If you like running...you'll like these

If you like running...you simply must check these out!

Praise you in a Storm

On my way to school today I heard this song by Casting Crowns...and well it about sums up a lot of things.

Praise You In This Storm
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Pissed off Detroit Tigers Fan!

I have wanted to see the Detroit Tigers play in the World Series since I can't even remember. I have been a Tigers fan since I could walk and talk. There are people out there who have World Series Tickets and don't give a rip about the Tigers. That just doesn't seem right! They are racking people over the coals if they want a set of Tickets just to make some money. I understand the value of these Tickets, but come on.....over $1000 for a pair of tickets to a baseball game. I love baseball and I love my Tigers, but who can really afford tickets at the price!? It really pisses me off! I was lucky enough to go see game four of ALCS at Comerica Park with Holly and it was stinkin' amazing!...but I think that Ty Cobb would be rolling over in his grave at the way people are capitalizing on shear luck of the draw by buying tickets to a Team and Game they must not love!

Update

Mom's surgery went well...she is walking now and can even climb stairs.

Grandma...is dealing with her issues well....seems to be in good spirits.

Surgery

Hey for those of you out there who pray....a couple of requests:

1) My mom went in for hip replacement surgery today...at 9:30A.M.

2) My grandmother has been having heart failure for some time. It is getting a lot worse. So pray that she comes to terms with it and has peace with God.

Ships

We recently started a small group with Chuck and Di...and some other people. We being Holly and I. It was really interesting because there was a wide range of ages in the group and a wide range of "ages" of Christians. Newbies..and Oldies. The topic of discussion was the Armor of God. Interesting topic all by itself, but Chuck took it a little further and made some comparisons. For instance...is the "Church" (that is the believing body of Christ) more like a Battleship or a Cruise ship? Or rather...which is it suppose to be? What are the parts of each ship and what is their purpose? I could go on and on. We really didn't conclude anything, but it got us all thinking.

My question is who is our enemy? Is it the person that we can't stand at work...or school? Is it the rude waitress at the bar? Is it the guy who takes your parking spot at the grocery store? OR....is it someone else. The Bible makes it pretty clear. Satan is God's enemy and since we are his bride...then he is our enemy too! Peter warns us to be prepared. Keep your eyes focused on God and walk with him and you will resist/rebuke Satan. Satan only has power if you give it to him. If you give him and inch...he will find a way to make that inch a mile.

So then how do we combat the enemy in our own lives...and help others to see that he is the enemy? It is no wonder to me that the Bible refers to the Armor of God as Armor. We do need it. I don't think we need to go looking for fights to do battle...most times the battles find us as Christians. But we must always be prepared. The ultimate fight is the Lords...but we must protect ourselves by staying sheltered in his shadow. But how do we do that? Some simple things...read your Bible and become familiar with the Word of God. Pray and have time with God. Take time to worship God and praise him. I mean everyday! Not just holidays and Sundays...but everyday. That is how we stay sharp as a Christain...that is how we resist the Devil and then by doing so God will shine so brightly through us that Satan can't touch us. If God is with us....who really can be against us....and win?!

An early Birthday Present

I turn 28 on Saturday. I would like to ask for an early birthday present from all who read this blog...buy me an easy Pick MEGA Millions ticket for tomarrow 9/15/06. The jackpot is $163 Million. Seriously....hook me up...I will share the wealth if I win...they are only a $1. :op

Well...even if I don't win the lotto...I still plan on having a good day for my birthday.

The Story....

So let's back up to 1994....

I am riding a bus on my way to a wrestling meet (I am a freshman) and there comes along the cute (senior) wrestling manager and she asks if she can sit with me...my reaction...heck ya!

She is older, but I keep my cool....and then the radio plays one of the best songs ever.... "John Deere Green", by Joe Diffie. I, of course, sing the song to said girl and she thinks I am oh so sweet and cute...hmmm. But her reply is "oh...you'll grow out of country music someday..."

Speed ahead to 2005. Said girl and I go to a concert..."What concert was it professor?!!" Well kids..."It was a Joe Diffie concert!"

That's right...Joe Diffie almost 12 years later... and I will be danged if that song wasn't played again and of course I had to sing it to her again..and by the way...I was wearing the same cowboy boots I was wearing in 1994. Hmmm...oh so interesting.


This bring us to the story at hand...

Holly and I have been dating on a off for the past almost 4 years. Our history obviously goes back even further. Well, after dating someone that long...and patiently waiting for God's lead...I decided it was time to ask her "THE QUESTION" for real (not pretend...like I had so many other times)...but how to do it? For almost a month I had to plan it all out as I waited for the ring to be made. I struck a deal and helped design a webpage for Wheat Jewelers in exchange for some custom ring making(....that's a whole other story). As I waited for my creating to come to life...I had plenty of time to come up with the perfect plan. What more fitting, but to build our favorite song and make it come to life. I decided to design and build( over the next two months) a 7 foot mini-water tower...but why the water tower?

