Trunk-Or-Treat

Tonight, we did Trunk-Or-Treat at church. This was the first year that Zion has done Trunk-Or-Treat. Anytime that you do something for the first time, it is always a little "spooky" on how it will turn out.

For those of you who do not know, we are a downtown church. We try to do activities and ministries for the individuals who live downtown. We thought that providing a place for the kids to trick-or-treat would be a nice thing. So, we asked the church to come and park their cars, open up their trunks and pass out candy to the children. We had a great response from the church.

On Saturday, we had individuals that came to the church building and we went around the neighborhood passing out door knob hangers advertizing the event. We also contacted the paper and had fliers out at the elementary school.

We had 25 individuals that brought their cars and set it up in the parking lot. We also had numerous individuals in our church that brought candy so there would be more candy for the kidios and individuals who brought cookies for a cookie table.

It was a NO AGENDA night. No adv for our church, no fliers passing out, no pamphlets on the evil of Halloween. It was just a place where kids/parents could circle the parking lot and get candy in a "safer" enviorment. We had a very good turnout. I have no idea how many kids/teenagers/parents came through. We did not worry about a count.

Here are a few photos below:

Nail it To The Door

The picture above is the door of the Schlosskirche (castle church) to which Luther is said to have nailed his 95 Theses. Today is the day that he did it. Well, not today but ON this day in 1517. We have no proof of that but we do have the 95 Theses and his book that explains the theses.

It was his words, not the hammer and nail, that sparked the Reformation. Luther wasn't the first to criticize the church's use of indulgences but he certainly is the best remembered.

On his "departure" ...

Excommunication

On June 15, 1520, the Pope warned Luther with the papal bull (edict) Exsurge Domine that he risked excommunication unless he recanted 41 sentences drawn from his writings, including the 95 Theses, within 60 days.

That fall, Johann Eck proclaimed the bull in Meissen and other towns. Karl von Miltitz, a papal nuncio, attempted to broker a solution, but Luther, who had sent the Pope a copy of On the Freedom of a Christian in October, publicly set fire to the bull and decretals at Wittenberg on December 10, 1520, an act he defended in Why the Pope and his Recent Book are Burned and Assertions Concerning All Articles.

As a consequence, Luther was excommunicated by Leo X on January 3, 1521, in the bull Decet Romanum Pontificem.

The theses critiqued the indulgences greatly. HOWEVER, his offer (alternative) was the most powerful. He states (theses 62): The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.

What can the theses do for us today ????

The lesson is the following: The Gospel of God's free grace for sinners through faith in Christ is central. Christians are to live their lives in response to this great news.

One key to Lutheran Theology has been expressed in the three"alone" statements. Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone. The sees of these can be found in the 95 Theses.

The Golden Compass

I am sure that this is going to offend some of the individuals that frequent my blog. For that, I apologize. Below is a link to a new movie hitting the movie theaters very soon. Check out the video trailer and then my comments down below it.



The trailer makes it look very interesting and I want to see it. I have to admit that I did not know about the movie till this week. I also have to admit that I did not know about the book series.

From Wiki:

His Dark Materials is a trilogy of novels by the fantasy fiction author Philip Pullman, comprising Northern Lights (released as The Golden Compass in North America and published in 1995), The Subtle Knife (1997) and The Amber Spyglass (2000). The trilogy has also been published as a single-volume omnibus in the United Kingdom and North America, titled simply His Dark Materials.

The trilogy follows the coming of age of two main characters, Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, as they wander through a multiverse of parallel universes and a backdrop of epic events. The story begins in Northern Lights with fantasy elements such as witches and armoured bears. As the trilogy progresses, it acquires allegorical layers of meaning, introducing a broad range of ideas from fields such as physics (quantum physics), philosophy (metaphysics, philosophy of religion and, arguably, a degree of hylopathism), and theology (biblical symbolism).

"My Rant"

The reason that I received word about this movie is that I have received quite a few emails and forwards from individuals warning me about the film and want me to help spread the news about "boycotting the film". They also are warning about the dangers because the movie will capture young childrens minds and they will in return read the books that are "darker" and will lead to them "killing off of God".

The movie is FANTASY FICTION. Even if it "destroys" and "bad-mouths" Christianity, we can use the avenue to watch the film and discuss the film and books. From what I am reading, Mr. Pullman DOES NOT like CS Lewis and this is his anti-spin. Sounds like me a great opportunity for us to have open discussion and dialogue.

I know that it can be a little scary when our childrens eyes our opened to "other things" but I also do not think that we should live in a Christian Bubble. It also points back to the ironic return of "boycotts". It makes more people aware of what is happening and "increases" the interest of more people; especially of people where this might be off of the radar.

Thus, I probably will be looked down upon when I look forward to seeing the movie and wanting to know more about the trilogy.

Has anyone else received the emails ?

Has anyone read the books ?

Is anyone excited about the movie ?

Our of curiosity, I was bad, I showed the clip to my boys. The thought it looked intriguing. They also thought it "resembled" Chronicles of Narnia. Their comment on that is what "worries" the Christian community.

At the present time, I think it is a movie that is based on a fantasy book and could be a great watch with opportunities to share about what is occurring. Am I off my rocker ?

BadaBoomz Ale House & Grill

On Thursday night, I went to BadaBoomz. Before Thursday, i had never heard of the place. I went over there with 5 other individuals. We had a great night of conversation. A picture below is a picture that I googled. I did not have my camera, so I did not take a picture of the food. Of course, I didn't have an idea that I would want to take a pic of my food. Of course some people might think that I would want to take a pic of the company that I was with .... :)

Anyways, we get to the food joint and Sarah says that I had to try the BadaBoomz Burger. Thus, I did. It is a bacon cheeseburger on a glazed donut. Yup, on a glazed donut. They cut the donut in half, put the bacon cheeseburger in between the donut and grill it up more.

It was sweet (donut) and tasty (the burger). There are a few other things that I would like to try from there; it looked good. I enjoyed the sandwich, however, I am not sure if I would eat it again at 10 pm at night.

Once again, this is a "stock" photo and does not give a great shot of the sandwich but it gives you somewhat of an idea. And no, I do not know and do not want to know the calories and fat grams of this one ...

Parents & Tolerance

There has been a "competition" going on YouTube. I just found out about it today. I guess that I have really been "out-of-the-loop". However, the premise of the competition was for individuals to submit videos that answered the following:

Take A Stand On An Issue

Individuals submitted videos in October. Voting is going on now and the winners will be announced on November 9th. I am going to watch a few of them and place the ones that I like or those that "resonate" with me.

