The place to be.......

In my 27th year...

2011-11-04T15:57:00.004-04:00

Today, on my birthday I began to think about what age 27 as been like for me, and it was awesome! As I look back over the last year it is difficult to find any one big thing I regret. Of course there are areas that didn't go perfectly as I see them, but as far as regrets...well...I am good!

In my 27th year I have successfully trained for, and completed three Sprint Triathlons, read several great books, and had amazing people speak into my life, contributing the amazing personal growth, and even incorporated a brand new non-profit organization in North Carolina! How could my 27th be any better? How could any year be any better?

Guess what.

Year 28 could be just that, as I train for a marathon and, at least, an international distance triathlon! In addition to this, Living Hope Camping Foundation (my non-profit) is on track to gain 501c3 status and award its first scholarships the summer of 2012! As much as I loved 27, I have a feeling 28 is going to be even better!

By 27! Sorry to see a great year go, but happy to see a year that promises to be just as good, if not better, arrive!

P.S. I posted several months back about the "My One Word" idea. This is an idea that is similar to a New Years Resolution, but yet so different. When I found the correct word, which for me was 'calm', I truly did remember this word, and was able to improve my thought process in tough situations and events.

I highly recommend picking one word for the entire year in 2012, instead of a resolution. However, you WILL forget this as quickly as you forget a resolution if you don't put serious thought, and prayer, into picking your word for 2012. Start thinking and praying now! Choose one word to clarify your vision for your life in 2012.

Guest Post: Pastor Josh LeRoy

2011-10-06T22:46:00.004-04:00

Pastor Josh leads a great ministry in Ashboro, NC that helps give under-privileged children and teenagers the opportunities they otherwise would not have. I have requested the Josh write a brief letter explaining his ministry, the positive affects one week of camp has on these young people, and the financial struggle his organization must go through to get them to camp.

Living Hope Camping Foundation, Inc. will support this fantastic ministry allowing them to continue great work without needing to spend so much time paying for camp. Enjoy!

Dear Friends,

My name is Josh LeRoy, and I am the director of a ministry called The Bridge Project. In our ministry, we seek to build relationships that cross the race-divide. Some of the most important relationships that we have built are with the young people in our community. Many of the boys and girls of our community do not have a lot of exposure to the natural world. We seek to remedy that. I sincerely believe that the best thing we do is take groups of these kids to summer camp. Getting these kids into the woods, and into the presence of adults whom are affirming and caring has been irreplaceable. Kids have constantly come home more at peace than before. All of this in a matter of five days!

That said, fundraising remains a challenge. Working with young people, whose families are in a financial bind, means raising several hundred dollars per child. Grassroots fundraising have proven to be our best avenue for attaining our goals, that said, we have come up short on occasion. In fact, this year we came up some five hundred dollars short. Other sources of revenue, outside of the private sector, would allow us to more readily meet our goal, if not expand our goal considerably. Thank you for your interest in this matter.

Thanks,

Josh LeRoy

Winning

2011-09-29T21:00:00.004-04:00

I believe winning matters. If you know me at all, you know that I am competitive, and I want to win! However, I also believe that winning isn't everything. While watching Cool Running Irving Blizer said something that sums up winning:

"If you aren't enough without it, you'll never be enough with it."

As much as I love to win, this is so true, for two reasons:

1) Winning all the time isn't success.

2) Life is much deeper.

On number 1)

When people train, prepare, and strive for success they are, of course, striving for victory but how many successful people have won at everything they do? I am sure their are a few who seem to win at everything, but the big winners lost a lot before they won. Why would I say this? How else do you learn? How else do you get better? If you have never lost, never failed, and never struggled, you have never challenged yourself to be more and do more. You may win at everything you do, but are you really getting better? Or are you merely maintaining of bare minimum life? I say, if you want to do BIG things you need to fail. You need to LOSE a few! Should you try to lose? NO!!! Never try to lose, do your best and honestly evaluate your mistakes and weaknesses. By pushing yourself to new levels, you can trully reach greatness and and, ultimately, success. Honestly evaluating yourself and suscepting yourself to critismn is tough, but it is very worth it! Most importantly, you can't think of failure as a negative, but as progress, and finally, simply winning cannot be the reason, life is bigger than that.

On number 2)

Life is about so much more than anything you and I can win or be successful at. Think about everything in your life more important than earthly winning and success. At the top belongs God, family, friends, etc. If what you desire to win at comes before things like this you hvae a problem because if you don't win in these areas, winning anywhere else doesn't mattar one bit! Once your priorities are in the correct order you can focus on winning in business, sports, games or anything else you can think of.

Keep striving to win, Keep challenging yourself, Never be afraid to fail but always learn and grow, and most importantly, ALWAYS win in the important areas of life before focusing on the others fun and sometimes necessary parts of life.

Cool Runnings Clip

Camping and Connections

2011-09-22T11:48:00.005-04:00

Hey all,

I know it as been awhile since I have posted, sorry. But I have some updates for you about the progress of Living Hope Camping Foundation, Inc.

The mission of Living Hope is to provide summer camp opportunities to underprivileged children and teenagers throughout North Carolina. This is central to the mission of Living Hope and diverging from this mission will only increase overhead and reduce camping scholarships. However, one problem with summer camp is the lack of effective follow-up after camp. I maintain, strongly, that one week of camp can, and does, have a profound affects on many campers lives, but I would be lying if I said the system is perfect. With that in mind I now reveal a new, but consistent with the mission, part of what Living Hope will be, and is, all about:

Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, often says, "The local church is the hope of the world." I really believe this to be true. In fact, I believe the church can help solve many problems facing our world today, and has failed to reach its true life-changing potential. Living Hope will seek to change this by finding passionate volunteers from area churches, particular in our cities, and send our scholarship children to camp with these volunteers (properly background checked). The representatives will attend camp with the kids allowing them to build relationships over this one week. Living Hope will cover the costs of camp for the volunteer.

This one week of camp is only the beginning for both the volunteer and the campers. After camp this volunteer will continue to build relationships with the kids/teens and their families. The ultimate goal being to connect our inner city, unchurched, families to local churches through these volunteers. It is said, and just check this on linkedin.com, that you are only two or three connections away from someone famous, with influence, etc. By connecting these kids, and families with a faithful member of the local church, they will automatically be networked into opportunities for family, career, and spiritual growth. By simply sending kids to camp we will be able to see entire families come to Christ just like in the early church!

As of right now the priority for Living Hope is gaining 501c3 status. Please email livinghopefd@gmail.com if you desire to help Living Hope in anyway. With your help, we can create needed positive change economically, spiritually, and in many cases, provide better family values in our inner cities and beyond.

Check out our new website!

Living Hope Camping Foundation

2011-07-22T11:35:00.002-04:00

About two years ago I had a vision for a Inner City Christian Camp servicing Central North Carolina. This camp was going to provide an outdoor summer camp to kids from underprivileged families. I love summer camp and have a passion for seeing ALL kids get this fantastic opportunity from a Christian perspective. I was planning this camp for awhile, even to the point of having others edit my business plan. It was really cruising along but I realized that, while I was serving the right people, my love for camp was getting in the way of God's plan. God would have me use my experience in business, my business degree, and my experience and passion for summer camp in a different arena. This arena is a summer camp scholarship organization, one by the name of: Living Hope Camping Foundation, Inc.

A scholarship foundation servicing NC Christian camps meets the needs of the people I want to serve much greater. Why? The budget expenses for a summer camp would only allow a 15-20% scholarship allocation for a camp that would not be able to provide camp, with excellence, for a significant number of years. The budget for Living Hope will allow for much greater scholarship numbers, numbers as high as 55-70%. In the early years Living Hope will likely allocate 55 - 60% of donations toward scholarships, or camperships, with this allocation increasing as fundraising requires less (approx. 20% of budget for a start-up non-profit) and as Living Hope develops an Emergency Fund. Basically Living Hope simply offers much less overhead costs, while supporting great Christian camps, already providing summer camp with excellence.

Whats Next?

The biggest and most significant next step is 5o1c3 status. With this status Living Hope will achieve tax-exemption, and donations will be tax deductible. Once this milestone is reached Living Hope will be able to really begin charging into the future! Their are several small steps that must be done, including, but not limited to:

Pray unceasingly

Open a bank account

Begin a relationship with a lawyer/accountant

Learn from other non-profit leaders

Build relationships with camp directors and ministry leaders

File for all necessary certificates, etc.

Marketing (such as developing a website and business cards)

Form a board (At least three people before filing for 5o1c3 status)

The 501c3 process does take awhile to complete, but the goal for Living Hope is to provide camperships to campers in the 2012 summer camping season. The summer of 2012 may not be a large summer, campership-wise, but it will be a fun summer, and a great milestone in the life of Living Hope Camping Foundation. If you desire to help Living Hope Camping Foundation, Inc. in any way please connect to me through our facebook page, using the link below, while the website is under construction.

'Like' Living Hope on Facebook!

Animal School

2011-06-23T19:37:00.002-04:00

Excerpt from "Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life" by Charles Swidoll as read in "Leadership Gold" by John Maxwell.

Once upon a time, the animals decided they should do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. So they organized a school.

They adopted an activity curriculem of running, climbing, swimming, and flying. To make it easier to administer, all the animals to all the subjects.

The duck was excellant in swimming. In fact, he was better than his instructor was! However, he only made passing grades in flying, and was very poor in running. Since he was slow in running, he had to almost completely stop swimming and stay after school to practise running. This caused his webbed feet to be so badly worn so he became only average in swimming. But average was quite acceptable, therefore noone worried about it-except the duck.

The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because he had so much makeup work to do in swimming.

The squirrel was excellant in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of the thr treetop down. He developed charley horses for overexertion, so he only got a C in climbing and a D in running.

The eagle was a problem child and was severly disciplined for being a non-conformist, he beat all the others to the top, but insisted on using his own way of getting there!

Who would you hire?

2011-06-16T21:37:00.002-04:00

A king was in need of a new chauffer to drive his limo for him. He lived in a beautiful castle on top of a mountain. To get to the top, the driver would have to wind around hairpin curves with no guardrails. Three potential drivers were applying for the job and were being interviewed by the king at the castle.

The first man said, "O king, I am a very experienced driver, and today as I was coming up here I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like for me to drive your car. Why, O king, you know those sharp curves on the way here ... the ones with no guardrails? Why, I could drive 60 miles an hour and come within a few feet of the edge, but no one could get you here any quicker or any safer than I."

The king then called in the second man who said, "O king, I couldn't help but overhear the first man. And I want you to know I have been driving for over 30 years, and I tested those hairpin curves. Why, I could drive you up here going 75 miles an hour, taking you within inches of the edge. I would throw gravel all over the hillsides, but you would feel perfectly safe with me."

The king then called in the third man who said, "O king, I couldn't help but overhear the first two guys, and to be honest with you, I am not half as qualified. And to tell you the truth, as I was driving up here today and noticed those curves, they scared me to death. Why, if I were to be your driver, I would crawl up this mountain and would drive as close to the mountian as I could.

Who did the king hire? The drivers represent us and the road our lives. Many professing believers drive as close to the sin line edge as possible, as why why God does not seem close to them.

Domestic Staffers vs. Dogs

2011-05-20T12:11:00.002-04:00

I read the following transcript from "Authentic Faith" by Gary Thomas and this really makes you think about your life and priorities. This is by no means a political statement so please do not take it that way. This is in fact a personal statement for everyone, including myself, calling us to continually evaluate our priorities in how we spend our time, money, and love.

If you walk through the wealthier sections of Los Angeles, two things mark the prosperity: dogs and domestics. Rosa Diaz came to the United States from El Salvador, at the time I write this, less than a year ago. As a housekeeper, Rosa is struggling with her humble situation. "It's still very strange that I;m doing a job like this," the well-educated young woman told reporter Doug Saunders. "I once thought that I would end up having a domestic worker, but now I am one."

In addition to following Rosa the domestic, Doug also followed Custer, a Los Angeles dog owned by a sucessful Hollywood screenwriter. The comparisons are astonishing.

Rosa's salary is such that she can afford just $50 a week toward rent, so she shars a small two-bedroom apartment with three adult women. Custer was staying at Canyon View Ranch, "a canine spa, boarding retreat and training center that advertises itself as a 'country club for dogs'." This pet luxury comes at a steep price: Custer's owners pay $70/day or $490 a week for the privilege-almost ten times the cost of what Rosa pays for her lodgings. Custer's owners explains, "It cost a little more, but it menas that when we go away we can truly have a vacation without guilt. Just ask the dogs-you can tell how excited they are when they come here."

Rosa get $225 a week to work from dawn until late evening. Some domestics get paid more, of course. A few do get $450 or even $500, but Rosa also knows of some who start out at $80 to $100. Compare this to your average dob walker in Los Angeles, who is typically paid about $200 a week.

Rosa's tight salary allows her to spend about $50 a week on groceries. Custer eats pretty well. Though the "standard" Canyon View Ranch meal contains lamb and rice, most owners leave special instructions. A Canyon View worker explains: "We get every kind of special food request you can imagine, and then some. We get vegetarian diets, and raw foods, and we get up to six supplements at a time that have to be crushed and mixed up and blended. And some people want the food heated up." Several owners also ask for "dog gravy" to be poured over the top of the dog's dinner.

Custer's owner explains, "The joy of golden retrievers is their wonderful personalities, but the downside is that they are known for their sensitive stomachs. We have Custer on a special diet and it costs us a pretty penny."

Custer is treated to a monthly $40 shampoo; Rosa makes do with a bottle purchased at a drugstore. Los Angeles dog owners typically pay $100 a month in vet fees, even for healthy dogs. Rosa's salary doesn't include any insurance, medical, or dental coverage. Custer gets to ride in a car or limo; Rosa rides to work on the city bus. Saunders ends his article with a report of the Los Angeles Times coverage of the trial of a California man charged with killing a woman's small white dog in an act of road rage. In the aftermath local residents were furious, and they raised $175,000 to find the dog's killer. This unleashed several weeks' wourth of front page stories on animal abuse.

The day before this story broke, Saunders notes, the Human Right Watch released a report of their own, challenging the "widespread physical abuse and economic mistreatment of thousands of domestic workers in diplomatic households." Not a single Los Angeles paper chose to carry it.

We certainly need to care for animals and creation, afterall God made man the caretakers of his creation. However, AS INDIVIDUALS (including me) we need to show love and kindness to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Many are discouraged because the problems seem so big and one person just can't fix the problem so we do nothing. I recently viewed a sermon from Andy Stanley at Northpoint Community Church in Georgia in which he says, "Do for one what you want to do for everyone." I love that line! No single person can solve any one problem but we can be a part of the solution. We can only do so much but I will finish by saying:

Do for one (or two, ten, 100, 1000....) what you want to do for everyone.

Grace

2011-05-14T18:06:00.003-04:00

My church, newhope, in Durham, NC is currently in a series called, "The Grace of God." It sounds simple, and in many ways it is, but it isn't. About a month ago I was sitting in my office with a struggling customer. Lets call this person Jordon (for gender neutrality purposes). Jordon was in my office essentially asking us for more grace. To put it bluntly, we were already bent over backwords with our head by our feet. We had very little to no room for more grace. It was at this time that the following thought occured to me:

God has offered you grace time and again without you doing anything to earn it.

I didn't share this with Jordon but it struck a cord. As a Christian we are called to, not only live for Jesus in church and on mission projects, but in all parts of life from work to play. How does the concept of grace apply to me, in an industry built on payment due dates and credit? I know a couple things:

1) I need to incorporate grace into all areas of life, including work.

2) At work I represent a business, and in this business sometimes you simply need the payment.

In order to come to an answer to how to balence the need to follow Jesus while supporting business I can only turn to the bible.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish.

1st Peter 3:9

Obviously, this is primarily refering to the ultimate salvation for you and for me. God wants to extend His grace to you through faith, made possible through the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. I believe this verse can be extended to apply to us in finance. God is willing to wait and be patient with us to see and hear His message, so I should be willing to wait and be patient with customers such as Jordon, because I should not desire for anyone to lose their vehicle bacause of lack of payment.

According to this last passage we should continue to be patient and let people pay at their own convenience no matter what, because after all God has given us a LONG time to hear His message and to be saved. The bible says, in many places, that God will judge the world.

