Jeff Salyer Family Christmas 2009

No place like home for the holidays!

I am still at work trying to get out of here, but my boss just called a meeting in a few minutes. UGH!

I am really looking forward to this Christmas. One, because I am tired, it has been a long month of December and looking forward to two weeks off!

Two, the main reason is the family is coming home! Tyler and Rachel - Brandon and Julie both will be at our house for some family time. I miss all of them and can't wait to see them and spend sometime with them, as short as it may be.

Holidays really became special when we moved to TN and came home to Ohio for Christmas. The 1st Christmas, the boys were small and it was an ice storm and it took about 5 hours longer then it should. But we made it. Every year afterwards it was special to go home for the holidays.

So Hug your kids, they grow up fast
Do something fun, to create a Christmas memory
and keep Christ in Christmas, HE is the Reason for the Season!

God Bless all of You!

Things I Don't Get - December 2009

1. How Tiger Woods, who had affairs with 10 women, and still counting, could ever sell anything to anyone ever again?
2. Why people don't like snow in December? Better now than March or April.
3. Why people believe in global warming when it has gotten colder every year since 1998
4. That we can do anything about global warming or global cooling? This planet was made by God himself, and I cannot believe man can do anything that has an bigger impact than that.
5. Why is it if you fill a glass with ice, then add water, it does not overflow the glass, but people think that if the ice caps melt, all coastal towns will be underwater.
6. Why people take Christ out of Christmas, make sure you tell cashiers and waiters, Merry Christmas!. Most can only say Happy Holidays until you say Merry Christmas first.
7. Is there a limit to how much debt the USA can handle? I think politicans would say no, but I say YES!
8. Why people think big government is the answer. The people of this country can solve problems better than polticians. Just at Hurricane Katrina, private citizens are still there working getting things done.
9. Why the Browns can be so bad every year!
10. Why I am so lucky to have the great family that I do!

Sad Thanksgiving

Angela's Uncle passed away the day before Thanksgiving, so that put a damper on the occasion and made us change our plans.

We had planned on meeting Julie (Brandon fiance) this Saturday, but because of the funeral we came home today. We are heading right back in the AM for the funeral in Kentucky, so tomorrow will be a long day.

We also missed having Brandon, Julie and Jordan ( Angela's niece) at Thanksgiving dinner, but that is what happens when kids grow up, they go their own way. It was good to see Tyler and Rachel, we had a good visit with them.

But the meal was great, the food wonderful and a good time was had by all. We all went around the table before we ate and told one thing we were thankful time. Regardless of what is going on in our lives, we have much to be thankful for.

Here are the pictures I took




Pressing on! Go the Church this Sunday.

More Singapore Pictures 2009

Pictures other people took while I there. See me in action!!

Trip pictures from Singapore 2009

Singapore #1

1st impressions, are WOW there are a lot of people here! During the 1 hour cab ride from the airport, all we saw were hi rise apartments. Cab driver said 85% of people live in this type of high density housing. Hate to see what would happen if some kind of natural disaster hit.

Long 2 days ( It is Monday AM here). Flight was delayed out of Chicago by 4 hours, glad they had an "extra" 747 sitting around because ours broke down. Watched a few movies on the flight over, slept a little read some.

Singapore airport is new and clean and nice, English language everywhere easy to navigate. Walking to baggage claim, heard Kenny G music playing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" over the PA. Large Christmas bulbs (6 feet across) sitting around as decorations.

Site seeing today to get adjusted to the time change, working Tue & wed, home Thurs late, love to all

Jeff

Cades Cove 2009

During our recent trip to Gatlinburg we had one of the best and most unusual experiences we ever had.

Cades Cove is wildlife preserve that also has old houses and churches on the premises. We drove around awhile and then we came to this old church

We walked inside to stretch our legs and discovered a piano, Angela sat down and began to play a few old hymns.

As we started singing and Angela kept playing, a strange thing happened. More and more people showed up and began singing with us! By the time we stopped the number of people in the church had doubled to about 40!

There was one young single guy there by himself, Chris, who just happened to be there when we started singing (What's the odds of that? 100%) He was a believer who had moved to the area looking for work. As we kept singing he started crying. He had been feeling bad for himself and decided to get some fresh air and visit Cades Cove this day at this time. We talked to him later and found he was just moved by the moment and the spirit.

He was looking for encouragement and found it in the strangest place, in a 200 year old church with a bunch of people he had never met before. God was really blessing that day.

All in all, it was our best trip yet, 16 people total, had a great time, can't wait to go back.

More pictures at http://www.gatlinburggang.blogspot.com/

Family Hayride 2009

Welcome back hall family blog

check it out on the left, over a year, but he is back!

too funny not to pass on

<a href="http://www.cmt.com/video/" target="_blank">Tom Mabe: Eavesdropping</a>

Tom Mabe: Eavesdropping

mark this off my bucket list

http://onyoursideline.com/osu-football-dot-the-i.aspx?mId=31765767.3

We are Proud Parents!

http://suburbancommunitynews.com/articles/2009/10/08/bartlett_express/community/doc4ace14c478adb482331776.txt

Safely home

I made it home yesterday PM. I was worried again about getting stuck at Washington DC airport, this time due to high winds. They were cancelling flights due to severe weather in the Carolina's and it was very windy at Dulles airport. My flight was delayed about 30 min, but made it home fine.

Met Corey at the 5 Guys at Easton, since he had never eaten there. He was impressed and I was happy with eating there 2 of last 3 days! Angela was glad to see me and I her, didn't miss much at home but some the family is having issues:

• The Thomas family dog, Gracie, was at the vet most of the time I was gone. Think they found out it was an infection in the neck, but was very serious for a while.
• The Bonner's are head to Las Vegas to the Mecum Car show, this is becoming an annual event for them, last year we saw them on TV.
• Tyler and Rachel added another dog, a white Siberian Husky he found at school, will give dodger someone to play with
• Memi, Angela's mom, is having problems with an old family acquaintance calling her constantly, very long story, but let's say that it is getting very annoying.
• Aunt Rhoda's house still for sale, shown it a few times
• Brandon and Corey still looking for jobs

Counting down to Gatlingburg! less than 30 days!

Welcome to Canada, eh?

I finally made it to Brockville, Ontario, Canada. My flight was delayed out of Columbus for mechanical reasons, so I missed my connection in Washington, DC. Try not to get too worked on airplane problems. My philosophy has always been, fix the plane so i get there safely and i will deal with travel delays on the other end. Seems to have worked so far.

Silver lining behind that dark cloud (Note to self, ask Pastor Dear if this one of the myths Christan believe, for those not from our church Pastor is preaching series on myths Christians believe) was that there is a 5 guys burgers next to my gate. If I had made the flight = no lunch at 5 guys. Flight delay = 5 hour, but delicious 5 guys bacon cheeseburger and fries.

Finally made to Ottawa 5 hours later, then 1.5 hour drive to Brockville. I was so tired when i got into my room i just watched a little football and then to bed. Another good things about 5 guys, it lasts a while.

Today had lunch at Swiss Chalet, famous, here anyway, for roasted chicken, they use some kind of sauce with ginger in it, very tasty. Going to crash tonight, very tired after class, may try to find Angela a birthday present from Canada, but bed early since I have to be at airport by 0800 for a 0900 flight.