I picked this video for two reasons. One, we need to have tolerance in our society and two; our voice and actions as parents are very powerful to our children.

Here is the Video



What are you teaching your child ?

Sex, Deceit, and Murder

No, those are not the three words that are going to be the storyline for next week's tv series: Dirty Sexy Money TV Show Well, maybe it will be. However, that is not what this post is about.

There is a story of a very powerful man. His country was at war and he was commanding the war from the comfort of his palace ( no, this post is not about President Bush ). One day, he stepped outside of his palace and saw a very hot woman.

He decided to invite her over to his palace and they had sex. Not much later the woman contacted him and said, " I am pregnant ". The man was a little distressed and he decided that he needed to cover up his mistake. Thus, the story turns into a plot of deceit. For you see, the young woman that got pregnant; she had a husband and he was off to war under the direction of the very powerful man.

Thus, the powerful man sent off for the lady's husband. He wanted to give him a break from the war. He wanted him to have some R&R at his house and with his wife. The powerful man was stunned when he learned the young gent did not sleep with his wife but stayed outside. The young man thought it was unfair since the others did not have the opportunity. The powerful man then had to take it a step further. He got the young lad drunk and surely he would then be with his wife. Nope, it did not work.

The powerful man knew that he would have to take more drastic approach. So, he sent the young man back to the war and put him on the front line and made the army retreat so the young lad would get killed. The young lad did get killed. The young wife mourned.

After the mourning, the powerful man called her in and they got married and had their child.

Wow what a story. The story is from the bible. It is the story of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah

Today, in confirmation, we had this lesson. There was not 1 student who had heard the story. Our lesson was Do Not Commit Sexual Sins. We are going through the 10 Commandments. We, as Lutherans, take a look at the positive side. So, our take was that we need to have healthy relationships.

I have to admit, I was in shock that none of the 8 students had heard the story. Some of them even seemed to be in shock that I was reading such a story from the Bible.

WVU Pounds Rutgers

Rutgers' wide receiver Tiquan Underwood (7) has the ball on his finger tips in the end zone just before West Virginia defensive back Ryan Mundy hits him and knocks the ball away for an incomplete pass during the second quarter at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007.

- - - - - - - - - -

WVU looked good. They won 31-3. This is what they had to do and need to keep doing. Of course because they lost to USF; they will need help. They need teams above them to lose. I think that if White was healthy at USF; they would have won ... but that is football.


Total Yards 398

Passing 144 (10-16)

Rushing 254

3rd down efficiency 11-18

Keep it up ....

Ubuntu

No, this is not about Linux-based operating system. This is about diversity, love, hospitality and caring for on another.

Definitions:

A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed (Archbishop Desmond Tutu )

A traveller through our country would stop at a village, and he didn't have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. That is one aspect of Ubuntu but Ubuntu has various aspects. Ubuntu does not mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore is: Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to improve (Nelson Mandela) ?

Now, I know that there are individuals that are scared of Ubuntu. They point to the humanistic philosophy. However, let's take a look at this an see how it can play out in our daily lives, the lives of our church and with the individuals that we come into contact with on a daily basis.


I remember hearing Tutu speak in 2000. Here were some of the words:

“Africans have this thing called UBUNTU.

It is about the essence of being human, it is part of the gift that Africa will give the world. It embraces hospitality, caring about others, being able to go the extra mile for the sake of others. We believe that a person is a person through another person, that my humanity is caught up, bound up, inextricably, with with yours.

When I dehumanise you, I inexorably dehumanise myself. The solitary human being is a contradiction in terms and therefore you seek to work for the common good because your humanity comes into its own in belonging”.

This (the bold) is what stands out to me. I think that we as humans throw each other under the vehichle and run them over. We demoralize people. We put them down for their thoughts and their beliefs.

Here is something a little more indepth:

Archbishop Desmond Tutu embraced ubuntu and shaped a theology around it in rebuttal to the Christian faith taught in his South African context of apartheid that said one's skin color was an indicator of one's value as a human being. Tutu pointed to the person of Jesus through whose ministry, death and resurrection God claimed all people as valuable in God's sight. It is in and through this community of the claimed, that we find our identity and worth as humans.

In Tutu's worldview, in order to understand yourself, you do it through someone else. This is difficult for Western Christians to grasp. We may even resist it. We have been socialized into and through a worldview where personhood centers on the lone individual whose essential characteristic is that of self-determination. Our very faith is often tied to this reverence of individuality.

Youth are especially aware of the pressures to achieve, stand out in the crowd, be unique, succeed, prosper and to make something of themselves. In contrast to this, the African view of a person comes through interdependence with others. For Tutu, the practice of ubuntu grows out of God's relationship with us in Christ Jesus, who sets us free from sin, thereby making it possible to know each other. Our true human identity, he says, comes only through absolute dependence on God and neighbor, even when that neighbor is named enemy or stranger or uncool or old, or... (you fill in the blanks).

In baptism we are brought into a community that shapes who we are. It is in that community that we learn how to think, walk, speak, behave and how to be human together on this earth. The way we understand and view life and community is through the life of Jesus Christ whose sacrifice on the cross reconciled all people to God.

I read the words of Bruce reacently. He is part of the Redeemer church in Cincy and I think that this is fantastic and that each church should participate or create this type of enviorment:

We are mnot going to throw anyone out for their theological opinions. The church is "passionate" that the process of talking with each other, of being in community, is more important than a winning outcome. We believe that without all points of view, without different kinds of people, we can't be the church we are called to be. By living into our diversity, we are making room for the kingdom of God.

We cannot survive or thrive without one another (Tutu)

We need to break down the walls that we have built up. We need to live without walls. I think that we need to embrace diversity; yet most do not. I am not sure we can really call ourselves Christians if we have walls up.

California Wildfires

My heart breaks for these individuals. I was not going to post or blog about this. However, I am using my blog as a personal journal as well to remember events. Thus, I am going to post a few pictures and some of the captions from the phots.

California and the families involved; you are in my prayers.

In the photo below: Resident Randa Najjar, right, hugs her daughter Shareen, 14, as they look from a vantage point in Portola Hills, as a wildfire approaches their Santiago Canyon States home, while Shareen's father was still evacuating from their home



In the photo below: A wildfire burns in the San Bernardino mountains near Running Springs, Calif. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007.



