2008 - ???

Another year has come and gone.
Highlights were far and few between .
No pictures for this blog because memories are enough for me .
Besides, most of the people who read this blog already know the people of whom I speak of .

The ONE memory that I had that was both exciting and sad at the same time , happened on May 30 .

It was the day of my wedding anniversary to my beautiful wife and friend Kim .

It was also the day that my Grandmother passed away and went home to be with my Grandfather and Jesus .

I have a picture with Kim as my profile pic and the blog about my Grandmother is in the archives about May or early June .

Told you there wasn't too many to remember .

Anyway, before I log off I just want to wish everyone a blessed and prosperous New Year and I will blog about my last fishing trip of 2008 . Here is a sneak peek .


And this was the small one .

Christmas is ......

Words cannot explain how much I love this time of year, but here it goes .


This was the snow that fell the week before Christmas . It's a shame it couldn't have been Christmas Eve. By the way, the picture was taken at 3 in the morning after I got home from work.





This is Jacob and his friend Josh dressed as two shepherds for the annual children's version of the nativity story .


This picture is extra special because my Dad was bound to a wheel chair last Christmas . Now he is standing without the aid of a cane . You care to say CHRISTmas miracle



This year Jacob decided to give me and Kim our gift early. He broke his arm 2 days before Christmas . MERRY CHRISTMAS MOM and DAD !!!

This year we decided on a new tradition .The Creation Museum !!! What better way to spend Christmas Eve than with family learning about the Creator of Christmas !







I'm not one to go on and on about a holiday, but I am one to say alot about the One who without this season we have come to know as CHRISTmas would cease to exist .

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!

This time of year .

Yea,I know it's only a " dusting ", but it's one of the things people think of when they think of Christmas .

I was reading 2 of my good friends blogs and they posted a question about my favorite ornaments, so I thought I'd tell of some of my faves .

I remember in my house growing up, my mom had these two elves sitting on the tree and I thought they were weird, because unlike the other ornaments, they just sat there . Last year Kim was out doing some After Christmas shopping and she came across these two .


They were just like the ones my mom had and now I think they are way cool .

Two more of my favorite ornaments are some of the ones my kids made. I pray that we will have these for as long as I am on this earth, because I can't take them with me . That's another blog for another time .

To me they were so little and I never thought they would ever grow up . Silly me .


In closing, I would just like to remind you that without Jesus, Christmas would not exist . It seems in the last few years I've become sort of a " Humbug " type of character when it comes to Christmas because I believe that as a whole society has lost the TRUE meaning of CHRISTmas.
Keep the focus on the meaning and not the commercialism of Christmas

My favorite time of year .

I love this time of year . Thanksgiving then followed closely by CHRISTmas .
One of the reason I love Thanksgiving so much is the fishing trip I take on Black Friday . A few years back my father in law, brother in law and I decided to go fishing while the ladies went shopping or as I like to call it " suicide " .

When my dad got his boat, he started to go with us .
Last year he didn't get to go because he was in the hospital battling a tumor on his spinal chord .
This year he got to go with us and I couldn't be more proud of him . This time last year his legs didn't work . In fact,they couldn't move . This year he was climbing in and out of the boat like he just had a severe limp .
Back to the fishing part of the trip . In short, there were no fish this year .
It was the first time since we have been doing this trip ( about 8 years now ) that I haven't caught anything . Oh well . The highlight of the trip for me was having my dad go with me again . I don't really know how long he will be with me . Only God knows . so each time I spend some quality time with him , it seems more special than the last time .

In closing I would challenge all to not take your relationships for granted .

From one fantasy to another

A while back,I said that I was reading Eragon .

Well I'm done with that book and my review of it is this . It was a very good book .
It kept my interest and I really can't wait to read the 2nd one in the series, but until then, I am going to read this one.

Now I have already read this one, twice in fact . So, this is actually my 3rd time reading this one . I know the story as a whole and I know who wins in the end, but I can't get over the fact as to how relevant this book is in today's age . This book was written over 20 years ago and the issues it talks about are so much more alive today .

The basic overview is that this small town is slowly overcome with the teaching of a new age religion and the forces of good and evil are at work behind the scenes so to speak .

I encourage everyone to read this . Multiple times in fact .

Until next time . God controls all .

Do we worry to much ?

With the state of the world today, people ask themselves
"What am I going to do ?"

I did a weekly online Bible study last week that answered that all important question.

DON'T !

Sounds to easy and to simple of an answer, but the bible is full of solutions to today's problems. You just have to look to find them.

