SUDDENFIRE

Today...

2012-02-11T09:55:00.001-07:00

Being that it has been a while since the last post I am going to have to say...don't really care! The last year has been a busy one to say the least but has been one of a lot of growth of a personal and spiritual place so it has been good despite pain and struggles.

Still running and loving it...ran out side today as part of my training for an upcoming half marathon and boy I thought I would never do this! It was 3 degrees out and the wind was moving which put it at a wind chill of -15! I think I have lost my mind.

I will admit it was chilly...but it was a very nice run...sure beats heat and humidity! Why do this...not to sure I guess? Don't feel like I am running from anything but to something, tend to spend a lot of time clearing my head, praying and chatting with God so I really enjoy that time with Him.

It is amazing how going in the right direction can be tough...the run out was into the wind, but then the same right path makes a turn and into the sun you go! It warms up and all is easy...same run, same path, same God but with a little push everything changes!

However I will say it all depends on perspective cause I did enjoy the first part of the run as much as I did the latter...one was just easier than the other. Easy or not we can still find joy and thankfulness in everything we do...no matter how painful or tough it is for the moment.

Yeah I admit...some parts are easier. However if we never get pushed we never find out or true strength.

Post Triathlon...

2011-09-19T12:36:00.000-06:00

Here is the update on the Triathlon:

It was a lot of fun...no really! I would say that all the prep made it fun. For the diehards no I did not puke or pass out but yes I did leave "it" all out there! Very challenging is an understatement. The fella who won the race did it in 1:27:42 to say he flew thru the race would be accurate! I finished in a time of 2:21:44 so I was close...HAHA NOT!

The Swim...
Yep Kelly was right I swim like a grandpa...however some of the grandpas flew by me in the water. The fella with the fastest swim time was 37 years old and did a 8:48 0.50 mile swim...mine was right around 21 minutes...gunna need to work on this! It was fun, I was not intimidated, I did get hit and kicked a few times but I would have done better if I knew how to swim. Also I did a lot of gawking...not good when you are in the race...but some of these folks just flew by so fast I had to watch in amazement!

Transition from swim to bike...
Went as planned only took me about 4 minutes to get up, changed and out so not bad!

The Bike...
Riding my road bike that is as old as I am was interesting...cause at some points I am passing folk on bikes that are $6000.00 pieces of machinery and at other times I am being passed so it was some give and take. Do I want the very awesome tri-bike (sure) but not willing to pay for it! The ride was fun it was cool to ride with folk and not alone as I had for the last month of training! 18 miles in 58 minutes...thats okay for me.

Transition from bike to run...
This part was very smooth...2.5 minutes in and out...except that I almost ran out the bike entrance area!

The Run...
It was 5 miles...no big deal! Other than the fact that I had just swam and biked (very thankful for having done this in training) it was a very nice run. Just kept reminding myself that all I wanted to do was complete for this year and that is what I did! 5 miles in 50 minutes...way slower than I run but understandable for the day!

The best part of the race...my wife and kids being at every point cheering me on...especially at the end they had signs as I cam thru the ending gate as well as some awesome friends!

The worst part of the race...in the car 20 minutes away and getting stung by a wasp while driving home! As if my whole body hadn't endured enough...which as I am a week done and the wasp sting still has a welt but the body recovered by the day after! (yes I did start in on another workout, yes I did take one day off to rest!)

questions, comments...lemme know!

Triathlon

2011-09-01T10:34:00.000-06:00

I have held off from putting this out here but I figure the accountability will help...so...here is what I am doing the morning of the 10th.The 12th annual Square Lake Triathlon http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/event/a-test-triathlonThe short course event starts at 8:00am on Saturday, includes a .5 mile swim, 16.5 mile bike and 5 mile run.THE SITE – Square Lake County ParkTHE SWIM – The swim takes place in Square Lake starting at 8:00 a.m. for Saturday’s Short CourseTHE BIKE – The 16.5 mile loop around Square Lake and through the small town of Marine.THE RUN – The 5 mile will circle Square Lake counterclockwise So there ya go everyone is invited to yell and scream at me to get my lazy butt moving...or...stand back and laugh! No I do not expect to win (cause the guy who won last year swam the .5mile in 10 min and it takes me right at 19 min) but the goal is to finish and have fun...which I will do!Questions? Comments?

Money...money...money

2011-01-07T09:46:00.001-07:00

College Football by the Numbers
BY: RACHEL ARNDTJanuary 7, 2011

Typography by Julie Teninbaum
America loves its college football, even if we'd like to throw a gazillion penalty flags at the Bowl Championship Series. Here's a look at the business of the BCS, bowl season, and college football, by the numbers.

The Rose Bowl game, which debuted in 1902, is the oldest bowl game in the country. In 2010, 93,963 people attended. The game has sold out for 63 years in a row.
As recently as the early 1930s, the only major bowl game was the Rose. This season there will be 35. Last season's 34 games were attended by a total of 1.77 million people and watched on TV by 225 million.

The BCS distributed $155.2 million in revenue from the big five 2009-2010 bowl games to NCAA conferences and independent teams Notre Dame, Army, and Navy, with Big Six conferences getting 82% of the pot.
In a recent survey, 63% of those polled said they want to replace the system with playoffs. In the same poll, 26% of Republicans surveyed said they are "very interested" in college football, compared with just 18% of Democrats.
Just 3 of the 32 members of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection attended a July hearing on the BCS -- the third one held in the past two years.
30.8 million viewers watched the 2010 national championship on TV, up 4 million from 2009.
The Waterford Crystal trophy given to last year's national champion, Alabama, is worth $30,000 and went on a tour that included stops at 2 Walmarts.
ESPN will pay $125 million to air the Fiesta, Orange, and Sugar Bowls, and the BCS Championship game this year.
Number of teams from outside the Big Six (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, PAC-10, SEC) that have played in the BCS National Championship: 0.
67% of Division I football players who started college between 1999 and 2002 graduated within six years, compared with just 57% of the overall student population. Top performers: Notre Dame and Duke, which tied at 96%.
Players in the top tier of college spend an average of 44.8 hours a week in practice, games, and training and 39.5 hours on academics, according to a 2006 survey. Under NCAA rules, the maximum practice and playing time per week is 20 hours.
68 of the 120 universities in the top tier of college football made money from the sport in fiscal 2009. Big moneymakers included Alabama, Florida, and Ohio State.
The average ticket price to an Ohio State home game is $523.67 on the secondary market, the highest of any university.
A version of this article appears in the December / January issue of Fast Company.
From Issue 151 | January 2011

Black helicopters and spies...?

2010-11-07T18:59:00.003-07:00

http://www.fastcompany.com/1698627/firesheep-idiocy-privacy-facebook-twitter-google-foursquare-eric-butler-wifi?partner=homepage_newsletter

Very interesting and creepy all at the same time...there are some things you need to do to protect ourselves.

So no on the helicopters and spies playing games just creepy people playing silly games...so let's take the time and learn as well as share how to keep ourselves safe out there!

Private....eyes?

2010-11-03T07:25:00.002-06:00

In an age of such an overwhelming sense of voyeurism we still want our privacy but it seems that a simple missed keystroke can open your wifi to the world (when in a public wifi hot spot). Very interesting article by fast company....make sure to read the comments at the bottom of the page!

http://www.fastcompany.com/1698627/firesheep-idiocy-privacy-facebook-twitter-google-foursquare-eric-butler-wifi?partner=homepage_newsletter

Sad state...