When the Son of Man caome in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on the throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people from one another as a shepherd separates the sheep and the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.......He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Matthew 25: 31-33, 45-46

God will eventually judge the world and, despite not wanting this, many will perish. In business, particularly finance, grace can be given, but eventually we need a payment. We cannot sustain a business without enforcing the contract. I make every effort to help people, and I should never desire a customer be repossessed because my customers are indeed people with needs and lives of their own. Eventually, just like God will not be able to wait any longer to judge the world, in business we need to make often hard decisions in order to sustain the business. God is concerned about our eternal destinations, so He can, and has, given us years, decades, centuries, and milliniums to come to faith.

This same concept can be applied to the finance world, just on a very abbreviated timeline. The consequences must happen eventually, hopefully, even when consequences must be carried out I can do it with caring and love, as to not hurt the kingdom of God, and the person's eternal home by representing Christ poorly.

P.S. We were able to work with Jordon, and this person is doing just fine.

The Dash

2011-04-27T19:22:00.002-04:00

The Dash

By Linda Ellis

It matters not how much we own,

the cars, the house, the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash.

Someday your grave will include two years and a dash.....What will have happened in your dash?

Tuned vs Calm

2011-04-14T11:51:00.002-04:00

Over the last few years the New Years Resolution as become, and is becoming, less and less popular. Replacing this idea is the "My One Word" philosophy. This year I chose one word to focus on throughout 2011 and that word is:

Tuned

I selected this word because I want to be more in tune with God, Family, Friends, and even random people whom I cross paths with in work and life in general. This idea of being in tune does NOT mean I want to immediately know the desires and needs of everyone all the time. That is unrealistic. I have always respected and admiring people who have a quiet leadership about them. The people who are amazing leaders but aren't necessarily speakers. These people lead by listening and identify and/or clarify solutions simply by listening and knowing when to speak. I believe this to be an important skill and a biblical skill:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

James 1: 19-20

The book of James is full of amazing resources speaking about this very topic and I highly recommend reading this book, as well as the book of Proverbs. There is a very important reason this topic is written about in the book God breathed. This is important but I have struggled with this in the past and I chose the word "Tuned" to focus on and build this trait in me throughout 2011. However, I have discovered that being tuned in this way requires something else first:

Calm

Fortunately the word "Calm" was my second choice for my one word in 2011. I discovered that in order to achieve this skill of quiet leadership I admire SO much, I need a sense of calmness in my life. I wouldn't say I am angry or overly emotional, but I certainly need to work on calmness in hurried and difficult situations. An important addendum to this concept is that I want joyful calmness. Having a sense of calmness is pointless if you will just depress people. I want a joyful calmness in my life and I discovered the calmness is an important requirement to being tuned.

I still will focus on being tuned but this is a 2012 word. 2011 must be focus on calm, a joyful calm present in all areas of my life. I very much recommend this philosophy because one word allows for failure, improvement, and eventual success (on some level) at the conclusion of the year.

Amazing Poem

2011-04-05T11:51:00.003-04:00

Disturb us, O Lord disturb us,

O Lord, When we are too well pleased with ourselves;

When our dreams come true only because

we have dreamed too little.

When we arrive safely only because

we sailed too close to the shore,

when with the abundance of things

we are losing our thirst for more of God;

When in loving time, we have ceased to dream of eternity,

When in our desire to build on the earth

we have lost our vision of a new heaven.

-Anonymous

Triathlon Results

2011-03-23T15:30:00.002-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I wrote that I would share the results of my triathlon and...oops!...I haven't done that yet. Sorry!

The event went fantastic and was a lot of fun. I now understand, more than ever, the addictive nature of this particular sport. Oh well, if addiction is going to claim me, this is a pretty darn good one :)

My results:

Swim - 6:20

Bike - 31:46

Run - 24:56

TOTAL - 1:07:12

In comparison the fastest competitors completed the tri in about 48 minutes! I am a long ways from that kind of time, however, I am thrilled with my time! My goal was 1:15:00.

Running, Volunteering, Encouraging

2011-03-19T10:39:00.003-04:00

Howdy friends!

This morning as been a good one. I won't up early for a 5K in Carrboro but for the first time I volunteered during the run instead of running in the event. It is great to compete but I thought it wold be a cool change of pace to volunteer and I was absolutely right! I am by no means a most competitive runner, constantly competing for wins but I now consider myself a veteran runner. Here are some ways in which you can tell if you might be a runner:

You might be a runner if.....

.....you drive by a runner and wish it was you.
.....you have ever been excited that you are doing one minute miles (while driving).
.....you know what it feels like to be cold, sweaty, and warm at the same time.
.....you have ever needed a fix, but are not refering to drugs.
AND FINALLY:

The thought of signing up for a 401K is just too daunting a task for you.

Funny stuff aside the part about volunteering I loved the most was looking into a tired runners eyes and saying, "Keep it up, your doing great, your almost there!" It is SO rewarding to see these runners get encouraged and find the energy to keep going and complete the task before them. I remember when I ran my first 5K and I too was very appreciative and encouraged by these volunteers and I am honored to help someone else meet their goals in fitness. For all you runners out there; keep running, but if you haven't volunteered try it on a weekend you are not competing and encourage the runners, especially the ones struggling or even walking. Just being a tiny part of reenergizing someone is great!

Triathlon!

2011-03-09T16:39:00.002-05:00

A few months back I included in a post that I was training for a triathlon. Well.....the time is here! On Saturday I will complete my first triathlon. It is exciting and maybe a little nerve-racking too but I know it will be a fantastic experience that will bring a sickness to me, a sickness called tri-fever :) I would say the only thing bad about the tri being saturday is the fact that training this week is too light! I want to go out and get in some nice workouts but I know that I can't workout to long :(........maybe that is a sickness in itself? lol As much as I would love to say I am going to go out and win this event, don't expect that, My start time quite late relatively, because of my slow swim time, but no worries I plan to do some serious passing on the bike and on the run.

I will certainly let all of you know the results of this triathlon and I am sure I will be competing in many more to come, so for now I leave you with a very appropriate verse for the day:

Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Hebrews 12: 1-2

Greatness

2011-02-16T08:13:00.002-05:00

"Greatness is not a function of circumstance."

-Jim Collins

Last year I attended a conference in which one of the speakers was Mr. Jim Collins. I thoroughly enjoyed his talk. Jim Collins as given many talks, and written many books, about the topic of greatness, mostly within the business world. A couple of his main topics include: How to become great and how to stay great.

One of the most important parts of any Jim Collins talk/book goes back to the quote above, Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Simply put this means that it doesn't matter where you are born, to whom you are born, or what financial class you were born into. What matters is having a desire, passion, discipline, and vision for a particular goal. In order to be successful and become great (yes there is a difference) you must find your vision and figure out where you have the ability to be the best right now. Not where you can EVENTUALLY be the best, where you can be the best. I keep going back to this mans speaking and writing as encouragement for my own endeavors. Mainly Living Hope Camping Foundation.

Living Hope is my vision for the future to provide the opportunity for underprivileged youth to attend local Christian summer camp in the their area. A non-profit seeking to award scholarships for summer camp may seem to some to be unnecessary but I assure you it is not.

Take Bethany (Names changed for privacy) for example. Bethany did not come from a poor background, but not a rich one either, so camp was out of the question. Not only was Bethany's family's budget somewhat tight, they were a christian family. All that said, when the local mission provided a summer camp for low-cost ($100 or less) Bethany was immediately signed up and attended camp. Bethany hada great time on the ropes course, swimming in the lake, and even in the archery range, but the biggest impact camp had on her was bible study and praise and worship. Bethany was impacted so much, and learned so much during one little week of camp that, on Thursday, she prayed with me for Jesus to come into her heart. Bethany learned about and accepted Jesus into her heart for the first time through the opportunity to attend summer camp. Where is Bethany now? To be honest I don't know, staying in touch with campers after camp, by a summer staff employee is not a good idea, but I know that she took the word of God and brought it into her home. Even if she falls away for a time, the seed of Jesus was planted in her life during one week of summer camp.

Summer camp is a powerful experience for countless kids and it can bring kids to the word of God, take kids out of bad family situations (sometimes abusive), and give kids positive role models in addition to, or in replacement of, their parents. I have said many times on this blog that Living Hope is going to happen, and that is very true, but the truth is, the flywheel is already in motion. It may not be visible to the outsider, but it truly is cranking, albeit slowly, and Living Hope is always looking for supporters and prayer warriors. Living Hope is coming, Living Hope will provide the camping experience for countless children, and Living Hope is going to do this under the blessing, guidance, and love of a great God in heaven who desires that no one perish regardless of circumstance.

Arizona shootings

2011-01-10T21:16:00.002-05:00

I write tonight in honor of those whom lost their lives in Arizona during the shootings that occured this past weekend. It is truly a sad thing when men and women take their protests to this level. Remember to keep the families and friends of the lost in prayer regardless of the fact that you don't know any of these people. And of course don't forget those who were injured, I pray that these people return to full health soon. As humans we cannot understand what possible good can come out of these unfortunate events or why they are allowed to happen but pray God can use this event to bring someone into His arms and into eternity one day.

When these events occur many pray for the victims, the families, and their friends while also discussing the fate of the perpetrators, however, is this right? Certainly! Or at least the first half is right. Often we forget to pray for the men or women who committ these horrible and violent acts. We must remember that God loves these people too, and that He wants them in His kingdom throughout eternity. I realize concern for criminals is tough, and even tougher when you are close to the victim, but we need to strive to be like Jesus. Jesus forgave the very people who sentenced him to death, beat him in horrible and unimagible ways, and hung Him on a cross. It was these very people of whom He died because of, and to save. I realize Jesus was and is exceptionally good but we must pray for everyone. Remember to include the shooter in your prayers. Remember to pray that God will take this event and bring someone into His gracious arms of forgiveness.

No Worries I'm still here :)

2010-12-22T07:35:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone out there!

I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything. Sorry. I guess I have just been busy training for triathlon season! This is after all my first season of trithlons and I must say, I am looking forward to the experience both this upcoming season and in the future. Training, however, is crazy, but enjoyable. I never thought the words "sleep in till 5:30 AM" or "I'm tired, I need to go for a run," would escape but mouth............ I will certainly keep you all posted from time to time about training, or more importantly, the events :)

An interesting thing happened in this light last weekend. I sat down and watched the end of the Ironman World Championship coverage and I was inspired and even thought maybe someday I will be in Hawaii swimming three miles, biking 112 miles, and running 26 miles consecutively. That, however, will be a day a ways off if it comes at all.

On a different subject. Remember last Christmas when I posted about my crazy 48 hour drive to Michigan? Well I did the drive again yesterday.......And it only took about 14 hours! 14 hours is after all the expected time :) I did see several crazy and unfortunate places along the highway people. Be thankful if you live in Houghton, West Michigan, and the NC Triangle area folks. I saw a lot of advertisments for adult entertainmen, and the buildings are right off the highway. Sad! I realize these places are everywhere, including the areas where I have lived but seriously, at least people hide the places from plain view. That shows at least some shame in the practise of objectiving humans being (only acceptable on Mythbusters :) for the satisfaction of shallow, adulteress pressures pursued outside of marriage, for both singles and adults.

I am not sure how Christians, among others, but particularly Christians, can help eliminate these type of places both where they are hidden and in plain sight but it certainly needs to end and outside of government action. Government action will only create outlaws. We don't need outlaws! We need reform, God was going to save Sodom and Gomorraw for just 10 righteous people, lets be sure the Christians of the U.S. live righteously, humbly, and according to the great commission so God may spare our great land. Any suggestions? I would love any ideas.

Jampot!

2010-11-19T22:37:00.002-05:00

In my previous post I told you about a portion of my recent trip back to Michigan. Included in this trip I went to the Upper Pennisula of Michigan. If you have never been to the good ole U.P. you need to make plans to visit! There are two foods I never miss when I am in the U.P. The first is the Pasty (pass-tee) and the second is Thimbleberry Jam (If you read this thank you for introducing me to this wonderful treat Deb!)

Thimbleberry Jam comes from the little-known, rare Thimbleberry. Why is this delicious berry so unknown? Because it is very tough to grow, and requires a very specific growing environment. Not only is this true, but the berries themselves do not ship well at all. Needless to say, this jam is difficult top find, not cheap, BUT DELICIOUS!!!!!!

How can you get this jam?

The monks in Eagle River, MI of course!

Check out their website:

Society of St. John

During college I had the privilege of attending their Eastern Orthodox Prayer service on Good Friday and later discussing their traditions, etc. with the monks after the service. It was quite interesting, and an experience I won't forget. In fact I remember speaking to the monks pictured on the page linked above, they are very nice.

If you navigated their website at all you probably noticed the store section of the site. You can purchase Thimbleberry Jam from them. The easiest way to find the jam is to use the search feature. It is delicious! And you will be supporting the monastery!

Surprize Birthday Celebration!

2010-11-15T12:39:00.002-05:00

At the beginning of this month, as some of you already know, I took a vacation in Michigan with the fam. This, however, was not your normal everyday vacation. This vacation included November 4th, which in a previous post, I told you all it is my mom's and my birthday! My dad and I did something special this year. We didn't tell my mom I was coming. I felt sorry for dad because it was much harder for him to keep the secret than me. Here is the story:

Around summer my Dad and I began the preliminary steps to making the surprise happen. This of course consisted of scheduling the week and booking the plane trip. Thankfully this was really easy and the tickets didn't cost me much at all because Southwest had a fantastic sale! The next step was finding an excuse for my Dad to use to drive 2 1/2 hours each way to pick me up in Detroit. At first we thought maybe he could say it was a business trip.....but I was coming in on a Saturday...and the whole honesty thing was an issue as well. Thankfully my Dad and Brother (Dean) came up with a great idea. They would take a father-son trip to Cabella's (A great outdoors store that I highly recommend!!!!) while my sister (Jodi) took my Mom on a mother-daughter shopping trip. My mom had no suspicions and the whole honesty issue was gone, unless you count sins of omission... but I think God will be Ok with this one :)

When the time came everything went off without a hitch (including my plane!) and we did have a father-son trip to Cabella's. The real fun began when we arrived at home. I snuck out of the car and hid in the backyard, preceding to call my mom on the phone. When she answered we greeted but then :

"Mom, I am kinda bored, could you send Dusty (dog) out to me?" -Kyle

"NO! I think North Carolina is a little far!" -Mom

"No it isn't, just send him to me." -Kyle

"He cannot have my dog!" -Dean

"Come-on Mom just turn around.) ( stood into view and could see my Mom's back to the door)

-Kyle

"What?" - Mom

"Just turn around?" - Kyle

"Why?" -Mom

"Mom just turn around!" -Kyle

(She finally turns, drops phone, and runs outside)

I think she was happy. After all I hadn't been home for our birthday since 2006, and before then 2001. I did see the parents and brother during college but even that was the weekend before our birthday. Over all it was a great trip with no major commitments, parties, etc. that so often plague trips home. It was great to just a week with nothing to do, a trip to the U.P. and pasties, and Thimbleberry Jam!

Complaining

2010-10-14T07:54:00.002-04:00

Way back in 1996 in 6th grade my teacher (or one of them) told everyone in class about his favorite book of the bible, or at least the one that gave him great encouragement. This book is Philippians. While I certainly saw the wisdom in this book back then, it never really sunk in until much later, probably as late as college. However, this book is, more and more, becoming one of my favorites as time goes on. It is amazing what you remember from your past and sometimes a comment, reading, teaching, etc. that seems minor or simply an add-on becomes memorable. The passage (or couple verses) that as been speaking to me recently is Philippians 2: 14-16.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

What particularly stands out for me is the first line, "Do everything with complaining or arguing." I struggle with the arguing part because it seems like not arguing at all would mean you are rolling over and giving in to any all demands to avoid conflict. This may often work but eventually you will run across a situation where you can't (or shouldn't give in), however, I do believe there is a difference between arguing and standing on principles. In 2nd Timothy 2: 23 Paul continues on this topic writing:

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

I believe what Paul is saying in these two passages is that arguments are a waste of time and should be avoided, however, there are issues and situations that require confrontation.