One scripture in particular is found in Philippians 4:6-7
" Do not anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus." (emphasis added)

I know it sounds impossible, but God has given us a sense of peace, not fear.

Two more quotes I came across were these.

"All worry and anxiety comes from the fact that we have calculated without God"
Oswald Chambers

" Worry is putting question marks where God has put periods "
John P. Rice

I don't know about you, but I think, no, I Will put my trust in God and his wisdom

To replenish or not to replenish

Another question was presented to us at church this morning.

Do your actions replenish or deplenish ?

Nothing drains my energy more than someone that constantly complains . So when I
" complain " does that drain others ?

One should ask themselves "Does my "speech" show my love for Christ or does it cause one to stumble by letting them think that complaining is one attribute of being a Christian ?"

I don't know about you but I would much rather surround myself with people who edify as opposed to tearing down

My " newest " book

I'm not a huge fan of fantasy books, but this one was recommended to me by a good friend from work.
It kinda goes along the same lines as Lord of the Rings and I am a huge fan of those books.
Just got started so I don't have any info, yet.

My weekend at Dale Hollow Lake

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My brothers and I went to Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown Tn. this past weekend to do something that we have never done in our lives. We vacationed by ourselves !

My brother John made the arrangements on the cabin we stayed in.















It was a house more than a cabin.





We did some fishing and a lot of football watching. We enjoyed nature and each others company.

We plan on making this an annual thing. I love my brothers and I know sometimes I act to much like an "older" brother, but I pray they understand that I love them very much.

Until then Happy Trails.

My bad :-(

I know I haven't posted anything recently, but this weekend has potential.
I'm going to Dale Hollow Lake with my 2 brothers. NO ADULT SUPERVISION! AAHHHHHHH!!!!

Update coming up soon.

Do you want the good news or............

To follow up with my last post, the doctor told me I wouldn't need surgery......yet.

The chance is still there, but for right now I don't need it. That's good news!!!!

He said that since my therapy wasn't doing any damage I should continue. I'm on the doorstep of the normal recovery period needed for tennis elbow to heal. In about 4 more weeks, I'll need to determine if I need to go back and see the surgeon to see about a steroid shot if I'm not better.

Oh Well!! That's still good news.

After the shot then the LAST resort is surgery.

Not much I can do except breath. :)

To cut or not to cut ?

That is the question.

Today I will go see an elbow specialist to see if my elbow will require surgery or rest.

They told me I have tennis elbow. Funny thing is, (wait for it, waaait for it),..... I don't play tennis. ( comedic drum hit with cymbals )
Thank you, Thank you. I'll be here all week.

But seriously folks, I'm kinda concerned. It's been hurting for the past 2 months and it's not getting better or worse for that matter.

I know that whatever happens is the way God had intended it. So what else can I do put trust Him.

Update coming soon

What to do ?

Well, again i have been presented with a most unusual situation.

The past couple of weeks I have posted that God has a plan for me and I'm still not sure what that is.
The situation I'm might be the way he is leading me. I hope not, but that not for me to decide.
For the past few weeks I have been working directly across from someone............. let's just say he is one of a kind.

We have all heard " Well, he's just a dirty old man."
Well, this guy admits to being just that, in fact, he calls himself that and takes pride in that fact.
He is 50 something years old and he's married to someone who is her 20's. Please understand that age is not THAT big a deal to me, but that causes me to wonder.
It's not it, not by a long shot.
He proceeds to tell me the things that he and his wife like to do in private.
I DON'T KNOW THE GUY THAT WELL!
And he then giggles like a little school girl about it.

I believe that some things are meant to be kept private. Relationships at home is one of them.

Now, for my dilemma. WHAT DO I DO!!!!!!! I mean he is pushing himself beyond the bounds of harassment and I am trying to ignore him thinking maybe he will go away or take the hint.

For the first time in a long time, I am at a loss of words when I talk to this guy.

If this is what God has in store for me, can I get a second opinion?
I honestly don't know how to handle the situation because I have never been in one like it before.

Any takers?

Step one

Last week I posted that God was telling me to do certain things.
I still don't know exactly what they are.

What I do know, is what I heard today at church, makes sense.
In order to do what God SAYS, we have to listen.

It may be that still small voice we hear in the back of our mind. It could very well be THE voice of God himself. He's all powerful like that.

But, it's not just listening that we should do. We should also DO.
If Moses and the Israelites had done what God told them, they would have been in Canaan sooner, not 40 years later.

Listening is a two way street. One talks, the other listens.

Easy enough.............right?

Baby Steps

Yesterday, I went up to the altar to pray and when I got there, I didn't know what to pray for.
At a loss for words, I asked God what He wanted me there for.
As I was waiting, one of my good friends, Don Flynn, got on his knees and prayed with me.

