I'm bringing back one of my favorite bits on my blog ... "The Best & Worst of the Weekend."
When I originally started this, the idea was that I would give my best and worst and then "YOU", the readers, would contribute your best and worst via the comments box. That failed miserably! So I killed the bit!
Because this is my blog ... I'm bringing it back and if "you" want to participate you are welcome too!
The Best of the Weekend: Iowa Regular Baptist Camp Corporation Meeting, Area-Wide Youth Rally hosted by the Clear Lake Baptist Church, & an incredible day of ministry topped of by an afterglow at the parsonage.
The Worst of the Weekend: The Ventura High School Vikings loss on Friday night and their ouster from qualifying for the State playoffs, The Iowa Hawkeye's loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, & the Minnesota Vikings loss to the Packers - In my humble opinion ... The Vikings are DONE! I hope I'm wrong, but Farve looks awful!
That's the way I see it!
Pastor Steve
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
And So It Begins...
The Fall hunting season has begun in ernest!I'm so excited!!!
I've been in the deer stand a few times and seen deer every time. we are in the pre-rut stage of the season and the bucks are just starting to get interested in the does.
Once the rut kicks in full force - the buck will go completely stupid, let their natural guard down and present an opportunity for harvest to a wise bow hunter. I just wish I knew one!
Last Saturday was the second waterfowl opener. I was ready and shot up a bunch of shells!
Had a wonderful time and harvested a hen and a drake wood duck. These are beautiful birds ... and ... quite tasty!
I'll keep you posted on the rest of the seasons!
I remain,
Pastor Steve
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sports Weekend
If you are a sports fan ... you have to love this time of year! Play-off baseball, college football, NFL, NHL, NBA pre-season & NASCAR's "The Chase".
Here are a few of my interests:
Twins/Yankees: The Twins lost another postseason series to the Yankees. Those stinking, cheating, no-account Yankees!! I can't stand the Yankees, these guys are killing me - they are so far inside the heads of the Twins; that they know what the Twins are doing before the Twins do!
#10 Utah at ISU: Iowa State University football team hosted the #10 team in the nation from Utah. At the end of the 1st quarter, ISU had the lead at 14-10! Then Utah turned on the jets and won the game with as final score of 68-27! Only one word can describe this loss - Brutal!
If you have followed my blog for long you already know that I'm an Iowa Hawkeye football fan. The mention of the ISU loss is in no way a dig at the Ames squad but a heartfelt - Wow, sorry about that one! The real problem is that this week is not any better with #6 Oklahoma coming to Ames this week.
NASCAR "The Chase": After Sunday's race in California there are 5 drivers within 105 points of the lead. If I remember correctly this is the closest race sine the inception of "the chase" format. I know that most folks think that NASCAR is so stupid as the drivers do nothing but turn left; I see on the track a great deal of strategy - tires, fuel, pit stops, restarts & cautions. Trust me ... much more that a bunch of country bumpkins on a dirt track. at least ... That is the way I see it!
Pastor Steve
Here are a few of my interests:
Twins/Yankees: The Twins lost another postseason series to the Yankees. Those stinking, cheating, no-account Yankees!! I can't stand the Yankees, these guys are killing me - they are so far inside the heads of the Twins; that they know what the Twins are doing before the Twins do!
If you have followed my blog for long you already know that I'm an Iowa Hawkeye football fan. The mention of the ISU loss is in no way a dig at the Ames squad but a heartfelt - Wow, sorry about that one! The real problem is that this week is not any better with #6 Oklahoma coming to Ames this week.
NASCAR "The Chase": After Sunday's race in California there are 5 drivers within 105 points of the lead. If I remember correctly this is the closest race sine the inception of "the chase" format. I know that most folks think that NASCAR is so stupid as the drivers do nothing but turn left; I see on the track a great deal of strategy - tires, fuel, pit stops, restarts & cautions. Trust me ... much more that a bunch of country bumpkins on a dirt track. at least ... That is the way I see it!Pastor Steve
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Bits & Balderdash
Just wanted to drop in and give an update on Life in North Iowa at least from ... The Way I See It! Wow, that was good!
