NEW YEARS DAY IS TOMORROW, TODAY AND YESTERDAY

I am sure I will read some very good posts in the next few days dedicated to reflections, regrets, resolutions, ramblings, resolves for 2009 and 2010. Truly, tis the season for taking down Christmas decorations and car ads and commercials for weight loss programs. For some, New Years resolutions will be made. Some will resolve to lose weight, some will really stick with their read through the Bible plan. Some will look back on a great year and some will think the turning of the calendar will, somehow, change their lot in life.

I can not reflect too much on 2009. Not much happened, actually. Nothing that would change the course of the world.

Oh sure, I lost 40 pounds. I gained 25 back. I had hip pain, so I got a new knee replacement. I have both knees replaced now. Because of that, I can not run to exercise. Like I ever did. Ending the year waiting on a root canal. Blood pressure medicine seems to be stablizing my high blood pressure. The dizziness I was having from the one medicine has gone away. Any dizziness now is because I have not gone to the gym in about two months. See, not much happened health wise

I actually was affected by the politics of this country. The drive to pay for more educated, properous, motivated workers allowed my employer to reduce the size of the worker-ant force and I lost my position four years away from retirement. Unemployment insurance suddenly became IN and I receive a payment each week as I continue to look for the elusive job, both at my former employer and outside the ivy walls of the institution. See, not much happened job wise.

We got older this year. With it, we saw death get a little closer than year's past and we anticipate it will continue to be a part of our lives in the future. My step dad died. My best memory of him was how much he loved my mom. When we surprised her on her birthday, he sat and cried because someone had done something loving for her. Jean's mom also died. I never met her but I know her from how much Jean loved her. There will be more, I know that. See, nothing happened death wise.

My reflection of 2009? No matter what, I can not believe how much my wife loves me. And no matter what, I can not believe that I wake up more in love with her each day. I have enjoyed so much watching her love for God grow and how lovingly she serves Him and His children. See, that is what happened this year.

New years day is in three days and in a week it will be three days past. It is just a day. Another day that will be affected by Real Life and Real Love.

NOT NOW, NOT EVER

It is amazing that no matter how often I watch Nobody's Fool, it continues to entertain me and touch my heart. It is truly my favorite movie of all time. I used to see it as my favorite Christmas movie. Now, I say it has passed up such great flix as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Kelly's Heros and Casablanca as my favorite any time of the year.

I do hope every one has had a meaningful Christmas. I can not be so bold as to wish each of those that may see this as having a great season. I do not know where you are at spiritually. But even if you are down, I pray you a season and time that is meaningful and you grow from it.

The Thanksgiving Message: Appreciation and Compassion

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving week end. It was long. Lots going on. Lots of family. I had a chance to have all the grand boys over at the same time.
Thats Nathan, Josh, me and Dylan. I do think that grand kids are a tool God gives you to make amends to your children.

I appreciate all of my children so much. We have been blessed with six wonderful kids and all of their spouses and kids. Now, if I can spread the compassion I feel towards our kids to others in need, this would be a better world.

SO MANY QUESTIONS

I can not go through a day without having so many questions to be answered. Well, such as:
1. If they were invited to the White House dinner, did they ever find their table? Wouldn't there had been a place setting with their names on it?
2. If your wife heard a crash out in the front yard, would she grab your golf club and see if she could help you? Or would she run outside and see that it was you and run, empty handed, towards you to see if she could help? The only way she would have a golf club in her hand is if she were already chasing you with it.
3. How is that Notre Dame contract working out for NBC?
4. I wonder if someone could explain to me how 15% interest is so much better than 17.5%.
5. Can Mark Grace see how much better he is away from Darrin Sutton? And how much more he could accomplish if he were down on the field with Matt Williams next year? Or anywhere other than with Sutton?

Thanksgiving

There was a question I saw the other day. Is there too much emphasis on God when it comes to Thanksgiving? Afterall, isn't Thanksgiving all about Family, Food and Football? People ask why so many people have to make it a holiday that God comes into the picture.

It is true, we tend to get together with more family members on that day. It is true we tend to make a rather large meal to have for the family. It is true we tend to watch, at least, a little more football on that day. Thanksgiving is always reserved to watch the ultimate turkey, the Detroit Lions, play football.

