Friday, October 30, 2009

Iowa Hawkeye Hype?

I had a very spirited conversation with my son Daniel the other day about the Iowa Hawkeyes football team and their National Ranking.

Here is the deal...I'm old enough to have had my heart smashed multiple times by the loved Black & Gold! The high national ranking and all of this BCS talk is so out of place for the Hawks. Is it really time to buy into the "National Title" conversation?

I'm old school, pre-BCS, the only bowl game I'm really interested in, is seeing Iowa take the run for the ROSES!!! As far as I'm concerned the BCS is a joke! Just bring Boise State and the Smurf Turf into the conversation. Even if BS goes unbeaten they will not be in the BCS mix! How is that right? Give the Big 10 champ the Rose Bowl, that is the cats pajamas's!

Can Iowa run the table, end undefeated and your National #1 playing for a National Title? You bet! With 4 games left, Indiana, Northwestern, #17 Ohio State and Minnesota the possibility is there but along with that ... How many times have we seen the "no-name" team with "no chance" bite us right in the unbeaten streak?!

Anything can happen ... Remember the 1985 Rose Bowl, the Ronnie Harmon fumble fest and sports agent payoff/payback? Anything can happen!

One game at a time. Next up Indiana on Saturday! GO HAWKS!!!!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Best & Worst of the Weekend!

Best of the Weekend:
*Susan G. Komen 5K and events of the day!
*Iowa Hawkeyes win over Michigan State!
*Iowa State Cyclones win over the Nebraska Bugeaters!
(Before 1900, Nebraska football teams were known by such names as the Old Gold Knights, Antelopes, Rattlesnake Boys and the Bugeaters. In its first two seasons (1890-91), Nebraska competed as the Old Gold Knights, but beginning in 1892, Nebraska adopted Scarlet and Cream as its colors and accepted the Bugeaters as its most popular nickname until the turn of the century.)
*Getting to see Elijah, Maggie, Daniel, Amy, Philip, and Morgan as well as the rest of my family!
*Great day Sunday at church.

Worst of the Weekend:
***I got nothing!***

Hope your weekend was as good!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Run For The Cure

Saturday was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Des Moines.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure raises funds to support the Komen Foundation mission of eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. Susan G. Komen for the Cure was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at 36.

There were a record 25,800 people involved in the mornings activities. Part of that group was a number from my family. Breast cancer has touch my family in that my sister Susan lost her battle with the disease and her twin, my sister Carol, is a 15 years survivor as of this year. This was a very special day for all of us!

My Sister Carol!

As for my participation, I ran in the 5K event. This was my first attempt at running an official 5K. My time was not that great but the size of the crowd and the fact that those who were walking did not go to the back of the group were contributing factors. In fact, the crowd was so large that I was not able to even jog for about the first 5oo yards and then I had to get completely off the road and run on the sidewalk still dodging people everywhere! My time was 33:40.Following the activities at the Capital Complex in Des Moines we headed over to my Mom's for lunch with the family. BBQ pulled pork was the food fair of the day and my sister Jacki made the best slaw ever!!!!

It was a great day with the family!


Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I'm Gettin' To That Age!

A friend of mine got sent off to his first visit to the Proctologist, baseline check up and all that stuff. This caused me to think - "Wow, he's my age ... oh no, it will not be long before its my turn!"

In light of that, one of the men of our church, a few years back, found an audio clip of a comedy song entitled "Ode To The Colorectal Surgeon". I think I found one better, a video clip of the song being performed by the comedy team of Bowser and Blue.

Warning: If you can find no humor in this topic ... proceed no further!

For those burdened with a warped sense of humor, like me:




I hope you found a reason to smile!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Rush In & Rush Out

I have been watching with great interest the unfolding drama with conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh and his effort to be a partner in ownership of the St. Louis Rams NFL team.

Let me lay a bit of groundwork ... I'm not a "dittidiot", a blind follower of the Rush political/social riptide. I have listened regularly to Rush in the past but not for about a year or more, I just got worn out from the same old rhetoric which has become very tiring at least to me.

Back to the topic at hand ... in my humble opinion, Rush has every right to be a
part owner of the Rams or any other team his chooses to be involved with.

With that being said ... what is the real issue here? His Conservative political views? His sometimes "far-right" social views? Perhaps it is just the "icky" factor? Could it be his public persona is just too overwhelming?


The way I see it is that the NFL owner are nothing more that a "good old boys club". According to an interview of Bob Costas by Dan Patrick, the NFL owners may reject any bid for any reason they deem fitting. As Costas said "If they do not like the way you part your hair ... your out!" Sounds weird but that seems to be the lay of the NFL landscape.

Is this about what Rush says or has said? Where is the tolerance? I have been operating under the impression that we are now working under the new "BIG" tent where every opinion carries the same weight. There are no absolutes, no one is right and no one is wrong. Did I miss the memo stating that this is all true as long as you agree with the liberal left? I'm not trying to be snarky, I'm asking an honest question. If Rush Limbaugh was a flaming left liberal would that make any difference? Would this even be an issue?

Like him or not, Rush should be allowed the right to walk through the process without the "public outcry" and current NFL players spouting off that they would not play for a team owned by Limbaugh. That is truly a stupid statement! NFL players are all about the money and will play wherever they can get the most cash. Remember, whenever a professional athlete says it is not about the money ... it is always about the money! Protect the shield!!!
At least that's ...The Way I See It

Monday, October 12, 2009

Sunday's Stuff

Another great day at the CLRBC!

We had the opportunity to have Campus Bible Fellowship (CBF) Missionary Steve Giegerich in to minister Sunday evening.