While avoiding stupid and foolish arguments is certainly something I want to improve on, complaining is the area I need to work on more. While I believe I don't annoy anyone by complaining a lot, I know I have a tendency to complain, whether it be to someone, to myself, or merely silently, within myself. Jesus says in Matthew 6:27:

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

True, this passage is about worry, but doesn't the same consequences apply to complaining? Doesn't complaining include worry as well? I cannot add a single hour, or even second, to my life by worrying or complaining so why do I do it? All it does is waste time and hamper productivity. I want to change this. I want to go through life without complaining about anything. If you see me please ask me, and hold me accountable, to this goal! Instead of complaining, I want to skip immediately to finding the solution(s) or simply let it go, when in a situation that I cannot control (i.e. other drivers, etc.). I encourage others to take on this goal as well. When you are not dwelling on the negativity of complaints it is a truly refreshing way to go through life.

Good Luck!

Gift Giving

2010-10-07T21:46:00.002-04:00

One of the links I include on my blog is link to Seth Godin's blog. Godin is an author, and writes a lot about business. His most recent blog post is thought provoking. This particular post is not going to give many new knowledge, it simply makes you think about your motivations a little bit more. This is especially important going into the final three months of the year. Remember what giving really means as we go through the last months of 2010.

Seth Godin

By Faith...

2010-09-28T12:45:00.002-04:00

Hebrews 11

By Faith

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.

3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he[a]considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring[b] will be reckoned."[c] 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

23By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea[d] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

31By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[e]

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned[f]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

By Faith (insert your name) you ______________!

Read verses 39-40 again and always remember those words. Your reward is forthcoming.

Faith

2010-09-22T22:13:00.002-04:00

Over the last several weeks God has been speaking to me through Psalm 25 in many ways. He has particularly used verses 20-21:

Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in You.
May integrity and uprightness
protect me
because my hope is in You.

Our spiritual enemy puts so many obstacles in our life that tempt us to give in to demands undermining our values. It is our values that our world sees from us, not our intentions or, more often our justification in fact most, if not all, of us are experts at making the wrong thing sound right. I know I can, in fact sometimes the wrong route seems amazing easy and the justification makes it sound perfect. I struggle with this and currently have taken the road less traveled. The path is interesting to say the least but I know the destination will be worth the struggle (which is really not even a struggle, just merely uncomfortable). It is, nonetheless, tempting to turn around and return the the easy road with common rewards. I encourage all of you, and myself, to stay on the course of integrity and uprightness and to pray about the destination diligently and always keep the faith! Remember:

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:1 (emphasis added)

NCAA Prediction Time!

2010-09-02T16:19:00.002-04:00

25 UConn

24 Michigan

23 Oregon St

22 Auburn

21 Stanford

20 Georgia

19 Virginia Tech

18 Florida State

17 Georgia Tech

16 Texas

15 Oregon

14 Washington

13 Arkansas

12 Wisconsin

11 Oklahoma

10 TCU

9 USC

8 Iowa

7 Pitt

6 Nebraska

5 Alabama

4 Florida

3 Penn State

2 Boise State

1 Ohio State

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

1 Ohio State vs 2 Boise State

Champion:

Boise State

ok so maybe I am picking with my heart a little on this one :)

Psalm 16

2010-08-07T21:50:00.000-04:00

Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.

I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."

As for the saints who are in the land,
they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Book Review: "The Last Christian"

2010-08-03T21:39:00.002-04:00

"The Last Christian" by author David Gregory is a interesting, thought provoking novel taking in the future. The year being 2088 when artificial intelligence has reached a point in which humans can receive artificial brains. I know that part of the book is actually....shall we say...cheesy. Anyways, the main character, Abby, feels called to go to the United States from her mission field in the New Guinea jungle and reintroduce Christianity in the United States. The book follows Abby in her quest to reintroduce the Christian faith as she makes huge adjustments into a vastly different and highly technological culture. Included in these adjustments, we read about an already mature and faithful follower of Christ grow immensely in faith with the help of her Grandfather's words and even non-christian supporters.

Overall David Gregory as put together a great novel that will make you think about your life and, if you are a Christian, your faith. However, one area I am concerned about is the fact that the cross of Christ, while not ignored and is clearly made to be an important part of Christianity, is not considered the foundation of Christianity. I am not suggesting that "Christ in You Ministries" (Partners with author in this book among others) is bad. On the contrary, I believe this ministry is doing great work and is, has been, and will continue to do great things for the kingdom of God. I mean seriously, they do preach the word of God, Christ (through the Holy Spirit) does live in us as Christians, and this is biblical. I am simply making sure that anyone who reads this book doesn't make the mistake of ignoring how very important and foundational the cross of Jesus and the need for forgiveness is for Christianity.

The Cross of Jesus after all is the most amazing and wonderful stories and without Jesus' death on the cross it would not be possible for the Holy Spirit to reside in us. I very much do recommend this book to anyone! Read it, take it to heart, think about it, and most importantly read the bible along with the book. This book will make you think about life, faith, and what is important.

Jesus Walks on Water

2010-07-22T22:45:00.003-04:00

Picture from: gci.org

Jesus Walks on the Water Matthew 14: 22-36

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Over the last couple months this story in the gospels as really stood out to me. I love the idea of Jesus walking on water in the middle of storm, but this in only part of what I like. I think about Peter's part to this story. Peter proves himself to be VERY human throughout his time on earth with Jesus. I love this about Peter, because it is easy for me to relate to this kind of character. In this scripture we see something awesome when Peter follows Jesus and steps out of the boat. Can you imagine what the other diciples were thinking? Can you imagine what you would do? Personally, I am afraid I would have said, "Are you crazy, that's water! I ain't getting out of this boat unless it sinks!" Peter, however, steps out of the boat in faith. Yes, he later loses faith and sinks BUT the first thing he does is look up to Jesus and reach! He doesn't panic, he looks to Jesus to save him, and Jesus does. True, Jesus does say, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" But what would Jesus have said to the other 11 disciples who stayed in the safety and comfort of the boat? If Peter had little faith, what kind of faith did they have? I want to step out of the boat, even if I sometimes sink.

I want to step out of the boat but often I stay in the comfy boat waiting for the opportunities to come to me. Eventually of course some do come but what do I miss by staying in the boat? This is what makes me write today. I have made a commitment to step out of the boat in faith and move forward with confidence.

This decision is Living Hope Camping Foundation. Throughout the last year and a half this vision has evolved from starting an inner city camp to forming a non-profit foundation which will send underprivileged kids in mostly central North Carolina to Christian camps throughout the region. I have found the process of learning, studying, and preparing tedious and long. After all the end is the goal, not process is just a means. This tedious and long process can dishearten people because the goal seems so far off. Not only can preparation be disheartening, but storms of life come up in the form of many questions, obstacles, and doubts. These are enough to make you sit in the boat and wait. This did happen with me, I would think about all the issues and preparations for camp and work on it but all I really did was try to delay the action, not because I didn't believe in the vision, but because change and responsibility can be scary. About two months ago I read this story and saw it with new eyes. I saw Peter stepping out of the boat with new eyes and I knew I was one of the 11 waiting for opportunity to come to me.

Upon this realization I reevaluated my vision and discovered, not only was I still in the boat, I was striving after my vision (Refine the future of out children through Christian camps) with something I love (Working at Camp). In reality I can refine the future of countless more underprivileged kids by starting a foundation solely focusing on scholarships (60 - 75 percent of the budget going to scholarships. If I were to start a camp, only about 15 percent of the budget would go directly to camp scholarships. However, changing the operation to better fit the vision is something I can do in the boat. I want to, and need to, step out of the boat and keep walking toward my vision and goals in faith and I am going to start NOW! A few months ago I set a goal to Incorporate my non-profit by the end of August 2010 and to achieve tax exempt status by the end of 2011. I am well on my way toward completing the first goal but please pray for my efforts and pray that I continue to "step out of the boat."

How about you? Are you one of the 11? What opportunity are you waiting for to find you? Join me and step out of the boat. We may.....no will sink. We will have "little faith" sometimes, but it takes more faith to step out and sink, than to stay in the comfort of the boat.

Step out of the boat.

Great Joke!!

2010-07-20T23:44:00.000-04:00

The Athiest in the Woods

An atheist was walking through the woods, thinking to himself,

"How beautiful the animals are!"

"How majestic the trees are!"

"How powerful the rivers are!"

As he walked along the river, he heard rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned and saw an 8-foot grizzly bear charging towards him. He ran along the path as fast as he could, but when he looked over his shoulder, he saw that the bear was closing in on him.

He kept running, but when he looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer. Then he tripped and fell on the ground. The bear was right on top of him with his right paw raised to strike him. At that instant, the atheist cried, "God help me!"

Time Stopped.

The bear froze.

The forest was silent.

A bright light shone upon the man and a voice from the sky said, "You've denied my existence for all these years and have taught others that I don't exist. You've even credited creation to a cosmic accident. Why would you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Are you now a believer?"

The atheist looked into the light and said, "Well, I would be hypocrite to suddenly ask You to treat me as a Christian now, but could you, maybe, make the BEAR a Christian?"

"Very Well," said the voice.

The light went out.

The sounds of the forest resumed.

The bear lowered his right paw and brought both paws together. He bowed his head, and said: "Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive from Your bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen."

Saving Money and Gas!

2010-07-15T15:27:00.007-04:00

In my work in the car financing industry as a loan officer I often see people looking to save money by trading gas guzzler cars and trucks in favor of smaller cars and even Hybrids. These people say it is better for the environment and better on your pocketbook. Both good things right? The answer is an emphatic YES!!!!! However, are these techniques really better for our pocketbooks or is that what the car industry wants us to believe? Take a look at some numbers:

Average Cost of a New Hybrid Car: $23,000

Financing a Hybrid Car with $6000 down, 6%, $350/Month, 60 Months:

Finance - $18072

Pay - $20962

Average Cost of a Used Hybird Car: $13,000

Financing a Used Hybrid with 2000 down, 6%, $357/Month, 36 Months:

Finance: $11,765

Pay: $12,885

Buying a non-hybrid car can often be $5000 less:

Used Tradition Car: $8,000

$0 down, 6%, $265/Month, 36 months

Finance: $8,710

Pay: $9,539

New Traditional Car: $18,000

$2,700 Down, 6%, $356/Month, 52 months

Finance: $16,261

Pay: $18,507

Gas Cost (using $2.75/gallon on a 500 mile trip at 55 mph on generally highways)

-Choose these stats because vehicles keep their best mileage at 55 and lower, and flat highway travel is the best for comparing averages)

Hybrid: 45 mpg, uses 11.12 gallons of gas, $30.56

Tradition: Using 28 mpg, uses 2.68 gallons of gas, $49.11

In other words you will save an average of $19/500 miles, and $570/year by driving a hybrid.

How much do you spend overall, including fuel during and after loan, assuming vehicles are kept for 10 years (Both used and new believe it or not). Cost of car repairs not included, besides oil changes ($25, 4/year)

AND THE ANSWER IS: YES!!!!! Hybrids cheaper even when financed when comparing vehicles kept for ten years. If you finance a used hybrid you must keep it for more than 9 years to save money, while a new hybrid only needs to be kept for more than 6 years to save money.

Hybrid New: $31,130

Hybrid Used: $23,167

Trad. New: $33,732

Trad. Used: $23,732

New Hybrid Fuel Costs

$4584 -During Loan

$4584 -Loan Paid

Used Hybrid Fuel Cost
$2750 -During Loan

$6417 -Loan Paid

New Traditional

$6482 - During Loan

$8250 - Loan Paid

Used Traditional

$4419 -During Loan

$10313 -Loan Paid

Chick-fil-a (The Song)!

2010-07-09T12:41:00.001-04:00

If you love chick-fil-a you will love this song! Actually you might love this song even if you don't like chick-fil-a (if that is humanly possible).

Chick-Fil-A: Tim Hawkins

NASCAR Fantasy!

2010-07-06T12:51:00.003-04:00

2nd Quarter Champion: Kyle Grevengoed

(What do you say I go after the overall Championship!)

2010 Standings

Overall Midseason Standings:

1. Grevengoed, Kyle 360.0

Sinke, Don 371.0 -11.0

Miedema, Rick 412.5 -52.5

Miedema, Debbie 435.5 -75.5

Miedema, Taylor 437.0 -77.0

DeVries, Dan 445.0 -85.0

Drezewiecki, Jeff 450.0 -90.0

Remley, Jeff 466.0 -106.0

Miedema, Kyle 472.5 -112.5

Khodl, Mike 489.0 -129.0

Brower, Kevin 497.0 -137.0

Lemke, Rich 498.5 -138.5

Bendick, Chris 501.0 -141.0

Taylor, Eric 508.0 -148.0

Sneed, Ryan 510.0 -150.0

Hodgson, Tim 526.0 -166.0

Lemke, Randy 548.0 -188.0

Haigh, Lynn 548.5 -188.5

Drezewiecki, Wally 574.5 -214.5

Pfauth, Dave 601.0 -241.0

Johnson Wins at Sonoma....but should he have??

2010-06-20T22:11:00.002-04:00

Hey guess what! An actual post about NASCAR on nascarkyle.blogspot.com! (I think I have maybe had two others.)

Jimmie Johnson captured his first ever (yes folks there was something he hadn't accomplished) at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. The casual observer of this race would come to the natural conclusion that Johnson won the race fair and square, without controversy, with a little help from a Marcos Ambrose mistake. This however is not the case. In 2007 Greg Biffle was awarded a win at Kansas Motor Speedway under caution when he was actually the third lead lap car to cross the finish line. Similar to Ambrose today, Biffle was attempting to save fuel by turning off the engine and coasting. In this process he would fall behind his competitors, only to return to first with the engine back on. Unfortunately Biffle did not get back up to the first spot before the checkered flag, crossing the finish in third. Nascar awarded the win to Biffle. This made many people angry, including me because Biffle clearly surrendered the lead, caution or not. However, when NASCAR made the decision to award the win to Biffle the sanctioning body set a clear precedant allowing this type of action.

Three years later, Ambrose uses this technique and NASCAR takes away the opportunity to win. Was it the right call with no precedants? ABSOLUTELY! But with the 2007 precedant? NO! NASCAR director John Darby was quoted as saying the Biffle situation was different because Biffle's car continued moving and the two cars behind him sped up to make the pass. Sorry Mr. Darby, the situations are the same, and if there is a difference, Ambrose deserved to be restored his position more. At least he had fuel. The only reason Biffle was still rolling at Kansas was because it was at the very end of the race. Ironically the driver that had the win stolen that day in Kansas when Biffle surrendered the lead was none other than Jimmie Johnson.

Thank you NASCAR for once again for your inability to make consistent calls and for ruining an otherwise fantastic race.

Calories and your food

2010-06-18T08:34:00.002-04:00

Hey all,

Its been awhile, I know, sorry about that, but today I have something I have been meaning to blog about for some time now. Recently, in an effort to create for myself a more balanced diet I began counting calories. I have never been overweight or in bad health but my diet wasn't too balanced and this may not have been to negative now but in ten years habits developed and continued now will have significant effects then. At first I was just going to count calories and not worry about anything else, and I don't count up any other areas specifically such as sugars, fats, carbs, etc. but I do pay attention when selecting foods and WOW it can be tough to find food.....or at lease that is what I thought. It turns out there is lots of good food that is healthy. A couple awesome snack foods are Wheat Thin crackers and popcorn (with canola oil, no added butter or salt). In addition to these, when you begin watching calories it is amazing how many foods you can eat just by paying attention to serving sizes. Even Doritoes aren't out of the question. Just add up the calories and eat a serving.

A typical day of food for me will include 2200 - 2500 calories on a non-running day while on a running day I will go up to 2500-2800. I could probably even eat a little more but this allows me to go over every now and then without worry and allows me to be more carefree on the weekend.

Breakfast:

Serving of Orange Juice

Serving of Rasin Bran

Lunch

More Cereal! (But this time a sweeter brand)

Apple (Or other fruit)

I will typically have a soda pop, All-in-all my daytime calorie totals usually end up around 1000 calories.