I am sure the pilgrims did not say about that the first meal of thanks, "Hey lets have the first annual festive dinner and we can call it Thanksgiving". They actually were thankful that they lived through the trip across the Atlantic, they got through a harsh winter and could begin a new life in a new land. They left their homes to worship God. they left a land they could not openly worship God. They actually were thankful, uh,er to God.

I am glad we have Thanksgiving. I am glad we take extra care to thank God for the blessings He gives us. I am glad those Christians put too much emphasis on God during this time of year.

Good Bye Soupy

The flag at The Spales Swoy is at half mast today. Soupy Sales died last night. There will never be another like Soupy. Fun, Frolic and wisdom shared that all shouldlive by. Good bye Soupy, Pookie, White Fang, Black Tooth and I will miss you greatly. I will never forget the advice he gave, such as.. Don't bite your nails, especially if you are a carpenter.

Reminders From The Past

I was looking through some old papers yesterday and came across my dad's birth certificate and the program from his memorial service. The service was held at the Falconer Funneral Home. The following was poem was on the program. I thought it has so much meaning even now as I am going through a not-so-high point in my life. It is just a reminder that I have an advantage, even now, over those who do not know God, that I do have the faith that God will provide for my every need. I am thankful I have friends and a wife from heaven to remind me of that each day.

Here is the poem:
God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not not promised sun without rain,
joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
rest for the labor, light for the way,
grace for the trials, help fromabove,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love...

WHAT? I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE

One thing about this social network thing is that it allows you to find old friends. After a special friend from high school saw my last entry, she wrote to give me support and words of hope. Here is some of what she wrote....

It used to be easier for me when my kids were young and I literally had no money. My husband at that time made $4000.00 one year and $4500.00 another and I think $5000.00 another. He got us through at every turn and honestly, we didn’t feel poor because we had all of our needs met and the kids never lacked for anything. Now we are both working and I struggle daily to live within my means to get out from under a tremendous amount of debt. The three principles of God are to tithe, give offerings, and live within your means. He says in Malachi that if we will bring in our tithes and offerings into the house of God he will open a window and pour out a blessing that will overtake us. That is paraphrased of course, but that is the jest of it. Sometimes it is so hard to make that choice, but I am trying. I think that you will see Him move in a mighty way in your circumstances over the next six months and however long it will take because you have no choice but to trust in Him. Aren’t you glad we have someone to trust like that? We don’t have to despair like those that don’t know Christ, even though it is hard for us sometimes to trust, we ultimately know that we are not alone in this. The harder part comes when we are not lacking. Sometimes it is harder to look to heaven.
Anyway just my thoughts on your heartfelt writing. I pray for the best for you Greg, you will always have a special place in my heart.

Thanks to my friend Darla for those words. I wonder how many others are facing, either not enough or, more importantly, too much. Either way, we do need to depend on God.

NOW COMES THE TEST

The last day of administrative leave. The slim possibility of finding another position has taken reducing pills, the pipe dream of a chance to be placed on from the rehire list has been stopped up and the many resumes sent out to any other employer have been sent with, lets call it, not much response. All the waiting is over.
Now that the door to ASU is all but closed, I can barely see light at throughthe bottom of the door, it is time to really see if i am faithful in allowing God to provide. Lets see if I stay selfish and think I can do things on my own or really trust Him to get us through this season. I can not begin to share all the good things and the many blessings that have come our way in the past six months. So the question I never can answer is this.. If God has done so many great things for us in the past six months, why cant I trust Him to do even greater things as I surrender. Now the real test comes.

GALATIAN 6:2

It is oe of the toughest things to do as a Christian. Trusting someone else with your thoughts, hurts and burdens. We just have been burned so many times that we find it so hard to trust another, even if they go to the same church as us.

This is what I gathered from what Cal shared Friday night.
GALATIANS 6:2

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.


CARRY EACH OTHER

KNOW WHAT WEIGHS US DOWN

WE NEED TO SHARE WHAT WEIGHS US DOWN

WE NEED TO TRUST EACH OTHER TO SHARE WHAT WEIGHS US DOWN

FOR ME TO TRUST YOU, I MUST GET TO KNOW YOU

TO GET TO KNOW YOU, WE NEED TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER

BY SPENDING TIME, WE CAN LEARN TO TRUST EACH OTHER AND THEN I CAN LET YOU KNOW ME AND I CAN TRUST YOU SO I FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO SHARE…..
WHAT WEIGHS ME DOWN AND YOU CAN…..
CARRY MY BURDENS.