2010-11-01T10:29:00.000-06:00

Here is a quote that is a little tough for me...

In the cancer community, Armstrong's miraculous cancer recovery, not his legal troubles, is the focus. "You can separate the two things," explained Alex Hejnosz, an analyst with CipherHealth whose mother survived melanoma. I met them at a recent Livestrong event in Philadelphia. "If he did whatever they're saying he did, bummer. But it doesn't detract from what he's doing for Livestrong and cancer." Besides, Hejnosz said, sports have made many of us more cynical and more forgiving in recent years. "I'm 23. I've only grown up with sports stars who have cheated. I'm used to it."

http://www.fastcompany.com/1693759/lance-armstrong-livestrong-alberto-contador-doping

Interesting...

2010-05-10T12:58:00.000-06:00

Interesting outlook on today's youth from Barna

Trying to figure out what to call this post…

2010-04-22T08:04:00.005-06:00

It could be one of “Sorry been busy” or “Had other things to do” or “I am a Looser” but I think the title that I have chosen works.

So what to start with…not to sure but I know one thing has really consumed me for the past months besides God, family, church, job, baseball, friends, motorcycle and the likes. My thought is to start there and let you know what I have been up to…or getting down to.

Here is the deal in November of 2009 I stepped onto the scale downstairs to “just see” and a number popped up I had never seen 250…yes I have seen it in other forms with other meanings but never when it pertained to me and my size. I decided I need to do something and I need to start now.

I had found a fella who runs marathons and ultrathons (David Goggins) he has a very amazing but down to earth reason for running (raising money for fallen soldiers kids…basically). However he also has a very real out look on running and here is his statement “I’m nobody special. Let’s be perfectly clear…I don’t like to run. I don’t like to swim. I don’t like to bike. I do this to raise money for the children of soldiers killed in combat.”

He has received a lot of grief from silly folks who “live” to run for a number of reasons that you can see on his blog but I got a lot of inspiration from him cause I whole heartedly agree! I hate to run…it is not a bad confession it is just the truth! My thought at this point was “you know what he did it I can do it also”.

I am not running and working out the same way he is…here is the list: 72 bpm is the Resting Normal Heart Rate for you and me, his is 32 bpm / 3:45 am workout starts / Daily Workout…Run 15 miles, Bike 60 miles, + Weights. I do not do this…maybe I should?

I gained a little perspective from watching his video (found below) and found it inspiring to (was going to say drop weight but there is a better reason) gain self-control and not let my flesh dictate my life. I realized he is just putting some Godly principles in play and that is why it is working. At this point I could really ramble on about a lot of stuff but there are a few things that I need to get out.

1. I am doing this for God, Kelly, and my kids…not for me and certainly not for you (please do not be offended).

God – because this body and life I live are His.

Kelly – because she deserves to have her husband around and not be a pain in the butt to her cause he cannot control himself.

Kids – they deserve a better example than what I have set…I am here to train them as the bible says “I am the one who sets them on a path” (paraphrasing a bunch of different verses into one phrase).

2. I do run every morning on an elliptical cause running on a treadmill or out side is just to hard on my knees right now. I run for 45 min. I did not start at that point I worked up to it. I realized it took me 15 years to go from 190# that I graduated High School at to 250 and it was going to take time to “get it off” so I was and am in no hurry.

3. I have adjusted my eating but I do eat what I want. However I do not just “eat” anymore…I do my best with Gods help to control myself. I have not taken anything to help cut weight and do not want to.

4. I do wholeheartedly appreciate the complements but do not need or want them. I will say thank you and let you know that without God there is no way I could do it. However I am very happy and pleased with myself. I know that if I can do this you can as well.

5. If you feel that I am being mean, hard, unloving, judging, or any other thing…I am sorry for that and it is my fault for coming across that way…it is not my heart! I just know myself if I don’t go wholeheartedly after it I will not get it done.

So here is the 5 month update: 200 pounds is what I now weigh / I run 45 min every day my goal is 1200 -1300 calories burned in the run. I am a looser, I was busy with other things, this is what I am getting down to but for now I am going to do a better job of updating for no other reason than just to keep myself accountable.

Enjoyable Game?

2010-01-25T07:24:00.003-07:00

I have to say that the Viking's vs Saint's "street brawl was a very enjoyable game to watch...however not because of the outcome (wish the Viking's had won). Not because of Brett or any of his antics...but because of "twitter".

It made it very nice to see how people that I know and love in Arkansas felt about the game. I loved the fact that even though I couldn't hang out with everyone from LWCC I got a feel for the feelings that they had as we all walked thru the game!

However the best part was being able to follow someone who literally is on the other side of the world...dk-today! So Daniel I want to say thanks for making a not so fun game become interesting by being able to share it with you while you are...on the other side of the world!

...and we think we are true fans, HA we pale in comparison to that level of commitment!

Have a blessed day!

hhhmmm...where do you fit in

2010-01-17T16:29:00.001-07:00

Where do you fit in

RICHER THAN YOU THINK? If you make $50,000.00 a year here is where you stand in the world...

You are the 107,565 richest person in the world! You're in the TOP 0.001% richest people in the world!

How do you feel about that? A bit richer we hope. Richer and ready to give some of your newly found wealth to those who need it most. It not hard - just slip your hand in your pocket and pull out something special. Something that can help redress the balance - and also make you feel uncommonly good. Many peoples lives could be happier if you donated just one hour's salary (approx $2670.94 - UK estimate).

All you have to do is make a choice.

$8 could buy you 15 organic apples OR 25 fruit trees for farmers in Honduras to grow and sell fruit at their local market.

$30 could buy you an ER DVD Boxset OR a First Aid kit for a village in Haiti.

$73 could buy you a new mobile phone OR a new mobile health clinic to care for AIDS orphans in Uganda.

$2400 could buy you a second generation High Definition TV OR schooling for an entire generation of school children in an Angolan village.

Very Cool Footage...

2009-11-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

Exclusive unseen video footage of the Miracle on the Hudson, flight 1549 New York City from David Martin on Vimeo.

Revival...

2009-11-18T06:53:00.001-07:00

A Prayer For Revival
By Bessie Porter Head

O Breath of Life, come sweeping through us,
Revive Thy Church with life and power;
O Breath of Life, come, cleanse, renew us
And fit Thy Church to meet this hour!
O Wind of God, come bend us, break us,
Till humbly we confess our need;
Then in Thy tenderness remake us,
Revive, restore, for this we plead!
O Breath of Love, come breathe within us,
Renewing thought and will and heart;
Come, Love of Christ, afresh to win us,
Revive Thy Church in ev’ry part!
O Heart of Christ, once broken for us,
’Tis there we find our strength and rest;
Our broken, contrite hearts now solace,
And let Thy waiting Church be blest!
Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
While harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting;
Equip Thy Church to spread the light!

Lack of Love...

2009-11-16T14:58:00.006-07:00

Christians do so much to mess with our own persona its not even funny. We say and do things in the "name of God" (me included) that are hurtful to those around us. Usually we say or do these things based out of our own insecurity toward what we know to be true but unable to share it.

2 points for us to remember...

1. Study to show your self approved (2Tim 2:15), have a good rapport with those who are not of the faith (1Tim 3:7). It is important to "know what you know" so you can give a good solid answer to those around you. If you don't know then say so...don't let pride get in the way.