At night I still have 1200 to 1500 calories to eat! I will typically eat a meat dish, most of the time chicken because it is leaner but will have Pork or beef occasionally with a vegetable side and a glass of skim milk. Usually totaling around 470 - 500 calories.

Obviously you would notice that this doesn't add up t0 2500 or even 2200 and if I only ate this I would be very hungry and malnourished, but don't worry after dinner I may have another snack, I can have a beer if I want, some more fruit, anything that fits into the 700 - 1000 calorie range. The important thing to note is that counting calories doesn't eliminate your ability to eat as long as you eat smart. Fast food is great example. I will not eat fast food a lot because it is a ridiculous amount of calories, most of which are empty. But that said I do eat fast food on occasion, I mean seriously how could I turn down the occasional McGriddle, Arby's Roast Beef, or BK Double Cheeseburger, just eat these sparingly and wisely.

Sand

2010-05-06T15:20:00.002-04:00

-Image taken from: http://www.siestavacation.com

Yesterday afternoon while I was enjoying the beauty and relaxation Jordan Lake has to offer I got to thinking about God's glory seen in creation. I particularly began to think about this by simply holding sand in my hand. God knows about and as numbered every tiny grain of sand and I could not imagine trying to count what was held in my hand much less all the sand in the world. I couldn't help but be thankful and worship God on the beach because if God cares so much to number grains of sand, imagine how he feels about the 6th day creation in which He created in His own image! God is good, All the time.

Honesty

2010-04-19T12:17:00.002-04:00

Lebron James gets the ball and drives up the paint into a layup! He takes the shot.........and scores! James makes a last minute layup to carry the Cavs over the Bulls for the win! Wait....ladies and gentlemen Labron James is arguing with the official! He is saying he traveled??? The shot isn't good? What! The ref calls him for traveling and the Bulls win by one!

Does that sound realistic? No folks, basketball isn't like that. Even honest people know that in B-ball its only illegal if you get caught. If Lebron James, or any other player travels and does not get called they aren't going to say anything. Like it or not this is reality and most likely always will be but not in every sport.

Golf is, and always as been known as a gentleman's game where participants police themselves. The atmosphere in Golf, Tennis, Curling, and I'm sure a couple other sports, is refreshing in a world where you must get caught to admit to doing wrong. Despite the gentleman's aspect of Golf we rarely see such a great example of this reality but this past weekend we got just that. Brian Davis was involved in a playoff for the Heritage tournament win when his club touched a foreign object during his back swing, which is illegal. The trick is that no official saw that happen. While many people may have simply ignored the fact or played ignorant, Mr. Davis called the official over and told him, he was then properly given a two shot penalty. Without the penalty Davis would have won. Congratulations to Jim Furyk for winning the tournament, you deserved it. However, I must commend Brian Davis for showing true integrity where many would choose the opposite route. That is some well-needed good publicity for golf and his decision will payoff with time!

ESPN Article

Take it easy on Stupak!

2010-03-25T13:02:00.002-04:00

Over the last several days Bart Stupak as really taken a beating over "giving in" to the health care bill and being a "babykiller." There have been some serious threats given to this man by those opposed to the the health care reform bill and I need to take some time and speak for the majority of those opposed to the recent passed health bill:

Sorry Bart, most people are civil please forgive the minority who are responding in a very poor way.

Now onto business. I lived in Representative Stupak district for four years and, while I voted in another district via absentee ballot, I did see and hear a lot about the Honorable Representative Bart Stupak both from him (indirectly) and through others (locals, namely Sean Trudgeon). While I disagree with the honorable representative from northern Michigan, I do respect this man and know that he has believed in health care reform of this type for awhile. Rep. Bart Stupak is someone who goes back on his word for bribes and kickbacks and deserves a lot better than what he is getting. Just sit back and think about this. Rep. Stupak didn't give in until the 11th hour, he didn't give in until he got an Executive Order commitment to ensure that no abortions would be funded with tax dollars. It is true that an executive order isn't going to stand up against a law very strong, but it is equally true that Stupak made our leaders give him what he wanted, while others voted for the bill because of bribes and kickbacks. Who should we be mad at? The representative who voted for a bill he genuinely believed in, but did everything he could to protect pro-life initiatives, or the ones who voted for a bill they didn't like, while getting bribes in return? I guess three northern michigan airports did get funding (a lot) but I am confidant this was not why Stupak voted yes. If that was why he would have committed to a yes much sooner.

Take it easy on Stupak, Pelosi needed all the yeses, not just his. Don't attack those you disagree with, evaluate their intentions and rationally tell them about your concerns. That is how things are done in America, with Americans. Sometimes we may need to get more forceful, but against our own countrymen, NEVER!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/03/in_defense_of_bart_stupak.html

2010-03-12T14:10:00.003-05:00

Hey all,

Sorry about the infrequency in posts lately. I haven't had much to say. I guess I could go on about health care legislation, national debt, unbalanced budgets, printing money, and well the list could go on but I don't want to get mad or get any of you mad.......Your Welcome.

Instead of going on and on about politics I am going to leave you with a picture in honor of the warm weather that is coming with spring! For you southerners: Won't it be great to be warm again? and to the Northerners: Isn't cold without SIGNIFICANT snow is pointless! Good Riddance!!!!

Enjoy!

BASEBALL'S COMIN!!!! Isn't that exciting?.......................ok so this photo was actually taken in fall.....but who cares its still baseball!

Beyond A Reasonable Doubt

2010-03-05T15:04:00.002-05:00

Have you ever thought this question:

Would you frame yourself for murder?

I certainly have not and can't say I have any intentions to do so....ever. So why ask it now? That is the tagline of the movie, "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt," and the plot centers on this very concept with a journalist framing himself for murder, for the purpose of a news story! The ethics of using a murder aside, this is a very good movie staring Michael Douglas. In fact Douglas is the only widely known actor in this film (Sorry to those whom I said Martin Sheen stared, my mistake). Their are elements of predictability in this feature but their are enough twists of the plot to compensate for the predictability. Not only are their several plot twists but their is one or two major flaws in the plans of several characters making a great and suspenseful thriller. This movie is worth the watch and I recommend it to anyone, however, the kids probably shouldn't watch this film as it is appropriately rated PG-13.

So would you frame yourself for murder?

Would you if it meant a career boost?

Personally I am going to stick with no, but it is an interesting question ain't it.

Winter Olympics

2010-02-19T00:07:00.005-05:00

The Olympics are awesome to watch and cheer on your country and this year is particularly exciting for me because it is the winter olympics! My favorite sport is curling. I love the strategy, skill, and sportsmanship involved in this game. There are no refs in curling, curlers take pride in the fact that this game is all about sportsmanship, truth, and honesty. Thursday, February 18th provides the perfect example of this unique quality in the match between the U.S.A. and Denmark women. At the conclusion of, I believe the 8th end, the closest stones to the button for each team was a virtual tie. The skip for Team Denmark evaluated the stones and correctly gave the point to Team U.S.A. In many sports, an official would make the call and, if wrong, the party benefiting would be happy, while the other will be angry. Not so in curling, the only time someone other than the participates don't decide the points is when the decision is so close neither team as any idea who won. In this case a measurer uses a special tool to determine the winner, and noone argues. It is SO refreshing to see true sportsmanship.

Another popular winter olympic sport is, of course, figure skating. Personally it is not my favorite to watch but I do watch a handful of performances each olympic year simply because of the amazing skill the sport requires. Of course I always wonder how figure skaters can perform without getting sick.....I mean I get a headache and get dizzy just watching (maybe thats why I only watch a handful......) but the balance, training, and diligence required is crazy and I love to see the hard work pay off for those amazing skaters.

Enjoy this wonderful two weeks while you all watch so many diligent and gifted athletes perform sports at a level rarely seen. And remember, please do not fall into the trap of one of my pet peeves: criticizing any of these athletes for mistakes or short-comings in the games. Even the athletes who make significant errors in their performance are typically performing great. The olympics isn't about bad-mouthing, it is about getting the right to represent your country on the highest level of competition.

Good Curling Everyone!

Cook Out

2010-02-11T13:05:00.001-05:00

Cook-Out is a fast food privately owned restaurant chain in North Carolina. Founded in Greensboro in 1989, the chain has since expanded throughout the state and now has drive-thru restaurants in over twenty cities. Most locations consist of a double drive-thru and outdoor seating^[1]. The restaurant specializes in grilled hamburgers and hotdogs (cook-out style), chicken sandwiches, and North Carolina barbecue. Cook Out is also known for its variety of 44 different "Creamery Premium" milkshakes with choices like "Banana Pudding" and "Chocolate Cherry".

Cook-Out was created in 1989 by Morris Reaves^[2]. He is currently the owner of the company, with his son Jeremy Reaves serving as CEO. As of December 2009 there are 68 locations^{[citation needed]} .

Cook Out has a variety of religious phrases printed on its food packaging. For example, "John 3:16" and "God Bless America" are printed on the cups, "God Bless the USA" and "Galatians 6:10" are printed on the french fry bags, and "THANK YOU GOD FOR AMERICA" and "Psalms 119:165" are printed on the full size bags, but Bible verses vary.

LOL

2010-01-27T21:48:00.001-05:00

Just Having Some Fun!

2010-01-21T22:27:00.001-05:00

Tonight for some reason I loaded this classic song up on youtube. To be honest I don't know if it was made special for "Mary Poppins" or not but I know it was made known by "Mary Poppins." Enjoy this song! I hope you are in a crazy, happy mood when you listen to it, or at least get a crazy, happy mood after listening to it.

I Love to Laugh

Service can be rough, but always rewarding

2010-01-16T10:50:00.002-05:00

Howdy all,

Have I got a story for you! This morning after my quiet time by the water and cleaning the house I decided to walk into Carrboro and go through the Farmer's Market. For any who have never been, the Carrboro Farmer's Market is awesome! It isn't as big in January but still impressive especially for the time of year. Anyways, in the triangle, (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill for you out-of-towners) like any city, you have panhandlers and begger's. I almost never give change to these people for obvious reasons but every now and then someone will ask you to purchase food. In these cases, and sometimes when I am asked for money, I will try to find a gas station or fast food restaurant and purchase some food for the individual. I very much recommend this if you feel comfortable speaking with the individual. This leads to witnessing opportunities and amazing gratefulness in almost all scenarios. Unfortunately this is not always the case.

That brings me to this morning when a gentleman asked me if I could buy him a sandwich or something from a small restaurant. I thought about this and decided to take him down to the gas station on the corner and buy him something from there. I told him the plan and he was very grateful. At the station I found a nice big sweet roll and a banana for him and made the purchase. Upon giving the gentleman the food he proved to not be such a gentleman at all when he started cussing at me complaining that he didn't get the right kind of food. Upon this reaction I knew the best thing to do was calmly walk away a put as much space as possible between us. As I was moving he continued to cuss and flip the bird until he finally threw the food I had purchased at me. A girl came up to the intersection around this time, having seen the end of the tirade and naturally asked what happened. She was shocked when I told her what had set off the man. I said, "most of the time the person is very grateful but every once and awhile you get a lame duck." As we crossed I thanked her for showing up and witnessing at least part of the exchange and we parted ways. As for the guy, well when someone was witnessing he let a few more F-bombs fly as he was walking away and probably went in search for someone to buy him the right food.

I don't tell this story to stop people from serving, but to warn people that service will not always end in thank yous. Sometimes it will end with simple thanklessness, other times (rare) it will end in an ungrateful tirade. No matter how your service ends always remember that your generosity and caring heart will be rewarded eventually, even if it may not be an earthly reward.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Luke 6:35

Psalm 23

2010-01-14T16:46:00.003-05:00

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me besides quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness,

for His name sake.

Psalm 23: 2-3

Psalm 23 is such a familiar psalm that I think the words get lost in the poetry but take a minute to think about and absorb the words from these verses. How often do we try to accomplish a task only to be constantly delayed or stalled? How often does a break from that task seem to make everything better without changing anything? Is this God making us lie in green pastures and restoring our soul? Why not voluntarily "lie in green pastures?" If we did this God would not have to make us lie down. Think about these words. This passage is familiar but this week I have taken this common, under-thought Psalm to a different level. Try it, you will like what you discover.

Picture from: http://dpark.files.wordpress.com

Party Politics

2010-01-11T19:38:00.002-05:00

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada made some stupid remarks about President Obama that was meant to be a complement. In this complement he refered to Barack Obama as light-skined with no negro dialect. Basically everyone knows this and everyone also knows that republicans are coming down hard on Reid demanding consequences while democrats preach forgiveness. The Republicans call the call for forgiveness hypocrisy referring to former Senator Trent Lott and comments he made in 2002.

Whenever someone messes up, his/her party comes to the rescue while the other attacks the individual and the party calling them hypocrites. Lets be honest people, democrats and republicans care about the party first and the country second. Or at least it appears that way. Both parties forgive those in there own party and pounce on those in the other for anything. The republicans are right, the democrats are hypocrites. Of course the GOP are too!

Luke Calhoon: Son of Emily and Kevin Calhoon

2010-01-02T09:39:00.002-05:00

Here is a situation I have been watching for almost a year now and it is great to see it going so well. His story was recently spotlighted at http://www.manyfacesofmoebiussyndrome.com/.
Person of the Month"Luke"

Luke was born at 41 1/2 weeks at 7 lbs 10 oz. He was not breathing well when he was born and so was put on a ventilator and taken up to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He was in the NICU for 3 1/2 months while the doctors got him on the correct ventilator settings and where they clinically diagnosed him with Moebius Syndrome. Luke sees 9 specialists and has been formally diagnosed with Moebius Syndrome. There was a question that maybe there was more because of the breathing problems Luke has Moebius plus something but the specialists determined that all of Luke's symptoms fell within Moebius Syndrome. Luke's symptoms are the facial paralysis and no lateral eye movement. He does not really have a blink reflex but he does close his eyes when he sleeps. Luke has a small jaw and he didn't have a suck or swallow reflex and maybe not a gag reflex at first but now it seems like he is doing all of those at some level. We are working with a oral therapist once a week to help him improve these skills. However, we can't really try to feed him and test these reflexes until he is off the ventilator. Right now he eats through a g-tube but has no problems digesting the food and will take as much as you can give him. He has a trach and is on a ventilator because of poor muscle tone (their best hypothesis). Basically the muscles around his lungs do not allow him to take deep enough breaths to get rid of his CO2 and get enough oxygen. He general has low muscle tone has delayed a lot his gross motor skills. He started sitting up unassisted around 10 months and he is still a little shaky sometimes. It also took him to around 10 months to push up with his arms while on his stomach. He is making progress it is just on “Luke time” as his physical therapist says. He also has club feet which have been corrected with 3+ months of casting, Achilles's tendon clips and now shoes with a bar by the Ponseti method. He is now wearing the shoes and bar only 12 hours a day and has been discovering his feet, which he had not seen since he was in the NICU.

Since Luke has been home he has been getting better exponentially. He is 10 ½ months old and he weights just over 20 pounds. He is now quite a chubby boy and enjoys reading and playing. He is a pretty content baby which helps a lot with all the things he has done to him. He loves to look at his hands and has very good fine motor skills. His dad and I have a hard time copying some of his finger babbling. We have been teaching Luke sign language so that he can communicate with us easier and hopefully get less frustrated. Even this his trach he can make a lot of noise. With all the hurdles Luke has to overcome to communicate he seems to have figured it out pretty well. Luke signs “milk”, “diaper change/toilet”, “mom”, “dad”, “Luke” and I want something to put in my mouth (one he made up). We are working on “more”, “suction” (not many kids need this one but Luke seems to understand it) and “all done”.

Luke had one rough patch this fall which caused him ~1 ½ months of sickness and ended with him in the hospital for a few days to really kick it. But since he has been better he is developing exponentially. Luke was weaning off the ventilator before he got sick and was doing a great job at it. Hopefully we will begin again with the new year! We expect that Luke could be off the ventilator by this summer and are hopeful that his trach will be out soon after that.

Some days are rough dealing with Luke and all that goes with him and hurts to see him with so much life and death medical intervention but then I think that the ventilator and trach will be gone in a year or so and by the time he is ready for school we will have a lot of this behind us and he will be able to run and play with the other kids. Sometimes it is good to look at the big picture and know that Luke will probably not remember much if any of this when he is older. Yeah we will always be dealing with the Moebius issues that go with facial paralysis and eye problems but right now the breathing issues seem larger.

