ISUS TE IUBESTE

My good friend Andrew brought an order form in several weeks ago with this saying on it in many different languages. I got two (pictured above) in Romanian, go figure, huh. Many of the members in our church that have gone to Romania added one to their wardrobe. ISUS TE IUBESTE is beautiful in any language as well as Ion 3:16.

Happy Birthday, Mom

Many of my mother's relations gathered for a surprise birthday party for her at The Olive Garden. She received many gifts and cards...how old is mom, don't ask me.

A candid shot of the crew

These jalapeno peppers were not as hot as those from Romania or David's garden...thank goodness!

Whitney and Nathan just being themselves

Who's Your Dadddy...I Don't Care

Pictured above: Rod (left black shirt)and Dave (right vegas shirt)
I have been blessed over the past seven years with Rod and the past three years with Dave as two of my three assistant coaches. Like me, both of these fine young coaches do not play "the name game." I consider myself extremely fortunate to be allowed to work with both of these young coaches as they commit themselves to the athletes that compete in our wrestling program. The only thing they concern themselves with is teaching each of our athletes what it means to have a champions attitude.

Unfortunately in today's arena of high school sport, too many coaches become effected by what I call the "Who's your daddy" syndrome. For some reason, there are parents that believe WHO they are in the community should drastically affect whether their child plays regardless of the amount of talent... or not. Many coaches are intimidated by these "pillars" in the community and fold to the badgering and hassle these people dish out. I have observed many coaches that have lost their coaching and/or teaching positions because they played the "wrong players." So what are some our athletes being taught...you be the judge. I personally could care less who you are or any other characteristic that you use to attempt to place your child above any other player competing on the team I coach: I don't play "the name game." I believe when mom and dad tell me who to play...I will resign my duties for that particular sport. For all those EXPERT coaching parents, perhaps you need to go back to college and get your coaching degree so you can share your vast knowledge with all of us. Then you can begin collecting the huge coaching stipends we get for putting up with all your garbage!

Senior Night

Pre-game recognition of the senior volleyball players.

A couple of photos during the game...tonight the Dragons were victorious.

Post-game shot with grandfather, Max and grandmother, Roechelle.

Tonight was the seniors last home volleyball game: Four seniors were recognized. The Dragons were victorious in their last outing before district play begins next week. She may not be the star player on the squad, but she does exhibit a positive attitude. She treasures the match time she gets and encourages her teammates. As a coach and father, I admire her positive outlook toward competition and I am proud she is my daughter. We are very thankful Whitney was able to return to competition after being seriously injured earlier this season by the mechanical crank handle on the volleyball post after practice in mid-September.

An Afternoon At Arrowhead

Left: Arrowhead Stadium
Right: The ticket (a real good one)

Left: The blimp
Right: The view

Above: The crew, Roger (white hat) and AJ (yellow shirt)
Outcome: The Chiefs 27 Bengals 20

MasterLife Begins

Below: photo of this sessions' class

Our church has begun the next session of MasterLife. The goal of MasterLife is your discipleship-for you to become like Christ. To do that, you must follow Jesus, learn to do the things He instructed His followers to do, and help others become His disciples. MasterLife was designed to help you make the following definition of discipleship way of life:

Christian discipleship is developing a personal, lifelong, obedient relationship with Jesus Christ in which He transforms your character into Christlikeness; changes your values into Kingdom values; and involves you in His mission in the home, the church, and the world.

I was a student last Fall/Winter in this class and God has used it to continue the mold me into the disciple he wants me to become. In the Spring/Summer, I felt led to help teach the class along with several others that was in the class I was in last session. This Fall/Winter session, there are eleven enrolled and after an opening session we break into small groups...guys and gals. It is amazing to watch as each of these repenters struggle (with such things like; finding quiet time, time to do their daily study; praying with their prayer partner, reading their Bible) as God begins the molding process in each of their lives. I am humbled that God would choose me to once again to help Michelle teach this class. I learned several years ago when you tell God here I am, He will take you way out of your comfort zone to test you...then He will begin to shape you into the person that He can use to do His Will. The question now becomes, will you surrender your will to his...

If you have ever thought about taking the Masterlife class, pray about it and let God lead you to a decision next Spring when another session begins.

Back In Action

Whitney was cleared to return to competition on October 8th after being severely injured by a crank handle (that dislodged from its position on the crank set-up) after practice on September 24th. She suffered a broken nose, fractured orbital socket below her eye, fractured sinus cavity, several stitches (to sew up a puncture wound between her nose and the corner of her eye), quite a bit of pain , and a deep color of black/purple eye that was completely swollen shut for the next two days. In all this, Lila and I know that God was watching over her...her eye had only a small injury and was slightly scratched at the bottom. Her vision and all important parts of her eye ball were not damaged. I do not know what good will come out of Whitney's injury, but Philippians 4:6 (Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.) tells me how to approach God with my concerns. John 15:7-8 says,"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." Our children do not belong to us, God has given Lila and I the awesome responsibility to train them up according to what the Bible teaches. I thank God for trusting Lila and I enough to do this job.

The Ordination

You did not choose me, but I choose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:16-17

In the evening service last Sunday evening, I was ordained as a deacon after serving as a junior deacon since May of 2006. Jerry Palmer (the Director of Missions for our Heartland Baptist Assoc.) served as moderator for the ordination service. The message was delivered by Rev. Tommy Blair. I have known Tommy practically all my life; he was one of my father's dearest and closest friends. I was very honored to have him come and be part of the ordination service . An ordination service is not intended to bring glory to the person being ordained, but to bring glory to Jesus Christ. The scripture above says that I did nothing to be chosen, God does the choosing, I just need to be obedient in what God has planned for my life. I do not know all the specifics of what God has planned for me, as he continues to mold me into the man he desires me to become. The word "deacon" means servant: What an awesome responsibility and privilege it is to be a servant of our savior Jesus Christ.


After the pastors and deacons and passed by us, the congregation was given the opportunity to pass by and pray with us or speak with us during one part of the ordination service. Below are a few photos of some those in attendance stopping by Lila and I.






My Nephew Jayce and my mother (above);
Sister Debbie and husband Daniel at the
reception after service (below).


A big thank you to all those involved in the reception that followed the ordination service...I truly appreciate all the planning and work that was involved.