2. Love (to many verses to post them all) Reach out to those around you in love and not judgment...they already feel enough no one really needs anymore. This really combines the first one as well...have a good rapport with people. If your flesh (like mine does) gets in the way then apologize and try not to make room for it again.

Why do I post this...cause most of the world has a very dim view of those of us who are Christians and love God. We tend to not be helping ourselves (or God) reach out to those around us when we do not act (truly act) like our Heavenly Father and reach out in love.

There is a huge push in the Atheist movement to get billboards out that promote who they are and what they believe. Here is a sample of why they are doing it, the responses they get from it, and how they view the religious.

Read the post then read thru the comments and you will begin to see how we have messed up...it is time we change our approach...after all the father ran to the son that went and spent all he had!

Just a little depressing...

2009-11-16T13:07:00.001-07:00

Wow...I think that is all I can say.

US Debt

Best Birthday Ever...

2009-11-06T21:47:00.002-07:00

I love my wife and kids and thank God for them always...they blessed my heart very much on my birthday this year. My crew of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders overwhelmed me on Wednesday night at the end of service by presenting me a card that they had signed...it was hard not to cry after that one (thanks guys)!

However Thursday night I recived a phone call from someone that is just about the most important person in my life that I have little to no relationship with (yeah I know weird statement) but this person has a huge impact on my life...I will explain.

I was born Nov. 4th 1972...my biological father died 3 months prior leaving my mom and I all alone. Here is where a young lady comes into play and has an affect on my life till this date. She is my mom's pastors daughter and needs a place to live so she decides to live with me and my mom and moves in around the time I was born.

I have pictures of this person holding me and playing with me and even dressing me up as saint nick...I also have pictures of her putting me in the vegetable drawer of the fridge! She ment to stay with us for 3 months and it ended up being 3 years...and I thank God for her being there to help my mom and I thru a very tough time in life.

Thursday night 11.05.09 Kelly, my mom, Chris and Bobbi Brooks where all seated around our dining room table (I really love these people) doing what we do best when we get together and that is make fun of ourselves and laugh! Mom's phone rang she answered, said a few words and handed the phone to me...once I figured out who was on the line wishing me a happy birthday I had to step out side to keep it together.

...Sharon thank you so much for helping me and my mom 37 years ago...thank you for being Gods hands, feet and heart...you made a difference.

For only 25,000.00

2009-11-06T08:42:00.002-07:00

A little slice of speed heaven...

A kit car...I spent the other day putting together a race track for Colton's birthday and I figure this would be a good kit for me to put together next!

Robotics

2009-10-28T11:59:00.002-06:00

Robots have come a long way in the past years...

You can go here to see the whole story!

Good Book to read

2009-10-27T12:35:00.003-06:00

If you get the chance and you have a heart for Israel please read this book...
You can find it here.

I like this one

2009-10-24T18:24:00.003-06:00

Little Things

2009-10-21T11:28:00.004-06:00

The last two days I have had God do his normal and keep me and my kids safe...here is what happened!

1. almost hit a deer...Driving along a road I normally don't go down and all the sudden I get this feeling of "Slow Down and Stop" so I let off the gas and look around. No one is on the road with me it is completely empty except for the two deer standing in the ditch. The one jumps and runs right away...the next one does the stand and look at cha as ya slow down. At this moment I thought he aint moving, however I still have this feeling to stop so I do. Right before I stop the last one in the ditch comes scrambling out and misses the car by a couple of feet...Thank God for the Holy Ghost!

2. almost had a truck hit me...Dropped Colton off for school this morning and on the way home I notice this truck backing out of his driveway, please know it is raining pretty good at this point. The guy stops and I suddenly get this feeling of "slow down and stop" cause then he suddenly pulls out...if I hadn't slowed down he would have hit me!

Man I thank God for keeping me safe in all the little things.

I was not there...

2009-10-17T18:22:00.002-06:00

But if I had been I would have blubbered like a river...

This story is amazing it is long but very moving.

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Been a while

2009-10-11T16:06:00.002-06:00

Well it has been a while since I have updated my blog and all I can say is it has been a busy few months. All I can really say is I have a greater love for my family than ever before.

My heart goes out to the Bakers with the loss of a son, brother, husband, and father. I would have to say that I feel the most for three little girls that just lost a daddy (kinda hard to type this when crying). Kelly the kids (Chayse, Colton, and Connor) had the honor of helping Cristina with her youngest child...needless to say she was loved and prayed for much!

I can relate a little on 2 levels with Brian and Cristina's children 1. is the obvious and that is being a dad to three wonderful children. 2. is being a son who lost his dad before he got a chance to know him, this is the level that hits me the most. However when I hit this point I am comforted to know that our Father said he would be the Father to the Fatherless. With that truth in hand I know that those three little girls will be taken care of by Him...thank you Father for your faithfulness!

Once again my heart is deepened for what God has blessed me with in the form of my family and friends...I am so thankful for those who are in my life!

The End of Time...

2009-08-21T14:16:00.001-06:00

NOOOOOO...Dont Do It!

LOL...who knew?

I chucked a little...

2009-08-16T20:33:00.003-06:00

I am pretty sure I threw up a little in my mouth at the site of this "food" (if you can call it that) item.

Fool’s Gold Loaf Sandwich

A loaf of hollowed out bread filled with creamy peanut butter, a jar of grape jelly, and a pound of bacon.

Time to move on...

2009-08-13T10:12:00.003-06:00

Its time to move on in 2 ways...One is the last post finally got an answer to it...LOL thanks Becky. Two found this picture and I have to say it kinda makes ya think a little.

Are we being the light we should be...I do like the sign because I have ran into a lot of people who are turned off by the way Christians have acted. However we all know that some people just want to be offended...and we all know people who are offended.

My question stems around this sign...are we trying to reach out and lovingly understand or are we just doing the "my way or the highway"! I realize that it is not the funnest thing to sit down with someone who is angry or offended cause it takes a lot of work, but who needs the Dr. more those who are healed or those who are hurt?

Take some time and love all...not just those who are easy to love!

Simple Answers...

2009-07-31T13:38:00.002-06:00

I have to say this is the way I would have answered the question posed

New Sleeping Bag...

2009-07-25T20:49:00.002-06:00

Purpose

2009-07-13T12:41:00.000-06:00

It reads “Corporate Purpose To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-Fil-A.

Chick-Fil-A / S. Truett Cathy Founder

hhmm not to bad of a Corporate Purpose I guess!

She did 1800 miles in 6 days...

2009-07-06T12:29:00.005-06:00

Tuesday June 30th rode to a campsite out side of Redfield SD…not the one we wanted cause the road was torn up. Good camp site none the less…wind was nasty this day for travel then when we camped it stopped and out came the bugs!

Wednesday July 1st rode to the campsite at Pactola Reservoir in the Black Hills awesome site!

Thursday July 2nd hooked up with my brother but first I took Chayse to see Mount Rushmore…she was amazed. Rained on us so we went back to camp after a late lunch with rich but it was a good day all in all!

Friday July 3rd rode out to Devils Tower with the kidos…and went back to camp after stopping and letting the kids throw rocks in the river for an hour!

Saturday July 4th made our way out of town and ended up in Huron SD…awesome night! Stock car race and fireworks as well as a swimming pool!