(You see, in the song "John Deere Green" Billy-bob loves Charlene so much he climbs on the towns water tower and paints a ten foot heart and writes Billy-bob Loves Charlene in John Deere Green paint. The whole town thought he was nuts for using that color, but it was the thought that counted for Charlene. )

So I plan it all out...her family built and owned the Lainsburg Golf course...she even helped put in the second 9 holes....so I figured that would be the perfect place....on Labor Day...but how to get her there. So her dad and I came up with a plan...I "needed" golf clubs and her dad still works there so we could go see him and barrow his...right?...

Holly decides to go see her friend Kate in Traverse City...for the weekend...and won't be home till Monday...but she surprises me by showing up Sunday...which I think sets up the stage perfectly for Monday...I have her dad call her and make the arrangements to get her to the course with me....but she is too smart for the "trap"...but goes along anyways...and it is all I can do to keep my cool and not give it away too bad. So the next morning I get all the arrangements done...Pete and Jenny set up the tower at the golf course and I pick up the Bride to Be...hopefully...

As I pull in I notice how upset she is...she goes on for the next 40 minute car ride explaining a terrible nightmare revolving around not being ready to be married and an ugly ring that I gave her in the dream that looked like it was wrapped in tin foil or something...and inside I start freaking out! I keep thinking in my head...oh crap...abort mission...abort mission...but God keeps me cool. I calmly listen and trust God. To compound matters more...it was the same day Steve Irwin died...the croc hunter....which also made us both upset. As we get Laingsburg, I decide to give her an out..."we can get the clubs another time...let's go home..." To my surprise...she says.."No let's just go see what my dad wants." Keeping my cool worked! God rocks! I couldn't believe it. I was so nervous I could feel myself sweating as we pulled into the golf course parking lot and down toward the work shed where we might find her dad. We get out and look around....no Chuck B. Which is exactly according to plan...but not according to plan was Frankie...a kid that Chuck B had as an accomplice.

Holly to Frankie: "Have you seen my dad? Chuck Beavers?"
Frankie: "He is over working on number 18...over that hill!"

I coudn't believe it...as I turned and walked toward 18 I could see my creation (a seven foot wooden based white water tower with the big green letters and heart JOEY LOVES HOLLY)...but Holly doesn't see it. This kind of releives me...so I start walking across the fairway, but Holly calls me back...we can't just walk across the fairway....we need to walk along the tree line and over the hill. So I turn and head back up the hill...and as I walked toward her...she sees it behind me!

PAUSE STORY...I can't explain to you just how cute and shocked her grin was....as she exclaimed..."what's that?!!"...and my calm response..."what's what?" She was smiling ear to ear and she didn't know what to do...it was so awesome!

RESUME STORY...

"What's what?"...

"That!!" Pointing toward the water tower...over my shoulder.

My response..."I don't know...maybe we should go see. I think it's ok...let's walk over there across the green."

I take her hand and we walk hand in hand across the fresh cut grass toward the rose lined path that led to the tower...as we get closer I reached in my pocket and pressed play on the hidden remote control I had been carrying...and you guessed it..."John Deere Green" comes on over tiny speakers I had mounted on the tower. She was so shocked...and was grinning...and kind of crying...not knowing what exactly to say or do.

"What's going on? What is this?"..she asked

...I took her hand and looked into her eyes and and got down on my knee..."Holly...I know I love you and I want to be your husband... would you marry me...I promise the ring isn't made of tin foil...and I opened the box...slipped the ring on her finger and she said....."ok" ;oP It was so cool. We even got a congrats from people who teed off on the hole about 5 minutes later. She was so surprise...at the way I asked. We spent the rest of the day visiting friends and family...and even a friend in jail...but that is another story.

God Rocks...and now I get the marry the most smartest, wonderful, beautiful girl in the world...

Holly Marie...I love you!

So yes it is true...I am going to be marrying St. Holly Fantastic!...a bonified super hero! ;o)

Big Changes keep a' comin'!

Ok...I am going to let the you guys guess what the change is...some of you already know...some of you don't. I don't wanna give it away...so you hafta guess.

**hint** It is really awesome!!!! And it revolves around a modern day "super"hero ;o)

A sad day...

I will miss the Croc Hunter...he was one of my favorite TV personas...and a fellow educator. His shows always made me smile and I know that it won't be same without him showing us the awesomeness of God's wonderful creatures. The students at school are all talking about the accident with Steve like he's not really dead. it is kind of strange that so many of my students have grown up with the Croc Hunter as one of their heros and now he is gone.

We will miss you Steve. We will miss you.

Big Change #2

To recap...the first big change in my life was selling my house in Mason. I should be closing on it here in a week or so. That was my first big life change.

Second big life change:

I would like to announce that I no longer teach at Mason. I resigned from my position....


However...I did get a new job. Actually two of them. I am now a part time professor at Alma College teaching Art Education, and I got a new teaching job at Holt! Go Holt Rams! That's right I am teaching in the district I graduated from. I am totally excited and can't wait. I actually have to be back next week...so much for summer.

Cedar Point

Took a three day vacation to Ohio this weekend. It was a blast. Holly and I took her niece and nephew. We stayed with her aunt and uncle. We spent yesterday at Cedar Point. It was so fun. We met up with her step-sister Fawn and her husband Darren. So there were 7 of us cruisin' the "Point". It was a day of first. Bradley (Hol's nephew) rode his first upside down roller coaster. Her niece rode her first roller coaster ever and cried riding on the Gemini but faced her fear. We were so proud! Like I said...good times.