He said " Do you feel like a hamster in a never-ending wheel? "

When he said that,I started to cry. Please understand that I don't say this to get pity, that's for another blog later.
I say this to say that God knows what our needs are before we even speak them.

God told Don what I needed to hear and he was absolutely right. I do feel like a hamster on a wheel. I feel like IT never stops. Everything!!!!!
Everyday I try and do as much as I can so I can get what I want.

Don was basically telling me to let go and Let God.

That's not an easy thing for me to do because I always thought I was in control.

So to take a thought from one of my favorite movies, I will need to take "Baby Steps"

Letting go is something I'm not used to, just ask my wife. She will tell you that I'm a pack rat. I don't like to let go of anything.

Baby Steps.

In order to walk we must crawl.

It makes me wonder

I love sports!!!! Just about all of them too.
I don't care much for soccer or hockey though. I love the Big 3. Baseball,Basketball, and Football.

To me the ultimate dream would be to play a professional sport and to play it with ONE team.


Some of my favorite players in Baseball have done this very thing.
Cal Ripken Jr.
Yes he probably wasn't the best shortstop of all time but he had an illustrious career with ONE team, the Baltimore Orioles. Oh yea, he also played more games consecutively. I don't remember how many it was, but I do know that the person behind them has about 10 more years of non-stop baseball to catch him.




Next is probably one of my all time favorite players in baseball

Tony Gwynn. LIFETIME, yes I said lifetime, career 300+ batting average. I'm not just talking about a batting average of 301 or 302, it's more like 315 or 320. To have that kind of batting average after your career is done is unimaginable.






Now for my Beef with "professional" athletes. It makes me wonder why athletes say "It's not about the money", when people like Alex Rodriguez, sign with one of the worst teams in baseball for a record breaking contract ( this was when he was a Texas Ranger ) and others like Brett Farve.
He WAS the Green Bay Packers.He basically made that franchise what it is in the 20th century. I would have respected him much more if he had just stayed retired, but instead he insist on coming back to a team that already had a new quarterback in place, therefore causing "a disturbance in the force",so to speak. Don't get me wrong,as a quarterback, I admire his career.I just wish it would have been one career and not 2

It's that time of century

Twice every century, the elite of the worlds athletes come together in an exhibition of excellence.
It is one of my favorite times of the century. To see athletes come together and to show why they have been training for years. Some, tens of years. Did that make any sense?

Some of my favorite events are held in the aquatic center. I like the swimming and the diving.

My all time favorite events are held on the track. I was a sprinter in middle school and high school, so this holds a special place in my heart. Seeing these athletes tells me one thing...............I am getting old :-) But oh to imagine what it would have been like to actually "perform" in the Olympics.

The Olympics,a time for the whole world to come together and have a "friendly" competition. A time for world "peace".

Take time to appreciate the Olympics

Update on the Shack

To respond to my last blog when I was still reading The Shack, I will now give you my PERSONAL opinion.

It's a must read!

I'm not one going around suggesting books for everyone to read,
except THE Holy Bible.

This book has the potential to change your view on love in the midst of tragedy.

I'll leave you with a "quote " from the book.

"Suffering does not need exist in order for Grace to be available, but if suffering is present, Grace is available."

Another book, a million more questions

In case you are not a reader, this blog might not be for you.
If you don't love God, this blog is definitely not for you.
If you don't like changes in your daily thinking, stop reading this now.

Now that I have your attention, read on.
This book has "changed" me. Not like how The Holy Bible has.
How I see God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit will never be the same.
I don't want to go into to much details on what this book is about,
but I will say that I see the Trinity on a much more personal level now.

It's amazing how someones imagination can come up with ideas like this. I know God created everything we see and don't see, but to constantly give someone different the insight on how we should view Him is mind blowing.

I'm not quite done with it yet, 'bout 3/4 the way.
When I do finish it, I'm sure I will post something about it more in detail

In case you haven't heard

This could possibly be my favorite movie of all time. I was at the original premier for Star Wars and I still liked Dark Knight more.
I know that's hard to understand but, the characters were outstanding.



Christian Bale is my favorite Batman. He is so much fun as Bruce Wayne and then he is "So Serious" when he's Batman.



Heath Ledger ( may he rest in peace ), played the best villain of all time and I'm not just talking about all the Batman villains. Of all the villains of all movies, he was the most convincing of them all. I was nervous every time he came into the picture.
By the way, has anyone ever seen a pencil disappear the way he made it disappear?