I think it is a cool thing when we get that close to be able to ALLOW someone else carry our burdens.

STOP ME IF YOU HAVE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE.....

A guy walks into an interview. Feels good about what is discussed and leaves pleased with how it went. A few days later, a member of the search committee calls the guy to tell him he did great. They really liked him. However, their boss tells them he wants to change the title of the position and to do new interviews. Now, our man probably will not qualify for the new job title even though they wanted him to do the job with any title attached. So, he probably will nt be called to be re-interviewed for the job he was almost chosen for in the first interview.
I really dont know what to tell this guy. He and I spent 20 years watching the Cardinals come away with so many "moral victories" only to lose the game. I guess that is a start.

The New Lawn

It is complete. I really feel we are in our own home now. We laid some sod a few weeks back and we bought a lawn mower. The dusty, weedy, uneven back yard is now a lwan. Well, it is still uneven but Dylan and his mommy stopped by to check it out today. He seemed to like it as he and Sheldon roamed all 400 square feet of grass.

Willow Creek Association Leadership Summit

I held off in going to the Leadership Summit at Central because I did not think of myself as a leader. However, I have gone the past two years. Although, I still do not think of myself as a leader, I have gotten alot out of both summits. The premiss is that we all lead something. A corporation, a ministry, a family, but more importantly, our own lives. I have seen we need to take ownership and responsibility of our own lives even before we can be responsible with other lives.

I have gleaned tidbits and inspiration from both years concerning my life. Applying just one or two concepts from the two days can help anyone. Two things I picked up and what I will attempt for my life is, one, to read something worthwhile for at least 30 minutes a day. Okay, sometimes it takes me 30 minutes to read the sports page. But they mean't something written by a meaningful author.

Second thought I got, and this was not necessarily taught like this, but I need to look more at how all areas of the Bible always come back to the central theme of the Gospel, Christ died for my sins. It all seems to center around that one thing, eh? Paul said any other Gospel is rubbish.

The Almost Perfect Omelet

Something fantastic happened to me this morning. You may understand this because it may have happened to you before. Some of you will not believe this because you know I have trouble making an almost perfect omelet. I have a love-hate relationship with eggs. I try over easy and the yoke breaks. They become scrambled. I try to do an omelet and I put too much stuff in it. It becomes a fritatta. I make scrambled and I burn the eggs. It becomes, well, scrambled eggs with brown bottoms.

But this was great. I decided to follow some advice. I didn't put too much stuff in it. I began with green onions, pepperoni, and tomatoes. I only used two eggs. I kept the heat down so it wouldn't burn or over cook. I wish I could share with you how excited I was when the omelete came out. I wish you feel the same way I do. It is a great thing that happened to me. I added the cheese. Just enough cheese. When I slipped it off the pan, it went right onto the plate and I folded it over. It was the "almost perfect" omelet. I am so jazzed. I wish I could share the experience with you. But understand that it was a great thing for me.

There is one other experience that happened to me that jazzed me more than making the "amost perfect" omelet. Ask me about it some time. It is better and longer lasting than my "almost perfect" omelet.

So Long, Eli

A friend of mine has moved on today. I only met Eli Stone last year, but I feel as I have known him for a long time. We had a lot in common. He had physical needs. He liked music. He had trouble discerning what God wanted him to do with his life. He had friends and good family members, but didn't always treat them right. He had fun, he had succesess and he had failures and down times. So much like me. As he moves on, his life is still in limbo. He is still trying to figure out the God thing in his life. He is having trouble with free-will and being open to God's will. We still have a lot in common.
Eli Stone was a TV show on ABC. Just a TV show. But the less than two seasons it was on, Jean and I loved watching it. We couldn't wait for the next episode. We laughed, we were surprised, we were amazed and we even shed some tears over the character. It truly was one of the best shows we have ever watched. Well, we can't argue with ABC for the cancellation. They have never called and asked me for my opinion. I think they are afraid I will let them know what I think of the BCS and all. They probably will never call and ask me for my opinion.
But I am sorry my friend Eli Stone and his friends and family have moved on. I wish him well and I do hope he figures out exactly what God has in store for him. We will always have so much in common.