In the photo below: A firefighter tries to contain a fire burning in a large apartment complex that was in the path of a fast-moving wildfire burning through the Rancho Bernardo neighborhood of San Diego, California, October 22, 2007. Fast-moving wildfires raged



In the photo below: A firefighter holds his helmet during a gust of wind while using a water canon on top of a fire truck to try to protect buildings that were in the path of a fast-moving wildfire burning through the Rancho Bernardo neighborhood of San Diego.



In the phot below: A helicopter prepares to drop water on a brushfire in the Del Dios area of Escondido, California. More than half a million people were ordered to evacuate across California on Tuesday as wildfires raged for a third day, razing over 1,000 homes and threatening to overwhelm weary firefighters.



In the last photo I am doing below: Smoke billows to the sky above where fires are spreading near houses in Stevenson Ranch, California. More than half a million people were ordered to evacuate across California on Tuesday as ferocious wildfires raged unchecked for a third day, destroying more than 1,000 homes.

Go Woo !

The picture above is a pic of the Wooster band spelling out Woo. Their chant is Go Woo ! Last night, we went and saw the band performed. I always find it a little ironic when you go watch the marching band inside where they are sitting down in their chairs. Maybe it is just me.

However, they did a great job on their songs and it was a good relaxing night. I did not have the opportunity to see any of the students or the majority of the parents though. That was a little bit of a downer. But, we were there and loved the music. We have quite a few kids from the church that are in the band and are leaders in the band; so that is very cool. They are very talented.

So, if any of you students / parents are checking in; congrats on a great night. We (the three kids and me ) enjoyed it.

Don't Blink

It is late at night. I have been flipping back and forth from all the news stations looking and listening about the fires out in California. It is sad and unreal. As I was flipping through the channels; I came across the Country Video Station. I am not a country music fan but the few words and couple of video pieces that I saw caught my eye. Thus, I googled the words to the song. Here they are ....

I turned on the evening news
Saw a old man being interviewed
Turning a hundred and two today
Asked him what's the secret to life
He looked up from his old pipe
Laughed and said "All I can say is."

Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink

I was glued to my tv when it looked like he looked at me and said
"Best start putting first things first."
Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again
Take every breathe God gives you for what it's worth

Don't Blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink

So I've been tryin' ta slow it down
I've been tryin' ta take it in
In this here today, gone tomorrow world we're livin' in

Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster then you think
So Don't blink

Naw, don't blink
Life Goes Faster Than You Think
Don't Blink...

I am 35 years old and consider myself young. Even though some of the teenagers in my church beg to differ and give me a hard time but this song rings true ... as I was thinking of the 10-20-30 Virus thread ...

It does not seem like 20 years since I entered high school. It does not seem like 10 years ago that Isaiah was born. You blink and time is gone.

That is why I believe "presence" is so important. Not only in our families, but in our ministry and our lives in the community.

Cherish each moment, do not blink. For country music fans or those interested about the video, watch:

WWJDWTC: My Story: Part 3

One of the areas that I have become connected with in the community is the Wayne County Children Services. We (myself and the church)are taking some steps in helping them out. My heart breaks for kids who are "in the system". The stories that they carry can be heart-breaking.

This post is going to be a little bit of national awareness and local awareness in my neighborhood. Most of these steps can apply to anyone. I am beginning to "adopt" them in my life and am encouraging my church community to adopt them as well.

Before I give the list of things that we can do (there are 10 of them), did you know that there are 500,000 children in foster care that need your help and that there are 115,000 children waiting to be adopted.

10 Ways You Can Help

1. Pray For Them. You can go on-line, see a pic of the children waiting for adoption, print that pic out; place it on your desk and pray that some one will adopt them.

2. Provide Them A Safe Place Consider becoming a foster parent. Attend an inquiry class to get first-hand look and information.

3. Give Them What They Need Organize a drive to collect close for children in foster care. In Wayne County, we have "Closet of Hope"

4. Support Those Who Support Them Minister to foster parents. Do yard work for them, organize a few days of food for the family.

5. Speak Up For Them Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate. They need to have a voice in their corner. Visit here for more details.

6. Cheer them On Mentor a child through your local children services office. Children with mentors get higher grades and improves relationships around them.

7. Raise Awareness About Them Wear a blue ribbon in May. When people ask about the ribbon - share with them about foster care. May is National Foster Care Month.

8. Give Them A Forever Family 115,000 kids are waiting for a family. There are many adoption sites. Start here. Also, call 1-800-FLTTODAY and order the book: Welcome Home: Eight Steps To Adoption

9. Give Them The "Extras" The goverment provides a lot for the families but the "extras" are not included. Help foster families by providing the "extras". In Wayne County, we have a program called "Foster Friends".

10. Mobilize Your Church For Them Launch ministries dedicated to the orphan and waiting child. Be a recruiter for Foster Families.

These are just a few ways that we can help.

What is Another $ 46 BILLION ??

The numbers are just mind-blowing to me.

Here are some highlights:

President Bush asked Congress on Monday for another $46 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and finance other national security needs.

To date, Congress has already provided more than $455 billion for the Iraq war, with stepped-up military operations running about $10 billion a month.

I HATE "POLITICAL TALK"

Bush said any member of Congress who wants to see success in Iraq, and see U.S. troops return home, should strongly support the request.

"I know some in Congress are against the war and are seeking ways to demonstrate that opposition," Bush said. "I recognize their position and they should make their views heard. But they ought to make sure our troops have what it takes to succeed. Our men and women on the front lines should not be caught the middle of partisan disagreements in Washington, D.C."

Here are some budget numbers for 2008 ....

All told, the $189.3 billion Pentagon request for 2008 includes:

$77 billion for military operations and maintenance.

$30.5 billion for to protect U.S. forces from roadside bombs, snipers, and other threats.

$46.5 billion to repair and replace equipment that has been damaged or destroyed in combat or worn out in harsh conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yea, Yea .. I know we have to be safe but do we really know what we can do with this $$. Each day, I see numbers; the more sick and sick I become.

I also hate the feeling when I get when I hear the following comments:

Jeff, so what you are saying is that you don't want to spend the money on troops to protect them. That is loving of you Jeff, keep them stranded over there and let them get killed.

Ugh !!

* bites lip and get back to work *

I hate headlines

The 10-20-30 Virus

I have finally got bit (twice). Alan and Jonathan tagged me. I have seen this going around for about 10-14 days and I think I am the 7th string of the virus.

What does it detail. it is very simple, you just share where you were at 10, 20 and 30 years ago. It is simply to allow others to hear a little bit of your story.