Nothing much else going on, class went great today, work getting very busy until end of year.

That's all for now, pressing on!

week in review 10/2/2009

Very busy week at work, here are the highlights as I remember them.

• Angela fixed Mexican shrimp and grits for dinner, quickly became one of my top favorites
• Finished off both desserts left over from Sunday, any doubt why I am overweight would be solved by a visit to our house.
• Brandon still waiting to hear on his job with the po pos (police) in Kansas
• Corey making some $$$ this weekend, rented a lawn aerator, makes holes in lawn, and renting it out to neighbors for $50 per. My little entrepreneur! So proud, no other jobs on the horizon but substitute teaching.
• Tyler and Rachel nothing much new, that I heard
• CONNECT Group hayride postponed, so Angela's sister's coming for chili supper, oh joy!
• She had a flat at Tim Horton's today, glad Corey was home
• I am going to Canada next week for work for 3 days, bad part is you cannot get there from here. Fly to DC, fly to Ottawa, drive an hour, ugh. Repeat on way home. Really bad part, they are small planes all the way, double ugh!!
• Obama and Oprah could not bring the Olympics to Chicago. Looks like the rest of the world is starting to lose their love for Obama.
• Pretty funny video to follow, Pressing On!
• Gatlinburg in 35 days?

Catching up

A few people at church asked me to provide an update on what's going on.

• As you can tell from the pictures on the last post, we had a great time in Nashville!
• It was good to see Tyler and Rachel. They are very busy with Tyler starting his new program for future education leaders, never did find out the exact name. This invitation only program will allow him to go into administration, without having his Doctorate.
• They still find time to enter, and win, a big BBQ cooking contest last weekend. 1st in Sauce, 3rd in ribs and shoulders. Tyler was very excited since this was the largest competition with 15 teams entered. Their team name is Big Mouth Smokers. you can see pics on FB.
• Think the next time they come up I might get him to cook for our CONNECT group, will draw a big crowd for sure!
• Brandon has moved to Kansas to be with his fiance Julie. They went to a church yesterday that Julie picked. It was small and very different, they were swarmed by the people when they arrived and had to sit through a 2 hour sermon that was very repetitive. Brandon made it clear that next week, he is picking the church!
• Brandon also called last week and asked to think about getting my ministers license and officiating their wedding!!! I felt very honored and humbled they would think of me. Angela thought it was funny. Stay tuned to see how this works out. I would do it, but want to talk to Pastor Dear and get his advice.
• Corey started deer hunting Saturday AM. It is bow season, but so far has not seen any bucks. He is still looking for a job, but is leaning to going back and get his Masters degree in some type of occupational or speech therapy type of area.
• Angela out did herself yesterday when we had 2 couples over after church for lunch. Great meal and two super desserts. We had such a good time, the couples didn't leave until after 5, and didn't finish cleaning up till after 6 PM. Hated to miss church but time just flew by and we had been trying to meet with these couples for a long time.
• Things for me are going great, traveling to Canada next week for a few days. Work is work, thankful for my job.
• Started a new CONNECT group yesterday on Spiritual Discernment. As I study it is reminding me that if cannot spiritually discern right from wrong, we begin to backslide in our faith. If we are not maturing in our faith, it only makes sense that we moving backwards. There is no standing still. I am looking for to the next 12 weeks, not too late to join us any Sunday 9:30 AM.
• CONNECT Group was almost full, not sure if it was due to the teacher or the fact Angela made the breakfast. Our class motto, "The teaching may be mediocre, but the snacks are great!" came true again, I guess next week will be the test.
• That's all for now, better get back to work, 1st meeting not until 11:00 AM.

Pressing On!

Jeff

Our weekend in Nashville, Tn -

Rachel's Fantasy Football tip of the week

Just got off the phone with Tyler and he let me in on Rachel's secret for picking her starting players this week.

She has 3 running backs on the roster, but can only play 2 of them. How to choose?

She looked at their pictures, but "they all looked like thugs".

So she wrote each name on a post it note, put it on the floor, put a dog treat on each one. The 1st 2 dog treats that Dodger, the dog, ate was who gets to start this week.

That is some of the most creative thinking I have ever heard, you can see why she is daughter in law #1!!

The Ant and The Grasshopper (from Angela)

OLD VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!

MODERN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.' Acorn stages a demonstration in front of the ant 's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Rev. Jeremiah Wright then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake. Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.

Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar. The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it. The ant has disappeared in the snow. The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2010.

Women and Fantasy Football

First I must say that love my Daughter in law Rachel, she will always be #1 in our hearts. Today she entered her first Fantasy football draft. Tyler sent me her picks and more importantly her reasons for making the selection.

This is from Tyler,

"She would either tell me the position or players she wanted and then I'd pick 3-5 for her to choose from. Please enjoy the following:

1. Larry Fitzgerald- He has long hair.
2. Reggie Wayne- Peyton Manning throws him the ball (and he wasn't available).
3. Kurt Warner- She knew him. Said he looked nice and is a Christian.
4. T.J Houshmandzadeh- His name is impossible to spell. This intrigues teachers.
5. LenDale White- Because he plays for the Titans. (they live in Tennessee)
6. Owen Daniels- I told her to get him.
7. Cedric Benson- His picture looks like he just got out of jail. Maybe he’ll run like he stole something?
8. New England- Best available def.
9. Ahmad Bradshaw- She mainly liked his name but thought he looked nice compared to the others.
10. Tim Hightower- He has nice braids.
11. Domenik Hixon- Looks “friendly.”
12. Kerry Collins- Even though she thought his picture looked like someone who was on the Tennesee state registry she picked him because he played for the Titans.
13. Nate Washington- Plays for the Titans.
14. Adam Vinatieri- The only kicker on the list she knew.
15. Joshua Cribbs- Even though he looked like he was just out of prison, he still looked more clean cut than Cedric Benson. Plus if she took Michael Vick then Dodger (their dog) would have been mad."

I must admit she did pretty good, I may have to change my strategy next year. Good Luck Rachel!

another 2 blogs added to those I am following

check out owen strachan's blog and Pastor Dear's "My Mornings" blogs on the left.

New Blog Added to blog list on left

I am not big on advertising, but I ran across a blog for Lynd's Fruit Farm. I got some peaches there last week that were really good.

Check it out! If you find a good recipe and need a taste tester, let me know, am I pretty good at it!! LOL

I can provide references!!!

week in review

Where has this month and year gone? I cannot believe that tonight high school football starts, Tuesday is the first day of September, college football starts, next week and the pros one week later!

I always enjoy the beginning of football season for many reasons. Other than loving the game of football, I know that by the end of football season, the weather will be cool (wait it's only going to be in the 60's on Sunday) and the holidays are almost here.

This week, Brandon sold his truck and bought a new to him car, thanks Ron for taking care of him. Corey was offered a job working for Abbott through Manpower, and Tyler made it back from his weekend team building experience with his cohort for the new leadership class he will be starting.

Angela and i have been re-adjusting to having Brandon back in the house. His lease ran out and since he will be moving to Kansas soon, he is staying at home for a month. #1 nephew Blake spent the night last night since his mom is still radioactive from taking her cancer treatment (update today, Angela said Pam is doing much better today, thanks for the prayers).