He is the joy of our lives and his grandparents. His grandparents that live near us know how to take care of him and love to watch him for us when my husband and I go out. He is a happy little boy and seems fairly unfazed by all the medical intervention in his life. I have learned a lot about more medical things than I knew existed but boy do I love my little boy who stares at me with his big blue eyes and smiles big smiles with them.

A great picture of me!

2010-01-01T18:02:00.003-05:00

Hey folks, this picture was taken at Bristol Motor Speedway this past year in celebration of, go figure, Mark Martin's 1000th career NASCAR race! I am in this picture holding up one of the red signs. I am above the "The" under the upper grandstand. Pretty Cool!

Invictus

2009-12-22T16:39:00.002-05:00

This movie as been out for a little bit now but I just recently saw it. Going into this movie one of my fears would be, that it would make a similar mistake to most movies dealing with the topic of racism. For example, Remember the Titans was a great movie but with one fallacy. The correct way in many situations in the movie was the "black" way, while the "white" way predominantly failed. Equality among races is not a competition between who's way is right, this is really just another form of racism. True peace and equality between ANY group of people comes through teamwork and discussion resulting in a plan involving many different ideas forming the best plan. Remember the Titans was all about picking plan A or plan B, when the two great coaches should have made an even better plan C incorporating the best of both plans.

Invictus does not fall into this trap instead incorporating whites and blacks who have a generally equal opinion of each other, those who have some mistrust of the other race, and finally, those people, on both sides, whom completely hate the other side. The movie, without spoiling it, is about Mandala's quest to unify the country without continuing the culture of hate through revenge on the white race. He understood that bringing revenge and oppression would create a cycle destroying the country. Invictus is an excellant movie demonstrating the evil of racism and revenge, and the power of forgiveness through the simple game of Rugby. Go see this movie if you haven't already.

A 32 hour day in the life....

2009-12-20T22:07:00.003-05:00

Last Friday: The Plan

Work in the morning and leave Carolina between 12 and 1.

Arrive in W. Michigan around 1 to 2 AM.

What actually happened:

I jeft right on schedule knowing about a winter storm headed into the area. I also knew that it wasn't going to be a standard southern winter storm. With this in mind I started the roadtrip at around 12:45 thinking it would be enough time to get through Virginia and W. Virginia before the worst of the storm.....but complications set it. Early in the storm several big rigs had major problems on 77N near Wytheville, VA closing down the highway. I was told this happened at three or four oclock. I arrived at the backup around 5:00. And waited, and waited, and waited, and waited some more. I didn't move for three hours. Eventually myself and several others determined that highway 81 was accessible up to the first exit (81 was also closed) and made our way into Wytheville, VA where many got hotel rooms, stayed at gas stations, and in their cars. I briefly considered the hotel option but a desire to get to Michigan and the lack of any available rooms (thanks to my parents who searched all the hotel rooms online) led me to attempt to skip the 77 backup via highway 52. I knew this could be an interesting decision since the storm was now and had been at full force for a few hours, and highway 52 is a road that cuts over the mountain. 52N out of Wythville ended up being plowed pretty good but I made things more interesting when I decided to take 717 (an even more backwoods highway) as a shortcut to get back to 77. I was doing fine on the unplowed road until I caught up with other travelers with the same idea as me. One of which was stuck and receiving from another couple. I pulled the shoval out of my car (yes I keep a shovel in my car) and started digging her out, and we successfully got her back on the road. She immediately........got stuck again. We dug her out again.....and she slid off the road again. By this time I realized I found a bad snow driver. To make things more interesting two other cars pulled up and helped as well. At first it made things easier, I led the group and they pushed but included in the group was another bad snow driver who got his car stuck too. And wanted our help too. We pushed him out, and he got stuck again. I was annoyed, thankgoodness a couple trucks had passed us making a nice two track that I was able to use to get by the bad drivers. I did feel kinda bad but I knew we were making no progress and I had been there for an hour, I did more than enough. Once past them I had no problem making to 77 and was home free! WRONG! I reached the second backup at Bluefield, WV at around midnight with no options. I was stuck on the highway, not moving once, for FOUR hours! I slept for about two hours but eventually walked around and found a spot where trucks had used to get to the other side of the highway. There was no way my car would make it but I grabbed my shovel and dug out a two track to 77S and got onto 77S where I took the next exit. I attempted to get gas at the first gas station that was open on 52N but they, unfortunately, were out. Getting out of the parking lot was interesting. It hadn't been plowed and I couldn't use my entrance point so I had to dig a path and plow through it. Unfortunately I overheated in the process. No worries though, when I got to the top of the mountain I sat for 15 minutes and put more coolant in the reservoir. Then I started down the unplowed mountain road, during a winter storm, in a car. Thank goodness trucks had gone before me. I managed to get down the mountain pretty well with the exception in one spot in which the two-track was somehow too small (maybe due to how the previous trucks moved the snow) and I had to dig to get my car through that very small section. All-in-All it only took' me thirty minutes to get to Bluefield. I was then able to take 460 to Princeton, grab some breakfast, and get on 77. I had to wait till about 8 AM and most were warning not to drive but I ignored the warning and got out of dodge. It is a good thing I did too, because it seemed like the backup was two hours behind me. 77N closed again around 10, and the West Virginia Turnpike closed at around 12. I was long gone. The funny part is, while in Bluefield, I asked a few people what the best way, besides 77, was to get north. They all said, wait till 77 is open and added, "Whatever you do don't take 52 over the mountain." Ummm already did......

An interesting addition to this long crazy story:

In the first backup I asked God to pick up my car and put me in W. Michigan. I then made it more reasonable and said, "Actually I'd be happy to get ahead of this pack of cars." I beat most of them to the next backup and was one of the first to make it to Princeton, WV. I also stayed ahead of the pack once through the backups. God also eventually put me right in W. Michigan. Don't we have an awesome God!

Finally A Post!

2009-12-13T05:37:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple weeks. Just haven't had much to say. I guess avoiding the news has made me less angry about certain current events eliminating political posts, as for the other varieties......Well just not much to say. I would like to comment a two bumper stickers I saw yesterday on the same vehicle. These made no sense whatsoever, I saw a van with an Obama sticker and next to it was one that said, "I am a constitution voter." Uhhh.....Message to Van Owner: Read the constitution and then read the legislation Obama has signed! This congress and administration may technically be following the constitution but listen carefully to their words and you can tell they are just trying to get around the constititution, not follow it.

Read this Interview President Obama gave:
If you look at the victories and failures of the civil rights movement and its litigation strategy in the court, I think where it succeeded was to invest formal rights in previously dispossessed people, so that now I would have the right to vote. I would now be able to sit at the lunch counter and order and as long as I could pay for it I’d be OK

But, the Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth, and of more basic issues such as political and economic justice in society. To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn't that radical. It didn't break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution, at least as it's been interpreted, and the Warren Court interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties. Says what the states can't do to you. Says what the federal government can't do to you, but doesn't say what the federal government or state government must do on your behalf.

And that hasn't shifted and one of the, I think, tragedies of the civil rights movement was because the civil rights movement became so court-focused I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalition of powers through which you bring about redistributive change. In some ways we still suffer from that.

Take particular note of what I bolded. Does something sound wrong? There is a reason the constitution doesn't say anything about redistribution of wealth and what the government "must" do on our behalf. That reason is made evident in this portion of the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

If we allow the government to do things for us it will result in a government that holds too much power and control over us. This document may have been written by human hands but it is very true. One of the first lines is: "right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." If redistribution and government help was a right it would be "happiness, (no pursuit required)." As far as things like health care, etc. well, first it ain't going to be cheaper. Initial estimates say health care per American under a government plan is $600. I don't know about you but my fantastic private plan doesn't cost that much! (News and Observer, Thursday December 10th).

Well, its been good folks, sorry about the delay and I think I might have to avoid news more getting mad about government and politics isn't fun but I guess someones got to get mad and share the truth.

Just For Fun!

2009-12-02T14:46:00.002-05:00

Engineers!
(Michigan Tech University fight song)

Fight Tech, fight Engineers.
For banners bright Engineers.
From Northern hills, we'll sound our cry,
We'll ring your praises to the sky!
Fight Tech, fight Engineers.
For right with might Engineers.
We'll win the game in the glorious name
Of the Michigan Michigan Michigan Engineers!

Thanksgiving and Christmas

2009-11-22T16:24:00.003-05:00

Around this time of year I begin to hear two things predominantly from people in all areas of life.

First: "I'm not ready for Christmas."

Second: "I hate the holidays its too commercial."

These statements are my biggest pet peeves during the holidays because people let these thoughts and concerns define Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will never understand those who say, "I am not ready for Christmas." I do understand that they look at their pocketbook, travel plans, presents to buy, among other things and get stressed out over how much they NEED to do. Lets be honest people, do we need to stress about these things? Thanksgiving is a day of......hmmm craziness....THANKSGIVING! This holiday has become more about food, football, and shopping preparations. (Yes I love to watch football on this day but it is out of thanksgiving........I can't watch the Lions any other time of year).

The holidays are not about this stuff. We need to redefine the holidays this season and CHOOSE to not get stressed out. The reason for the season is too important to let stress and commercialism ruin it. How do you do this?

1) Set aside time each day to read God's word, after all Jesus is the reason for the season.
2) Be thankful everyday! Not just on Thanksgiving.
3) If you don't have what you want, start wanting what you have.
4) Don't go shopping on Black Friday.
5) If stress starts to surface..................STOP! (at least temporarly, it ain't worth the stress).
6) Choose to eliminate stress and commercialism.
7) BUDGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8) Don't fear family, embrace and love family (thats what they are there for).
9) Listen to Christmas music!
10) KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID! Just have Fun!

Enjoy the holidays everyone and listen to Linus:

Charlie Brown Christmas

Our Wonderful Congress!!!

2009-11-19T21:48:00.003-05:00

NOT!! This is what they do besides take over our health care, raise taxes, and spend our great great great great great grandchildren's money (I know I left out a few greats but I don't have enough memory in blogspot to include that many).

No Complaint Wednesday

By a congressman Emanuel Cleaver, a democrat out of Missouri.

I don't know about you but if this passes I may be complaining the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.....about what our government is doing in response to criticisms over health care.

Must Try Dessert!

2009-11-14T23:16:00.004-05:00

Today I went to Wild Wings Cafe where I enjoyed the company of many Michigan fans and allumni while watching the Michigan-Wisconsin football game. While the results of the game could have been MUCH better, I greatly enjoyed the food. First, I had the White Chicken Chile which I have had before and is fantastic but it was the dessert that got my attention.

I had a:

Cheesecake Chimichanga - $4.99
A crisp flour tortilla filled with cool and creamy cheesecake, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and drizzled with your choice of syrups.

It is AWESOME! and I have never been a huge Cheesecake person but this is a great dessert. Highly recommended.

In addition this is my 100th post to my blog! Who knew 100 would be about fantastic cheesecake?

Gardening....and Birthday Contest results

2009-11-07T22:02:00.002-05:00

Alright, I know everyone is anxious to hear how the contest between my mother and I went last Wednesday. I made plans with a friend to meet up Wednesday evening to win this elusive, wonderful contest but......mom called me during the afternoon....on HER cell phone! I simply answered, "Happy Birthday." Chalk this year up as an easy win!

On a different note, gardening is one thing I enjoy and up until now I have simply grown vegetables. I like the productivity, cost savings, and overall quality of freshly grown vegetables. While I have a very small garden it can yield a good harvest allowing me the luxury of good vegetables for at least a few meals. Unfortunately my garden does not get full sun, and the back third gets very little sun whatsoever. For any of you who know about gardening you know the vegetables don't do very well without full sun. With this is mind I plan on growing flowers for the first time! And not just any flowers, edelweiss. Many of you may know the song (I love this song) about this flower and I decided to research whether or not I could grow it in North Carolina.

Edelweiss best grows in the mountain at high altitude with loose, fine, lime enriched soil. The famous Edelweiss is called Leontopodium alpinium. It is this kind that is the root of the songs and legends about edelweiss. One being that a man shows true love for his woman by braving the elements and climbing the mountain to retrieve Edelweiss for his love. While this is a cool story I simply like the song and the flower and want a new challenge. There are two other types of edelweiss that grow better in warmer climates which are Leontopodium Mt. Everest and Leontopodium jorachayi. I plan to grow one of these varieties and will keep you informed of the process from start to finish, success or failure.

Leontopodium Alpinium
(http://www.iwoman.ru/res/r2/leontopodium_alpinum.jpg)

Leontopodium Mt. Everest
(http://www.edelweissperennials.com/pictures/Leontopodium_%27Mt._Everest%27.jpg)

Shared Birthday Tradition

2009-11-04T09:45:00.002-05:00

26 years ago today a tradition started when this competitive boy was born on my mothers birthday. Over the years I have gotten many responses ranging from how cool it is that we share a birthday to whether or not I like having to share "my day." Well I tell you now that I love sharing my birthday, always have, and always will. It is a treat to share ones birthday with family and is something very few people get to experience. For one I rarely experience those parties in which everyone is singing except you because I sing happy birthday to my mom! But seriously, since going to college a wonderful, naturally competitive (If you know me you me at all you are not surprized), tradition. My mom I always try to be the first to say happy birthday on the 4th. Texts, cards, emails, and even voicemail does not count. The birthday wish must be in person or over the phone. In college my mom won every year but finally three years ago I won the fun little contest and haven't lost since. The trick is coming up with new and creative ways to surprise my mom with the phone call. I will update you later on the method this year but I cannot divulge the secret now, being that she might read this post. My shared birthday is an awesome part of my birthday that I wouldn't trade for anything. Goodbye and wish me luck today!

Amazing Faith!

2009-11-02T20:03:00.003-05:00

The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 5: 41-42

Wow! I must admit I rejoice that God has allowed me to live in a country in which I am not flogged as the apostles were in Acts 5. That is an amazing story of faith for me because I know I wouldn't be rejoicing as I was leaving. I wouldn't deny God (I say that carefully knowing Peter said the same thing at the last supper only to deny him hours later) but I don't think I could rejoice in the way the apostles rejoiced. I want a faith like that and will work on that everyday and, while I hope I never have to suffer in this way, Lord make me able to rejoice and loudly praise You if I ever do experience this kind of suffering.

H1N1 a National Emergency?

2009-10-25T18:42:00.003-04:00

H1N1 is clearly not a fun situation that has made 1000's around the world sick, however, is it an emergency? I have no direct proof one way or another but I do know that I am not alone in thinking this may be slightly premature. This, and the fact that President Obama has proven to make every decision based on politics. I realize that all politicians do this but Obama seems to do this more. For example, look at his position on a public option. It changes whether he is speaking to conservatives or liberals! I fear that President Obama declared this an emergency now because he knows the vaccine isn't in ample supply at hospitals. Declaring H1N1 a national emergency is naturally going to increase the demand for vaccinations and eventually hospitals are going to run out. At this point I fear that our President will use this crisis to claim a public run health care system would be better because the private system can't handle an emergency. Like I said I have no proof one way or another, I just fear that a good health care foundation will be ruined by politicians vying for power. Health Care is fine, insurance is messed up, and a "Public option" is not going to fix anything. Don't people complain that American Children are poorly educated in PUBLIC schools.....I could go on with examples but I won't.

Two Different landmarks

2009-10-13T09:06:00.006-04:00

October 17th: The wedding of Jodi (my sister)and Josh beginning a brand new marriage and home.

October 19th: This day would have marked the 64th anniversary of my Grandpa and Grandma Paasman. My grandma passed away earlier this year but 63 years of marriage is truly and great thing to be modeled and Clarence and Rose were more in love the last day of my Grandma's life than they were the day my Grandma watched my Grandpa get captured by the Germans during World War II.

Here's to a great marriage since parted by death and the start of a brand new marriage with two great role models in Rose and Clarence. Congratulations Jodi and Josh!

Jeremiah 29: 11-14

2009-10-07T20:41:00.002-04:00

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD.

