
I forgot probably one of the most important (and maybe controversial) things on my list! Oy:
Yellow cornbread, not white.
(Cornbread ought to be yellow and salty, not white and sweet.)
I like Kindness not “Rightness”; Kindness not Intellectualism; Kindness not Power; Kindness not Celebrity; Kindness not Sophistication; Kindness not Wealth; Kindness not Sarcasm; Kindness not Perfectionism; Kindness not Condescension.
Coke over Pepsi
The Highlands over the Cotswolds (barely)
Oxford over Cambridge
Arkansas over Texas
Letterman over Leno
Fox over CNN (sorry)
Against the Wind (by Bob Segar) over nearly any other song
Elvis over Tom and Engelbert
Andy Griffith over Lucy
Barney over Warren (by a long shot)
Projection screens over song books
Seriousness over phony gushing
Cardinals over the Braves
British sit-coms over American sit-coms
Unity over division
and, burnt motor oil over Marmite
Yep! Serena and the LORD has doubly (triply???) blessed me with 5 of the most beautiful, intelligent, capable, gifted great grandkids you can imagine.
Looking down others’ lists, there are so many that should have been included in my list, and some I’d have listed the other way around, such as I prefer Costco over Sam’s and do wish we had one here. Also, am so touched by our Wed. night Oasis worship time. In fact, have said that I love it so much, if we had communion you’d probably never see me on Sunday. LOL (joke, kids, joke) - and miss the Oasis dinners in the summertime.
My list should have included the magnificent West Texas sunsets, but do prefer corn tortillas except when the meal includes dishes from northern Mexico, am also devotee of Guacamole!!!!!
In the ‘druthers’ column
I’d druther have two services in the summertime, as well as some way to continue the Oasis dinners during the summer, but then, everyone deserves a bit of down time so will continue to miss the later service on Sundays and also miss sharing mealtime and conversation during the Oasis meals. Also, since Fall is prefered over Summer anytime, I doubly prefer Fall, since both of my ‘druthers’ are fulfilled during that blessed, cool season.
I like…
Commenting on Mike’s blog more than posting my own
Pac Bell Park over any other park (”yeah, I know…it’s SBC Park now)
Grant over any stand up comedian
Cash over credit cards
One nice pen over countless bics
The Highland elders over “knuckle-busters”
Waking up at 5am over 7am
Earthquakes over Tornados
Church plants over church splits
My wife over any other woman in the universe
A hug from my kids over any material possesion
A hamburger made from 80/20 red meat over some soy/turkey/healthy crud burger
Forgiveness over bitterness
my sins over the sins of a gossip
big dogs over domesticated rats/poodles
Abilene sunsets over CA sunsets
Downtown SF over downtown Abilene
Phil over any other possible replacement for Royce
The respect of my son over the respect of a million others
“Fatkins” (my creation) over “Atkins”
Jesus over the pope
Bottled water over an ice cold coke…ok - that’s a lie!
Disneyland over Six Flags
Growing churches with suspect theology over stagnent churches with “sound doctrine”
Leather seats over cloth/fabric
PDAs over paper planners
Love over knowledge
Glass half full over half empty
The Last Samuri over Troy
Going down swinging over going down looking
Heaven over earth
I like hot fudge and peanuts over vanilla ice cream.
don
Joel,
Forgiveness over bitterness…… That’s the thought I will take with me today as I face a very difficult set of circumstances.
ok, here goes:
I like sunrise/set over noon anyday;
coffee with fixin’s over black;
hazelnut over vanilla or amaretto;
blogs over world news;
fresh flowers still attached to their plant after 3 days over fresh flowers sliming in a vase in my house;
(although day 1 and 2 they’re very nice)
reading over tv;
crosswords over jumbles;
Scrabble over Risk;
writing words over speaking them;
(although I’ve never felt more alive than when I know God has spoken thru me)
Adidas over Nikes;
walking over running;
strolling over walking;
dogs over cats;
tums over rolaids;
newsprint over glossy magazines;
waterfalls over standing ponds;
rocks and leaves and shells over manmade art;
searching for and finding treasures of rocks, leaves and shells over gallery surfing;
digging in real earthly dirt over spreading dirt;
serenity over chaos;
rock and rap over country;
big sweaty boy hugs over absolutely anything else.