Sunday July 5th rode home…got to see a lot of cool stuff on the way back! Love hanging with my girlie! We rode thru a small town that was celebrating there 125th year anniversary so she got to see all the horses and tractors and we went thru literally a few minutes before it started so the whole town was waving at her!

Big moments from trip…hugs, arms flapping in the wind, the singing, the laughing in my helmet, buffalo to close for comfort, prairie dogs, deer, and an awesome riding and camping partner…Chayse!

The biggest thing is to go at the kids pace...not yours...not a time to pull the iron butt out and bust out a 1000 mile day. Most of all...STOP AND HAVE FUN! This trip did a lot for me to chill out and take my time. We literally spent an hour in Spearfish Canyon throwing rocks...then when we got to Huron SD on the way back we went to the races and watched the fireworks!

WOOHOO Monday is almost here!

2009-06-12T09:53:00.002-06:00

The 3rd Monday in June! So everyone remember ride to work!

7 Reminders For Building Children

2009-06-11T12:38:00.000-06:00

by S. Truett Cathy, Founder and Chairman of Chick-fil-A

1. Every child I know who overcame long odds and grew into a responsible adult can point to an adult who stepped into his or her life as a friend, mentor, and guide.

2. Don’t be too concerned that your children don’t listen to you. But be very concerned that they see everything you do.

3. Be so consistent in your discipline that you’re boring.

4. Stop arguing in front of your children.

5. You may think children have outgrown the desire to be rocked to sleep at night. They haven’t.

6. Children will never believe in the covenant of marriage unless they see you living it with their own eyes.

7. How do you know if a child needs encouragement? If he or she is breathing.

* Excerpts taken from Cathy’s 2004 book: It’s Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men

Unity Central

2009-06-08T10:14:00.000-06:00

The quote below is from: "We Must Have Unity" By Wesley L. Duewel

"The home is central to spiritual unity.
- He who speaks critically in public usually speaks even more critically at home. - He who seeks to domineer in public has the habit of wanting his or her own way at home. - The person who causes friction in public usually sulks at home, pouts at home, or makes wounds at home by sarcastic and cutting remarks. - The person who fills the ears of the public with gossip and criticism usually says even more to the people within the home. - She who poisons the thoughts of the neighbors or the church usually fills her own home with poisoned air from her unsanctified mouth."

I have to say I agree with the statement "The home is central to spiritual unity." It all starts from home and moves out to the world from there!

Can you see that "love" is the first key to "unity" that then brings the "power".

1Co 13:13 And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Wow love not faith is the greatest...then after the love comes:

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

With the unity or one accord...then comes:

Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Then the power. However it all starts with "The home is central to spiritual unity.

ooh well just some rambling by yours truly!

Disappointment...

2009-06-07T08:58:00.000-06:00

That word is huge...and very powerful. Do not let yourself be swayed by disappointment, only be moved by what you know to be true! Well what is true...the word of God! He makes statements about you all thru the word like blessed, healed, whole, loved, purposed, destiny, called, and chosen!

However we let something come in and control us that should have no control over us at all...disappointment! This little bugger shows up in unfulfilled expectations that we either put on ourselves or on others. Then when it doesn't happen when we think it should we get disappointed and start down the path of offense.

If we keep our focus on the word of God and understand timing we will be alright!

Arkansas Trip...

2009-06-03T10:42:00.002-06:00

Just realized I only took this picture while on my trip to Arkansas...not to sure if that is good or bad?

What I do know is I had a very good time from hanging out with old friends (Kevin, Susan, Nate, Evan, Jake, Sheena, Trent, and Jess) to all of the new friends that where made!

I have to say that the "pig roast" was a high light! Thanks for the hospitality Jackson family!

The one thing that really struck me was seeing those that I have watched grow up now doing what God has called them...I felt pretty stupid cause all I could do is sit and stare in awe!

The trip was fun but seeing them blessed me the most...thank you Father!

Always wondered why...

2009-05-18T19:10:00.001-06:00

Doesn't PETA throw red paint on this guy? Yeah I know overlook the fake stash and just go with the image...

I am having an idea...

2009-05-15T08:20:00.002-06:00

hhhmmm...not sure if I should do this or not? However I like the Neapolitan look to it!

Because we all love details...

2009-05-07T08:31:00.001-06:00

5.6.09 Trip to Chicago to help Bryce pickup bike
Left in the morning at 5:00am and arrived back home at 11:20pm. Good trip got rained on twice. Had to deal with the sun after one of the rain storms and that was pretty blinding! Here are the details:

892 miles total (could have just put another 108 on and called it an Iron Butt...LOL)

Overall Avg. 51 miles an hour

Moving Avg. 61 miles an hour

Max speed 86

Total Time 17 hours 22 min

Moving Time 14 hours 40 min

Stopped Time 2 hours 41 min (take account that 45 min is not in that total because the GPS was turned off while I ate dinner)

22 gallons of gas where used (I did fill up at home for free so that is the extra 4 gallons of gas)

41.35 was the cost of the trip all gas (Bryce paid for dinner...THANK YOU!)(Who cares about all the tolls?)(Actually I do…but there is no way to figure it out)

892 miles/ 22 gallons = 40.5 miles to the gallon

hhmm...interesting.

2009-04-29T08:12:00.001-06:00

The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
--Plato (427 BCE- 347 BCE)

New Idea...

2009-04-26T19:55:00.003-06:00

I love this concept...if you have never heard of it give it a "look see"! I want to buy a few pairs just to support them...not sure if I would keep them to wear (just not my thing) but then again I am game for anything new!

With that in mind I love this fellas mission statement:

One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about.

Combining this mission statement and about 3 hours of good conversation with a great friend and someone who really is way smarter than me...I feel challenged! I want to come up with some thing that will help a little more than what I have. Don't really know how long it will take don't really care just want to start pushing myself beyond (not to sure what that means).

Here is an idea to run with...did you know that 1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to clean drinking water and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation...how about a "one for one" idea with bottled water?

How would that work?
What would be the drawbacks?
What would be the positives...despite the obvious one!
What would need to happen for it to get rolling?

Is anyone brave enough to try...not sure that someone isnt already doing this...is anyone brave enough to fail and move on?

Used this last night...

2009-04-02T05:57:00.003-06:00

Had an awesome service to kick off the month of Purity here at DYM (Driven Youth Ministries) used this this quote from C.S. Lewis to help talk about Lust and how to Leave Lust Vegas.

Christ--the Only Complete Realist

No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of the German Army by fighting it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of the wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yield to temptation, is the only man who knows to the full what temptation means-the only complete realist (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).

Blast from the past...

2009-03-30T14:12:00.003-06:00

wow this was awhile ago...July of 1994 to be exact! Somewhere between Minsk and Berlin. The train that we are on had started on the China boarder 7 days earlier...lets just say we where happy to roll down the windows to air it out a little!

This is calling me...

2009-03-25T22:04:00.004-06:00

wow...this is really calling me right now. I think I need a little break from things. By things I mean the weather more than anything. But a good God break would be nice to do the same thing He did and "separate" myself for a little time of prayer and communing with Him!

It is a pretty road...

Quit stealing my coffee cup...

2009-03-24T16:13:00.002-06:00

hhhmmm pretty good idea...i guess.

Some more changes...

2009-03-18T08:30:00.006-06:00

The "snack shop" is gone...welcome to the "west side"! Yeah I know all the funny puns and slang that go with that but hey if you know the building it works!