This is such a common verse....at least verse 11 is but it means so much more when you dig deeper. The Lord may have plans for you but we need to see the Lord with all our hearts. All to often we read verse 11 and say alright God get to work show me the way without really putting any effort into putting those plans into action, or even figuring out what they are. There is a part of "Facing the Giants" that I love that talks about two farmers who prayed for rain. One farmer went out into the field and prepared his crops as if rain was coming, the other kept praying. Which one had faith? You could say they both did but one certainly has a more active faith. These verses and this parable do not say to stop praying they are saying we need to show our faith through action.

Seeking God with all your heart is a tough task and determining His plan for you can be tough as well but with a little prayer, time with God, and action, we can all find our path. You might make a couple wrong turns along the way, when that happens:

1: STOP!
2: TURN AROUND
3: RETURN TO LOCATION WHERE WRONG TURN WAS MADE
4: PRAY, AND TRY AGAIN

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

2009-09-23T17:00:00.002-04:00

If any of you follow sports and ESPN at all you know about Plaxico Burress' recent trouble with the law. In brief he carried an unlicensed gun with him in the city and accidentally shot himself. He is now sentenced to two years in prison and two years of supervised release time. How is this a just punishment for a guy simply doing what many guys have done. His only crime was not registering it and being stupid enough to get himself shot.

In Comparison:

Adam "Pacman" Jones:

- 9 arrests or trouble with the law including fights, drug use, and assault.

For all this he was sentenced to ONE YEAR in prison and never served time, instead getting probation. Finally he is out of the NFL but where is he..the CFL (Canadian Football League).

Michael Vick:

- Running a dog-fighting ring for several years resulting in the death and injury of dogs.

For this Vick received almost two years (23 months) and served 19 months in prison with the remainder in home confinement. To begin the 09 season he was allowed to play the prison and will be eligible to play for the Eagles this weekend (week three) in the regular season.

Were these punishments right?

NO!!!!!!!

1. Adam Jones is the worst -Probation
2. Michael Vick is clearly number 2 - 19 months in jail, 4 months home confinement
3. Plaxico Burress' crimes are the least significant -2 years in prison, 2 yrs prob.

What should have happened:

Adam Jones should have received the same punishment Burress got a long time ago

Michael Vick should have served one year in prison with two years probation and a huge fine.

Plaxico Burress should have two years probation, a fine, and a one year football suspension.

And we think the government that hands out punishment like this can run our health care system? NO THANKYOU!

1st Peter

2009-09-20T23:28:00.004-04:00

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1st Peter 4: 7-11

Cletus Take the Reel!

2009-09-18T22:47:00.003-04:00

I have a decease and the only prescription is more....wait I don't have a cowbell... Oh well here is one comedy parody of Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel" that is awesomely funny called "Cletus Take the Wheel." And it is not by Cletus T. Judd, Tim Hawkins makes this parody.

Cletus Take the Reel

Oh and if you love that you will find this one hilarious too!

Things You Don't Say to Your Wife

Props to Obama!

2009-09-16T08:09:00.002-04:00

I think everyone as heard about Taylor Swift and Kenya West and most have probably heard about Barack Obama's comments when asked about this event. If you haven't Taylor Swift won an award in which Beyonce was her competition. West thought Beyonce deserved the award (that's fair, everyone as an opinion), however, getting on stage during, or ever, Swift's time was completely unacceptable and shows a maturity level of a 2 year old. Lets be honest folks, it is fine to express surprise that Beyonce didn't win that award, at a later time, but fellow musician should not outright disrespect an artists work out of opinion.

Barack Obama was asked about this event, and while I wonder why the media feels it is necessary to get the Presidents opinion vs answers to policy decisions, I, nonetheless, love the Presidents answer! Good Job Mr. President! Way to keep political correctness out.

Press: "What do you think of the West-Swift events?"

Obama: ".....he is a jackass."

Top 25 Picks...This coming week

2009-09-08T21:43:00.002-04:00

Next weekend should be a great weekend of football. Many of the games shouldn't be thrillers but there are a few upset alerts including Penn St/Syracuse, Georgia Tech/Clemson, TCU/Virginia, UNC/UConn, Georgia/S. Carolina, LSU/Vanderbilt, and Kansas/UTEP. Who will win? Who will be upset? Find out below!

# 1 Florida vs Troy - Florida 55 - 24

# 2 Texas vs Wyoming - Texas 52 - 10

# 3 USC vs # 8 Ohio State - USC 34-28

# 4 Alabama vs Florida International - Alabama 38 - 24

# 5 Oklahoma St. vs Houston - Oklahoma St 42 - 13

# 7 Penn St. vs Syracuse - Penn St. 38 - 24

# 9 BYU vs Tulane - BYU 34 - 21

# 10 Cal vs E. Washington - Cal 28 - 14

# 11 LSU vs Vanderbilt - VANDERBILT 31 - 28

# 12 Boise St. vs Miami (OH) - Boise St 24 - 10

# 13 Oklahoma vs Idaho St - Oklahoma 27 - 13

# 14 Virginia Tech vs Marshall - Virginia Tech 38 - 17

# 15 Georgia Tech vs Clemson - CLEMSON 21 - 17

# 16 TCU vs Virginia - TCU 16 - 13

# 17 Utah vs San Jose St - Utah 42 - 24

# 18 Notredame vs Michigan - MICHIGAN 30 - 27

# 19 North Carolina vs UConn - UNC 24 - 17

# 21 Georgia vs S. Carolina - Georgia 24 - 13

# 22 Nebraska vs Arkansas St - Nebraska 37 - 17

# 23 Cincinati vs SE Missouri St - Cincinati 45 - 10

# 24 Kansas vs UTEP - Kansas 24 - 21

# 25 Missouri vs Bowling Green - Missouri 34 - 20

Grevengoed's Preseason Predictions

2009-09-04T00:19:00.003-04:00

BCS Standings Prediction:

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Penn State
4. USC
5. Oklahoma
6. Alabama
7. Boise State
8. Michigan State
9. LSU
10. Ohio State

National Championship: Florida vs Texas
Oklahoma will lose to Texas and climb there way back to the top but not quite enough to jump over Penn State or USC. Alabama will threaten for the Championship and maybe even be # 2 late in the season but they will lose to Florida in the SEC championship dropping them in the rankings.

Florida wins the Championship

Biggest Surprise: Michigan State
Good Team they will do well in the Big Ten battling with Ohio State for 2nd beneath Penn State.

Biggest Disappointment: Virginia Tech (Sorry Josh)
-Seriously they have struggled the last couple years plus the ACC doesn't get much respect. I hope I am wrong because they have a great coach, and a very good and exciting young QB. If they play the way the should and stay healthy they could compete in the BCS. Unfortunately I don't see it happening.

Michigan's Record: 6-6

Behind the talent of a new QB with the skill set required for a Rich Rodriguez offense Michigan should perform much more consistently this year. There shouldn't be another App State or Toledo loss.

Mich. vs W. Mich. - Win
Mich. vs Notredame - Win,
Mich. vs. E. Mich. - Win
Mich. vs. Indiana - Win
Mich. vs. Mich. St - Loss
Mich. vs Iowa - Loss
Mich. vs Delaware St. - Win
Mich. vs Penn State - Loss
Mich. vs Illinois - Loss
Mich. vs Purdue - Win
Mich. vs Wisconsin - Loss
Mich. vs Ohio State - Loss

WATCH OUT FOR THE WOLVERINES NEXT YEAR! I personally am not a huge fan of their new offensive scheme and never have been but they will be a force in 2010!

Lets Go Bristol Racin Boys!

2009-08-31T23:03:00.003-04:00

Bristol Night Race

This past weekend I got tickets, at the last minute, to the Bristol Night Race. This is the hottest ticket in NASCAR and even sports fans who don't have much interest in NASCAR like this race. I took advantage of this opportunity and took a road trip to Bristol Tennessee on Saturday and it was awesome! I have seen many a race at Bristol on TV but more than any track I have been to, this one is better in person. TV just doesn't capture the constant competition and the incredible banking at Bristol.
I started my day at the track in a very familiar way: tailgating in the parking lot while talking with the others around me in the parking lot. This is one part of NASCAR that I love. Tailgating is common in many sports but it is more apart of the race event in NASCAR than in any other sport.
Next I took a walk through the merchandise trailors to see what was being sold this year in the cup series and get a surprise! Bobby Labonte is making an appearance on a radio/TV program for Speed and PRN, I knew I had to go to this event and was in the front row! I was even able to get my Bobby Labonte hat signed! Drivers make a lot of appearances in the trailor area but it is rare to get to see your favorite drivers simply because the average fan will only go to a handful of races. For example: I have attended four races: Michigan (twice), Charlotte, and now Bristol.
Once the show was completed, my trailor shopping complete, and the live concert over I went back to the car to eat dinner and prepare for the race. After all at a NASCAR race you can bring a cooler (size is regulated) into the race so I needed to organize the cooler. I cooked up some brats my tailgating neighbors kindly offered and proceeded to place a couple beers and a few pops in the cooler along with Chips Ahoy white fudge chocolate chip cookies. YUM!!!!! Then it was off to the track.
When I first saw Bristol Motor Speedway it was incredible but actually walking into the track and seeing the banking of 36 degrees! It was steeper than the grandstands! It was awesome! In fact I believe Heaven just might have its own Bristol Motor Speedway...but the tempers are probably not at Heavens Bristol.....
On to the race. Mark Martin started on the pole in his 1000th career NASCAR start and myself and the other fans in turns one and two participated in two tributes. The first was to Martin in which the track laid out colored cardboard sheets that, when held up by everyone through the turn spelled Mark 1000 starts. The second tribute was the same idea except the picture was of an American Flag during the anthem. The actual race was great too. I personally always enjoyed a race at Martinsville more than Bristol and on TV this is very true, but TV does not do Bristol justice. There is never a dull moment around the track. This particular race featured a 5 car wreck a couple dominant drivers and a thrilling final 10 laps with Kyle Busch and Mark Martin battling side-by-side for the win. Kyle Busch took the victory along with over-welming booing from the fans. Busch is not the most popular driver mostly because of attitude and lots of wins in dominant fashion.
After the race comes the worst part of a NASCAR race: 155,000+ leave the track. This process can see you in traffic for multiple hours. At Bristol the wait was only about 2 hours. Or at least I think so, I wasn't actually in the traffic. I slept in my car from 11:30 to just after 2:00 AM before driving home and didn't run into any traffic! All in all it was a fantastic trip!

A letter to politicians

2009-08-27T20:15:00.004-04:00

Below is a letter I sent to President Barack Obama and, slightly revised, but basically the same letter, to Senator Kay Hagan and Representative David Price asking five simple questions in, I feel, I respectful way. I have received one "answer" from Senator Kay Hagan and promptly resent my questions asking for real answers and an explanation for what was said in the response vs what her voting record implies.

Take a look:

The Honorable President Barack Obama

Dear Mr. President,

Over the first several months of your presidency I have seen many changes to the way America does life in the government and this greatly concerns me as an individual American. I am not alone in these concerns as I have discussed these same concerns with others who are in agreement with me. I have no found an area in which these views can be expressed without accusations and mocking. Where can I express these views and receive honest answers and honest debate. This is not the America I have lived in the past 25 years and it is not the America I studied throughout school. With this in mind I have a few questions about some policies your administration has enacted, or wants to enact, in which I do not understand how this nation is better because of them:

1) Health Care in this country is certainly not perfect but why should government have anything to do with this system? It appears to me that health care is actually really good. The problems occur when insurance companies begin limiting consumer choice with doctors, procedures, and hospitals. I fear that a public option in health care would lead to more of the same with one exception. Taxes would need to go up to support such a plan forcing people to use the public plan because of an inability to pay for private insurance and public insurance. This, I fear, leads to the government controlling and deciding what doctors Americans can go to and what procedures we can receive. Why not reform private insurance and hospitals, requiring consumer choice among ALL hospitals, doctors, and procedures?

2) Government involvement within the private business deeply concerns me as well. America was built on people willing to take risks to make a profit and advancement is made through competition. With this system companies come and go regularly while a few companies manage change well remaining on top for a long time. If government bails out and takes over struggling companies there is no longer any need to advance because the risk is all but gone. Under the government rescue plan of businesses it appears that CEO’s need to be political instead of business savvy to succeed. How will this make America great if there is no risk? You said yourself that “UPS and FedEx are doing fine. The Post Office is the one that’s always in trouble .”

3) Many times in your campaign you discussed the national debt and the increase in deficit spending in the Bush White House. You denounced this act and declared the need for a balanced budget, however over the last few months I see lots of spending financed by more and more debt with projections going up. At first we were promised no increased deficits, then we were promised a balance by 2012, and now we see trillions more in deficit spending for ten years. Why does the deficit numbers keep going up and why is the only answer, “We inherited this recession?” I fear that this type of spending will only cause hyper-inflation and, if a true recovery happens, it will be a temporary one because a reliance on to much debt is what brought us into a recession in the first place.

4) Another hot topic during your campaign was taxes on low income and middle income Americans. You said you want to increase taxes on only the richest Americans, but you rose taxes on cigarettes. This effects Americans with very low income as well as high incomes. While it is an optional expense, it is a tax on low income Americans. I do not understand how you can spend as much as you have without raising taxes, or allowing for massive inflation. How do you plan to do this?

5) I recently heard of plans to shut down, albiet indirectly through taxes and diversity, but still shut down, private media. How does this correspond with promises for transparency in government and provide accountability for government. I realize NPR would still be available as well as recovery.gov but government run/backed programs are hardly in a position to provide accountability and transparency. It seems to me that a government committed to transparency would not need to worry about controlling the press through a new “Fairness Doctrine” or backdoor approaches to accomplish the same tasks. Why is it important to enact a new “Fairness Doctrine” or enforce laws requiring taxes on private radio, paid to public radio? And why is it important to enforce diversity programs in a nation that looks at the abilities of a person, not the skin color?

I look forward to reading your answers to these questions and I want to congratulate you on winning last year’s election. I love the fact the Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream has come true. An America where skin is not looked at as a factor is truly a great part of this country that took to long to come true.

Respectfully,

Kyle Grevengoed

And the only response so far:

Dear Friend,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts and opinions. Since taking office, I have received an overwhelming number of calls and emails from North Carolinians like you who are ready to take an active part in our government. I appreciate each and every call and email. With our country facing some of its toughest challenges in a generation, your phone calls and messages are an important factor guiding my work here in Washington. Please be assured that we will get back to you as soon as possible regarding your specific concern.

I would like to take this opportunity to share my website with you. Please visit http://Hagan.Senate.Gov to find contact information for my offices and to stay updated as my new state offices open. You can also find information there about what I've been doing in North Carolina and Washington. It is an honor to serve as your United States Senator, and I appreciate your patience as I transition into this new role. I sincerely hope you will not hesitate to contact me at any time to share your concerns and voice your opinions on our country's most pressing issues.

Sincerely,

Signature

Kay R. Hagan
United States Senator, North Carolina

P.S. I hope I don't get arrested for questioning the government.

Its Dr. House..No its Mr. Nippl'e

2009-08-19T09:42:00.003-04:00

Most people know Hugh Laurie has No-nonsense Dr. Gregory House in the Fox TV showw "House." Because of his amazing job hiding his English accent some people don't know that he is English. That is a shame because he is/was apart of a very funny duo comparable to Abbot and Costello. Here is one of their bits (Yes sometimes british humor is actually funny to Americans):

Your name is what????

Great Quote!

2009-08-12T17:16:00.000-04:00

From President Obama responding to Health Care Critics:

".....look at UPS and FedEx they are doing fine. The Post Office is the one always having problems."

Really Mr. President isn't that what your critics are arguing too?????

"Never Waste A Good Crisis"

2009-08-05T20:49:00.000-04:00

Many know this quote by Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff for the Obama Administration, I have a couple questions about this:

Good Crisis??? A crisis is good?

WASTE a crisis???

The reforms we are seeing now are being done in the name of saving the economy but if you can waste a crisis obviously you don't need to go to these efforts to fix a crisis.