Here we go...
The Birthday Boy: Just breezed by my 49th birthday last week. That's all I got on that.
Homecoming @ Ventura High School: I had the opportunity to help with the activities of the Ventura High School Homecoming. Ran the grill for the concession stand - cooked 90 pork tenderloins, 30 pork burgers, 30 brats and 24 hotdogs. Good night on the grill.
The real highlight was getting to help with the fireworks display. The booster club purchased about $1500 worth of fireworks and I got to help set them off. Despite a bit of rain at the end of the game putting a wet blanket buzzkill on the grand finale, we got everything fired off, it just took a bit longer than planned. Fun times!!! BTW, Ventura won the game over CAL.
Back On Track: Back On Track is a state-wide youth rally held on the campus of Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa. The idea behind BOT is that summer is over, school is back in session and it is possible for teens to have gotten off track from the decisions made during youth camps in the summer. This is a Bible study type rally, 3 sessions with everybody and 2 break out/workshop sessions. This was a great day with excellent preaching and teaching.
I Remain,
Pastor Steve
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Josh Hamilton: Making Good Decisions
Heard this talked about on "The Dan Patrick Show" podcast; looked it up and in a era where we are bombarded by athletes and celebrities who are making terrible decisions .... Josh Hamilton stands apart from the crowd!
A bit of background - Josh Hamilton's struggles with drugs and alcohol are well documented. He finally got clean after being confronted by his grandmother, Mary Holt. Hamilton says he hasn't used drugs or alcohol since October 6, 2005. When giving a brief summary of his recovery Hamilton says simply "It's a God thing." He does not shy away from telling his story, speaking to community groups and fans at many different functions. He frequently and publicly tells stories of how Jesus has brought him back from the brink and that faith is what keeps him going. His wife Katie sometimes accompanies him, offering her perspective on his struggles as well.
To go along with the provisions of MLB's drug policy, Hamilton provides urine samples for drug testing at least three times per week. Coach Jerry Narron says of the frequent testing: "I think he looks forward to the tests. He knows he's an addict. He knows he has to be accountable. He looks at those tests as a way to reassure people around him who had faith." Hamilton approaches the plate at Texas Rangers home games to the song "Until The Whole World Hears" by Christian group Casting Crowns. In late 2008 Hamilton, among other celebrities appeared in testimonial videos called "I Am Second" in which he shares his story of recovering from drug use with the help of his faith in Jesus Christ.
Hamilton confirmed he suffered a in early 2009. Sports blog "Deadspin.com" posted photos of Hamilton shirtless in a bar in Tempe, Arizona with several women. According to reports, witnesses saw Hamilton drinking, heard him asking where he could obtain cocaine, and heard him reveal his plans to go to a strip club later that evening. The photos do not show Hamilton drinking or taking any illegal drugs.
Although this news did not break until August 2009, Hamilton revealed that he had informed his wife, the Texas Rangers, and Major League Baseball the day after the incident occurred. Hamilton called a press conference on August 8 to discuss the photos. Regarding the incident Hamilton said "Obviously it was one those things that reinforce that I can't have alcohol. I got away from the one thing that kept me on the straight and narrow and that was my relationship with the Lord. That should always come first. Hopefully some good will come out of this. It just crossed my mind that night, 'Can I have a drink?' Obviously I can't and this reinforces that. Since that night, I have not had another thought like that. I know it's something I shouldn't do because it leads to other things."
Here is the latest article from the Dallas Morning News on Josh Hamilton following the Texas Ranger's clinching a spot in the MLB playoffs ...