Finally got Rhoda's emptied out of all things worth keeping. As a part of this my dad had to clean out his room to make room for a new bed we brought from Aunt Rhoda's house. Seems like his bed was the same one they bought when they moved into the house ..... in 1975! Dad said he had to put several blankets down to keep the springs from poking him in the middle of the night. When they moved the old bed out, Corey said there about an inch of dust underneath it, UGH! Dad did throw out about 200 magazines he had been saving in the bedroom, because he knew that one day he would get around to reading them. NOT! Just glad he got rid of them. They also have a full size freezer in their garage that I suggested he get rid of because it has not worked in probably 20 years. He said no because one of these days they might need it because it probably needs just a shot of freon. I told him freon was outlawed about 1995 and that he could not get it anymore and that if he "had not got around to it" by now the odds are he never would. The funny thing is their freezer in the house hardly has anything in it so I cannot imagine why would want or need a full size one.

He also called someone haul away the junk leftover from Aunt Rhoda's house. That turned into one of the funniest things this summer, because he called all excited and asked , "What is the difference between trash and junk?" This led to a long and funny (to me) conversation about how people viewed things, poor Angela was in the middle of that conversation for some reason and was perplexed by the whole thing. I just told Dad that junk is things you find at yard sales, and if nobody buys it then it becomes trash. It all started because he wanted to make sure what to tell the junk man to haul away, and would he haul away the trash too or did we have to call someone else? all I know is they were supposed to come today, so we will see if they took it all or not.

Fantasy Football draft is this weekend, I love playing this. I am in a league with people from church and another one with family members. It makes watching football even more interesting.

Finished teaching at MVNU last night, class ended well. It was the smallest class I ever taught, only 4 people. but all were Christians and we had good discussions about human resources (subject of the class) and our christian walk.

Think the is all for now, Go Newark High Wildcats (I played there a long time ago) who are playing Zanesville tonight. That was our arch rival back in the day, last game of the season, today they are in different leagues and play during the first week.

That's all for now, keep praying for Pam Thomas and her recovery, go to church this Sunday and show someone how much you love them this weekend, because talk is cheap and actions speak louder then words!

Pressing on!

Jeff

Debt Clock - when will it stop?

Ye Olde Mill CONNECT Group 2009

The Paula Deen Workout (for Angela)

The Paula Deen Workout

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Discouragement

Been talking to some people both at work and outside work who are very discouraged. In some cases they have good reasons, no job, broken relationships, medical problems, money problems, etc. I have been doing doing ok personally but things with my mom, cars and life in general can bring you down if you let them.

This week my quiet time has been on this subject. Psalm 16:7-11 says

7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. Day and night I'll stick with God; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.
9-10 I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed. You canceled my ticket to hell— that's not my destination!
11 Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.

Dr. Charles Stanley can say it better than I can;

"Discouragement is a powerful, destructive force. Before we can understand how to rid our lives of this deadly landmine, we must recognize its harmful nature.

Understand that discouragement…

1. Is something we choose. Nobody else can make us discouraged; it is a choice that we alone make when facing disappointments.

2. Is universal. Everybody will face periods of disappointment and discouragement from time to time. This simply cannot be avoided, because we live in a seriously flawed world that is filled with equally flawed people.

3. Can recur. Sometimes we think we’ve settled an issue, which later resurfaces when we least expect it. Or, we may have old emotional wounds that are torn open by something a person says or does.

4. Can be temporary—or it can destroy our life. The choice is ours. If we refuse to deal with discouragement head-on, we are opening the door for it to completely dominate our life.

5. Is conquerable. With the Lord’s help, we can choose not to be discouraged. If we don’t believe discouragement can be conquered, then we’re actually saying that God doesn’t want His children to have a rich and fulfilled life.

Are you stuck in the throes of discouragement? If so, it will simply be impossible to experience the peace and inner joy that God wants for His children. Let Him help you out of that lowly state: start by believing that the Father wants to lift you up and get your life back on track with Him. "

someone out there needed me to share this, Pressing On!

knew this had to happen!

NOTE: watch this video all the way through.

Tuesday update

Things still progressing on many fronts:

• Tyler got into the program he had applied, 2 years of school fully paid for and assistant principal job when he gets done.
• Brandon introduced us to Julie's parent, John and Connie Barnes. Nice folks, took them to see the Longaberger Basket building after we ate Pizza Cottage pizza.
• Corey is discovering the realities of working. He is discovering that sometimes hiring managers make the job sound just a little bit better than it really is. But at least he has a job and making some money.
• Angela is still working on flowers in her spare time.
• Can't figure out my mom, she just cannot seem to get better. 1st it was her shoulder, now it is her feet, not sure what to do or how to help. dizzy without her meds, dizzy with them
• Need to sell a car, we bought another one and do not need three, price dropping by the day
• Things at church going great, new families visiting our class and joining the church. Big changes coming this fall, just as I rotate off church council. Good luck to those that take my place.
• Teaching at Mount Vernon Nazarene College on Thursday nights. 1 class a week in Human Resources. Only 4 people in the class at the Polaris campus.
• Found out there is a " 5 Guys" burgers next to the campus, going there before class this week. Supposed to be real good!
• CONNECT Group really made me proud when they stepped up to minister to a family who used to come to church but had dropped away. The family has some medical problems, but because of how our class showed God's love unconditionally, they want to come back to church!!!
• Pray for our CONNECT group class, seems like every week there is a couple coming. Lot's of needs for christian friends. Pray for those that used to come but are too busy right now. I pray that it is temporary and that it does not become a habit to stay away from church.

Pressing On! In Christ alone! (This video helped me through my time dealing with Prostate cancer, but is still very real today)

Wonderful Summer

We are having a great summer at the Salyer House:

• Corey graduates and gets a job at Scott's Lawn Service.
• Brandon gets a job at Abbott Labs and get engaged to Julie Barnes!
• Tyler begins a new hobby and "smokes" his way to several awards. He also won an award at Memphis in May. (Scroll down to Founders Award.) Tyler and Rachel just got back from a cruise.
• Angela has really developed a green thumb and has the prettiest flowers in the neighborhood.
• I am just glad to be a part of it, I am so thankful for such a great family.

Latest Youtube Sensation

This is an actual video of a wedding in St Paul, MN

What a difference a day makes

I am in Arizona where it is currently 109 degrees! Last night in Ohio I think it got down to the 60's. People that say it is a dry heat must forget so is an oven. This reminds me of Jackson, Tn, without the humidity.

Pretty eventful last 3 days. Sunday went to Buckeye Lake with Angela's sisters and their husbands. Just cruised around for a while, it was cool when the sun went behind a cloud. John thought he was being a rebel and went past the "No Wake" line too fast and got pulled over by Police!! We didn't know what to do, so we sat their quietly, no one had a camera or Officer Manley could have been in the family year end video.

As we were leaving the lake, we rode with Tammy. Now she has fancy new car with a back up camera in the hatchback door to see if anyone is behind you. As we were pulling out these alarms kept going off, I looked a the camera display (in the dashboard) and all it showed was the sky. I said, "Tammy shut the back door!" We had pulled off with the hatchback up looking at the sky. It was a nice view, but defeated the purpose.

As we got close to home, Heath, Ohio has installed red light and speed cameras and we all had to make Tammy slow down so she would not get a tickets. I think Gary (her husband) was enjoying it a little too much, if you know I mean.