October 1977 - 30 Years Ago

I was living in New Cumberland, West Virgina. I was 5 years old and a star student in Kindergarten. Being 5, I was learning to tie my shoes but I was fascinated with numbers and was working on addition and subtraction and even working on multiplications. New cumberland is a small town on the Ohio River. Since I was 5, there was not too much to share.

October 1987 - 20 Years Ago

I was 15 years old and was a sophomore in high school. At this time, I was still fascinated with numbers and was planning out my high school career to be in the buisiness world. Those plans got wrecked a handful months later at church camp when I felt God calling me into the ministry. I was a rebel of a sorts. I had my long hair, hung around the rough crowd, listended to heavy music and was a drifter from crowd to crowd. I had just left the sports world and was just getting by. It was a transitional year for me because this was my first year of hs ( 10-12 grade) and we had 3 junior highs that flowed into it. The funny story that I will share was this ...

I was walking into the school and saw this "very hot girl". I had my eye on her and was hoping our paths would cross often in the hall way. My dreams came true as I was in English class hanging out and there she came through the doors - yes, she was in my class. HOWEVER, my dreams came crashing down fast as I realized she was 22 and my teacher.

October 1997 - 10 Years Ago

October 1997 might be the worst month of my life. There were some great things occurring but overall - it was rough. I would not want to live through that month again.

I was working in Pittsburgh, Pa at the time. It was about an hour drive each way. I was working anywhere between 70-80 hours a week depending on how much OT I could muster in. I was trying to balance getting a paycheck and being with my family. As you calculate the hours, you can tell that did not work too well.

My oldest son at the time was 1 month old. He spent the whole month in the hospital. So, in between the long hours of work, trying to see my wife and the son being in the hospital and not knowing the outcome for him; it was a nightmare.

My mother-in-law was also living with us at that time. She took off from her home in Illinois to come out and try to make things work for us. With her help, the house was managed and was an extra driver to get my wife to the hospital and to the house ( it was about an 1 hr and 15 mins each way ).

We had also came out of a very yucky church situation and was not sure which way to go. We were not sure if we were going to be in the ministry or if we were going to manage our lives with the business world.

To understand a little better for those who do not know our story, I need to take you back one month. September of 1997. Stacey was pregnant and had a horrendous pregnancy. She was sick the whole time and lost a lot of weight. The docotrs could not figure out what was occurring and they did not seem to helpful.

On Septemberr 4, 1997; they decided to deliver. She was 28 weeks pregnant. Isaiah came into the world at 13 1/2 inches long and 2 lbs and 3 ozs. He would drop to 1 lb and 13 ozs. They were not sure if he was going to make it or what his out come would be. Later that month, we heard workds like brain bleed, we are not sure if he will talk, we don't think he will walk, you may need to decide if you are going to keep him on the machines ... etc ...

For some unknown reason (we needed money), I went to work on the 6th of September. I received a phone call from my father-in-law that I needed to get to the hospital immediately. Originally, I thought it was for my son (he was in the touch/go stage) but it was for my wife. They had diagnosed what was wrong and they were doing emergency surgery to save her life. So, I drove from work to the hospital not knowing if they were going to be alive. Those hours were the longest .. where do I go / what waiting room should I be in.

So, those events made October very long and because of my son/wife; I did not know if I was going to be able to be in the ministry or what was going to occur.

10 years later, they are both with me. Isaiah is walking and talking. He is very active and he loves to play sports. Until recently, my wife had 9 good years. We have hit a few bumps the last 6 months (numeous surgeries) but she is alive and doing great.

This 30-20-10 may not have been how I planned to lay it out; but that is some of my story and where we are.

I am going to tag some individuals that I have not seen in the "virus circle". Thus, Trev, Kent, Dale, Deniese and Travis ..... share your journey.

I AM OUT

The Weekend .....

This past weekend was a very good weekend and I had the opportunity to do a few things that I normally do not do.

On Friday, we took off for an afternoon of fun. We went out to the pumpkin patch and allowed the kids to pick out a few pumpkins. After we went through the pumpkins, we headed to Canton and made a few stops on the way ( cheese shop and campground site ). When we arrived in Canton, we allowed the kids to browse the toy section. We did not buy anything but maybe a few ideas for Christmas. We went back into town and went on a "haunted hayride". I use that term loosely because it was a family hauted trail ride. Afterwards, we decided we were going to go and taste for ourselves the hype we have heard about the Coccie House. WoW. Enough said.

On Saturday, we went out to Bethany's last soccer game and then we grabbed donuts (family tradition). I then did something that I thought that I would ever do. I went to the horseshoe and watched the Ohio State vs. Michigan State game. I am not a huge Big Ten fan or a OSU fan but I had a blast with the company that I went to and it was a fun day.

On Sunday, we went to church, took a nap and then had youth ministry. It was a very nice day. EXCEPT, I came home and was very excited that I had the opportunity to watch the Steelers. But they did not play too well and lost on the last play of the game --- UGH !!!

Mr. Bean Goes To Church

Hey, it is Sunday :)

It is a long video, but I think it is funny. Gotta love Mr. Bean, right ? Well, maybe not ... but ....

Church: Do You Have a Strategic Plan ?

I am ordering / looking for advent devotions and I needed a small laughing break. Here is a video on a "board meeting" that is talking about a strategic plan. It is kinda humorous; especially for individuals that have been in meetings about having a strategic plan or church building ( the actual building not building the church )

What is Church ?

I find this a little humorous ....



What is your definition of church ?

Jesus Loves Me But He Can't Stand You

I know you smoke, I know you drink that brew
I just can't abide a sinner like you
God can't either, that's why I know it to be true that
Jesus loves me--but he can't stand you

I'm going to heaven, boys, when I die
'Cause I've crossed every "t" and I've dotted every "i'
My preacher tell me that I'm God's kind of guy; that's why
Jesus loves me--but you're gonna fry

God loves all his children, by gum
That don't mean he won't incinerate some
Can't you feel those hot flames licking you
Woo woo woo

I'm raising my kids in a righteous way
So don't be sending your kids over to my house to play
Yours'll grow up stoned, left-leaning, and gay; I know
Jesus told me on the phone today

Jesus loves me, this I know
And he told me where you're gonna go
There's lots of room for your kind down below
Whoa whoa whoa

Jesus loves me but he can't stand you . . .

------------------

The greatest need of our time is for koionia, the call simply to be the church, to love one another, and to offer our lives for the sake of the world.