Rangers' Josh Hamilton celebrates title dry and in church
01:35 AM CDT on Monday, September 27, 2010
Josh Hamilton managed to day dry when the Texas Rangers celebrated the franchise's first division title in 11 years, drenching the visitor's clubhouse at the Oakland Coliseum with champagne and beer.
The slugging outfielder, who battled drug and alcohol addictions early in his career, dressed quickly and quietly in a nearby trainer's room after the Rangers ended the Angels' three-year hold on the AL West title.
He had to convince a few teammates to not pour bottles of water on him, explaining he had other postgame activities in mind. It was church day in Oakland and Hamilton planned to join some of the Athletics in sharing stories of their faith with fans.
"So it would be kind of hypocritical of me to come in here and douse myself with alcohol and smoke cigars and then go out there and talk about Jesus," Hamilton said.
(From wire reports)
Notes From Pastor Steve: 1. The Background info. was used from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia with some edits by me. 2. Main article from the Dallas Morning News.
No matter how you feel about athletes and celebrities playing the "Jesus Card", you have to tip your hat to Josh who seems to really be trying to put feet to his faith.
Pastor Steve
To go along with the provisions of MLB's drug policy, Hamilton provides urine samples for drug testing at least three times per week. Coach Jerry Narron says of the frequent testing: "I think he looks forward to the tests. He knows he's an addict. He knows he has to be accountable. He looks at those tests as a way to reassure people around him who had faith." Hamilton approaches the plate at Texas Rangers home games to the song "Until The Whole World Hears" by Christian group Casting Crowns. In late 2008 Hamilton, among other celebrities appeared in testimonial videos called "I Am Second" in which he shares his story of recovering from drug use with the help of his faith in Jesus Christ.
Hamilton confirmed he suffered a in early 2009. Sports blog "Deadspin.com" posted photos of Hamilton shirtless in a bar in Tempe, Arizona with several women. According to reports, witnesses saw Hamilton drinking, heard him asking where he could obtain cocaine, and heard him reveal his plans to go to a strip club later that evening. The photos do not show Hamilton drinking or taking any illegal drugs.
Although this news did not break until August 2009, Hamilton revealed that he had informed his wife, the Texas Rangers, and Major League Baseball the day after the incident occurred. Hamilton called a press conference on August 8 to discuss the photos. Regarding the incident Hamilton said "Obviously it was one those things that reinforce that I can't have alcohol. I got away from the one thing that kept me on the straight and narrow and that was my relationship with the Lord. That should always come first. Hopefully some good will come out of this. It just crossed my mind that night, 'Can I have a drink?' Obviously I can't and this reinforces that. Since that night, I have not had another thought like that. I know it's something I shouldn't do because it leads to other things."
Here is the latest article from the Dallas Morning News on Josh Hamilton following the Texas Ranger's clinching a spot in the MLB playoffs ...
Rangers' Josh Hamilton celebrates title dry and in church
01:35 AM CDT on Monday, September 27, 2010
Josh Hamilton managed to day dry when the Texas Rangers celebrated the franchise's first division title in 11 years, drenching the visitor's clubhouse at the Oakland Coliseum with champagne and beer.
The slugging outfielder, who battled drug and alcohol addictions early in his career, dressed quickly and quietly in a nearby trainer's room after the Rangers ended the Angels' three-year hold on the AL West title.
He had to convince a few teammates to not pour bottles of water on him, explaining he had other postgame activities in mind. It was church day in Oakland and Hamilton planned to join some of the Athletics in sharing stories of their faith with fans.
"So it would be kind of hypocritical of me to come in here and douse myself with alcohol and smoke cigars and then go out there and talk about Jesus," Hamilton said.
(From wire reports)
Notes From Pastor Steve: 1. The Background info. was used from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia with some edits by me. 2. Main article from the Dallas Morning News.
No matter how you feel about athletes and celebrities playing the "Jesus Card", you have to tip your hat to Josh who seems to really be trying to put feet to his faith.
Pastor Steve
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)