Visit Jeremy's blog.

I guess I could write this same comment each and every time I visit Jeremy Jernigan's blog, http://tomorrowsreflection.com. He continues to enter so many comments and entries that touch my life. I can not recommend to you to add his blog to the ones you visit on a regular basis enough. Now, if I could just read as much as he does. Baby steps, greg, baby steps.

Sarah Palin's Higher Calling

I thought Sarah Palin was a refreshing addition to the political season last year. I think if she would have been introduced at the convention to the national audience and given a speech in a lesser role, by the time 2012 rolled around, she would have been ready to take the party by storm. But, too much, too soon and her flame is about to burn out all too soon.
I am really puzzled by her anouncement that she is going to answer to a higher call. Does that mean she will be making hot dogs? Read hebrew national. Or will she forgo her political ambitions and become an inspirational speaker or even an evangelist, the ultimate higher call. Read Joyce Meyer, et al.
Well if she sticks with what she is alluding to as a higher call, national politics, I am sure she will have a very hard time. You need a very thick skin and she does not appear to have one. Come to think of it, those in ministry need a thick skin to take what the evil one throws at them and continue to preach the word. Read Cal and Jeremy or any one who enters full time ministry.

The time is 11 minutes past the hour

I was watching Jack Hayford a few years back and he mentioned something he tried to help him pray for his children. I need all the help I can get to pray more and better. Or Mo better prayer. He said every time he saw the time as :11, he would stop and pray for his children and family. Like you are sitting at work and look at the clock. 11:11. Stop and pray. You are driving along and the clock in your car says 3:11. Say a prayer. You would be surprised how often God prompts you to look at the time and it is 11 minutes after an hour. Depending on what you are doing, it could be a quick, God watch over my family or being able to take the time to mention each one by name in a longer prayer. Try it, you will be amazed.

Never Going to Work Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYubOhqz3XM&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftwentytwowords%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded


Here is my reaction after I open my emails to see if any company has received my resume and wants me to join them.
Actually, it is from Abraham Piper's blog, 22 words. http://twentytwowords.com/
But i do feel like that sometimes after submitting a few resumes

Brad Evans of USA Soccer

Most people in the US do not find soccer, or futbol to the rest of the world, exciting. The fact that the team from the USA finished second in the Federation Cup finals the other day was overlooked by minute to minute coverage of Michael jackson's death. I think once a person is dead, people should let them be gone and move on. unless the person made an impact like Tim Russert of something like that. Back to soccer. I dont know Brad Evans. He is the nephew of a friend at ASU of my wife and he plays soccer for the Seatle team in the MLS. The big news is that was included on the USA roster for the CONCACAF Cup tournament this month. Don't worry if you dont know what concacaf stands for. or what soccer is all about. it is just a good thing for me to have an indentification with a player on the team, even if it is a nephew of a friend. It will give me one more reason to root for the team as it represents its country on the Pitch.

Prayer Warriors

At Central Christian Church, there are two people on staff who lead up the prayer ministry. Paul and Cathy are loving, outgoing people and their commitment to prayer shows in everything they say and do. Always there to greet you with a smile. I even call Paul pastor handshake because he walks around the worship center before each service and greets as many people as he can before the service with a genuine greeting and welcome. It is good to have people like that along with Steve and Edyi, who put such a high premium on prayer.
I have never been much of a pray-er. I mean, I pray, but I have not been able to have that passion to be a prayer warrior. That is interesting because God has blessed me with a prayer warrior in my own home. Jean is such a good pray-er. Even when she prays in a public setting, such as small group, you can tell her sincerity. When God answers those prayers, it is a good thing to watch as Jean shows she is truly thankful to Him for His work in her life and the lives of her loved ones. Just this morning, she took the time to call me when she found out her sister did not have cancer. I could tell her joy through the phone line. I am glad to know she prays for me, especially now during my recouping from surgery and my job concerns. And i know our children are covered by her prayers even when I don't take the time to pray as much as she does for all of them.

Reading?????