The Jesus Card in Debates

2009-07-22T21:21:00.003-04:00

I often hear people include in arguments: Would Jesus do that? or Jesus wouldn't do that? The reporter in my last post tried this when she asked the guy giving away guns (legally) whether or not Jesus would carry a gun. I am sick of the delusion that people actually think Jesus would pick a side whether it be gun control, abortion, or political parties. When people in the Bible came to Jesus and asked a question or asked him to resolve a debate he didn't take sides. Look at the disciples arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus said, "The greatest are the least of these." None of the disciples were happy because noone wanted to be the least. I believe Jesus would answer in similar ways today. For Example:

If you asked Jesus to resolve a debate about whether guns are right choose A or B:

A. Jesus simply answers pro-gun or anti-gun.

B.
Jesus: Why do you argue about these things? Are your cares of things on earth or things in Heaven. I tell you the truth, No man will get to heaven with meaningless debates and worship of material things. Honor the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself."

Answer A is a political answer while answer B is an answer that Jesus may use. Obviously Jesus never spoke about guns and I don't believe he would speak directly about guns. Jesus is more concerned about EVERYONE'S soul. If a gun becomes an idol or a tool for hatred the gun is bad. Jesus does talk about this in Matthew 19:16-30 when the Rich Young Ruler asks what he must do to be saved. Jesus says sell all your possessions and follow me. When Jesus said this he was not saying you need to be poor to be saved, Jesus knew that the ruler would always have idols if he didn't sell his possessions so this particular man needed to sell everything to follow Jesus.

The answer to what Jesus believes about guns or any other debate in which the Jesus card is pulled is simple Jesus cares about us worshiping God and putting Him first. Not about a political stance on guns.

In short if your gun, or other issue, isn't preventing you from seeking Him first. Keep it but use it to love your neighbor!

Want a Free AK-47

2009-07-20T14:10:00.001-04:00

Here is a video someone showed me that is good:

Enjoy:

Buy a Truck, Get an AK-47

United States Health Care

2009-07-17T20:20:00.003-04:00

U.S. Health Care seems to have such a bad reputation right now because of high costs across the board from doctor visits, to medical procedures, all the way to medications. While it is true that often these costs are ridiculous and need to be changed somehow, maybe even with government regulation, the bigger picture of why is being overlooked. Like it or not United States Private based health care is world class. People come to the U.S. to treat serious problems because we can. Yes, health care may cost to much but public health care WILL NOT IMPROVE OR EVEN MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF CARE! Wait, forgive me those who don't have health care will have better preventative health care and better costs but what about the rest (or should I say the majority)? There must be a better way other than increasing already incredible dependence upon the government. The first thing many do when losing their job is apply for free money from the government, shouldn't the first thing be working on a resume? Since when did America become a government loving people?

The question is how can we maintain quality of care at reasonable, and understandable, costs for everyone.

Quality of Care: The private system works best for this. This should create competition for the best doctors as well as customers. When hospitals need to compete the right prices will emerge. While hospitals could potential join together and agree on price gauging, similar to oil companies, limited regulations with medical boards already in place should help, or prevent this from occurring on a large scale. Increasing competition can work but insurance companies cause another problem.

Insurance: Insurance companies create a situation that limits a customers choices allowing insurance companies and hospital to work together to make the customers choice for them. When a finance company gives a loan on a car, they must evaluate the decision with the customer to ensure an appropriate sell price. While their is fraud in this system, regulations and audits do a good job of controlling this. This system, when policed properly, creates three relationships: 1) Customer/finance company, 2) Finance/Car company, and 3) Car/customer. In order for any relationship to succeed all three must be good and no one can safely hurt the other without consequences. Of course this applies for preventative and non-emergency care but if the patient already has a good relationship with an insurance agent the agent will protect the patient in an emergency and if the agent as a good relationship with the hospital treating the emergency they will take care of each other. The customer needs to be able to make the choice on ANYwhere to go on the CONSOLE of his agent. If anyone of the three relationships are poor it will hurt all three parties. REQUIRING consumer-guided choice is a must in order to make the system work.

First Summary: Alright we know that private. competitive health institutions need to be a reality to control costs and insurance companies need to allow consumer-guided choice to make competition work but what about medications?

Medications: Medications are an interesting dilemma because, while they cost a lot, people want them because they work well. They work well because pharmaceutical giants spend countless hours and trials to make the product work so well. These companies need time and money to develop the drugs but if they don't have a patent generic drugs would copy their drugs immediately and sell for much less. No patents seems like a plus for the American consumer but without patents the giants who develop great drugs will go under because they would not be able to make back their money spent researching the drugs. They are expensive because the companies need to make the money before generics drugs are made with their drugs as a chemical model. The generics are cheaper because extensive research isn't required. If drug costs were lowered we would get well-developed drugs because go company could afford the research without going under.

Expensive drugs are something we have to live with in order to maintain high effectiveness and advancements. Insurance companies providing free, but guided, choice between any hospital will lower costs and lower costs will lower insurance premiums, thus creating lower cost of excellent health care.

Government regulations will need to be in place to make sure the companies are playing by the rules and anti-medical monopolies laws may have to be instituted to a certain extent, but it is possible to make the free market work, when the government is WATCHING, NOT RUNNING, ANY PART OF THE SYSTEM.

The Price of Gas

2009-07-13T13:10:00.003-04:00

I am not surprised that the price of gas is now hovering around $2.50 per gallon. In fact I have said that's where I thought the price would end up stabilizing because 4.00 is clearly too much but, lets be honest with ourselves, 1.?? per gallon is probably a bargain. After all we have paid in the $1's for a long time. My only question is why $2.50!!!!???????

I have a system:

Greater than 2.60 - Ride the bus/bike to work

Less than 2.40 - Drive to work

Anything in between - Toss up

Why? Because $2.50 is the point where driving to work everyday becomes more expensive than the bus, thus I save money. When the price is where it is now I can't really save much money either way so it is annoying. I have taken to busing ideally three days a week but to save money I ride the bus in the morning and bike the whole 15-20 miles at night. Since my name isn't Lance Armstrong, or Chris Sherman, I have not worked up the endurance to do this everyday, much less twice a day.

Dang! Being cheap can be rough...................

From 1776 to 2009: Capitolism to Socialism?

2009-07-06T20:30:00.003-04:00

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

As an American we all recognize the words of the Declaration of Independence but do we really understand what it means anymore? Over the last many years we have seen an increase in government size and social programs. This is a truth that no one denies, what is debated over and over is whether or not we are seeing the death of capitalism as we have known it for so long. With this in mind I researched the history of the United States as well as the formation of socialism and communism in the Soviet Union and China. The results were very interesting.

The United States went from British colonies to an American nation when England began to pay attention to their colonies. What they found was a group of people trading with any country they desired. This concerned England because a colony is formed in order to bring resources into your nation without the cost. England wanted to make their investment in America pay off and start to demand what they had a right too. The colonists, however, did not like this idea because the lax rules enabled a greater profit. When your profit is taken away and taxes are increased people tend to disagree. Thus we had the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary war, and the United States of America. The Constitution was not apart of this though. We started with the Articles of Confederation, which was a document that loosely held the 13 states together. The Articles were the ultimate States' Rights government and the Federal Government was very weak. It soon became clear that something stronger was needed and the Constitution was born. This document, once the Bill of Rights was passed, protected that states rights and created a Federal Government that was and is much stronger but not too strong. It worked fantastic.

While the government became stronger since the beginning of the United States it didn't start growing into such a monstrosity until the 1900's when the Income tax was ratified in the 16th amendment in 1913. While this amendment dramatically changed the U.S. forever it wasn't until 1919 with the 18th amendment that the government started to venture into the freedom with Prohibition. While this amendment was eventually repealed, it showed a willingness to regulate what was consider individual freedom. Moving on the the 1930's during the Great Depression the United States had the most social programs and government growth yet with laws and organizations such has:

FDIC
Social Security
Securities and Exchange Commission
Tennessee Valley Authority
Wagner Act
For More Click Here

All of these acts are debated and controversial drastically increasing the power and reach of the federal government. The government continued to grow throughout the 40's, and 50's but the 60's once again saw great growth of government with the Great Society. This series of programs most notably included medicare and medicaid but also the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act. Growth steadied until 2008 with the recent recovery acts under Presidents Bush and Obama. These acts took power to a new level including government taking ownership in failing, previously private, companies. This of course brought forth the communism/Socialism debates.

Formation of Communism/Socialism in Russia

In 1917 the Tsar of Russia stepped down from power ending a 300 year dynasty, partially because of food shortage riots. This opened the door for a provincial government of representatives to step in to lead the struggling nation. The Bolsheviks (Communists...Stalin) were included in this government and eventually took control in the "October Revolution" on October 25, 1917. The revolution saw the government take over the power companies, post office, shipyard, and telephone companies. The people accepted this government because of promises to end the war. With this new Soviet Government sweeping reforms were passed including:

1) Disestablishment of church and equality for national minorities
2) Nationalization of banks
3) Recognition of peasants land seizures
4) Commitment to ear effort denouced

Four decrees were also issued:

1) Decree on peace
2) Decree on land
3) Decree to the suppression of hostile newspapers
4) Declaration of what rights the people had

The Bolsheviks suppressed the opposing party, the manshaveks, and created the Cheka (Secret Police) to combat political opposition. Lenin eventually used terror and the Cheka to achieve his plans. Eventually the Bolsheviks were successful until 1991.

Formation of Communism/Socialism in China

China's move to communism/socialism was slower and less extreme than the Soviet Union but it is clear nonetheless. Mao Zedong influenced the change to Marxism in China and gained overwhelming support as a poorly educated, highly intelligent man. 85% of the nation supported him after the Boxer rebellion left the nation hungary and poor. The people had experienced captialism and democracy but it never took root in China, many believe this has to do with the history and culture of China claiming that the self-sacrificing nature of communism fits China's culture better than the alternative. The people bought it seeing WWI as proof that materialism and capitalism cause war. Zedong also convinced the people that there were fundamental problems with the nation requiring immediate attention by the government. China, as you know made the transition and still is a socialist nation today.

Is the United States on this Path?

"Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

- John Adams

There are some interesting parallels in our history compared to the histories of both Russia and China. It is also clear that the government gains the most power during trials. The interesting part is the programs passed don't always relate to the problems, partially because of vote-buying in congress and partially because a crisis is seem as opportunity for politicians:

"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste, what I mean by that is that it`s an opportunity to do things you could not do before."

-Rahm Emanuel

Proof (among others):
2009 - Health Care reform
1960's - Medicare, Medicaid, Arts Endowments
1930's - TVA

While power has certainly increased within the government and the Constitution seems to be more like a speed boat that can be skipped with the right words the overall spirit of America is alive and well and socialism is a long way off. Americans should be wary of what the government is doing because we do have socialized capitalism and Facist democracy which are both dangerous and must be stopped. The one thing that has remained, and appears far from threatened, is peaceful transfer of power. Because of this the American people can elect people who won't be overly political and will change policies that involve government run business and the executive order. China has become a capitalized socialist nation white the U.S. is now a socialized capitalist nation but the difference in the U.S. is Democracy! We can still change regularly and we will continue to change from Capitalism to Socialized Capitalism as the economy goes up and down with time.

"More Homesick than Now"

2009-07-01T16:21:00.002-04:00

I am so thankful for this wonderful life that God has blessed me with and cannot thank and love God enough for giving me so many blessings. In this blessed life in a fallen world their are days in which the fallen world can effect your day a little too much causing me to be more homesick than ever before to be with God in Heaven for eternity. MercyMe has a great song called I've Never Been More Homesick Than Now." I sure most, or all of you have heard this song but it is a powerful song with great lyrics. Heaven will be unimaginably better than even attending the NASCAR night race at Bristol Motor Speedway that sees Jeff Gordon win so I always look toward my home with excitement but sometimes it especially looks great. So enjoy this song and its ok we're all in this world together through the good days and the bad days. Actually when you really think about it, God fills the rough days with countless blessings.

What a mighty, awesome God we serve!!!!

MercyMe - Never Been More Homesick Than Now

Red Green Show!!!

2009-06-23T14:03:00.002-04:00

You southerners need to be introduced to an awesome show that ran on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (or channel...can't remember)) and many PBS stations. This show is "The Red Green Show." To put it simply Red Green is a canadian redneck and loves duct tape, or as he calls it, "The handyman's secret weapon." Here is a link to a clip that I enjoy:

Luxury Car

Remedy for EXTREME pain

2009-06-10T08:43:00.003-04:00

As a single guy my ears and hand have not experienced what the pain of childbirth is like for a woman, but I know enough to realize that anyway to describe this pain doesn't do it justice. The old 1980's Bill Cosby sketch may be accurate when a nurse tells him childbirth is like taking your bottom lip and pulling it over your head. OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This being said my cousin just gave birth to her and her husbands first child. A baby girl named Chloe. Chloe just celebrated (well Brandon and Heidi celebrated) her 1 month birthday and I congratulate the brand new family. Probably a week after Chloe was born I talked to Heidi on the phone in order to congratulate her and somehow, someway, the conversation briefly went into the pain of childbirth. In this conversation Heidi explained that she wanted as natural as possible while not cussing or bad-talking Brandon or anyone else, as the stereotype would imply. Heidi tried counting, which, I guess, is sometimes suggested but that did not work. What did work, however, is the books of the Bible. In the middle of childbirth my cousin was quoting the book of the bible. Admittedly she rarely made it past the first five but I found this to be very admirable and faithful that she could focus on God in the middle of God's painful punishment of the pain of childbirth. The moral of the story is: If one woman can endure the pain of nature childbirth and control the tongue it should be easy for the rest of us, relatively.

COMING SOON: A comparison look at Chinese Socialism, Soviet Socialism, and American Capitolism in today's world.

Da Yoopers on ESPN Der!

2009-06-03T20:21:00.001-04:00

Say yah to dah U.P eh

ESPN Commercial

Duck Hunt + Halo = FUNNY!!!

2009-05-21T23:10:00.001-04:00

My cousin posted this on facebook and I found it hilarious and felt the need to share it so enjoy:

Duck Hunt + Halo

Movie Reviews

2009-05-16T18:20:00.002-04:00

"Knowing"

I this this movie has been out so long now that it isn't, or probably isn't, in the main theaters anymore but who cares I want to talk about it anyways! I found "Knowing" to be one of the most unique movies made in a long time. Nicolas Cage does a great job in his role as a professor and single father who loves his son but isn't entirely positive how to raise him to be independent in his thoughts and views while also fighting with his own doubts about the world and faith. Faith, however, is only a small part of the story. The movie is a very interesting mix of "Indiana Jones" and "Signs." When you combine these two different genres and throw in faith an interesting movie is created. I was in know hurry to share this movie with you because it probably isn't one you want to see in the theater but it is definitely worth a look if you want action, suspense, faith, and even a little bit of love.

"12"

I don't how many of you have seen "12 Angry Men" with Henry Fonda, it was released in 1957 and is clearly an American classic telling the tale of a jury discussing the fate of a a man with whom all the evidence points towards a guilty verdict. This version tells a interesting and informing story about how evidence can appear to make a case open and shut when looked at on the surface. This jury carefully examines ALL the evidence and testimonies with excruciating detail to determine the not guilty verdict. I tell you this because the movie is quite predictable in this area the interesting part is how the jury comes to the verdict.

"12" is a Russian remake of this film and is filmed completely in Russian. Even with subtitles this movie is just as good as its predecessor but it gets much more personal with the lives of the jurors and the accused. In fact, in "12 Angry Men" the audience doesn't meet anyone but the jury. While the personal stories actually are a bit overdone and difficult to find a true connection to the case, the movie does a good job showing the differences between the United States and Russia in a very similar situation. This movie even throws a surprise at the end which I will not reveal. This is a good movie to see but it is beneficial to watch the American version before watching the Russian version.

Word of the Day

2009-05-06T08:45:00.001-04:00

Chickenheartedness

Definition: Seriously folk do I need to tell you the definition?

Movie Review of "Knowing" coming.

Psalm 33

2009-04-26T22:46:00.003-04:00

Hope. This is a word that is used often, sometimes to often, from presidential campaigns to movies. While this isn't a bad thing, I do think the overuse takes the incredible meaning and purpose out of this word. Just let it sink in and think about hope and where your's is. Maybe Psalm 33 will help:

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars [a] ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.