Moving Party

If you want to be a good friend....then you should show up at my house around 1 pm on Sunday and help me move to my parents...there isn't that much stuff...but the more the merrier. If you want to be a super duper friend...then you will come over on Saturday and help me pack :o)

I hope to see you all there...let me know if you are coming so I can order enough pizza ;o)

Prayer Request...

I have a couple of big events happening in the next week or so. I just wanted to ask that those of you who feel compelled to pray that God doesn't let me into a situation where he doesn't want me to be...that he protects me from getting in over-my-head situations...that I don't go chasing rainbows and looking for fools gold. Some of you know what I am talking about and some of you don't. I won't post all of the situations that I am about to face...but one of them is moving...into my parents basement for a few months...the rest...I will get back to you on them. One is happening August 8th at 9:00am. I will keep you all updated and in suspenseful prayer...hopefully! ;O)

Flippin' Sweet Hot Tubs

My dad is now selling Hot tubs at his furniture store! They are sweet!!! and of course cost a lot less than other stores...the best part...they are about 1/2 of the retail value! They are factory direct with all their warranty and all that jazz! Mill Creek Depot Rocks!

Changing Dog food...

I have a finicky dog...and his name is Titan. He eats his frickin' food one nugget at a time. It is crazy...100lb yellow lab that eats like a dainty little old woman. My other dog scarffs his food down in less than two minutes...with Titan you have to literally sit there so he'll eat. He has anxiety or some stupid thing...it is ridicules! So I decided maybe it is the food.

I mixed some of his old little nugget food with some new Big nugget food. It was amazing, he just picked around the other food to ate the new food all up...and eventually all the food. About six hours later...it hits!

Holl..."Joey what the heck is that smell...."
Me...."oh my gosh...**gagging**...that is the most rank stentch ever!"
Holl.."Which dog is that?"
Me..."it's gotta be Titan."

It was totally Titan. He had/has the worst gas I have ever been sudjected to me all my life. It literally makes yours eyes water.

Me.."Let's take them for a walk"
Holl.."ok, but let's take bags in case of # 2's"
Me..**reluctant**"ok...it is the right thing to do...right?!"
Holl.."we need to be responsible pet owners...."

Ten minutes later...Cain takes a dump...I have to clean it up...should've left it, but I didn't...Holly and I both start gagging uncontrollably...it was pretty gross and funny at the same time. We were laughing at how pathetic we both were because other people always do this...and we had just decided to do this for the first time...it was kind of hillarious. When we finished laughing, we put the poo in the nearest trash can and proceeded.

Ten minutes later...a couple is walking behind us with a kid...Titan decides he need to defacate...and I am like damn! Sure enough...wretched stentch and runny nasty crap...and I have to clean it up.

As I am trying not to puke...

Couple..."Ahh...the joy of having dogs."

Me..face beat red and trying not to vomit..."yah...it's great!"
Holly...trying to not laugh at me histerically..."Dogs are great!"

As they pass...it is all I can do not to spew chunks on the sidewalk and I speedily get rid of sed dookie suprize into the nearest dumpster. Let that be a lesson to all you who want to do the right thing...sometimes doing the right thing stinks!

Koi Pond Fish Party

Hey...one last hurra here on Saturday before I start moving....so you all are invited to grill out on Saturday. Bring your own meat and your favorite beverage and we will have some other food for you all. If you are coming...let me know. Also, if you are going to Church on Saturday....just come after church ;o)

Moving...

Ok...I need some help...literally. I am going to be moving soon because I have sold my house. It was only for sale 2 1/2 weeks and I got an offer....now we are setting up a closing date. The big issue is that I am moving in with the folks for awhile to see if I can save some money and get rid of any debt I have.....The bigger issue...I NEED HELP MOVING! So if anyone of you who reads this wants to lend a helping hand...let me know. I can start moving anytime....but I want to set a moving date to maximize the move all at once. I could also use boxes. Again...God Rocks!

New Car...

I bought a new car awhile back. I would post a picture, but Holly has it. I let her take it so she could keep some miles off her lease. I really wanted a GM car but my uncle just never came through. So instead I went with Japan made...I got a Mazda 6. The car is really sweet. It is fast and good looking....not to mention I got a sweet deal on it. I prayed for a new car for a like a month at least...and THE BIG MAN finally put the right car in place. It was like it was meant to be...sounds a little goofy...but I really believe it's true. The first thing the guy I bought from and I started talking about when I checked out his car was God and being Christians...it was so sweet. He came down on his price and I got a nice car from a nice guy. God Rocks!

Transformers the MOVIE!!!!!!!!!

Life just got so sweet for all us Transformers fans! Not to mention the fact my toy collection is probably going to help me pay off my student loans if this thing is as stinkin' sweet as the trailer.

This really was my favorite part of Pirates of the Carribbean II!

PS. All the links go to one place...you have to click on "Watch the Exclusive Announcement Now" link to see what I am really talking about.