I am not much of a reader. I have conniption fits if the paper is not on the driveway each morning. But if an article runs to the next page, I lose interest. Something about my attention span. But since I am not working these days, I have been trying to read a little more. I actually read The Shack. And Cal and Jeremy used some quotes from Story by Steven James. So I have been reading that one. I am almost finished with that. Yeah, that's really the cover. I remember the dewey decimal system.
Jeremy suggested using a technique for basic Bible reading a few days ago. It is a technique developed by a professor at Master's College. It is all about reading one chapter from ten different sections of the Bible. I will let Jeremy explain it better.
http://tomorrowsreflection.com/ Check out his blog for a great explanation and his thoughts on it. I have enjoyed doing it so far. A little confusing going back and forth, but what a great way to discover new (and old) things in a very n

Meet Sheldon

Well, the knees are still sore from the surgery and rehab. I am still looking for work. I am home during the day trying to search web sites of peple who might be hiring. Our future is not set and we know God has a plan fo rus. We are always enjoying our time together. So, to help with the stress, we went out and adopted a dog. Meet Sheldon. We named him that because he reminds us of the character on the Big Bang Theory. Skinny, nervous, nerdy looking. So far, he is being a puppy. I forgot how much dogs go.......where ever they might be at the time. living room, hallway, bedroom, etc. So we have a new member of the household. Jean has named him Sheldon Gregory Memberto. How nice.

Finally, No More Kobe, for awhile

That's my old friend, Steve. Well, not old, since I am older. But my ole Friend, Steve. I acknowledge him because, until Kobe Bryant is gone from the Lakers, Steve is the closest thing to the Lakers I can like. Steve works for the Lakers. Years ago, that would impress me greatly. Oh, what am i saying, it still impresses me. But the Lakers used to be my team. When it was a Team. Now, it is Kobe and his posse. Congrats to them, they won. Now, I can rest a little bit and not have to hear about Kobe, and those other guys, whoever they may be. From the sounds of it, my friend Steve could have started at center and...... well you know. I grew up an LA fan. But with Manny, Kobe and whoever is on the Kings any more, it is very easy to turn my allegiences to the Phoenix teams. I am glad old friends, even the ones we dont see all the time, can last longer than team loyalty. I thank God for my friend Steve. hey, Steve, can I try the ring on?

OTHER

This past week end was one of those times we went to both services. Regular and 3F. We went Saturday evening with Sandi and Steven. We all had that feeling of if we went Saturday night, we can "take Sunday off". Well, after listening to Jeremy talk on Unity that evening, I felt I needed to also listen to how Cal approached it. You know how you sit there listening to the sermon and either thinking, "oh I hope Jean is listening to this" or "Oh I wish so-and-so could hear this, it really pertains to them". Of course, that is the opening to the next thought. Shut up and listen yourself, this is about you.
By the way, the "OTHER" refers to a short list of traits we all have that stand in the way of progress for a church. Gossip, Slander, Judging, Self-centeredness, Short-sightedness. Nope, that's not me.. Oh yeah. I am guilty of something OTHER than what was listed. The OTHERS always get me.
The Church, not the organization we belong to at the time, but the real Church was made by Jesus. He left the church to do His work. If I am the one who is standing in the way of God's work, then it isn't fighting the elders of Central, but I am trying to prevent God from doing the good He has promised.
I need to be more open to what God has in store for me and my family and the church I attend and not so closed to God's leading.
Thanks again, Jeremy and Cal, for words I needed to hear, Twice.

One Last Thought On Wayman Tisdale

I hope that this will not be my last thought on the life, inspiration and death of Wayman Tisdale. The inspiration he had on so many people will live on for a long time. The cartoon pretty well speaks to me deeply. To have that kind of effect on others you come in contact with is something I hope I can improve on for as long as God allows me on this earth.

Wayman Tisdale

I was going to add some thoughts about Wayman Tisdale in the previous blog. However, I wanted this to be seperate. We read in the paper and see on TV stories about people dying all the time. Famous people, popular people, people who are close to us and people we have never met. Wayman Tisdale was all these things to me. He was famous, a famous athlete. He as popular, a popular bass guitar player. I met him twice face to face and saw him countless other times and I felt a closeness beyond other people I have known for years. And although we did meet and I had a chance to share some brief moments with him, I was just part of the crowd, the many people who had their lives changed when he walked into a room or on stage.
Wayman Tisdale died last week. It was the day before the Newport Beach Jazz Festival. So ironic because when he first found he had cancer, he had to cancel a performance at that very festival two years ago. Oh, he closed the festival last year, in fine Wayman fashion. Every one who played this week end had something warm to say about him.
One of the best things I heard about the man was from Tim Bowman. He said if you ever met Wayman Tisdale and you had a problem with him it was all on you. I only wish I could have had that impression on people and I, because of his example, I will try to be more like that from now on.
Wayman was a believer and he is in Heaven today probably trying to teach Peter, James and John how he is able to get such a great wound out of that big bass guitar of his.
God Blessed Wayman Tisdale and all of us who met him along the way.