9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-

15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Gotta lova song Parities

2009-04-22T00:42:00.003-04:00

Whether ya like his politics or not this song is kinda funny.

Waitin on Obama

Come back soon to find out what NascarKyle thinks about the movie "Knowing!"

WARNING: Jounalist? at work

2009-04-16T09:18:00.001-04:00

CNN sent a reporter to cover the tax day tea parties, a peaceful protest against big government, insane government spending, and taxes. This journalist was hostile towards a interviewee expressing his views (rationally) she later twisted the reaction of the crowd towards her has anti-CNN, and anti-government....and the crowd reacted appropriately and not even close to hostile. Others in the media actually cursed the protesters and criticized them while reporting that they were protesting having to pay any taxes. The one thing they didn't do is listen and debate. I know this because "Fair Tax" signs were everywhere! People who don't want to pay any taxes would not be promoting any taxes. They even stated "We don't mind paying taxes, we don't like how the government is using our taxes."

The Hostile CNN reporter

Kids Love 2 Ride

2009-04-09T12:32:00.002-04:00

Kids Love 2 Ride

It is now illegal to sell kids bikes to kids under 12. Why? The government is afraid the kids will lick parts that contain lead.

What else: You can buy adult bikes for kids....................

The good news: Malcolm Smith Motorsports out of Riverside California will still sell kids bikes to kids because the law is ridiculous. Click the link to watch a 6 minute video made by Malcolm Smith about the law and his protest.

A Poem In honor of Grandma Rose

2009-04-03T11:39:00.003-04:00

Written by my cousin Sarah Paasman-Snyder:

Over in the Netherlands was a beautiful Rose
God had a plan for her and that is the one she chose.
With hardships of war and trials she’ll never forget
One great thing came out of it, she and Clarence met.
He left her with a watch and promise from his heart
He’d come back to her and they’d have a fresh start.
Come back to her he did and they fell more and more in love
They started a family with blessings from above.
His name is John, their first-born son
He was just the start of their family to come.
They wanted another child and along came Gerri
Their first baby girl, now this was becoming a family.
Then there was Pete, their third in line
Changes were happening and after him was the time.
They moved to America for the next chapter in life
God had more plans for them and this felt just right.
They settled on the farm in memorable Forest Grove
All the memories made there, everyone will hold.
With three kids now, they wanted some more
That’s when Willa came along and became child number four.
Another girl was a blessing, truly
God gave them even more when he blessed them with Shirley.
Their older kids were now starting families of their own
But they weren’t quite done and that’s when Rex was born.
What started as two people on the other side of the world
Has become this wonderful family, The Paasmans….
Starting with Clarence and Rose, John, Gerri, Pete, Willa, Shirley, Rex, all their spouses, the grandkids, and the great grandkids there will be.
That, is the Paasman Family.
What started with a precious Rose
Is now a family God chose.

An Amazing Story

2009-03-26T13:36:00.002-04:00

Today during lunch at Bojangles a small family sat in the booth across from me and a friend of theirs happened to come by. I couldn't help but over here the fathers story. In July of last year he went to the eye doctor. The doctor sent him to Duke Eye Center where he was quickly diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his eye. This is a very bad sign because tumors in the eye are rarely found in time to successfully treat the tumor, to make things worse there are only three doctors in the world who have the expertise to treat this form of cancer (Primarily because it is so rare and so difficult to treat). Needless to say this couple and their daughter (probably about 5 now) was prepared for the worst. After further tests doctors discovered that this particular tumor was very new and very treatable with an expert doctor and one of those three doctors I talked about above is at Duke. Now he is going back to work in a couple weeks cancer-free, and enjoying life with his wife and young daughter. He said to me, "I wouldn't trade what I have now for all the multi-million lotteries in the world." I don't blame him and he should be arrested if he even considered that trade. I told him to never stop telling this God-story and he said he never hesitates because he is the most blessed man in the world.

I debate bringing politics into this great God-Story but do you really think this story would be possible under government health-care? Health care is expensive but that is why it is so good. Insurance may need changes, affordability may need to be built in, but there is a reason I don't go to the federal credit union for my savings account. I haven't found one that can give me the best rate. I don't want that same quality in my doctor.

Bailouts to Takeover Welcome Communism

2009-03-24T12:43:00.004-04:00

Wasn't Obama a centrist on his Campaign? I am not going to judge him but he is sure looking like a far left communist now! What a surprise you can't look at what a candidate says during the campaign, you need to evaluate based on the candidates voting record, and we knew Obama was the most far left Senator. No surprize that he would say he is centrist and govern from the left.

Wheres the Change!!!!!??????!!!!!?????????!!!!!!

Oh Yeah I guess Facist Communism (Yes I said Facist communism becuase the government wants to control everything and the Executive Branch (One Man) is gaining most of the power.
I don't entire blame Obama, I also blame Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagon, Carter,........FDR for making expansion of executive power OK and popular.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/23/AR2009032302830_pf.html

A Great Brad Paisley song

2009-03-17T12:08:00.000-04:00

Too Country!!!???????

I don't understand what that means!

Proposed Connecticut Law

2009-03-11T11:16:00.002-04:00

A bill has been proposed in the Connecticut congress that would have government regulating the church. Take a look:

Diocese of Bridgeport

Division Over Proposed Church Law

Legislative Attack on Catholic Church in Connecticut

Jurisdiction, Connecticut, and Freedom of the Church

While it is unlikely this bill will pass because it is so obviously unconstitutional per the 1st amendment. It is scary to find out that politicians anywhere would even consider a bill like this as a good idea. I know one thing for sure. If government ever passes a law (Federal or my state, or state I happen to be in) limiting religion or faith in anyway arrest me because I am guilty.

The First time since 1998.................

2009-03-09T14:24:00.002-04:00

Friday the 13th in consecutive months!

Another interesting fact: this can only happen in February and March!

2009-03-06T14:55:00.003-05:00

Below is a map of the United States identifying where the most foreclosures happened by county last year. As you can see California, Florida, and midwestern cities top the list. The reasons are obvious the prime causes are people living above their means with adjustment rate mortgages (The payments go up when clients don't pay well, Maybe the customers shouldn't have been given the loan but maybe they shouldn't have signed the paperwork! It is bad business to give loans to people who can't pay but it is equally has bad to buy things you can't afford!) The other reason is job loss and last year the large midwestern cities (Detroit and Cleveland) show this. While not paying is never good at least these people have a better reason. In short, is the country going through mortgage/foreclosure crisis or are the inevitable results of bad decisions by individuals and businesses being shown in very specific areas (Half of all foreclosures in 35 counties).

Home Values: Downward Spiral or Return to Normalcy?

2009-03-02T12:10:00.005-05:00

Here is a history of home values over the last 100 years. Home values has you can see have stayed around 100,000 on average and only increased an average of 10,000 in 1950. In the 2000's values skyrocketed to over 200,000 because credit has gotten so cheap and easy to get. We are now paying the price for making credit to easy to get. The housing market will survive if we allow the market to return to normalcy and get credit to a manageable point. The Federal Reserve needs to RAISE interest rates and leave foreclosures alone! Anything else will cause future problems even if the problem is "fixed" temporary. Look at the bank bailouts, companies are canceling meeting, advertising, and trips causing hotels to struggle and layoff workers. HMMM............the bailouts are causing job loss!

Consititution: The First New Deal?

2009-02-26T13:34:00.002-05:00

Looking back at the history of the United States is quite interesting as it relates to the power of government starting in colonial times:

1776: Colonists wanted to govern themselves because they felt oppression from England.
-In reality England had used a policy of neglect and when they began paying attention
to the colonies through taxes, laws, and trade requirements (all reasonable) we didn't like
it.
We didn't like new rules and taxes from English government so the 13 colonies united and
formed the Declaration of Independence.

1781: Articles of Confederation ratified making the 13 colonies one united nation
This Article formed a very weak union with a VERY weak Federal government. This government did not have power to tax. The powers it did have: The confederation was capable of making war, negotiating diplomatic agreements, and resolving issues regarding the western territories. An important element of the Articles was that Article XIII stipulated that "their provisions shall be inviolably observed by every state" and "the Union shall be perpetual."
Instead of taxing the federal government needed to ask the states for funds. The States held great power over the Confederation Congress (Only one branch).
The members of the congress soon realized this government was not strong enough and many pushed for a new government that would be more powerful. (Sound familiar? Interesting how history repeats itself.)

1783: Treaty of Paris
The war was over, the French finally won one, and the American nation was free and independent.

1787: Constitution adopted
The federal government now had much more power, including taxation, and it was clearly more powerful than the states. For the government to get more powerful amendments had to be passed and three branches needed to approve all policies. The states were happy and the government was happy. BUT WAIT............

FAST FORWARD

1930's: COLLAPSE!!!!! The Great Depression
FDR takes office and decides the government must create new programs including NRA (National Recovery Act), FDIC, and Social Security (was this necessary for recovery?). Anyways the New Deal was born and the government takes more power from the states and more power and money from private citizens all in the name of security and economic immunity.

BUT.......

1960's and 1970's: Trouble AGAIN!

Most remember the oil shortage and long lines so the government decided to do something about it..............Medicare and Medicaid! Wait? I thought the problem was dominantly oil? Oh well Lyndon Johnson saves the U.S. economy with his "Great Society."

2009:
The economy is once again slow and Barack Obadiah is going to save us with the Recovery Act of 2009. This crisis was caused by poor financial choices EVERYWHERE (Do I need to go into detail?) So we are going to get stimulas for Heath Care Reform! Wait health care again? And the government wants to take a stake in banks?

Does anyone see the course the government as taken? From needed to ask state governments for money all the way to taking over minority shares of companies. Looking at history it is clear there is nothing temp. going on here. The government will continue to gain power over us through New Deals. As proven by history these crisis' simply act as the excuse to pass ridiculous legislation that has nothing to do with the crisis in the name of recovery and prevention.
QUESTION: As any New Deal prevented another crisis?
As any New Deal argueably shorted the crisis?
As the government gotten smaller after the crisis was over?

ANSWER: NO! (three times)

Sometimes go with your gut

2009-02-16T10:49:00.004-05:00

As I was trying to predict a winner of the DAYTONA 500 this past weekend I considered four people:

Jeff Gordon
Tony Stewart
Matt Kenseth
Kevin Harvick

Predicting this race is especially difficult because the draft works in such a way that anyone can literally win provided "the big one" doesn't take them out of the race. (The big one refers to the inevitable wreck that will take out usually 10 or more cars). This year Stewart, Gordon, and Mark Martin were among the favorites throughout the weekend and I agreed that both Gordon and Stewart should do well. I, however, had a feeling throughout the weekend that Kenseth would have a big race and I thought Harvick would as well. In the end I selected Gordon and Stewart as my fantasy drivers.

GUESS WHAT:

1. Matt Kenseth
2. Kevin Harvick
3. AJ Allmendinger
4. Clint Bowyer
5. Elliot Sadler

8. Tony Stewart
13. Jeff Gordon

Gordon was running in the top five all day untill a tire issue required him to make a early pit stop putting him one lap down. Gordon would eventually get his lap back and march his way to the front but the rain halted him at 13th. Stewart ran strong all day, narrowly avoiding "The Big One" (caused by Dale 'wa wa it wasn't me' Earnhardt Jr.) and was also coming back to the front when the rains came down. So who knows what would have happened if the race went 500 miles, but it didn't, and my other two drivers finished 1st and 2nd. I am sick of being close in predictions. On the bright side I did pick the 80 Hendrickcars.com Chevy driven by Tony Stewart to win the Nationwide race and he did! If you feel you need to confirm this correct prediction talk to Jon Keane.

Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 1

2009-02-13T13:45:00.003-05:00

Q: What is my only comfort in life and in death?

A: That I am not my own,^1

but belong—
body and soul,
in life and in death—^2
to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.^3

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,^4
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.^5
He also watches over me in such a way^6
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven:^7
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.^8

Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life^9
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.^10

^1 1 Cor. 6:19-20
^2 Rom. 14:7-9
^3 1 Cor. 3:23; Titus 2:14
^4 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:2
^5 John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 John 3:1-11
^6 John 6:39-40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:5
^7 Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18
^8 Rom. 8:28
^9 Rom. 8:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14
^10 Rom. 8:1-17

The Heidelberg Catechism was composed in Heidelberg at the request of Elector Frederick III, who ruled the Palatinate, an influential German province, from 1559 to 1576. An old tradition credits Zacharius Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus with being coauthors of the new catechism. Both were certainly involved in its composition, although one of them may have had primary responsibility. All we know for sure is reported by the Elector in his preface of January 19, 1563. It was, he writes, "with the advice and cooperation of our entire theological faculty in this place, and of all superintendents and distinguished servants of the church" that he secured the preparation of the Heidelberg Catechism. The catechism was approved by a synod in Heidelberg in January 1563. A second and third German edition, each with small additions, as well as a Latin translation were published the same year in Heidelberg. Soon the catechism was divided into fifty-two sections so that one Lord's Day could be explained in preaching each Sunday of the year.

For More:

The Heidelberg Catechism - Christian Reformed Church

2999 Tyrants Part Three

2009-02-12T08:48:00.002-05:00

HERES A REPRESENTATIVE I CAN GET BEHIND:

Representative John Fleming (R - Louisiana)

Wow Louisiana seems to have some great leaders the representative is good and the Governor. I might talk about the governor later, for now here is some info about the representative:

Biography

Congressman John C. Fleming., M.D., a family physician from Minden, LA, was elected to Congress in December 2008. Fleming represents Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District, which covers the parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, DeSoto, Red River, Winn, Sabine, Natchitoches, Grant, Vernon, Beauregard and Allen. Fleming is focused on sound economic policy to grow and create jobs, reducing the tax burden for all Americans, sensible health care reforms, a sound energy policy and representing Northwest Louisiana's traditional values.

John Fleming's primary goal is to uphold America's constitution is working in Washington with a single purpose: to represent the people as a servant leader.

Fleming is a member of two House Committees- Armed Services and Natural Resources.

Through these Committees, Fleming will be able to focus on the biggest economic drivers for the 4th Congressional District. His work on the Armed Services Committee will allow for the future security of Barksdale Air Force Base, Ft. Polk and the other military instillations, both in Northwest Louisiana and throughout the state. Serving on the Natural Resources committee positions him to support the maximization of the Haynesville Shale Project, which will provide a source of alternative energy in natural gas and create thousands of jobs for 4th District families.

John is married to his wife Cindy for 30 years and they have four adult children. His background as a Medical Officer in the United States Navy laid a path for his medical practice. His accomplished background as a family physician awarded him the Louisiana Family Doctor of the Year in 2007.

He has served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and School Department Director at First Baptist of Minden. His medical practice, and several non-medical businesses that he owns provide over 500 jobs to Louisianans.

LEGISLATION HE SUPPORTS:

2. H.J.RES.1 : Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Sponsor: Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (147)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 2/9/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

4. H.R.156 : To prevent Members of Congress from receiving any automatic pay adjustment in 2010.
Sponsor: Rep Mitchell, Harry E. [AZ-5] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (108)
Committees: House Administration; House Oversight and Government Reform
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

5. H.R.213 : To repeal the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 with respect to the expansion of the adoption credit and adoption assistance programs.
Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (70)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

6. H.R.226 : To prevent the Federal Communications Commission from repromulgating the fairness doctrine.
Sponsor: Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] (introduced 1/7/2009) Cosponsors (175)
Committees: House Energy and Commerce
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

7. H.R.227 : To provide that human life shall be deemed to begin with fertilization.
Sponsor: Rep Broun, Paul C. [GA-10] (introduced 1/7/2009) Cosponsors (54)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

This is just a little about this new representative from Louisiana, I recommend looking into the rep. a little more. Below is a quote from him:

Interviewer: What are you going to do if you don't get elected back into office?

Fleming: I am a doctor and small business man, not a politician, if I don't get reelected that is what I will go back too.

Often politicians only care about getting a staying in office, making the right connections, and saying the right things. As of now Congressman Fleming is a young representative and only time will tell if he is going to be a refreshing change who beliefs in limiting government, and true democratic capitalism, but it is sure worth watching his actions and encouraging him to stay the course.