Last night Corey took me to the Clippers baseball game for Fathers Day. He chose last night because it was dime a dog night. Brandon and Julie went too, we ate about 13 dogs between us. My old college roommate Ed was there with his wife, Mary Pat. He ate 6 dogs all by himself!!! The Clippers even won the game 8 to 1

Things here went fine today, 1st session over. Tomorrow go from 0500 to 1530 local time so will be a long day. Plane ride uneventful direct flight with no movie, glad I had my iPod. Heading hotel to collapse right now.

Pressing On!!

This sounds like something my boys would have done

Toddler Rescued After Drifting Eight Miles Down River in Toy Truck - International News News of the World Middle East News Europe News - FOXNews.com

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Busy weekend ahead

We've a busy weekend starting tonight. I have Choir Practice at the church for our Patriotic musical (I guess we delayed it a week to avoid the competition). Then Saturday is Charley and Abby's wedding, and then Sunday night is the Patriotic musical. Before the music at 4:30 is a cookout and kids fun events, then at 6:00 PM is the actual singing (I sing in a quartet, not to be missed) then afterwards there is ice cream for all. Check the church website for more details.

Going to be a hot weekend, hope it rains, my grass is getting brown.

Thoughts and prayers go to Mary Pat Helvey, wife of my old college roommate Ed. She lost her mom this week.

Nephew Blake recovering from burns due to an explosion. He doing something with black powder when it exploded. Lucky he didn't blow his hand off.

Facebook is still proving a useful way to reconnect with old friends from TN. Some people are spending way too much time on the website. Do not get why people spend time in yoville or farm town. I do not have time for that. I am too busy on Bejeweled. Only Facebookers know what these terms are.

In politics, it looks like the good guys are winning, and people are finally realizing Obama has spent way too much money. He already gave the Democratic congress $800 billion pork barrel projects called the stimulus bill. No cap and trade tax, no health care tax, no global warming tax, no more taxes at all.

Just read that one of the reasons the city of Columbus needs money and is proposing an income tax increase is due to an 11% increase in spending next year!!!! No wonder they want more taxes. Hope people vote it down. When will politicans realize people are tired of giving the government our money.

Wish when John Kasich gets elected Governor, you heard it here first, that he passes a law making it illegal for someone to have their income taxed twice. Right now I have to pay Newark and Columbus city income taxes!

News Flash: Michael Jackson's family is arguing over where to bury the body! He is still not buried yet. Prediction: Jackson family fighting will get worse before it gets better and MJ body will not be buried before Labor Day.

Worse crime of the century: Did you hear about the cemetery outside of Chicago where they dug up over 300 bodies, dumped them in the back of the property, and resold the plots? That is about as low as you can get other killing someone or hurting kids. They had to send in FBI agents who have worked with mass graves before to sort out all the bones they found.

Things I don't get - July 2009 edition

1. Why have over a million people requested tickets to the Michael Jackson memorial service? He may have been a great singer in the 80's, but what he turned into in the 90's was not good.
2. Why was Steve McNair, football player who was killed over the weekend, living in an apartment with a 20 year old girlfriend, when he was still married?
3. Why can't Sarah Palin get a break? When she runs for office, she gets slammed by the media, when she resigns, she gets slammed by the media. Can't they just leave her alone?
4. Why do people think the government can run any thing. Look at all the entitlement programs and how expensive them have become. So why is the government running General Motors, Chrysler, and all the bad banks? Can someone name one thing the government runs that is on or below budget?
5. Why are people surprised at the rising cost of health care? New drugs and equipment costs money, things like MRI machines and CAT scans were not around 20 years ago, so of course cost more now than they used to.
6. Why do some people blindly follow preachers today without checking them out, and see if they are preaching biblical truth?
7. Why some people think things like the Bible and the Constitution need to change with the times. These are two things that never need to change.
8. Why some people think if they believe it that it is true?
9. Why some people are doomed to make the same mistakes over and over again
10. Why Jesus died for me, but he did!

Fireworks finale for 2009

or what $300 in 30 sec looks like!

God Bless the USA!

Could this be coming to a church near you?

Pastor Welcomes Gun Owners to Bring Their Handguns to Church - Local News News Articles National News US News - FOXNews.com

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Tribute to Queen Angela

I just wanted to show everyone Angela's flowers, She spends at least an hour each night dead heading and watering them. I think they are looking very good!

"Things happen in 3s"

I can remember growing up, and my mom always told me things happen in threes. As I look around me I wonder if it's true? Anyone else ever heard of that? Recent examples that come to my mind.

Celebrity deaths: Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

Family illness: Pam, Jeff and Brooklyn

I had 3 different roommates when I was in the hospital

Reflecting back on the celebrity's that passed away, Michael Jackson's seemed to have oddest life. He almost seem to have 3 phases: the early Jackson 5 years, the 1980s when he was at his peak of popularity (his Thriller album is the highest selling album of all time with 104 million sold), and finally the weird years when he had plastic surgery, turned his skin white, had legal problems with little kids, and almost went broke.

Farrah Fawcett was made famous by the 1st Charlies Angels TV show, not sure if she did anything else, but she mastered flipping her long hair and I think was the 1st person to have teeth brightened super white (not sure about that one). She was also famous for a poster that at the time was very daring, but today would seem pretty tame.

Ed McMahon became famous, I guess, saying "Here's Johnny" for the Tonight Show for many years. He was one of the first famous pitchmen, of all time. He was Billy Mays in the 197os.

My work is going well, back to full time for the last 2 weeks, getting up to speed. Got the results back of my latest blood test and is was normal! Follow up with Doctor Kaufman this Monday. Probably about 90% back to normal.

Angela's sister Pam have thyroid cancer surgery right now. Prognosis is good, but she will have a long next couple of weeks getting over this. The Thomas family could use some good news, all three of their kids broke up with boyfriends or girl friends recently. Lot's of drama at the time, but think Blake and Bern are back together.

Brandon missing Julie who is touring Europe for a month, Tyler applied for a leadership program that will give him a head start on becoming an administrator in the school system. Corey and Audrey doing fine.

That's all for now, follow the updates on Twitter at the top left for the latest.

Americans Increasingly Skeptical of Obama's Pledge of Fiscal Discipline as Deficit Grows - Political News - FOXNews.com

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Health-Care Myths

Health-Care Myths

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God versus Nature

When people get sick, is it because they did something wrong?

When I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer someone told me I got it from my diet and lifestyle. They said they have found the secret to being healthy by avoiding animal protein and eating only plant protein. So in essence it was my fault that I had cancer.

I told them, I did not believe that. That my God doesn't hide his truths in nature around us. God has a plan for me and everyone else, and my path included having cancer. They did not produce any scripture to back up their claim, which also makes me leery.

I didn't want to keep it going, but I thought about asking them things like:

• So if I eat this special diet, I'll never get sick again? Will I live forever?
• If I do stay healthy, does God get the glory or the diet?
• Since God really loves me, why would he "hide" the secret of health in nature around me?
• What scripture backs up your claims? Just because we want something to be true, does not make it so.

Believe me, I understand the value of eating a balanced diet with more fruits and vegetables. I can do a better job in this area, I admit. I do believe our diet and lifestyle can lead to certain types of illness, but not across the board as blanket statement.