Still interesting how people are so resistant to change, man they can complain when it starts and while its going...and yes usually as it ends they come around to it.

What I dont understand is how we are so resistant to it. I mean it was 5:00 am just a few hours ago and now it is later in the day...that's change...shouldn't we be used to it? On the other hand if nothing changes people complain about that as well...hhmm wonder why?

Change is coming!

2009-03-11T16:50:00.004-06:00

Here is the new logo on an old wall...things are changing in DJH.

Makes me wonder why do I hold onto the old "suddenfire" name?

My Weekend...

2009-03-09T19:40:00.006-06:00

This is where I spent my weekend...had a wonderful time just figured everyone needed to see where I was. Got to perform a wedding for a wonderful couple Erik and Laura Wegener. She always wanted a destination wedding and was blessed to have one!

It was a beautiful wedding that is without a doubt...I had an awesome time with my best friend, whom I am very thankful is apart of my life...I don't know about any of the other ministers out there but every time I perform a wedding all I can do is a self examination, all that I can say is "I am very thankful for Kelly"!

If you want to see more pictures of the weekend either wait for Kelly to post some on her site or pester her for more pictures...she took them so she can be proud of what she did!

Love those in your life!

...posted by the "boy friend" inside joke...we will let Kelly explain!

Questions...random but questions anyway!

2009-03-02T19:48:00.003-07:00

Just kinda wonder sometimes why we tend to go to far...or is this to far? I also wonder how does this person fly? What does TSA make them do to get on a plane? How much weight did this add to the person in question?

What does there mom and dad think? What do I think...aww what do you think?

okay i am done for now...not being mean just wondering!

I passed...

2009-02-25T13:42:00.001-07:00

Created by Train Horns

Shared in Prayer the other day...

2009-02-18T11:12:00.001-07:00

I did not share this...but I assume Pastor Ray Kelly did in our morning prayer here at LWCC:

Revival ceases when Christians lose the spirit of brotherly love. Christ will not abide with people in a revival any longer than they continue to exercise brotherly love.

When Christians are spiritually on fire, they feel this love and they call each other "brother" or "sister." But when they grow cold, they lose this attachment to one another, and then calling someone brother or sister seems silly and they stop it. In some churches they never use such names; but where Christians are awake, they naturally do it. I never saw a revival where they didn't. But as soon as this love fades, the Spirit of God is grieved and departs from among them.

A revival will decline and end unless Christians are frequently reconverted. In order to remain in the spirit of revival, Christians need to be frequently convinced, humbled and broken before God-"reconverted." Many don't understand when we speak of a Christian being reconverted. But during a revival a Christian's heart is likely to crust over and lose its exquisite delight for divine things; unction and victory in prayer dwindle, and then the Christian must be converted again. He will impede the revival unless he passes through the process every few days.

No one I have ever worked with in an awakening could consistently manage the revival without going through this process of brokenness once every two or three weeks. Revivals often decline because if becomes impossible to make the church feel their guilt and dependence, in order to break them before God. Pastors, understand this, and learn how to soften the church and break yourselves when you need it, or else Christians will become mechanical and lose their fervor and power to prevail with God.

Peter went though this when he denied the Savior. Through his experience of surrender that followed his denial, God prepared him for Pentecost. I am surprised that "brokenness" is a stumbling block to some pastors and people who profess to know Christ. They invite Christ's rebuke, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?" Until some of them know what it is to be broken, they will do little for the spiritual growth of others.

The above excerpt was taken from page 180 of Lectures on Revival by Charles Finney.

Faith Manifested...

2009-02-12T18:08:00.004-07:00

Here is Chayse and the newest addition to the Shirley household...Chrissy!

I have 3 quick things:

1. I am all boy thru and thru...was the only boy growing up. Did not and still kinda don't get girls...but I now get this! I am so happy I was able to be there when this whole thing went down, I know Kelly would love to have been there but as a dad let me just say a few more things make sense!

2. American Girl does an amazing job of customer service! I am still amazed at how much of an intrest they took in Chayse and helping her pick out a doll. For all the girl knew who helped she was just out with her dad and dorky brother! But this lady walked Chayse thru it all and I have to say I am amazed! The lady that checked us out was just as helpfull. Then the young lady that helped Chayse pick out the doll came back over and sat down in the middle of the store with her and spent 20 minutes helping her get it out of the box and walking her thru how to care for the doll!! All I have to say is "worth the money"!

3. I walked away from today with a better understanding of this verse 1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge! I made a big deal out of Kelly's B-day (and learned alot) so we made a big deal out of today with Chayse (and learned so much more)...with that in mind we are making a big deal out of the 15th of this month as well...for a couple of reasons!

DO NOT MESS WITH THIS LITTLE GIRL!

2009-02-11T20:51:00.001-07:00

All I have to say is Do not mess with this little girls faith cause when she puts her faith to something she gets it.

Should have learned from when she was younger we where in a FAO and looking at stuffed fish that she was totally in love with!

We played with it while mom shopped then when it came time to be done I looked at the tag and saw how much and said "No Way"...needless to say she did not! She didn't pout or throw a fit she just thanked God for it...and 2 days later in Arkansas on a trip to see grandma and grandpa a total stranger walks up and hands Chayse the exact stuffed fish!!

Now to today...she has wanted an American Girl doll for some time and I have not seen fit to buy one (same reason as before $$). So today she gets in the truck after school with her bag of Valentines and a red box from AG and in this box is a gift certificate to purchase any doll of her choice!!

This little girl never complained or whined about not having what she wanted she was and always has been happy with whatever she has been given...a big key in my book!

Do not mess with this little girls faith! Makes me wonder what she will believe for next?

I Miss that smile...

2009-02-10T05:25:00.002-07:00

I have learned a long time ago there is not much you cannot do if you put your mind to it...however having your best friend around sure makes it a lot funner!

I do miss that smile...not the little one he is still here being a goober...I miss my best friend!

Yes she is in Jamaica on a missions trip and "no" I do not have some huge revelation of how good she is (I already knew that) and how inept I am with out her...cause that is not the case.

Wow that sounds calloused but it is not meant to sound that way...my heart is this...I miss my best friend, and all that she brings to my day! God brought her to me and she is the best helpmate a man could have.

25 random things, facts, habits, or goals

2009-02-05T20:28:00.001-07:00

1. I really love my job…yes Jr. Highers are the best so much potential!

2. Both of my shoulders will pop out of place if I move just right…really fun in the middle of the night…to many dislocations over the years, also what ruined my baseball aspirations!

3. When I play any game and I need to focus I sit in a “catchers” stance…I know I am weird but hey if it works…then don’t mess with it!

4. My real dad (biological) died before I was born…I have never seen a picture or meet any of my relatives on his side of my family…you could say there is a little hole there!

5. I use humor to deal with tough stuff…see number 5!

6. My “real” dad (the one who came along at age 4 and raised me) is the most awesome person ever, he has his faults…but I thank God that he came along when he did so I could have someone!

7. I have rebuilt: a 68 camaro from the ground up new engine and everything, a 68 Boss Camaro from the ground up, a 72 right hand drive 280Z from Japan, a 72 Dodge Adventurer, a 58?? Or something 2 and a half ton flat bed International and getting ready to add two bikes to the list.