What do you think would happen to our world if we truly lived out Jesus last discourse: If you love me, you will keep my commandment. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of Truth.

Friends, we can make a difference. Are you (me included) willing to step out of our comfortable place and truly show love, grace and kindness to our neighbor ?

Rice & Rutgers BEAT University of South Florida

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 18: DT Allen Cray #94 of South Florida Bulls and LB Tyrone McKenzie #27 take down RB Ray Rice #27 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half of a game between the South Florida Bulls and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium October 18, 2007 in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Rice got taken down a lot in the game but he had many carries and a lot of yards. Rutgers came to play and they won. They have to give credit to their special teams for their win. They had a fake fg for a TD and a great fake punt.

It was very odd. I was not sure who I was rooting for. In a sense, I wanted USF to win the game. They were #2 in the nation, beat WVU and are part of the Big East; so I wanted them to REPRESENT. However, I also wanted them to lose so WVU may move up in the national ranking and more importantly still have a shot at the Big East title and have the op to play in a BCS game.

The Bulls (6-1, 1-1) had their eight-game winning streak come to an end, no doubt to the delight of Boston College, LSU, Oklahoma and the rest of the teams hoping to grab the second spot in the BCS standings USF held this week.

Matt Grothe threw for 247 yards and a touchdown and ran for 58 yards, but Rutgers' defense swarmed South Florida's multitalented quarterback in the second half and sacked him seven times in the game.

Let's go WVU. Oooohhhhhh, speaking of NCAAF, I am going to the horseshoe on Sunday and getting throwin into Big Ten football. Ohio State plays Michigan State. I am looking forward to being at the game with 100,000 other people.

Quote to Ponder

Lord, take me where You want me to go;
Let me meet who you want me to meet;
Tell me what You want me to say, and
Keep me out of Your way

As doing some prep work for class on Sunday, I came across this quote. It is from Mychal Judge. I think that the quote is very important aspect that we will talk about in class but I also wanted to place it here on my blog.

Through the different conversations that I have been having and blogs that I have come across recently; this quote seems to fit into so many of the conversation. It is a quote that I am lifting up to God as a prayer.

Red & Blue God, Black & Blue Church

I have a few new books on loan to me via the library to read and this is one of them. The full title is called: Red and Blue God, Black and Blue church: Eyewitness Accounts of How American Churches are Hijacking Jesus, Bagging the Beatitudes, and Worshiping The Almighty Dollar.



Here is a snipit from the inside flap. A master of satire with a theological black belt, Becky Garrison shines a bright light on the hypocrisy fromboth sides of the political spectrum, exposing how both red and blue Christians hold hostage the teachings of Jesus in service to their own partisan gain. What's lacking is a true understanding of Christ's mandate to love all of humanity - including our enemies - which, if honored, would open the door to honest dialogue and understanding that transcends political labels.

It looks like an interesting book and hopefully it will have some info that I can chew on and contemplate and further my journey.

I also picked up a second book that I have read a few chapters of last night and it is called: Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith. I think this book is going to help me understand where I am at right now and some beneficial steps that I can take to help our church and the community that surrounds it.

Opting Out Of Religion

Does anyone feel like having a discussion about the clip or the book ?

WWJDWTC: My Story: Part 2

Today was step one for me.

I went up to the clinic and met with Cyndi. She is he Community Relations Coordinator. She was very personable, knowledgeable and her passion for the mission of the clinic oozed through every pore in her body.

The mission is the following: the Viola Startzman Free Clinic serves, in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, lower income and uninsured residence of Wayne County.

She introduced me to a variety of people. They included some of the paid nursing staff, some of the paid nurses and clerical staff. I also had the opportunity to meet some of the board of directors and volunteers. While there, I saw Nancy. She is the Dental Clinic Coordinator for the clinic and a member of the church that I serve.

I have to admit that I did not know what I was going to walk into when I stepped into the doors of the clinic. I was walking into the "unknown". I was completely blown away by the jewel that we have in this community.

Here are some numbers on volunteers and the clinic. Medical volunteers volunteered over 1200 hours and support volunteers volunteered 3000 hours (the first 5 months). These individuals have given up their time to make this clinic work. The clinic has helped over 20,000 different patients.

I will begin volunteering next week. I am only going to be serving there for about 5 hours a month at the present time. I am going to be filing charts for their patients. I am looking forward to doing a very small part to help in the background so the clinic can run smoothly.

One of the great things to hear about and to see (from my perspective) that Dr. Startzman was a great physician and influencer in the community. Because of her work and dedication, the clinic is strong and doing great work. Her passion is so great that the clinic has retired professors doing janitorial work in the clinic.

The clinic continues to see more and more patients each month; so their need continues to grow. I received the Clinic Wish List and I will make sure that when we are at the store, we will buy some of the items so I can take it up to them when I volunteer next Tuesday. I will also be passing the list to individuals that I know.

WWJDWTC: My Story: Part 1

What Would Jesus Do With The Church .....

A few of my new blogging friends are doing a synchroblog. After reading Erin's heart and passion on numerous subjects and her invite to join this "cause"; I have decided that I am DEFINITELY going to take part in this event.

This is the challenge or cause that has been laid out for us:

In this synchroblog, not only do we ask you to address what you believe Jesus would do with the church; we also ask you to examine the implications for your own life and ACT on it. It is easy to sit at our computers and rail against the church; it is much more challenging to assume personal responsibility for change.

Therefore, we would invite to this synchroblog anyone who is willing to put "shoe leather" to a complaint, correction or change you would like to see for the church, whatever your interpretation of 'church' happens to be. It doesn't have to be huge…simply anything you're willing to commit to for a period of 30 days.

Please write an initial post for October 15th. Then, post periodically over the following 30 days (October 15-November 15) with any additional thoughts and reports on your progress.

I have been wrestling with this for the last 5 days (ever since I saw the challenge).

I come at this issue from a little different slant than the others (most of them) who will be participating (I encourage you to read the others who are part of this - when the list is compiled, I will link it at the bottom of the post). The difference is that I am on staff at a local church.

The church has failed GREATLY in numerous areas. I think that Jesus is very frustrated with what we are calling church. The one area where I think we have made a huge mistake is that we are more concerned about bringing them to us (a building) than us going out to where the hurting are locate. You can read more of my thoughts on that subject here.

I am becoming a very big cheerleader for us being out there and making a difference. We NEED to transform our community. To me, that is more important. I know that alot of people disagree or say that I am compromising my beliefs because I am not "pushing" the gospel.