So I believe God causes or allows things to happen in our lives for a variety of reasons. I have been able to testify of God's goodness that helped me through this last month to many unsaved people.

So as we live our lives, we need to look to God first, and nature second. When something bad happens ask God to deliver you, not Mother Nature.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16

Prayer Requests: Sister in law Pam - thyroid cancer, Messick family with the passing of Don Messick yesterday.

Back to work

I started back to work yesterday. Working half days all week to get my strength back. I didn't know how tired I was yesterday when I got home, but while reading the paper I fell asleep for an hour. Felt good when I woke up, yesterday was the most active day in a long time.

Everyone at work was glad to see me, it was good to see them as well. Several co-workers from Chicago also called to check in. I work with a great group of people and I am very thankful for my job.

Things with recovery still going very well, just still a little sore around incision when I bend over or move quickly. Continue to pray for Pam, Angela's sister, cancer back in her thyroid and lymph nodes. Sees Surgeon at OSU week after next.

Brandon and Corey still playing lots of softball, wish I could go, but have trouble sitting on hard seats. Corey still looking for job. Tyler did well in 1st BBQ contest in Jackson, TN last weekend. He called today and someone offered to sponsor him this weekend, if he came back for another contest! He is so excited, can Food TV Network be far behind? We need to get Angela there to compete in the dessert contests.

Only interesting thing that is happened is Gary went to the auction last week, he bought about 40 Dept 56 houses. They are porcelain collectibles, that people display around the house. Problem is, they don't collect them, not sure why he bought them other than he got a "good deal" on them. Tammy was not happy, so he is trying to sell them. If interested me a call and I will give you their phone number.

Pressing on! In Christ Alone!

part of the healing process

Angela has officially taken over my recovery. Last night after she got off work, we went outside and cleaned all of the windows. I manned the hose and held the ladder while she climbed the ladder. She claimed the cleaning windows was all part of the healing process. Funny, Doctor Kaufman never mentioned that.

I am also back to doing laundry and dishwasher, just have to careful not to pick up something heavy.

Afterwards, we ate a Brew's cafe in Granville and then to Whit's for my reward for helping. Tammy joined us for dinner in her new Lexus, very nice!! If the Lord would bless us with a new car, I am sure we can find a way it use it in some ministry or something. Just thankful that our cars are in running well right now.

Watched the storm last night, the lightening was pretty cool.

Going for a walk, God is good!

2 weeks ago ...

2 weeks ago today was my surgery.

I am amazed and thankful how fast the time has gone by. Tomorrow is a big day, back to the doctor for catheter ("little friend" referred to in an earlier post) removal! It will the next big step in my recovery.

Just finished reading "The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis. It is a book I thought I would like because it is a true story based on the life of Michael Oher, who overcame being a homeless inner city Memphis kid to 1st round draft choice in the NFL. He was helped a lot by a white family who took him in and let him live with their family during high school and made him part of the family.

From living in Jackson, TN, I recognized many of the places and schools mentioned in the book. I was hoping the book would have dealt more on the spiritual side of his development. The only mention of Christ is on page 283 out of 293 pages total. When asked why Michael was not a more vocal voice for Christ, someone from the high school, Briarcrest Christian School, quoted

Exodus 6:12: "But Moses said in the LORD's presence: "If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker?"

That was all, nothing else, and very little by Michael Oher himself. Not what I thought it would be, but I guess the story is still being written.

Book did have a little other NFL information that interesting, but reading it once was enough. Be glad to let someone else read my copy to save you from spending your money on it.

Memorial Day

Spent the day watching "Band of Brothers" on the History Channel. It is the story of Easy Company from the 101st Airborne Divsion based in WWII. It was a 10 part HBO series that followed a group of men from boot camp to the end of the war. I had recorded it on my DVR and had been watching it throughout the weekend.

Mom and Dad came over and stayed for dinner, Dad brought macaroni salad and pineapple upside down cake. I told him I like his upside down cake because Angela does not make it, that's why he brought it, not sure about the macaroni salad, not a big fan.

Corey and Angela cooked steak and shrimp on the new grill, very good!!!! Used some of Tyler's seasonings on the steak, all I can say is best tasting I have have had in a long time. I think I got my appetite back yesterday for sure. Just finishing up when the doorbell rang and some families from chruch brought over some leftovers from shrimp boil they had!!! So that will be dinner tonight, can't wait. Need to get my "little friend" out so I can start walking and getting my energy back.

Knox's came over later and brought a card and a plant, looks like a rose bush tree, cannot wait for it to grow out some. Looks pretty already, thanks Mike for planting it.

Some reason got up very early today, need to take a nap before the big Cavs game tonight!

What a week!

It has been crazy around here this week. I got home last Sunday and have slowly felt better everyday. My energy peaks about 2 PM then I take a nap and then I am pretty good until 9 to 10 PM. I really think the Juven helped me heal faster. No one can believe I came home from the hospital with no pain medicine. God is good.

Not coughing much today, best night was last night in a few days. Getting more active, loaded the dishwasher last night. Increasing gradually is the key, they say.

Amy just called and Brooklyn is coming home today! She has to have a full body bone scan next week to make sure they know where all of the infection is. Jakob has been here for a while, but goes home today! He is so cute, but it is hard to have a little one around for this long of a time, I know Angela is exhausted and will sleep good tonight.

Time for a shower, enjoy the Memorial Day weekend and remember those who paid the ultimate for our freedom!

Thank a veteran today, fly your flag this weekend!

Pressing On! In Christ Alone!

Thursday Update

Every day is getting a little better. Still have a nagging cough, but no fever or pain. Go back to Doctor tomorrow to get staples out.

Pray for my niece Amy's little girl, Brooklyn. She complained of soreness in her leg, and to make a long story short, tomorrow at 9 AM she will be having a biopsy on her leg. More to come later

As part of my recovery I had promised myself to catch up on my reading. I finished my 1st book today, "Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy. Tony is a strong christian man who has had success as a football coach in the NFL. Even if you do not like football, I think you will like this book. Just like us he and his family struggle with life sometimes. This book shows how his faith has sustained him.

Favorite quotes:
"God's definition of success is really one of significance-the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. This significance doesn't show up in win-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. It's found in the hearts and lives of those we've come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived."

"And so we press on. We press on with our memories, our hearts buoyed by a God us and want us to know Him deeply. We press on with our sense that life's not always fair. And we press on with the knowledge -and assurance- that even though we can't see all of God's plan, He is there, at work and in charge, loving us. We press on with the conviction that even though we don't deserve the gifts and blessings we've been given, He gives them anyway. We press on into an abundant life on earth, followed by an eternity with God"

"We got it all"

While no one wants to hear they have cancer, after surgery this is what you DO want to hear. Friday night Doctor Kaufman came in with the good news. The cancer was contained to my prostate gland, nothing spread to lymph nodes. With that past I can now focus on my recovery.