I Had Such High Expectations

Wow, looking at the blog, I see I have not posted anything since before I went in for knee surgery. Almost two months ago. Let's see, I had knee surgery, I have almost completed directed physical therapy, been in contact with people from ASU about finding a position, gained weight, even went on a romantic road trip with Jean to So Cal and had a blast. We do travel well together.
Then, after a month of sitting around keeping my knee iced, I was reading a post in Jeff Gibson's blog, http://jeffreygibson.typepad.com/ about what he would do if he ever got laid off or had lots of time. Some of his ideas were thoughts I had, such as write my book, yes, I do have some ideas. Fact and Fiction (rolled into one), sky dive, Not bloody likely mate. But you get the idea.
Now, here I am, still sitting and waiting. Still working on strengthining the legs, still waiting for a call from ASU, still formulating my book in my head, still being with the most understanding and loving woman in the world.
So, I have made a decision that I absolutely need to step it up. Look into more possibilities, both at ASU and otherwise, call the church and see if they need an envelope stuffer and get back into real life.
Now, about that book idea...........

When Will We See It All

Just when you think you have seen everything, more comes along. A man is driving home after sharing time with his nephew at lunch and is shot by a stray bullet from a gang shoot out. He dies. President Obama will speak at Notre Dame. Will that be the first time he attends "church" since talking to Rick Warren?
I am let go from my job and face another knee operation. It would be a simple thing to feel sorry for myself.
I am lifted in my spirit knowing that after surgery, and a long rehab, I will feel much better and may finally take working out more seriously. Also, it has made me feel good that so many of my former customers at ASU have written some very kind words to me and have said nice things in support of me.
And, how can I ever have unjoyful thoughts as long as Jean is my wife and in my life.
I can not help but feel for those that haved faithfully served at Central Christian Church and were told Tuesday that they were being let go by the church. How can any one feel sorry for their circumstances when we think of these people giving their heart, soul and lives to serving God in this place? I can not help but think what I could have done to prevent this. Given more? Well, yeah.
I know God has His mighty hand on these people and their families. And He will provide other opportunities to minister.

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

Wow, Tom Petty was right. It has been a little over a week since I was informed I was no longer needed at ASU. After 13 years of service, the powers at be decided my entire operation was closing down. So, I am soon to be one of the many people who have lost their jobs because of the budget crunch. Then, the next day, I decided to have my knee replacement surgery at the end of the month. Now, I sit home, very uncomfortable with knee pain and wait for the surgery on March 30.
It has been really tough to sit down and add a post to this page this past week. I was not sure what direction to go. I have watched a lot of TV, yes, too much. And I watch sports and news. Yes, I have opionons of what is happening on those two types of stations. Where is Sam The Cooking Guy when I need him? I ask myself, do I comment on the days events? Do I trash the people who were instrumental in my being let go? Do I hammer the President because he is not doing it the way I want him to? Do I add my take on the sports happenings? By the way, I may only be a quarter Dutch, but I sure enjoyed watching the Netherlands advance in the WBC tournament.
I figure I should Wait. Wait for a time I really feel passionate about something before I comment and not make a comment just to make a comment. This idea may change in a few days if I get ambitious enough to post. But for now, I will not trash the people who told me unceremonously I was being sent packing. I wont tell the President I think he still acts like a candidate and not the President of the US of A. And for today, I wont give my take on the spoiled(not all), underhanded(just a few), underacheiving(some) athletes who are hurting the sports we love to watch and follow.
And I continue to wait what God has in store for me in the coming days, weeks and months.

One New Knee Deserves Another

I found out yesterday that I go into the hospital March 30 for knee replacement surgery. So, now, the right knee will be just like the left knee. I will soon have matching scars. Hopefully, I will take the rehab process more seriously and make both knees stronger.