Anyhow, it is time for me to be more than a cheerleader and I need to lead by example. Thus, this synchroblog is "forcing" me to put my faith & words into action. So, how am I going to change my community ??? Here are a few things that I am going to do starting this month (I will update the process throughout the 30 days and beyond).

1. I am going to be volunteering with Meals on Wheels of Wayne & Stark County. I will be delivering meals to approx. 15 homes a week. At the present time, I am going to be volunteering 2x a month with the hopes in a few months for me to be having it a regular route (same homes)every Friday. I will make a separate post on them later.

2. I am going to be volunteering with the Viola Startzman Free Clinic. I have a heart and passion for those who are uninsured and are trying to stay healthy and are doing everything in their power to get the treatment that they need. I am meeting tomorrow with the coordinator to see where I will fit it. Most likely, I will be filing their charts and placing re-fills for them (prescriptions). When I know more about the clinic, I will make a separate post on them as well.

3. I am going to be be working with Wayne County Children Services. I started communication with them about 6 weeks ago. My heart breaks when I am in contact with them. There are so many children in our county who are hurting. I am going to be very active with them in promoting their services and we as a church are going to be "spiritually adopting" some of the kids and foster parents. In the very near future, I am going to have a long write-up on them and what we are doing. I will then pass along 10 Things that YOU can possibly do for them or one in your area. The big thing that I will be doing for/with them pertains to one specific child. I can not release any info yet because he is not in their permanent custody (court is back-logged). My heart bleeds for this kid. I am going to get to meet him in a few weeks; we are working things out with the case worker. I am going to help this kid. He needs a break and a good turn of events. What is happening and what will be happening - should not be happening to any kid.

4. I am going to practice the art of presence. I have been working on this, but I need to step it up a notch. I am wanting to be where our "church" is and I want to have individuals with us, so we can begin to truly know them. I want to live life with them. We need to do life with them. Community occurs in circles not rows.

So, I think that if Jesus was walking on the earth in the 21st century; he would be pretty angry. He would be treating us as he treated the pharisees. He would say to us, " you think you are doing great things and you are so proud, but you really are not doing what you should be doing ". We as churches would be shocked and stunned. He would continue, " You are ignoring the marginalized. You are forgetting those who are hurting in your community. You are not making a difference to those who have nothing and are clinging on to life. "

I am going to take time to step out of the office. I am going to spend more time in the community. I am going to spend time helping those who are in despair and alone. I am going to make attempts to begin to "making community" with those connected to our church. I am going to try to do what I believe God wants His church to be doing.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

WWJDWTC Participants:

Glenn Hager
Gary Means
Alan Knox
The Refuge
Nate Peres
Sally Coleman
Barb
Rick Stillwell
Jeff Greathouse
Dan
Barbara Legere
Jonathan Brink
Jason Ellis
Rainer
Cynthia Clack

----------

Update # 1

Update # 2

Update # 3

Way To Go 'Cats

WoW .. the Cats did it. They beat the #1 team in the land (LSU). They were down and came back to tie it up. They then played solid in overtime and came out with the win in the 3rd OT. I can not believe this year in college fb; the upsets keep coming.

C R I M I N A L ! ! !

Here is a picture of Natalie making beautiful art ...



Well some of her neighbors did not like the graffiti and called her in

Look how sad she is in the next photo with the letter condemening her actions ..



Now, they are going to be able to clean this up or keep it by some better communication but this is just odd to me at times that we have gotten to the point. Here are some of the snipits:

The letters focus: “PLEASE REMOVE THE GRAFFITI FROM YOUR PROPERTY,” the Sanitation Department warning letter read. “FAILURE TO COMPLY … MAY RESULT IN ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST YOU.”

The requirements: The property owner has 45 days to remove it or ask the city to remove it. We’ll inspect after that, and if the graffiti is still there, the property owner has another 60 days before we’ll write a summons.

The fine: $ 300

What is graffiti: City Council passed local law 111 in 2005, which defined “graffiti” as “any letter, word, name, number, symbol, slogan, message, drawing, picture, writing … that is drawn, painted, chiseled, scratched, or etched on a commercial building or residential building.

Of course, there are numerous people in the city cheering. Art like this makes the city "ugly".

My only question is this: Do we have a few more pressing needs than a 6 year old doing chalk art on the "sidewalk" IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE ?

Asa Coon Shooting

Yesterday there was another shooting at a high school. The shooting occurred about an hour from us. We were actually in the area yesterday for Isaiah's appointment.

I am going to show a few of the pics and include an artcle from a local paper and then I am going to make some comments. If you see bold, the bold is my emphasis not the newspaper.

Here is a picture of individuals on the phone hoping to hear that their child is alright.



Here is a pic of the teacher who was willing to risk his life to protect some of the students. It is thought that the teach might have been a target because of him disciplining the boy.



I can not imagine what is racing through their minds as they are waiting for news of the event.




The police prepared to handle the situation.




Here is the article ...

CLEVELAND - A 14-year-old suspended student, dressed in black, opened fire in his downtown high school today, wounding four people as terrified schoolmates hid in closets and bathrooms and huddled under laboratory desks. He then killed himself.

A fellow student at SuccessTech Academy alternative school said the shooter, who was suspended for fighting two days earlier, had made threats in front of students and teachers last week.
"He's crazy. He threatened to blow up our school. He threatened to stab everybody," Doneisha LeVert said. "We didn't think nothing of it."


Police Chief Michael McGrath said it appeared that the shooter used two weapons, but added that the coroner's office will need to finish its work to confirm that. Parents were angry that firearms got into a school equipped with metal detectors.

Mayor Frank Jackson said two adults and three teens were injured, including a 14-year-old girl who fell and hurt her knee while running out of the school.

Witnesses said the black-clad shooter moved through the converted five-story downtown office building, working his way up through the first two floors of administrative offices to the third floor of classrooms.

Antonio Deberry, 17, said he and his classmates hid under laboratory tables and watched the shooter move down the hallway. "I saw him walking past. He didn't see us, we saw him." Deberry said the shooter swore and shot several times.

The shooter was identified by an official close to the investigation as Asa H. Coon. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because Coon's family was being notified.

LeVert said she hid in a closet with two other students after she heard a "Code Blue" alert over the loudspeaker. She said she heard about 10 shots.

Ronnell Jackson, 15, said he saw the shooter running down a school hallway.