Some of the "memorable" moments since last Wednesday:

• Surgery on Thursday went pretty well, got back to the room in the afternoon.
• Was not in a lot of pain, so I was surprised when the nurse came in and told me the more I hit the morphine pump (a wonderful invention I might add), the smaller the dose that comes out. I couldn't figure it out, I had only hit it 2 times, so I could take a nap, all day. After she left everyone started laughing and told me, Corey had been helping me out by hitting the button for me! No wonder I was feeling good!!!
• Food was interesting, ice chips on Thursday, all liquids on Friday (think bland pureed baby food), and regular food on Saturday home on Sunday. My brother in law John added "Royal Red Robin burger", from Red Robin to the whiteboard in my room under "Type of Diet"as motivation to get out of the hospital. You will have to ask Donna and Michael George what they added to my diet.
• Amazed at all who stopped by to visit, [note to self, buy Billy Andrews map of Columbus.] Must have been 20 people over the 4 days. THANK YOU!
• Tammy and Gary's car got hit from the back while coming over to see me. Not much damage, but Tammy was shook up a little. Since that is the same car that someone backed into when Corey was driving, might be time to get rid of it. Never heard of a car being an accident magnet, this one might be the first.
• Tyler and Rachel drove all night Wednesday to be with us, Tyler me us in the parking lot when we first arrived a the hospital. Later during the weekend they went to dinner with Angela, and Rachel got up to leave and almost knocked knocked a lady walking past the table. The lady almost ended up in Angela's lap!

That's all for now, getting tired, so will post more later

Pressing on, in Christ alone!

Counting down

Just got the call from Mount Carmel and they moved the surgery up tomorrow. I have to be there at 5:45 AM with the Surgery at 7:45 AM. In a way I am glad, so we can get this done and begin the recovery. I adjusted the countdown clock on the left to reflect the correct starting time. It feels strange that it is almost here. Seems like only yesterday that I found out I have prostate cancer. God has been good to keep me busy these last few weeks.

Today is "clear liquid diet" day, and I am starved! Wish I could have a Royal Red Robin burger or a large beef, bean and cheese sopapilla, but there will be plenty of time for that. Angela even made some Angie Bars and Marshmallow Puffs for the boys, but nothing for me today, except my Juven. I guess my diet starts today and will last for at least a few more days.

Still getting cards, e-mails, and calls of support, one of my best friends in TN called last night and prayed with me. Very humbling, but I am thankful for all my friends, coworkers, and church people who are thinking of me.

Pray tonight for Doctor Kaufman and the others that will be with me in the Operating Room tomorrow.

Pressing on!

42 Hours

As I write this, it is about 42 hours before my surgery. it is getting down to hours, not weeks or days, until I go in to Mount Carmel East, for my 1st hospital stay ever.

today is my last day of work, so everyone is coming by and telling me good luck, or giving me hugs, and telling me they will miss me. I keep telling them I will be back in 4 weeks, but that can be a long time.

Tomorrow I will be working from home, clear liquids all day, no Angela desserts for awhile, as I prepare for surgery.

Stocked up on some books to read during my downtime. Jim Tressel, Tony Dungy, Charles Stanley books I have been wanting to read for awhile. Thanks to Julie for the gift card, I got 3 books with it.

I heard about a new Darryl Strawberry book just coming out. How Christ changed his life and got him back on the right path. Have to get that one later.

Also, been recording some shows on my DVR to watch later. Also, have some DVD Civil War programs I want to watch. I am sure the 1st few days I'll be moving pretty slow and taking it easy.

Happy Birthday to Donna Sipes in TN and Gail Leiber in Chicago!

Happy college Graduation to my favorite niece Jordan this weekend, your Aunt Angie and I are proud of you, we would be there if we could.

Pressing on! For my self proclaimed theme Song click here

Back home

Drive home from Michigan had a little drama. The guys from the plant at Sturgis, MI told me of a better way home. I went through Fort Wayne, IN and then took State Route 30 from there to upper sandusky, Ohio and picked up state route 23. What they did not tell me was there were no gas stations for 200 miles on that road!!!

1st the Range to Empty changed to "low", the gas tank started blinking "E", never a good thing. I could not find a gas station anywhere!!

Finally, found one and put 19.99 gallons of gas in the car!! Not sure how big the tank is, but I think it is 21 gallons, but the good Lord was with me.

Tonight, our CONNECT group went to the Montgomery Inn and then the Coldstone Creamery, we had 14 people go and had a great time. (Ask Penny Gierling about her leftovers). Thank you to whomever bought Angela and my dinner tonight, that was super nice and greatly appreciated.

Angela making snacks for our class tomorrow, so the pressure is off for the my lesson to be good. I don't know if I ever posted my class motto:

"The teaching may be mediocre, but the snacks are great!" To tell the truth I borrowed that from my old SS teacher in Jackson, TN, Brent Lay.

Call your mom tomorrow, it is Mother's day.

Pressing on!

Thursday = surgery, life will never be the same.

Time getting close

As you can tell by the countdown clock, it is about a week to my surgery date. I am trying not to get nervous, but it is getting harder everyday. Nervous is not the right word, but anxious describes it better.

I continue to be amazed by all the people who have sent notes of encoragement, connected with Randy Schmidt again and he put my name on his pray list at his church. I was in Chicago yesterday for meetings and several co-workers came up to me and asked how I was doing and mentioned they were praying or thinking about me.

I started taking Juven, which is a product we make for people recoverying from surgery. A coworker went through a major operation and she started taking it a week before and a week after. She said her recovery time was very quick and gave me some to try (it comes in packets that you mix with water). I'll let you know if I think it has helped afterward.

Family doing ok, Brandon and Julie went to see Tyler and Rachel in Memphis last weekend. Corey and Audrey went to prom last weekend. He was driving Tammy's Mercedes and a lady backed into the car! He was upset when he called me, did about $600 worth of damage. Angela started back to tanning bed again, looking good!

New family member, my baby brother Jim is a grandfather! Ryan Lee Salyer was born 9:09 AM on 5/5 to Nate and Beth, Congrats to all! 8.2 lbs and 20.4 inches long.

Don't forget Mother's Day is Sunday.

Pressing ON!

When it rains to pours

God has a great way to keep me from worrying about my surgery, he keeps me busy with other things. In the last 10 days:

1. The hot water tank broke
2. The garage door broke
3. The garbage disposal broke
4. Gave blood for my surgery
5. Gave blood for my surgery
6. Had Pre- op testing with my family doctor
7. Moved more of Aunt Rhoda's stuff to Chapel Grove
8. Went for 2 mile walk 3 times
9. Mowed the yard
10. Fixed the garage door opener
11. Got the oil changed in my car
12. Went to funeral home for Polly Branham

So, as you can see it has been a busy time. I cannot believe how fast time is going.

Yesterday I learned the term for giving blood for yourself, autologous donor, where you donate blood to yourself. Marvin the technical was pretty good, it only took about 6 min for me to donate a unit of blood. We talked about pizza and he mention the best pizza in Columbus is classic pizza, have to look it up.

No other problems, by my nurse from my health insurance called to go over my upcoming surgery, very nice, said she would pray for me. I now have 3 nurses, at least working for me:

• Doctor Kaufman's nurse
• The nurse for the Abbott leave center
• The nurse from my insurance
• so if I have a question, I really should be able to get an answer somewhere!

When I talked to Dr. Kaufman's nurse this week, I asked about why they did not order a bone scan. She said my Gleason Score was not high enough. The Gleason score is used to help evaluate the prognosis of men with prostate cancer. Mine was low enough where a bone scan was not needed.

Went to the funeral home last night, Audrey Knox, Corey's girlfriend, grandmother died. The queen and I ate dinner at Clay's Cafe in Hebron. I had Stromboli and she had pizza, both very good. I remember that place as kid. We would go there sometimes for the ice cream as a treat, think it was called something else. We will go back, recommend it.