22 words

One blog I visit on a regular basis is Abraham Piper's 22 Words.
This is his post for today, asking this question
Getting nostalgic ahead of time: What still exists that you’re afraid will disappear?
February 25, 2009 at 8:22 am · Filed under Miscellanea, Questions

What things will you miss that you think will probably disappear in your lifetime?

Letter-writing, hymnals, properly spoken English, light-bulb-shaped light bulbs?

Here is what I added......
Home delivered newspapers
Pitchers hitting in baseball
My 100 year old grandmother
Fair and balanced reporting
Two-buck Chuck
My Health

I would like to see what others have to answer this question. You can visit 22 words at http://twentytwowords.com/

Yes Officer, I will sign the ticket

That's me talking to the Highway Patrolman in Quatrzsite. What a way to beging a road trip.
Well, we began our road trip Friday morning. Three cars. We are on our way to Santa Maria for my grandmother's 100th birthday. Just outside of Quartzsite, i got a speeding ticket. Officer was very profssional. I figured this was not the time to try to be funny or say anything sacrcastic. I signed the ticket, got back on the road and was the recipient of many jokes for the rest of the week end. It will add a few dollars to our trip. And I didnt even know the old trailbazer could go 90.

Presidential Suite

I have an idea for the next time our president visits our great state. This will save the American tax payer alot of money too. Instead of paying $4000.00 for the night in the Presidential Suite, he can stay in my extra bedroom for much less in Mesa.
He could have had the run of the place that evening before his Mesa speech because we were at a Small Group Bible Study talking about prayer and the evil influences on our American and Christian ideals. We wouldn't have bothered him when we got home and he would have had a very peaceful and safe(after all, the Mesa police helicopter is usually flying overhead for something)time to himself and his most loyal secret service personnel. Our wine list would not have been as extensive as the hotel's(you know, the bankrupt one), as we only buy the Walmart and Trader Joes brands.
But he would have enjoyed his stay none-the-less and the next morning I could have used my "furlough hour" from ASU to make him breakfast before his SHORT trip to Dobson High School.
Shouldn't we all be doing our part for the US of A? By the way, the prayer time was very good and uplifting.

Take Them Away From The Ball Game

Here is my plan to help get rid of the threat of steroids in Major League Baseball...
When all the players report to Spring Training this month take a test. It will take a few weeks to test every sample. But it will all be completed before the beginning of the season. Any one who tests positive will be suspended 81 games, one half the season. When that player returns to the team, he will will be tested again. If he is positive again, he will, first, be presented his I Am An Idiot card. Then, he will be suspended for the rest of the season. If the test is negative, the player is allowed to rejoin his team.
First positive...... 81 games
Second positive within five years.... Season
Third Positive...... Out of baseball, thank you, good bye
Too costly? Too harsh? Too time consuming? Do they want to fix the problem?

Blog As You Are

Okay, I know hardly anyone will visit this blog. This is all about me. So, I guess it is all right for me to give my opinion about any topic that I want. So, that is what i will do. They will be my opinions and I hope any one who reads them will let me know what they think about them. The only way i will learn is for people to let me know where I am right on and where I need to look at something differently. Please feel free to tell me where I am all wet.

A TRIP TO THE PARK WITH POPI

It was a beautiful day last Saturday and Dylan hung out with Popi. We decided a trip to the park was a great idea. So we packed some juice and a spare diaper and hooked up the wagon and went to the park. The wagon ride was very enjoyable. Dylan was okay on the swing, but unsure on the slide. He really didn't like the rocking toy. After a little rest in the shade of a tall tree, we went home for treats and TV.

Dylan's First Birthday

We celebrated Dylan's, the grand boy, first birthday last Sunday. He got too many gifts and his cake was way too big to eat. All the gifts were appreciated and we all had a great time. And he had fun with the cake. Grammie and Popi enjoyed the time and his mom and dad had so many family and friends over. He is a great kid. His next adventure is to go visit his 100 year old grand mother. He will enjoy the oatmeal that she will make for him. She gets up every day and makes her oatmeal and eats her prunes. He loves his oatmeal so they will get along very well. His mommy did a great job with decorations and refreshments. The cup cakes tasted good and we all fit in their new home.