"He was about to shoot me, but I got out just in time," he said. "He was aiming at me I got out just in time."

Coon had been suspended since Monday for fighting, said Charles Blackwell, president of SuccessTech's student-parent organization. He did not know how Coon got into the building today.

LeVert, the student, said Coon was a "gothic" who usually wore a trench coat, black boots and a dog collar.

Blackwell said there was a security guard on the first floor, but that the position of another guard on the third floor had been eliminated sometime earlier.

Students stood outside the building, many in tears, hugging each other and on cell phones. Others shouted at reporters with TV cameras to leave them alone. Family members also stood outside, anxiously waiting for their children to be released.

Tammy Mundy, 38, who has a son and daughter at the school, told The Plain Dealer that her daughter called when the shooting started.

"She said, 'Mom they're shooting in here, kids are running out, I'm hiding in the closet,'" Mundy told the newspaper.

Then she called her 18-year-old son, Darnell Rodgers, on his cell phone, and he told her he had been shot in the arm.

"He said, 'Mom, I got shot,'" Mundy told the newspaper.

A hospital spokeswoman said Rodgers was listed in stable condition. David Kachadourian, 57, was in good condition, and a 42-year-old man was in surgery and his condition unavailable. The other two injured teens were taken to a children's hospital, which would not release their names, ages or conditions.

Deberry's mother, Lakisha Deberry, said she was upset that metal detectors at the school were not always in use.

"You never know what's going on in someone's mind," said Deberry, who said she was required to go through a metal detector and present an identification card whenever she wanted to drop off something at school for her children.

The shooting occurred across the street from the FBI office in downtown Cleveland, and students were being sent to the FBI site.

All schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District will be canceled Thursday, said Eugene Sanders, chief executive officer of the district. Counseling will be available Thursday for students at recreation centers throughout the city, Sanders said.

SuccessTech Academy is an alternative high school in the Cleveland city school district that emphasizes technology and entrepreneurship. It is housed on several floors of the district's downtown Cleveland Lakeside Avenue administration building.

"It's a shining beacon for the Cleveland Metropolitan School System," said John Zitzner, founder and president of E City Cleveland, a nonprofit group aimed at teaching business skills to inner-city teens. "It's orderly, it's disciplined, it's calm, it's focused."

The school has about 240 mainly black students with a small number of white and Hispanic students.

The school, opened five years ago, ranks in the middle of the state's ratings for student performance. Its graduation rate is 94 percent, well above the district's rate of 55 percent.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Here are some of my thoughts and takes.

1. It still amazes me that people still do not think (take) threats seriously.

2. I hope and pray that students like Ronnell can get help. They must be hurting
from what they witnessed and saw.

3. My heart aches for Tammy as she received the phone call from her daughter and
then called her son and heard those words. Nightmare situation.

4. I want to applaude the school for a graduation rate of 94%. This may lead to my
next post. How is it acceptable for a distrinct in the United States to only have
a graduation rate of 55%. I know that I do not live in inner-city area but this
is not acceptable and we must do something !!


Finally, not in the article but on the news. This 14 year old had a horrendous life. A terrible family situation and had so much to overcome. Unfortunately, he was unable to overcome and because of that; there were consequences that occurred and ended him in losing his life way too early. WE MUST HELP !!

Tiredness ??

Matthew 11:28-30
The Message (MSG)


28-30 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Romans 12:11-13
The Message (MSG)


11-13 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Galatians 6:9,10
The Message (MSG)


9-10 So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

Proverbs 17:22
The Message (MSG)

22 A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

----------------------------------------

These scriptures are for a few of my "friends" out there who are a little dazed, confused, tired and running on E. They are there for various reasons and are looking for something to hold on. They may not even really want to see these scriptures because ..... yea, yea, yea .. the Bible thing. However, I hope that these scriptures may be some comfort and there is something in them that you can hold onto.

Being in a tired state is extremely draining. I hope and pray that you might find rest. I pray that you will be able to go through the day out of the fullness that overflows out of the cup. I pray that you will find rest.

Out of the Dog House

Folk just got me out of the dog house. The words of Romo after their shocking win over Buffalo. Now, they were suppose to win - that was not the shock. The shock was in the comeback and the obstacles they overcome. Here is a snipit from yahoo ...

Tony Romo is nothing if not resilient. And because he didn't let four interceptions in the first half, two returned for touchdowns, destroy his night, the Dallas Cowboys pulled off a stunning comeback victory.

The Cowboys scored nine points in the final 20 seconds Monday night, with Nick Folk's 53-yard field goal as time expired giving them an improbable 25-24 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Romo, after being intercepted five times and also losing a fumble, drove Dallas (5-0) 80 yards and hit Patrick Crayton with a 4-yard TD pass with 20 seconds remaining. The 2-point conversion try failed when Jabari Greer stripped Terrell Owens of the ball in the end zone.

But Nathan Jones recovered the onside kick and after two completions, Folk nailed his fourth field goal, shocking the sellout crowd that came to celebrate the first Monday night home game for Buffalo (1-4) in 13 years.

What a finish to a game.

Romo had 6 turnovers.

Bills returned 2 of the TO's for TD's

Bills returned a KO for a TD

But the Cowboys win ... W O W

I made a comment on Dale's blog. I HATE (despise) the Cowboys. Well, I should say, I have for 35 years. With Wade coaching, TO as the WR, Romo has the QB and Ware on Defense .. I root for them ... Now, if they get to the SB and face my Steelers ... F O R G E T A B O U T I T ... Steelers, take it to the house on them.

The Recap ....

Stacey is home and we did survive. We did not do a great deal while she was gone but we had fun. Some of the things we did were the following (Thurs-Sat):

- video game day
- soccer practice
- movie night
- dinner with pa pa
- soccer games
- donut day
- pick up mommy

I did attempt to pull B's hair up on Saturday morning, but she had a wing; so I took the ponytail out and took the comb and bands to the game and asked one of the teenage girls to handle it for me. She just laughed - oh, well.

We survived and had a good time and mom (wife) seemed to have a good 5 days and that is what matters in the end.

Bug Invasion

Bugs invade the Jake. Did they help Cleveland ?



CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 05: Catcher Jorge Posada #20 (L) of the New York Yankees sprays relief pitcher Mariano Rivera #42 with bug spray as gnats (insects) swarm around the pitchers mound (as well as the rest of the field) against the Cleveland Indians during Game Two of the American League Divisional Series at Jacobs Field on October 5, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)



New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, right, applies bug spray to relief pitcher Mariano Rivera before the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 2 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, in Cleveland.




CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 05: Gnats (insects) swarm the pitching mound as (L-R) Jorge Posada #20, Alex Rodriguez #13 and Joba Chamberlain #62 of the New York Yankees talk on the mound against the Cleveland Indians during Game Two of the American League Divisional Series at Jacobs Field on October 5, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Cleveland wins. They lead 2-0. Are they going to finish off the Yanks in NY and is A-Rod down to his last game in the Bronx .... The boos will reign when he hits the plate on Sunday.

Go Conquer the World

That is his challenge to you ...



Pretty Amazing if you ask me ....

University of Kentucky To Play in BCS

The Kentucky receiver suggested during the preseason that the Wildcats were not only ready to compete in the SEC East, but also to play in a BCS bowl game. Burton's prognostication was met with laughs, more than anything else.

Well, we ae 5 games into the college fb season and the Wildcats are 5-0. Tonight, they go down to the old ball coaches backyard and play the Gamecock's. The winner of tonights game will be leading the SEC East. Not toom many people would have picked that.

The Wildcats have a long way to go before they can even begin to talk about SEC championship and BCS game. However when Burtn said it in the preseason; everyone laughed. The laughs are subsiding. Of course, after tonight, we will know more.

*** Game Over ***

Well, nice try. too many mistakes Kentucky and Norwood or SC played a great game - 2 TD's for a defensive end. Your D was okay and that is what I was concerned about. Get ready, you have 2 more tough ones; you may be 5-3 and out of the Top 25 in 17 days.

The Kids and I ......

are still alive.

Here is a little bit of what has occurred, nothing too exciting and nothing to jump around about - but it is our life and our journey together w/o mom.

Tuesday

We (Bethany and I) dropped Stacey off of at the airport and went home to get ready to pick up the boys from school. After picking them up and walking home, the kids did their homework and relax with 30 minutes of tv watching. After their TV viewing, we went to the park (Christmas Run) and had a good time. After the park, we went home and had dinner then headed off to the church for "The Zone". They were the only ones there but they still had class. After the class, they played in the youth room for about 30 mins and we headed home for our bedtime ritual.

Wednesday

We woke up and had breakfsat and made sure that everything was in the backpacks and that we were ready to walk to school. We walked to school and dropped the boys off. After, we droped the boys off at school; Bethany and I walked to the church. We spent about an hour at the church. I was doing some re-arranging in the youth room and she drew pictures. We then walked home and watch Mitilda before taking her to school. At 3 pm, I went to pick Bethany up for school and then we went and grabbed the boys from the school.

After school, we went up to Movies 10 and saw The Game Plan. It was a pretty good movie. After the movie, we stopped by Domino's to pick up pizza. I got guilt into it by the boys. It was Pizza Night for the school. So, we went and spent $ 18 at Domino's so the school could receive $ 1.80. I tried to convince them that we could just give them (the school) money but they wanted to do the pizza to support them. We grabbed the pizza and went to the church. We ate pizza, played some video games and watched a movie. We then headed home for the night time activities.

So, nothing earth shatterring but we are alive, we are surviving and we are enjoying life. I am not sure what we are going to do this afternoon / evening; there is some controversity brewing on "what to do" ......

Burma

What seems to be happening there is unreal. There needs to be more news coverage and something needs to be done.

I Want To See This !

I saw the trailer for this movie tonight and I want to see it. It is called "The Final Season"

Dumb Crimial of the Year Award !!!

Here it is ... for sure ....




By Associated Press

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Deputy Dave Wagner had just finished booking a suspect at the Marion County jail Tuesday when he heard a radio report that a stolen pickup truck had been spotted in northeast Salem.

He decided to check it out.

He didn't go far.

In the jail's parking lot, two women were in the stolen 1984 Toyota truck. They had come to the jail to visit a boyfriend. Deputies say the women had 21 grams of methamphetamine, scales and packaging material in the truck along with them.

Police said the two Salem women, 24 and 25, were booked there on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Drug charges are impending.

Will We Survive ?

Bethany and I dropped Stacey off at the airport this afternoon. We came home and picked up the boys. She is gone till Saturday. Will we survive ? We shall see.

In a few minutes, we are headed to Christmas Run Park. After the park, we will have dinner and the head over to the church. The kids have the Zone tonight. We will then come home and get ready for bed.

We have things planned for the week; so time should pass fairly quickly.

Off we go .....

It is not about Looks !!!

Mark-O had this on the blog and I went over to the website that produced the video to look at their site. There is some good stuff over there. I have a 4-year old daughter and I think that it is aready time to sit down and talk to her - from her comments yesterday about pic day. My beloved, Bee, do not let the media win you over. Watch the video.

Man On A Mission

He was incredible last night. He sacked McNabb 6 times in one game.

Osi Umenyiora set a team record with six sacks and the Giants tied an NFL record by taking down Donovan McNabb 12 times Sunday night in a 16-3 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Umenyiora came close on two other sack attempts and there were at least three other plays where McNabb barely got a pass away before being hit or knocked down again.

Pictures, Litter & Genocide

These are the three things that are activities or concerns from my children. It is very interesting to see and watch this. I am not sure how this will develop or if it will continue, but this is what I am seeing / hearing.

Bethany: Pictures

Bethany loves drawing pictures and she LOVES giving them away. She does this in the hopes that it will cheer someone up. This last month, she has made pictures for a lot of people. Some of them include the lady at the bakery counter, the pizza woman, the cashier at the store and a soccer mom. The one that "touched" my heart the most was when we went to get donuts. She made a pic to give to the bakery lady saying, "she can't be with her kids in the morning, we need to cheer her up"

Jacob: Litter

Jacob is our enviorment boy. He pushes for recycling constantly and he gets frustrated with trash on the ground. On Saturday, we were at the soccer fields for Bethany's game; Jacob was out picking up the trash. As we were getting ready to leave, he asked me if he could being a trash bag each way and pick up trash. Yes Jacob, you can do that. So, his coal is to have a liter-free place.

Isaiah: Genocide

Isaiah has always championed "big causes". A few weeks ago we were in the car and he said that he was mad because there were so many people killing people. we have recently heard a few "genocide" stories and this has caused him to be concerned for them - especially those in Africa. We are not sure what we (he) will do yet, but he is looking at a way to help. Jacob did give him some info: isaiah if you decide to go, I am staying back; I do not want to die. We are going to look at some projects this next week.