As much as I liked this movie, I have to say that I feel sorry for the next actor who will "try" and play the Joker. Heath was amazing.



Already looking forward to the next one.

things that make you go.....uh oh

I'm not really one to have a devotional to make me think to much.....until this one.

I'm not through with it yet, but let's just say that I am only in the 3rd chapter and it's really having an affect on me and how I see my Christian walk.

More updates to come after I read this piece

Something to ponder

When I was at Ichthus ( see last post ), I heard a pastor say something that really made me think.
He said that he heard a psychologist say one time that for arguments sake, let's say that God doesn't exist, but people still lived like He wanted them to. Those people lived good lives.

Now, again for arguments sake, let's say that He did exist. Then those people will get the ultimate gift.

It's a win, win situation.
Now there is some food for thought.

I believe that God does exist, so I'm a part of the second part of the statement.
I also believe that He created me to worship Him for eternity. That's a long time!

God wants us all to love others like we would love ourselves, but first and most of all, He wants us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind.
So in loving others like I would love myself, I get to be a part of God's ultimate gift. An eternity of love, with no pain, no sorrow, and no tears.
WOW!

That's something to ponder.

As always, God controls all!

A Birthday and Rock N' Roll

A week ago this past Saturday ( June 7 )Holly Prosser and I threw a surprise 40th Birthday party or our " better " halves. We had intended on it being a pretty big bash, but with people already having plans, we managed to only have a hand-full of good friends show up. We had a blast though.
I love my wife more than I ever could have imagined. We have been married for 16 years now and we have 2 great kids. She is the smartest, most loving, caring, Godly, and HOTTEST person I know. I mean have you seen her. Me married to her?!? I still don't get it.
Anyhoo, Happy Birthday Kim and to my best friend Jeff also.

This past weekend was a festival called Ichthus. In lay mans terms, it's a Christian version of Woodstock.
Loud music and food. A great combination ! We were entertained by great bands and some of the best christian speakers in the nation.
This first photo is of one of my favorite bands called Skillet. Yes, like the frying pan
This is my new favorite band Need to Breath. Great story about this band. They played on Friday and there was a chance of rain that day. When they started it was HOT. Mid 80's and sunny. They were getting ready to finish their set when clouds started to come in. They ended their set with a song called "Washed by the Water". It stared to sprinkle.
Then, when they got to the chorus which starts with the words "Even when the rain falls", it started to rain.
We all raised our hands to God and were thanking Him for His ultimate timing.
Not weird, God. Plain and Simply God
It was also a time for me spend some quality time with my precious daughter, Taylor. She's the one standing in front of the guys face The thing I love about this festival, is that we get to "head bang" to our favorite bands, together. I am already looking forward to next year.

Until next time..... Rock On

My Bad

Hey there,

Sorry I am not able to blog lately. With my Grandmother passing away, my wife's birthday, Ichthus coming up, I haven't had the time to blog with some thought.
Be back soon.

God controls all

Ironic

Today is a day of God's perfect timing, actually, everyday is a day of God's perfect timing.

Anywho.

Today marks the 16th anniversary for me and my beautiful wife, Kim.
(guess I need to change my profile)
She's my best friend and I will live my earthly life with no one else but her.
She is my "soul" mate and I love her more than any human on earth. (I say that because I love Jesus more) Not weird.


Ironiclly, it also marks the day that my Granny passes away. I posted a blog on her not to long ago. Check that out.
She will be missed and I do love that woman for everything she taught me, mainly how to talk. Long story.

I want to type more, but my mind is spent.
Until next time, God controls ALL!

My daughter

Words cannot explain how proud I am of my daughter, but I will try ;)

Taylor's last day of school was this past Thursday and it was only a half day, so that was a fun day for her. Last week they had an "awards" ceremony at the school and only the students that were receiving an award were "allowed" to attend
She went and received her
Best in P.E. Class Award for the second year in a row.

In my mind that tells me that she is the best athlete in her class, but my wife tells me that there is alot more than that.
"You mean there's more !"

She told me that she also comes to class prepared and never complains about what needs to done and she also " beats all the little boys " ( I added that part )

Taylor is a VERY smart girl and one of the smartest I know. I might come off sounding biased, but I don't know of anyone smarter

Next school year starts a very painful chapter in my life. Taylor will be a FRESHMANin High School. AAAAHHHHHH!
I know she is growing up to a beautiful, wonderful, God fearing "woman", I just can't stand the thought that she is one day closer to leaving home. ( shed tear here )

Taylor, if you ever read this, please know this, I love you very much and I am excited to see you growing up to be the person that God has created you to be