Better get to work on this deary Friday.

Pressing on!

Pre-op testing

Today I went back to my family doctor for my pre-operation testing. Since I had most of the tests only 2 months ago I only needed to redo a few things. Like blood tests.

I am not bad when it comes to needles, really don't mind them too much. I give blood regularly when the Red Cross blood drive comes to work. Two things i do know about myself are:

1. I have the best blood type = A+, like a grade in school
2. I have deep veins

I tried to tell the phlebotomist that, and that everyone has the best luck on my right arm. Well of course she tried the left arm, and did not hit the vein. UGH@! Nothing came out. That's when I get a little nervous. Are they going to try and move it around in there trying to find the vein? That hurts when they do that.

Luckily she pulled the needle out and went to the right arm and hit it right away. Wish she would have listened to me the first time.

Talked to Dr. Campbell, who must be all of 30, about what had happened since the first PSA test. He was very supportive, took a lot of time and we talked about many things that I will be facing over the next month. He took his time and stayed there until I had no more questions. I told him he is the one who got the ball rolling during my physical, told him the story of how God is working in this. I like him, if you need a family doctor, I recommend him.

Rest of day we moved more of Aunt Rhoda's stuff to Chapel Grove, then took her to Olive Garden. Angela had picked her up at 11 AM and they had been at her house all day cleaning and pitching stuff out.

Praise Report: My mom went out to eat! Her and dad went to Garfield's after her therapy. She even got her nails done. Hope this means she is turning the corner.

Keep praying for sister in law Pam and her thyroid.

Pressing On! In Christ Alone!

Weekly update and prayer request

Please pray for my sister in law, Pam. The 1st report from her surgery was no cancer, but as she was being released from the hospital, the Doctor told her they did find cancer in the part of the thyroid they removed.

As you can imagine, this is a frustrating and confusing time. She goes to an oncologist in a couple of weeks so pray the god's grace and mercy will continue to be with her and her family.

As for me I have my pre-op testing this week and have to give more blood. So pray for my strength to hold up.

Pressing on! In Christ Alone!

How popular is your name?

I found this website very interesting, thought others may enjoy.

http://www.babynamewizard.com/voyager#prefix=&ms=false&sw=f&exact=false

Take this poll

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/4/23/poll-was-miss-california-right-to-express-opposition-to-gay-marriage.html

1st Aid 1st

I was talking to a Christian friend at work today about my cancer and he relayed a story his Pastor shared with his family when they were going through some medical problems with their son.

His Pastor told him there are 3 types of aid available in our lives:

1st Aid should taking our concerns to God
2nd Aid should be taking our requests to fellow believers
3rd Aid should be going to the Doctor or other medical professional.

The Pastor made the point that this can happen in a short period of time, because we do not know God's plan for us. Sometimes God chooses to heal quickly, sometimes slowly, and sometimes not at all, until we get a new body in Heaven.

God also works through Doctors to bring his plans for us to reality. So it does not show a lack of faith to go to the Doctor.

Something to keep in mind for the future.

Praise Report: Pam Thomas thyroid surgery went fine, no cancer!

Cancer Update

Nothing much new this week.

Had to schedule all pre-op testing, apply for medical leave at work, etc. Mostly administrative stuff.

Continue to be amazed at the out pouring of love, kind words, and hopeful comments from those around me. Please do not under estimate what a kind word of encouragement can mean to someone.

This is my new favorite song and will be the theme song for my upcoming difficult journey through cancer. This song confirms that things will be OK with me, regardless of the outcome.



Pray for my sister-in-law Pam Thomas who is having surgery this Tuesday on her thyroid, Dick Woodyard who is waiting for test results on possible cancer, and all of the others who are fighting the fight of cancer everyday. May God comfort and bless them on their journey.

The S Word

By Pat Lencioni

Recently I received a note from a reader, I’ll call her Carrie (because that’s her name), asking a question and suggesting that I answer it in this POV. Essentially, she wanted to understand why socialism is a bad thing, especially in the context of the Christian commandments to love thy neighbor, care for the poor and avoid materialism. This is a terrific and important question, one that is not discussed enough in society.

I must admit that, as a youngster, I often wondered why people were so down on socialism, and its cousin, communism. In fact, I thought those sounded like the best ways to run a society because sharing and caring and compassion are the right ways to live.

As I became a young adult, I began to understand how the reality of socialism radically differs from the theory, and that even the theory itself has fatal flaws. When it comes right down to it, I think there are two big reasons why socialism is a really, really bad idea.

First, it just doesn’t work. At least not for very long. That’s because people are flawed and, outside of a family, a religious order, or a small group of friends, they will not continually work hard for the ‘greater good’ if they do not receive the fruits of that work themselves. As an economics major in college, I learned that this theory had a name: ‘the free-loader effect’. It is the natural tendency of people to do less and less work when they realize that they won’t see a proportionate decrease in what they can get for it.

Over time—and this is an inevitable consequence of the free-loader effect—socialist societies experience decreasing productivity, risk-taking, and innovation, along with increasing tax rates, promises of government programs, and expectations from citizens about what they can get from those programs. When the economy inevitably falters under its own weight, those expectations cannot be met.

Unfortunately, by the time enough citizens realize this is happening it is often too late for them to go back and try a different approach because there are more people in society who expect benefits from the government than there are people who pay for them. And thus begins the long, gradual descent to economic and motivational malaise. Ironically, the class of people who socialism is supposed to help—the poor—only grows because they are joined by more and more people who drop out of the shrinking middle class.

The second reason why I believe socialism is such a bad idea is very much related to the first, but much more important to me as a Christian: it diminishes the dignity of human beings. In socialist societies, individuals grow increasingly dependent on the government for their well-being, and less and less confident that they are capable of and responsible for themselves. This is an inevitable recipe for cynicism, fatalism and depression.

And as the government plays a larger and larger role in the lives of people, it inevitably crowds out faith in God. Not only does this make sense from a logical standpoint, it turns out that it was the intentional design of the men who invented socialism, communism and Marxism. Marx and Lenin were very clear that atheism was key to the success of the socio-economic systems they promoted, and that people should turn to the state for their needs, not to God. This has played out again and again as socialist countries experience a significant drop in the faith of its people, and in great irony, a rapid decline in charitable giving, volunteerism and civic-mindedness.

So why do well-intentioned people continue to tolerate or be indifferent about the growth of socialism? For one, we often don’t realize that it is happening. That’s because socialism does not usually spring up over night. Instead, it creeps. Little by little we grow accustomed to new and higher taxes (“it’s just a one percent increase in the sales tax”), more government programs (“how can I vote against free ‘fill-in-the-blank” for children?”), and the false lure of getting something for nothing.

Beyond that, as the question that prompted this article suggested, we often feel good about socialism because we mistakenly conclude that it is altruistic and compassionate. But there is no escaping the moral bankruptcy of failing to ask ourselves if those feelings actually translate into sustainable, lasting benefit for the people we are trying to help. If the answer is ‘no’, then we have a moral duty to stop supporting those programs, no matter how hard that might be for our egos to accept.