Old Friends, sat on a park bench..........

Wow, I was reading in Danny Dodson's blog about him finding an old friend through the computer. As a matter of fact, I found some old friends too. I remember Fred and Dawn's wedding in North Hollywood, California. It served as a reunion, of sorts, for all of our old San Fernando First Baptist friends. That was over 30 years ago. Fred is Pastor of the Grace Harbor Church in Tustin, California. That is a cool thing to find out your friend is doing exactly what you knew God wanted him to do. Yeah, as if I had something to say about it. But Fred is a great example of someone being open to where God wants them. I hope to keep in touch with my old friend.

Remember Raymer, Less is More

Wow, I have visited many blogs since I entered blogsville and some just hit me like, oh my gosh, how did they know I needed to read that. There are some points that were added recently and some I read from posts long ago. Like two months or so. One really caught me off guard yesterday. I visited a blog called 22 words. As in making a point in 22 words or less. Like I have mentioned before, sometimes I dont even know what my point is after the first 22 words. But there was an article by Marty Nemko that asked the question, "Do you talk too much?" Wow, what is God trying to get me to address in this? Like, who should I give this article to because they really need to read it. http://www.martynemko.com/articles/do-you-talk-too-much_id1371
Anyway, Chris Brogan, another blog I visited, said he tries to put his yearly goals in three or four words. As opposed to saying one needs to lose weight, try putting the word fitness. A few of his were ASK, DO, SHARE and SEEK, FRAME, BUILD, BRIDGE.
Well I think I have figured out what I need to work on this year.
LISTEN....much more than I talk
LEARN.....as much as I can this year
SERVE......in as many areas as I can
I would love to hear some other three word goals people may come up with. My brother Brad added these three......DON'T READ BLOGS, but I dont think that is what Mr. Brogan had in mind

Where Have You Been?

I ran across this question in one of the many blogs I have visited recently. Do we judge people by the direction they are going or where they are now? And, do we also judge them by where they have come from?
I know, I know, judging is wrong. We shouldn't do that. But, you know, I mean WHEN we judge others, what criteria do we use?
One area I have for ever been dealing with is my eating habits and weight control. I have lost weight many times. Only to gain it back when my discipline goes out the window, usuallly as I pull into the buffet parking lot. Did I mention any restaurant that has buffet in its name is my favorite?
The progress I make in weight control can be seen as either not very successful because I am not where I want to be, or where someone else wants me to be, or better than where I was before, even though that place was not very good or, exactly where I am.
I think God takes us as we are and where we are at right now. As we make progress in the direction we know He wants us going, I hope He accepts it and we feel good in our walk. As God does, I hope you take me, AS IS.

Two Fingers Typing

Okay, I never said I was a good typer. But it has been brought to my attention, by my wife of course, that I need to watch what I type. My mind works so much quicker than the two fingers I use to type. Plus, I need to proof read what I do type to see if I typed the words correctly. I am space bar challenged and the letters dont always appear or they find themselves in different words. Okay, the only way that makes sense is if you have read something I have typed before. So, I promise to try to type better from now on.

Grammy and Popi and the Pup

Thats my wife, Jean in the second picture. We are with our grand baby, Dylan, on the light rail going to watch is daddy finish the rock and roll marathon last Sunday. He looks safe hanging onto Popi. I did so much walking trying to find Steve, who was so fast, he finished before we got there. I probably walked close to two whole miles that afternoon. I was almost going to complain. Then I realized... Steve had just finished running 26.2 miles.. i perspective-challenged at times. It was a fun day and we are very proud of our Steve for completing his first marathon.

Entering at my own risk

It is fun to look at the many blogs that are out there. I visit certain ones regularily. Some lead me to other blogs. I look at one and say, oh this is one I need to visit more often. Then, I forget how to get to it. I tried to open my own blog and forgot how to get to it. So, here I am, starting anew. I am entering the blog world because from where I was sitting, it looked cool. Now, I find, unlike all the bloggers I have visited, I have nothing to say.
Except what is on my mind, at this time. So, I hope I can somehow add a little something to someones' day sometimes. And other times, oh it is just the ramblings of an old man with limited direction.
If you are reading this, thanks for visiting and hope you return and I hope we both can remember how to get back to this site.