8. I absolutely hate pro baseball…absolutely love college baseball!

9. I despise pro football…and try not to religiously follow college football!

10. When I was a kid I stole about 800.00 worth of lumber from a construction site…with the 72 dodge adventurer…do not ever do this!!! The wood was for a Half Pipe…yes we lied as to where we go the lumber…man we where dumb!

11. I used to run a mile in about 6 minutes without breaking a sweat…I thought it was a big deal?

12. I threw three runners out to end an inning in baseball 11 times…once I did it in the first inning of a game and that team did not try to steal the rest of the game.

13. I do not do anything half way…ask Kelly.

14. In 8^th grade I dead lifted 515 pounds and set a record that I think still stands…don’t quote me…there where only 4 people who lifted as much or more 2 seniors, 1 junior, and 1 of my 8^th grade buddies!

15. I had perfect attendance all thru school…yep that’s right I was that fella…never missed a day of school!

16. I played the trombone in Jr High and some of High School.

17. I enjoy being alone…but like having people close by…if that makes any sense?

18. I love being outdoors.

19. I watched my dad cut a tree down (after telling him I thought the truck was to close) and land it on the front end of the truck…man that sucker bounced!!

20. I have fallen off of a tractor while it was moving and bounced off the brush hog it was hauling in the process…to this day my dad still doesn’t remember it…that’s why he just kept going and did not stop!

21. I worked on a golf course growing up and would play 3 to 4 rounds a day…did this for 3 years, lowest score 62…all I remember about that round was it was the only eagle I have ever shot…hole #8 Mountain Home Public Golf Course!

22. Favorite color is blue…don’t know why just think it is the best!

23. Wanted to be an underwater welder…good money…short life span!

24. Have way too many ideas for motorcycle trips!

25. I hate lists!!!! Because it reminds me of work…I have to live off of them other wise I will not get anything done, so to make a list that doesn’t involve work just irks me!

B-DAY

2009-01-31T10:32:00.002-07:00

Yep its her B-day today...I love her cause she is the best!

Nuf said!

Sitting here thinking...

2009-01-29T21:14:00.001-07:00

Its one of those nights where I am sitting up reading and thinking and started to remember the pain in my shoulder (yes Kelly is doing the "sleepy time Barbie thing) and why it got to be very hard to keep up with baseball!

I grew up throwing a lot of baseballs meaning I was a catcher for most if not all of my career. Then came the day I dislocated a shoulder...spare ya the details...and we will come to today! I played in 3 games of Dogeball against the Sr.High class at MCA today...first time I have thrown anything in a while and man my arm is sore tonight!

Which is why I post this picture of Connor and I on stage as I play bass and he dances along...and all I can think is maybe I want him to learn to play all these instruments and not get injured in sports?

Yes I know I will stand in faith and cover all my kids and thank God for there protection...but I still am thinking!

Powered by Qumana

Not to sure about this

2009-01-29T13:14:00.002-07:00

Cannot figure out whether this is a "wow" thing or not...

Chickens solving the riddles of the human heart!?

Very cool...

2009-01-28T15:26:00.005-07:00

I would really like to have a back drop / stage setup like this:

Kinda like this bike

2009-01-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

Honda's attempt at a straight out of the box chopper...heart and soul is a VTX 1300 engine! Not sure why they didn't put a bigger engine in it? Kinda wonder how it drives is my big question.

Oh well if you want to bless me with one...I am game! I promise I will put it to good use!

Just a Little Crabby...

2009-01-24T08:50:00.006-07:00

For Kelly this year I am determined to make a big deal that her birthday that is this month (Jan 31st). You might think big deal...but for me I was raised with a mentality that "it's no big deal here is your gift now lets move along".

However for her it was always a big thing. Over the years she has come over to my way of thinking...which is not the best so we are going to find some middle ground.

So I am determined to change that a little...so last night we went "crabby" Kelly loves Snow Crab Legs so I made her a special meal just to kick off the "week of Kelly" as I will call it! I have realized that it shows you care...when you "show" you care!

Not that I am thinking of getting one...

2009-01-23T10:47:00.003-07:00

And not that I have a problem with them...but I don't think I would want to hear these words coming from the person who was "doing", "performing", "giving" (you can tell I have no idea) you a tattoo...

“Eagle? I thought you said BEAGLE”
“I bet you can’t tell I’ve never done this before”
“Oops…”
“We’re all out of red, so I thought I’d use pink”
“Boy, I sure hate it when I get the hiccups! Don’t you?”
“There are two O’s in Bob, right?”

Yes I found these somewhere else...just thought they where funny!

Entomophagy...anyone hungry?

2009-01-23T07:05:00.003-07:00

The practice of eating insects is called entomophagy
Most insects are edible. According to eatbug.com, there are 1,462 recorded species of edible insects. And they're quite nutritious. For instance, 100 grams of cricket contains only 121 calories, less than half of beef.

A cricket contains only 5,5 grams of fat, compared to 21,2g of beef. Beef contains more protein (23,5g - a cricket 12.9g) but the 100g of cricket also contains 5,1g of carbohydrates, 75,8 mg calcium, 185,3 mg phosphorous, 9,5 mg iron, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin.

Spring and Summer are coming...hhhmmm maybe a new reason to be excited. Or a way to cut the grocery bill!!

Red Light and Gods Grace

2009-01-20T15:44:00.002-07:00

Kelly and I where sitting at a red light the other day, we where on our way home from a "hot date". As is the custom when we are alone in the car we tend to talk which has been helped by the fact that we live farther away and it is a good time to catch up!

So we had just left the restaurant and where sitting at the red light talking up a storm when I saw a green light and rolled on thru...only to then notice that the light for us was still red and it was the next one down the way that was green!

...I thank God I am still here to type this!

Would you be...

2009-01-15T23:04:00.002-07:00

Would you be...

Willing to reach out beyond yourself to help someone you despise, fear, maybe even hate or just don't understand?

Willing to reach out to someone who despises, fears, hates or just does not understand you?

I am on a feeling kinda "JV" kick...you know when you think your something big then someone else comes along and what they are doing is so "out" there your pretty sure you don't measure up! Now we don't compare callings...please understand that...but I am not sure I have the "moxie" (did that word for you Kevin and Dave) to do what I see certain people do for God.

Here is one of the folks I am talking about...Jim...I pray for him all the time and I do not even know him! I thank God that someone has been called by God to reach out to someone in need!

Hopefully this inspires...that is the goal...lets let the world know that God loves them and as Isaiah said (fred rendering) "God is not at wrath with man anymore"!

Here is what happened today...in the past!

2009-01-12T09:21:00.001-07:00

1773 - The first public museum in the U.S. was established in Charleston, S.C.

1896 - H. L. Smith took the first X-ray photograph. It was a hand with a bullet in it.

1915 - The U.S. House of Representatives rejected a proposal to give women the right to vote.

1932 - Hattie W. Caraway, a democrat from Arkansas became the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

1964 - One month after Zanzibar became independent, the ruling Zanzibar Nationalist Party was overthrown in a violent coup.

1991 - A divided Congress gave President Bush the go-ahead on the Persian Gulf War.

1998 - Nineteen European countries signed an agreement banning human cloning.

Interesting story...

2009-01-08T20:11:00.003-07:00

Somehow ran across this tonight, do not really promote R rated movies but this bit of history telling is right up my alley. http://www.defiancemovie.com/

A SIMPLE QUIZ

2009-01-07T10:57:00.004-07:00

Do not remember where I found this quiz...no I did not come up with it someone else did. But it does make you think!