So what are we to do if we want to act on our desire to do good and make a difference? Work hard. Create jobs. Treat our employees with dignity and love. Give generously of our money and our time to good charities and directly to those in need. And demand that our government compassionately provide effective programs and services for those who are truly incapable of providing for themselves.

But we should never, ever, support a program, a tax or a proposal that makes us feel good but ends up making the lives of the people we are supposed to be helping, and the society in which they live, more difficult and dependent.

Thanks for your question, Carrie. Happy Tax Day!

Surgery: T minus 30 days and counting

Angela and I met with Doctor Kaufman today to finalize treatment options and got some relatively good news.

My cancer is rated as T1c, which is the lowest form of prostate cancer, comparable to stage 1 in other forms of cancer. We talked a lot about pros and cons of all the options and decided to have a radical prostatectomy, which is an actual removal of the prostate. Doctor Kaufman explained that this is the only treatment option where the side effects get better with age and not worse.

The surgery is scheduled for May 14. I have to do some pre-op testing and donate some blood to myself, in case it is needed. I will be off works for 2 weeks for sure, work at home week 3 and back at work week 4, if all goes well.

I am going to take one of our products we make, Juven, before and after to help with the healing. Maybe I can make a TV commercial for them? since i am employee, they probably will not pay me anything extra.

My Sunday school class had special prayer for us yesterday, it was very nice and I appreciate them doing that very much.

On a lighter note, Tyler called today and he won the "Technology Teacher of the Year" award in Shelby County schools. BIG honor and I am very proud of him. More details to follow when he sends them.

Pressing On!

Salyer Bonner Thomas Family Easter 2009 - UPDATED more pics

Why me?

Last Tuesday, I was flying back from Chicago, when Angela called and said, "Doctor Kaufman wants you to call him right away." Since Doctor Kaufman is my urologist and I just had a biopsy on my prostate last Thursday, I was prepared for the worst.

I got it, I have prostate cancer.

Wow, just writing those words makes me feel a little different. It is not the most aggressive kind or the slowest growing, somewhere in the middle. He used the words "treatable and curable" which made me feel a little better, but I know the next few months will not be fun.

We meet with the Doctor on Monday to finalize a course of treatment, but I am leaning towards surgery. That is what the Doctor recommended, and he came highly recommended, and has the best "cure" rate of the other options.

Since, Tuesday, Angela and I have prayed a lot, shed a few tears, and have found out what kind of people we have around us. Many, many people have called, sent e-mails, or just stopped by my office at work to be an encouragement to me, and offer words of hope and encouragement. It makes me realize that I know many very good people and that my life has made a difference in people around me.

So why me? As Tyler told me, God picked me to go through this valley, because he knew I could handle it and that people will be watching me to see if my faith holds. Tyler also told me to get excited about what God is going to do, but that is going to take a little longer. My faith is strong, I know I will be fine.

The reasons why I am doing fine are; 1) is no symptoms and 2) I see God working to get me to this point. I often ask my class at church to look for how God is working around them, this is what I see:

• In January of 2009, Angela's insurance changed
• Our old family Doctor did not take the new insurance
• The new family Doctor insisted on a complete physical for all new patients.
• Completed first colonoscopy in my life, all clear
• All blood tests came back fine, except PSA which was a 10
• Went on antibiotics for 30 days and took another blood test
• PSA had already gone up to 12
• Biopsy results were supposed to take 7 to 10 days
• 3 working days later I got the call
• The night I got the call, when I got home from the airport, there was a 2 page article in the paper about treatment options for someone with prostate cancer.

What are the odds? 100% (With God, the odds of anything happening are always 100%).

Think about it this way, if all of the above had not happened, I would be sitting here with cancer and not even knowing it!

So I think i will use my blog to keep you updated and provide record of how God will get me through all of what waits for me. I hope it is an encouragement to you or someone you love.Keep

Angela, also in your prayers. This will be hard on her, but there is no one I would rather have by my side than her.

Pressing On!

I am Second

http://www.iamsecond.com/

Corey showed this cool website last night. I looked it up today and think everyone would benefit by viewing it.

You might know someone in one of these situations and that would benefit by making themselves second. Feel free to pass this on!

Jeff

Now the waiting begins

Just got home a few hours ago from my biopsy. Without going into details, I would not recommend anyone doing this that does not have to. The Doctor told me that the results would back within 7 to 10 days, so now the waiting begins.

When I got there I was so nervous (imagine that) my blood pressure was 160 over 110! But I really felt the prayers and got calmed down before the Doctor came in.

I wore an Ohio State shirt and my OSU watch and as Doctor Kaufman came in he took one look at me and said, "I went to Michigan State". I thought I was in big trouble after that, but we talked basketball the whole time, and I think that was God's way to get my mind off of things.

Yesterday, Brandon and Corey and I got Aunt Rhodie moved into Chapel Grove. Angela went out there today and Rhodie loves it!!!! She has already found someone from where she was raised, so things there are going very well.

Brandon also played a stupid April Fool's joke that was so dumb, I am not even going to talk about it. Guess with everything going on, my emotions are still a little raw.

Congrats to my nephew, Nate and his new Bride, Beth. They got married yesterday as well.

Working from home tomorrow to let things heal up some more. Thanks to all who called, sent emails, and prayed for us today, I felt the prayers.

Pressing On!!

how do people do it?

I have been going through a lot lately, nothing major, but a lot of little things that can add up.

A sampling:

• I have an elevated PSA level, which is a possible indicator of prostate cancer (my Dad had it and is fine now). Doctor called this week and moved up the biopsy by 3 weeks to next Thursday 4/2. (thank you Pastor Wally for praying last night a church council for me)
• My mom's surgery went fine, but recovery is going no where. Her shoulder is OK, but now she just sits in a chair too weak to get up. What can I do?
• Dad is trying to help her, but he is not able to get around much, and really is of little help. So now he sits by mom in her chair watching time pass with her.
• Aunt Rhodie moving into Chapel Grove residential living, having to arrange to move her. Calling Chapel Grove and getting the information straight after they talk to Dad. He gets things mixed up. Lining up someone to move her stuff, getting her a new bed because hers from her house is too big.
• Brandon lost his job, Corey getting ready to try to find one.
• Things at work are going fine, but who can have a safe feeling about any job right now.
• Went to Giant Eagle on Tuesday night, came out, car would not start! I tried for 20 minutes, no luck called AAA. 10 minutes later tried again and it started right up. Stress and relief in 30 short minutes.
• Had enough? Need more examples? Just look at your 401K, if you are lucky enough to have one.

My point is, through all this I know God is in control. As long as I am faithful and true to him and stay in His will all things will be fine.

So back to the title, how do people do it that have no foundation in Christ? What do they do when the wind blows, and waves rock the boat?

Psalm 146:5 says "Happy is he that hath God for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God."

In times of struggle I have always found that people react 1 or 2 ways:

1. They run to God
2. They run away from God

How about you? Which way are running? If you are just sitting still, then I think you are running away from God, because God never wants us to stay still.

Press On! and keep praying

We have come a long way!

Buckeyes Win!

The Ohio State Women's Basketball team won tonight to advance to the Sweet 16 round in the basketball tournament.

I only mention this because our pastor's wife is a BIG Mississippi State fan. They went to the game and sat with the few other MSU fans. I looked for them on TV, but did not see them.

Sorry, DD, better luck next year, your team put up a great game and did you proud.