Steve was preparing for a career as a concert pianist at the University of Iowa when he received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Surrendering his life to serve God, Steve and his wife have been serving in South Bend, Indiana at the University of Indiana @ South Bend for the past 20 years.

Steve shared his ministry and then played the piano for us. It was an incredible evening on ministry and music!

Following the service we enjoyed a baked potato fellowship. Everyone brings their favorite topping, something sweet to eat and the church provides the 'tators. A simple as this is, it is one of the favorite fellowships of our church family!

Steve Giegerich said in all of the churches he has been to this is the first baked potato fellowship he'd ever been to and thought it was something that would really fly on the college campus!

A very enjoyable evening at the church!

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Thursday's Bits and Balderdash!

Iowa's archery season opened last Wednesday and I've only been able to get out for about 2 hours so far! I think I'm too busy! Maybe I'll get out this Saturday - that would be great!!!

The Cardinals lost AGAIN today. What a complete buzz kill! The Cards have been kicking some serious derrière all year, they arrive in plasticland (LA) and act as if they had never seen a baseball field before in their lives. What's up with that!?!?!?!?!? The next game is Saturday and if the boys go belly up - their out! Done! World Series dreams dead! Come on boys, give us some effort, keep the dream alive!

Bus driving continues. I have been driving the JH volleyball team. Junior High girls are loud! I've also been driving route for Ventura and Clear Lake.

It's late, time to hit the rack!

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

"Day To Day"

The sports world is an entity all to itself! You don't need to look very hard or deep to find things that you just wonder if they hear the things that the broadcasters say.

One of my favorites is the prognosis that a given player is "day to day". This simply means that the player in question is needing to be evaluated on their readiness to play, practice or retire!

What strikes me as interesting is this: Is this not true of everyone of us! Are we not all day to day! Must of us get up every morning and have to evaluate if we are ready to participate in the days activities. Whether we're in the game or just going through the motions, everyone is just day to day!

Just my thought!

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Another Great Day @ CLRBC

Today was a day of new starts!

In our adult Sunday School we started a new study on the book of Proverbs with the Title of "Living Wisely in a Wacky World". I didn't write the title, that's the work of RBP! Title aside...this is setting up to be a great study!

In our morning services we are beginning a new study in the book of 1 John. Today's message was an introduction. For me these are the hardest messages to preach because you are mainly dealing with background details. I understand the importance of context, especially in the arena of Biblical study, but I really enjoy tearing into the text itself.

Long story longer...The message on this morning was very well received. Folks found it very interesting, informative and applicable to the day in which we live. I'm really looking forward to preaching through this smaller NT book!

Our evening service was not a new start but a report from Philip Cox about his missions trip to South Africa. It was clear that this was a very pivotal time in Philip's life. As he walked through the photo's and recalled the places he'd been and the people he had met, it was clear that God has used this time in his life in a mighty way. As Philips Dad, I could not be more proud of the attitude and desire to follow hard after God. I'm convinced that God is going to do some really incredible stuff whit that kid!

What a great day!

Friday, October 02, 2009

Are You Ready?

What if it were today? What if He did return? Are you ready?



Just a thought.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Wow! October 1st Already

Lots of things going on around here and I really wanted to post before now but ... life happens! My apologies to Big Bro and T. Mark, I know that you are two of my most faithful supporter & I'm mindful of that as I think about my lack of new postings. 'Nough said ...let's press on!

September 26th: I was asked to speak at a marriage conference at the Nevada Baptist Church in Nevada, Iowa. The keynote speaker was Dr. Jeff Newman from Faith Baptist Bible College, the workshop speakers were Mr. Dale Whiting, Dr. Doug Brown, Pastor & Mrs. Dennis Reynolds and myself.

I was asked to speak on the topics of communication in marriage and the Biblical view of sex in marriage. Other workshop topics were on child-rearing, finance, retirement as well as others.

I though that the conference was very well attended and everyone seemed to enjoy the time and benefit from the information given. It was a privilege to have been asked to participate in this conference. Thanks Pastor James for the invite!

September 27th: My birthday! Had a wonderful day with tons of birthday messages on Facebook, lunch out with Lynn and hearing from all of my kids. Thanks for all of teh birthday wishes, as I said on my Facebook page, I'm truly overwhelmed!

This was also a Sunday and another opportunity to open God's Word with the folks at the Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church. We really dealt with topic of FEAR. The morning message was dealing with Fear in Life and the evening message was dealing with Fear in Evangelism. These messages seemed to be well received, in that I have received three phone calls about how folk were touched by God's Word through the messages. Overall, it was a very good day!

Ministry Stuff: The work of the ministry continues as Monday morning I found out that a friend had suffered a slight stroke and was in the area hospital, I've had the opportunity to minister and be at the hospital for a visit everyday this week. Wednesday is my regular visitation day where I drive to surrounding communities visiting folks who attend our church and one couple who are in a Care Facility. Busy, busy,busy but I love the ministry!

Fall Activities: Iowa archery season opened this morning and I awoke to lightning, thunder and pouring rain! The forecast is for rain for the next seven days! I don't think that it will rain forever (I hope), so I'll bide my time and sooner or later I'll get into the stand and hopefully I'll get to harvest a nice deer this year. I'll keep you posted...

I'm still driving bus for Ventura, Clear Lake and now I've been asked to drive for a bus company in Mason City. I've not driven for MC yet, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity.

Family: Everyone is doing well, some struggling with some allergy issues, but hanging in there. I'm still running and training for a 5K in Des Moines this month. The weight is still down, but the maintenance side of this is HARD!!! I'm so thankful for my wife, who is a tremendous encouragement on this path toward healthy living.

That is it for now ... Talk to you soon!