I was not impressed by the debaters, nor the moderator, Jim Lehrer. What kind of question is: “Kerry says you’re a liar. Does that raise any hackles?” Overall, Kerry came across as the better speaker, but his positions do not seem to hold together. Bush was the opposite. He answered consistently on the issues, but fell short in the oratory category. An intelligent observer would look past the President’s speaking faults and just compare the messages, but I am afraid that many Americans will see this debate as a win for Kerry. My guess is that Bush will still win in November, but I think that the Republican Party desperately needs another “Great Communicator” like Ronald Reagan.

No, it has nothing to do with Ty Pennington. Sure, he is a handsome guy (plug for my niece), but I think I liked him better on Trading Spaces. If there is anyone on the cast that I favor, it has to be Preston Sharp. I like his sense of style, his respect for history and his passionate attitude about design. But, I digress. These are not really why I like the show.

First, what is great about the program is that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is like something you would find on HGTV. I could watch that channel all day long. The other great part of the show is the story behind it–the family. Here we have a group of people loving those who are in need in a very big way. The best part of it (IMHO) is that the people doing it are from the private sector and NOT the government.

Sure, from the network side it is all about ratings and advertising revenue. However, with so much evil in the world, it is an encouragement to see people on TV model what we all should be doing (albeit on a lesser scale…I’m not going to build anyone a $200,000 house anytime soon). But it is a reminder that we ought to love our neighbors (Matt. 22:39).

There has not been an episode yet where I, my wife or my sister-in-law (who is staying with us) have not been brought to tears. I know I am a sentimental guy, but just read the teaser about the next episode and tell me it does not tug at your heart strings. Of all of the reality television out there, this is one of the few shows that actually matter.

When a mother was shot and killed by a gang member’s stray bullet while sleeping, her oldest son, Johnny Garay, took in his five siblings so that they would not be separated by Child Protective Services. Although Johnny and his wife had four young children of their own, he moved this now large family totaling 11 people into what he could afford, a major fixer-upper in the South Central area of Los Angeles, California, built in 1905.

The original plan called for renovating the home, but the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team found that the house was beyond renovation. It was on the verge of being red-tagged because of, among other things, lack of heat, a leaky bathtub, broken windows and an old carpet so full of dust that it would give the kids frequent allergies. When the EMHE team realized this, it was decided to completely tear down the house and rebuild it from scratch!

In case you had not heard, scientists are predicting that Mount St. Helens will pop her top any day now. You can safely check the volcano’s status via this U.S.D.A. Forest Service webcam.