I could go on and on but what’s the point there is dirt to dig in and it’s a beautiful day!!! Thanks Mike!
Can I play again? I like . . .
A deep conversation with one over quick chats with thirty;
Fort Worth over Dallas;
35 mm over digital;
Windows over Mac (this may be more explosive than politics);
Swinging away on 3-0 over taking one;
Unity over uniformity;
Coaching over sitting in the stands;
Wrestling with sons over professional wrestling;
Pensacola Beach over any other Gulf Coast beach;
T-shirts with pockets over pocketless tees;
Pappasito’s over Pappadeux (close competition);
Raw oysters over fried oysters (I’ve had my shots);
Marathons over sprints;
Annual exams before 45 over annual exams after 45 (note to younger men: don’t ask);
Deep friendships that survive moves and changes over lots of acquaintances;
Psalms over Proverbs;
Deep over wide;
forgiveness over perfection.
I already did one, but these are so great I have to keep going. this one is non-comparitive and simply lists those things that make my day
i love…
rich mullins, tom waits, chris rice, and brian houston.
communicating with others to sharpen my mind and soften my spirit.
bonhoeffer, manning, muggeridge, and craddock.
cameron crowe films, john cusack films, films based on nick hornby books.
nick hornby, ralph ellison, john steinbeck, and g.k. chesterton.
hush puppies, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes with the skins.
independent record stores and the people who work in them, 50 year old guys in classic rock cover bands, and concerts where the audience would prefer to sit than stand.
bob dylan, david gray, over the rhine, and martyn joseph.
steve stockman, the books he writes, and the radio show he has on the BBC.
washing dishes with my wife, working garage sales with my wife, buying groceries with my wife.
ben arthur, ben christophers, ben folds, ben harper, and ben kweller
evening walks with Rachel, waking up with Rachel, trading e-mails with Rachel throughout my day.
mike cope’s blog, my own blog, the humility that comes with knowing i have less to say at this point than he does.
being 28, being 6 years married in August, being a first time dad in September, being ill-prepared for all great adventures.
having Rachel to share the adventure with.
sharing the Lord’s Supper with Rachel, studying the Bible with Rachel, praying with Rachel, working in ministry with Rachel.
the fact that I get paid to do what I love.
counseling people, serving people, teaching people, and sitting with people.
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
our God, from whom all good gifts come.
His Spirit that lives within Him, and within His Son, and within His church, and within me.
the fact that I’d be nowhere without Him.
Oh, Mike…you are a true visionary leader…I definately like Windows over Mac and I personally think that Diet Dr. Pepper is the elixer of life!
Smiling…Cheryl
For Quiara — uh-uh, sorry — here’s the real deal — YELLOW cornbread that is also SWEET. You haven’t been in Tennessee long enough, girl!
Uh oh–
Clarissa and Mike have both trampled two non-negotiables….
It’s Mac over PC and salty yellow cornbread, people. I suppose God could be big enough to love even people who “prefer” the wrong platform and have suspect taste in cornbread (if it was supposed to be sweet, they shoulda called it corncake)– but I’ll be praying for the souls of you both.
Of course, being a Tennessee transplant and natively accustomed to California and Nevada (’ve only been in the south now for about 17 years, I’m still getting used to things…) I’m willing to admit the possibility that I’m wrong on the cornbread issue. But Windows? That’s just wrong. And I had such respect for you, Mike… I’m gonna hafta change my username to “Disillusioned.”
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I’m coming back for seconds. The comments have been SO good! Leave it to Mike to get us discussing cornbread!
And yes, sweet yellow cornbread in the south is beyond description. As my grandmom used to say “hush your mouth”!
DFW not LAX
Aramis not Polo
Chuck Taylor Converse not K-Swiss
Levi’s not Lee
Bryan Bologna not Hormel
OFF not any other kind of mosquito spray
Shepherds not a Board of Trustees
Gomer not Goober
Festus not Doc
Claudia Cardinal not Bridget Bardot
King of Queens not Raymond
George not John, Paul or Ringo
Carlos Santana not Kid Rock
Johnny Quest not Archie
Jesus not command, example or inference
Puma not Nike
Cream potatoes not scalloped
Chicken gravy not store bought sauce
Apartheid not Communism as the worst violation of human rights in our life-time.