The following small quiz consists of 4 questions; it is intend to determine whether you are qualified to be a professional.

The questions are not that difficult. The answers are beneath peak!

1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference, all the animals attend except one. Which animal does not attend?

4. There is a crocodile-infested river with no bridges. How do you manage to get across it ?

1 - THE Correct answer: open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door. (Simple enough?)

- This question tests whether you are doing simple things in a complicated way.

2 - THE Wrong Answer: Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant, and close the refrigerator.

THE Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out of the giraffe, put in the elephant, and close the door.

- This tests your prudence. Practicality: good sense in managing practical matters. Tendency to avoid risk: a tendency to evaluate situations carefully so as to avoid risk. Frugality: careful management of resources

3 - THE Correct Answer: The Elephant! The Elephant is in the refrigerator!

- This tests whether you have comprehensive thinking.

OK, if you did not answer correctly the last three questions, this one may be your last chance to testify your qualification to be a professional.

4 - THE Correct Answer: Simply swim across it. All the Crocodiles are attending the Animal Meeting! I hope you got this one correct. Don't be frustrated.

According to the statistics of Andersen Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of professionals failed the exam. How did you do?

been busy...and blessed!!

2009-01-06T20:53:00.002-07:00

I know I have no excuses but i have been really busy doing a lot of nothing over the last few weeks with Christmas vacation and all with the kids! Soooo...

1. had a great Christmas

2. loved hanging out with my kidos

3. happy to be back in the swing of things with everyone back in the office

4. really, really, really wanted to drag the bike out and go for a ride today...21 and sunny...not as warm as it looked!

ooohhh well here we go...bring on 2009 cause it is going to be BLESSED!

My Boys are old school...

2008-12-26T10:08:00.005-07:00

I have to say that there is not much on TV that I really want my kids watching...so with that said we watch a lot of TV sometimes...HUH!

Like Batman...from the 1960's not to sure what to make of myself but I just don't want my kidos feeding on all that junk!

Kelly and I where talking tonight with some friends about the stuff we grew up watching like the "Smurfs" and someone made the point that smurfett was actually a spell that gargomel cast on her...weird!

Then one of the ladies pointed out that Smurfett would make comments like "so do you like what you see there boys"...just not sure I want my boy starting to think that way?

Maybe I am weird...I dont know...you can say well you watched it and turned out just fine! True but I also dealt with a lot of junk growing up...oh well just trying to protect my kidos! Maybe I am being a little over protective...?

I was told not to...but you know me!

2008-12-23T17:12:00.002-07:00

My sister in law gave Kelly and I a good laugh today...she pulled a muscle in her foot working out at a hip-hop class (this is not the funny part) this is the part that I really feel for her on!

So we pickup what she needs from Walgreens and bring it to her along with some food. She writes us a check for what we picked up for her and off we go! Then we go do some running around with the other fools that are out shopping today.

Stop at the bank to deposit a few checks to which the teller says she cannot deposit one of the checks cause it is not made out to us...what? Kelly and I are trying to figure out what she is talking about...until we get the whole deposit back we see that Leslie has made the check out to Walgreens instead of us...this is what we laughed at.

Yes we laughed pretty hard...not at her pain...but just a silly mistake! At this point I knew how much pain she was really in...sorry wessie!

Jake this is for you...

2008-12-20T17:02:00.004-07:00

This could be long and hard...

2008-12-20T13:04:00.003-07:00

Saw this pic today and all I could think of was riding out west...going to have to focus on having fun in this wintertime mess!

I took chayse skiing a year or two ago...probably time to do that again! We also have an awesome hill to go sledding on by the house...the boys will eat that sucka up fo sho!

So instead of standing next to my bike at 7000 feet in California taking pictures...I will be enjoying the snowy mess!

And having fun!

2008-12-19T07:23:00.001-07:00

I love it when mornings look like this...man God is good!

just dont get it!

2008-12-17T09:37:00.003-07:00

I grew up down south in the great state of Arkansas...yes i know insert jokes here...and really never dealt with the cold weather like I have since living up north.

But what I don't get after 15 years of living up here (yep 1993...wow still feels like yesterday) is how you can wear a jacket in to church because it is sooooo cold out...then leave it at church when you leave?

Did the cold air not hit you the same? Are you just so covered by the glory of God that you feel no evil (aka: -4 below). Or where you in such a rush to leave you just forgot?

Ohh well one of the mysteries of the universe...yes I did just blame the coat epidemic on the universe!!!

Maybe its global warming?

Interesting...

2008-12-14T09:36:00.002-07:00

Not to sure about the accuracy of this below...but it still rings true!

Bill Gates Advice For Kids

Bill Gates recently dished out at a high school speech about 11 things that he did not learn at school. He talked about how feel-good, politically correct teaching was created to a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

RULE 1:

Life is not fair – get used to it.

RULE 2:

The world won’t care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

RULE 3:

You will NOT make 40 thousand dollars a year right out of high school. You won’t have a vice president with a car phone, until you earn both.

RULE 4:

If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. He doesn’t have tenure.

RULE 5:

Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping they called it opportunity.

RULE 6:

If you mess up, it’s not your parents’ fault, so don’t whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

RULE 7:

Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent’s generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

RULE 8:

Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they’ll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn’t bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

RULE 9:

Life is not divided into semesters. You don’t get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself… Do that on your own time.

RULE 10:

Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

RULE 11:

Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.

all in all it makes more sense in this day and age to quit the whining and just get after it!

made me cry

2008-12-09T20:39:00.002-07:00

Driving to an event tonight with Kelly (my smoking hot wife) and my son colton. We are listening to some praise and worship and colton asks for one of his favorite songs from his favorite albums. We start with these songs...Take It All, From God Above, and From The Inside Out
Take it all is a fast moving song and so is From God Above to which he loves to "rock" out and play air guitar to. Then comes the song From The Inside Out...a nice slow song to worship God to! These words are what I hear coming out of his mouth...with his little hands raised worshiping God.

I tell you all I could do was worship God with him and cry...

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Chorus 2x
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out

Good Food...

2008-12-06T08:14:00.005-07:00

So last night I got to go out to eat with 1 person I absolutely love and adore (yes God was with me...but He is always with me)(think a little more fleshly) yep you tagged it my wife. I also got to hang out with a couple of just plain old fun folks...Dustin and Chrissy!

Chrissy saw this Italian joint featured on the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives show and wanted to make the treck! So from our neck of the woods (St. Michael / Rogers) we made our way over to White Bear to eat at:
When we got there it was nice and busy (good sign) and we immediately ran into a few folks we knew (Bryce and Lonaiah) so I knew the food would be good. Lets just say good place to eat and will be visiting it again!

Came home to this...

2008-12-02T16:54:00.003-07:00

This little fella is my youngest boy...his name is Connor.

This goober smile is what I came home to tonight. I love him with all my heart and thank God for him everyday...he is a blessing!

Great Trip

2008-11-30T20:09:00.002-07:00

Had a great time this weekend got to see new family, old family, new brothers, good drive and some awesome college football!

But this weekend was this little fellas B-Day...5 years old. He has grown up so much over the last few years but this picture is how I will always remember him, cause this is what he does the best!

His mom did a great job of telling her side...I really like her!

Heading out for Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T10:15:00.005-07:00

Get to take the family down to KC for Thanksgiving...should be a good time!

Wish I was riding my motorcycle instead of a 3/4 ton suburban :(

Dinner and a Movie...

2008-11-24T14:13:00.003-07:00

Sunday night at the Shirley's a little dinner a little movie, man my wife is awesome!

Christ Is The Treasure In You

2008-11-19T23:08:00.003-07:00

This from Joseph Prince...just thought what he had to say was good.

2 Corinthians 4:7
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

The verse tells us that we have “this treasure” in earthen vessels. Who is the treasure? Christ! Who are the earthen vessels here? You and I! Thank God the treasure is in the earthen vessels.

My friend, Christ the treasure is in you. So don’t get frustrated when you see your “earthiness”. You will always be “earthen” as long as you are in your mortal body, but remember that Christ the treasure is in you.

Should you lose your cool with your spouse or children, remember that Christ in you is your patience. When I feel impatient, I don’t pray, “Lord Jesus, give me patience... now!” No, I look to Jesus and I say, “Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are my patience.”

When family members can see the patience of Christ manifesting through a naturally impatient person, God gets the glory.

Perhaps you are frustrated with your smoking and drinking habits. Or maybe you are discouraged by your feelings of jealousy, distrust, bitterness, depression and defeat. Don’t condemn yourself for being earthen. Don’t try to “cast out” your earthiness. Just realize that you have Christ the treasure in you.

The more you see that treasure in you, the more Christ’s brilliance shines forth in you. And in the midst of your earthiness, God gets the glory as you yourself are transformed from glory to glory! (2 Corinthians 3:18)

- keep thinking as I read this "it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance"! Thank you Father that you are in charge and are my strength in every area of my life!

Lets Leave the Food...

2008-11-18T19:54:00.004-07:00

Lets talk about something a little more manly! Here is what I want to do with the two bikes I have sitting in my garage...

More food related theme...

2008-11-18T07:08:00.000-07:00

I now feel the need to get through this list...100 Southern Foods You Absolutely, Positively Must Try Before You Die.

I found this at the best blog site EVER...got to give credit to whom it is due!

I do not plan on dying however the food sounds awesome. Here is the plan...hop on the bike maybe take a few friends or pick up some on the way and eat my way through the south!

Any takers?

Sticking with the food theme...

2008-11-17T19:03:00.003-07:00

This was my dinner for the evening...thanks to my beautiful wife. As you can tell it is all gone!
This is Connors take on dinner eat a lot and wear a little!

2008-11-16T18:47:00.001-07:00

the snake

chayse
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Just noticed...

2008-11-15T21:25:00.002-07:00

I just noticed how many posts that are out there about food. I know Kelly has one and so does Evan and Nate and theirs is not even nice cause it points out what we all are looking forward to...THANKSGIVING!

Wonder who else and how many more posts will be out there about food before and on thanks giving day?

Saturday Morning Breakfast...

2008-11-15T08:49:00.003-07:00

Woke up this morning thinking about french toast...man it has been awhile since I have made it. So I rolled out of bed headed to the store and got the Hawaiian Sweet bread and made the best french toast ever!

Well maybe not ever...but it sure hit the spot this morning!

Crazy Coffee...

2008-11-10T08:12:00.005-07:00

This animal helped make my coffee...I know just follow along with me, or him I guess!

This animal eats the ripe coffee cherry and then produces this...

Yes it is the poop from said animal and this makes the most expensive coffee in the world and this was where my coffee came from...anyone want to name it?

Sorry Jake...

2008-11-08T15:51:00.001-07:00

35 - 40

Don't worry he gets it...as does anyone in Alma.

Sorry guys.

Mrs Maril saves the day...

2008-11-08T08:13:00.003-07:00

Ahhh... Miss Maril, Kelly's aunt that lives down south...and is ever faithful to send birthday and Christmas presents in the form of gravy mix. I have a great love for this woman...and yes I am trying to butter her up for more later on in life!

At any rate it is always nice to have something that takes you back to the times you grew up!

soooo thanks to Miss Maril!

Welcome back...

2008-11-06T21:40:00.002-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen the great Jake Schlegel is back after a little leave of absence. So make sure to post on his site give him the love he deserves!

Jake...Kelly and I have been married since 1995 that doesn't make 20 years its only 13 years! we however have know one another a lot longer than that!

And for some odd reason I cannot get a certain memory out of my head. The time I stuck you out in center field on the last game of the year for a sub-section game (it was a big deal we win we move on...we loose we don't move on). All I was worried about was you then in the middle of the game you tracked down a fly ball that was well out of your reach...but somehow you caught it!

Good to see you obeying God!

Ladies and Gentlemen...Jake Schlegel he is a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a man who loves God with all his heart, and a man who passes out after giving blood...hehehe, sorry i still laugh at that!

It was totally Wicked...

2008-11-06T11:55:00.005-07:00

Got totally blessed last night and got to go to the theater with my wife. It was awesome...I like movies like "The Incredible's", "HoodWinked", "Bugs Life", "Toy Story" and you get the picture. This story proved just as good, I had been told it was a good story but after seeing it...I am impressed!

However it has been a while since I have been blessed to go to the theater and see a good show...the last very impressive thing I have seen was in 1994 while I was in St. Petersburg, Russia I got to see "Swan Lake" by the Russian Ballet Company...wow that was impressive!

So last night Kelly and I got to go (shout out to Nate and Leslie for giving us the tickets) I knew Kelly was a little apprehensive from the get go but she is always a good sport and ended up having a great time.

If you get the chance to go...go!

Read Kelly's experience here:

Good day for a ride

2008-11-03T19:45:00.003-07:00

Got to go out and take all of today off!!! Woohoo for me...put on about 400 miles and left the house at 8:00 AM and got home at 6:00 PM.

My sleepy buddy!

2008-10-31T16:50:00.002-06:00

So this is what happened the first time...i was sitting and my buddy Colton crawls under the table and lays down on my crossed legs. A few minutes later I notice the snoring...so I get up and leave him there to nap. It was a pretty funny thing to see

Until...

Then a day later he does it again...I love my little sleepy buddy!

Birth Days...

2008-10-31T07:31:00.005-06:00

In a few days its this little fellas B-Day...

Man I love this little fella!

Old pictures...

2008-10-25T19:30:00.003-06:00

AAhh...the old egg on the spoon game, being played by one Katie Ferdig (aka: Smith) who is now a Leader in Driven Jr. High. It is so cool to watch people grow! Had a great conversation with her tonight and found out she ran a half marathon a few days ago and is planning on running in the Twin Cities Marathon next year!
She has grown into an amazing woman...i know Kelly and I are proud of her!

The love of my wifes life...

2008-10-23T08:08:00.002-06:00

Here it is...i know i bet you where thinking you would see a picture of me or one of the kids maybe even one of her siblings or a dog...but no it is 32 ounces of Diet Coke.

I know it says diet pepsi...but she loathes diet pepsi!

wow i just realized that i come in second place to a liquid!

This is what I married...

2008-10-21T12:29:00.002-06:00

I showed you the other day what my lovely wife had to put up with in the man that God brought her way...well here is the beautiful site I got to see each morning!

Man that was awhile ago!

I still have to find the picture of when my hair was really long!

Its this little girls B-Day!!

2008-10-19T07:36:00.004-06:00

Today she is 9 years old...where did the first nine years go?

with mom

with dad