Steinbeck not Fitzgerald
Greatest Commandment over any other one (duh, what part about GREATEST do we not get?)
African rain on a tin roof not Enya to put you to sleep
Puppy breath not cat purring
Colt not Calf
Age not I.Q.
Mentor not Boss
Obey not being a Victim
Grace not Doctrine
Mel Gibson not Michael Moore
Dr. J not Michael Jordon
Willie not Mickey
West Coast not East Coast
Brevity not Hogging the whole Blog…..whoops!
Craig Jones not any other Choral Director
a short list….
~queso over anything else to dip with chips
~cool, rainy days over hot, sunny days
~Chick-fil-A over any other fast food
~close friendships over casual acquaintances
~sleeping in over getting up early
~McKay’s bakery above all others
~casual, laid back work environment over high-stress micromanagement
~cheap mac’n'cheese (with the powdered cheese) over all other kinds
~the feeling of going home
~accomplishment over failures
~compliments over negativity
~Diet Coke over Diet Pepsi (generally)
~sleeping in my own bed over a hotel bed
~holding a sleeping baby
~barefoot over shoes
~long hair over short
~contacts over glasses (though I’d really prefer neither!)
~tshirt and shorts over stuffy suits
~chocolate over vanilla
~mom’s buttery caramel quicks over any other breakfast sweet
~hanging out with my family
~exploring new creative outlets over being stuck in a rut
Please - am I the only one who likes Aggies over Longhorns?!?! Star Trek over Star Wars, and cheese enchiladas over beef! Tom Hanks over Tom Cruise, mighty oaks over mesquite trees.
Amy, down south
I like…
Activists over complainers
Harold’s better than Joe Allen’s (real controversy)
Studying Corinthians over Revelations
Dominoes not cards
Dr. Pepper over anything diet
Sweet tea (with sugar) better than unsweet
Reliance in Him over “self reliance”
Outer Banks Beaches over Zuma Beach
Baja Fresh better than Taco Bell
Thin crust pizza more than pan
Small Bible Classes over large
Small group over anything else on Sunday Nites
Magazines over tv
TLC and HGTV over network programs
LENO not Letterman
My mini van over an SUV
Swimming not sun bathing
My kids
My husband
My life
My salvation!
I like…
sprite not 7up,
soy milk not cow milk,
vegetables not meat,
Tokyo not NYC,
any other state not Texas,
justice not oppression,
Windows not Mac,
wildflowers not roses,
flying not driving,
wine not beer,
thai not mexican,
letters not emails,
paper not plastic,
dancing not running,
natural not artificial,
succinct not drawn out,
pianos not keyboards,
blue bunny not blue bell,
cold not hot,
nouwen not piper,
donne not shakespeare,
dove not hersheys,
gender inclusive not exclusive,
bbc not cnn,
canon not kodak,
planners not palm pilots,
and
apples not oranges.
-TKP
I like…
Stone garden ornaments more than pinwheels.
Turtles more than frogs.
Dogs more than cats.
Blue Bell more than Ben & Jerry’s.
Pie more than ANYTHING! (No, make that…)
Sweets more than anything!
Fresh produce more than canned.
Short hair more than long hair (on men).
Q more than anyone who’s NOT my husband…^_^
Normal water over flavored
Diets more than regular.
Blue jeans more than dress clothes
Driving more than flying by myself
Video game music more than rap/R&B
Pieces of junk more than my cell phone (though they are quite similar)
Forks more than spoons
Contrast more than similarity
Uniqueness more than homogenity
Hi! Found your blog via Q (I’m her college roomie). Nice to meet ya!
I was searching for Harolds bbq to get some hot sauce for a minister friend of mine…John Risse…when my search linked me with Mike’s blog..how? I don’t know…but here I am…and taking my son to college at ACU, missing hi already.
Here goes…
I like…
involvement over attendance…
chess over checkers and all other games :o)…
rainy days over sunny ones…
Cardinals over Cubs and especially Braves…
Salads over all other vegetables…
honest strugglers over those who know everything…
And soon, I will have an opinion about Harolds, too :o)