My Son

Zane (he turns 6 on Sunday) says to me, "You read the Bible on your days off, don't you dad?"

I say, "Yeah, I try to read it all the time, every day … today I read the Bible during my lunch, I read three chapters."

Zane says, "Alright dad! Can I give you a high five?"

"Ah … Yeah" … I turn to look at him an he has his hand up for a high five … "Yes you can … you are cool … Zane."

Single? Looking for Mr Right? Or Miss Right?

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 By Nate Fowler

Would Mr. Right Please Stand Up: A letter to the ladies

This generation has become a generation full of Internet. If you need information, you don't go to the local library and search strenuously until you find that perfect source. Nope, you type your subject matter into that little search bar you popped up on google. Well, I'm so sorry to be the one to point this fact out to you, but you're not going to type "Mr. Right" into that search bar and find the man of your dreams.

The waiter walked up to us and quickly put napkins on our table in order to mark as a place setting, showing that we had been greeted. He sharply began our interaction with, "good afternoon, can I get some drinks coming your way". I casually looked at my date, who for the sake of this story will be named Jill, and motioned for her to have the first order. Shortly after he took our drink orders we dove deep into conversation.

Jill has been a great friend of mine for many years. Her and I have seen each other go through great times full of laughter and joy but also the times full of tears and heartache. There was this weird connection between her and I. We were always such great friends, but yet there was no attraction between the two of us. This made for some very interesting conversations.

Jill and I have sat late into the night discussing many different topics that each and every person will go through, and has gone through. Something that Jill has struggled with in the past is finding "Mr. Right". She would often times become somewhat emotional when she began talking with me and sharing her heart pertaining to this matter. I think that this is exactly how many single girls feel today, right now. But ladies don't worry, young men are feeling the same way. Even though many young men would never admit it, we often times think about our future soul mate. Personally, I spend time in thought and prayer for my future wife. Her safety, family, happiness, friendships, relationships, every aspect of her life. I pray that God will continue to prepare my heart in order to be the best man I can be for her. Even though many men do not go about it the same way that I have, they are thinking about and are concerned with meeting "the one" as well. But, the point of this little story is not to talk about what men are doing, but to clarify some issues and challenges girls living in this generation are going through in their search of "Mr. Right".

It was well after 9:30 pm and the restaurant was getting ready to close. Jill and I were deep into a thought that I just couldn't cut short. Our server was finishing his closing duties so he really didn't mind us taking our time. Jill's eyes were red and a bit puffy from tearing as I began to share my thoughts on her tender question. Jill leaned over the table and with a sensitive tone said, "Nate, what is wrong with me? Why can't I meet him? The one?"

When those words came out of Jill's mouth I really didn't know exactly how to react. I took a second to look into her eyes and decipher how serious she was about this statement. It was serious. I took a second to think...

Jill has a pretty outgoing lifestyle. She is always telling me about these guys that she meets downtown that are just so sweet. Things go great for about a week or two, then she finds out a whole different story than the one she received from him upon first meeting. She tells me stories about how she cant find a guy that is honest about his intentions for spending time with her, often times she discovers they want to get the physical intimacy started to warm-up for the emotional relationship. They like to spend all day and every weekend with the boys and do guy stuff. Well, she thinks that's just boys being boys. Well ladies, that's EXACTLY what it is and you're never going to get more than a boy from that. Jill is such a sweet-hearted person and is often times attracted to very outspoken personalities. Guys that would be considered "rough around the edges". Jill shares with me that she has a real heart for these guys, these guys just need some love.

She spends a lot of time with her girlfriends and she loves doing all the girly things. She has sleep-overs with her best friends, drama movie nights, and themed parties with invites to all the neighbors. She is a full time student as well as a full time employee. She goes to a local Christian church once in awhile with her group of friends in order to get a "feel good" buzz and hopefully meet a guy with some decent morals. She always asks her boy interests to come to church with her but of course, he's doing "guy stuff" and can't make it. On the weekends, Jill once again spends time with her friends while wishing her interest was with her. Since she's a student at the University there is always some get together happening on or near campus. She likes to say she's going to have a drink, but ends up getting pretty crazy. She usually makes her rounds at the party meeting new guys, meeting new people, and doing some crazy dances in front of the camera. Jill loves to have a good time. But all the while, Jill is longing for a man that doesn't spend every second with his friends. A man that is going to embrace spending time with Jill without distraction of other people.

These are the thoughts that blazed through my mind before I even tried to speak a word in response to her question. The only thing I could think to say was, "where are you looking for "Mr. Right"?" She slowly mumbled and responded with, "everywhere, I guess..?"

Ladies, if you're going to read anything I have written on this page please let it be this. If you are looking everywhere, then you are going to find EVERTHING! This is the exact reason that Jill was having so much trouble in her search for "Mr. Right", she didn't even know where to look or what she was looking for specifically! Jill simply had it in her mind that she would find any random guy she thought was good looking and make him into what she thought the perfect guy was. If you're just waiting for this magical feeling of love to come sweep over your heart when you see him, then you're going to go through many times of trial and heartache that could have easily been avoided.

To be honest with you, I'm really getting tired of young ladies these days playing the "oh, poor me" card. This card has been in use for far to long and I think it is time for ladies to put it away and stop looking at how there are no good guys left in the world, but start seeking them out where they will be found. Better yet, help shape young men into the man that you are currently seeking.

If you are living a life like Jill, spending your time in constant hunt mode and still leading a life that is just fun and carefree then you are going to fall simply into a feeling of lust, not love. You so badly want to feel this feeling that you've seen on the movies, be swept off your feet and whisked away into a romantic setting in which your love speaks simple nothings into your ear. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN DOWNTOWN IN THE LOCAL TAVERN, OR AT THE FRAT HOUSE. Ladies, you speak so strongly about how many guys out there are pigs, well I'm sorry to bring this up but we're not the only ones at fault here. Us guys are not the ones going around wearing mini skirts and tank tops, not saying there are not guys who do so, but I feel that you ladies need to step up and take more responsibility in the way that you shape the minds and thoughts of the young men around you. If you are wearing a skimpy little outfit yet you say that you need to find a decent guy, this is playing a double standard. Ladies, if you are not acting and dressing in a decent fashion then why would a decent guy be interested in pursuing you? This generation is so full of exploitation it literally makes my stomach ache. So many young ladies feel that in order to receive attention from young men you must show some skin. To tell you the truth ladies, you could walk in the room with jeans and a turtle neck on and we would still be attracted to you, that's just how we're made. I challenge you to stop looking at all the guys in the world and calling us perverts of society and start looking at one another and the standards that you have set for yourselves. This is not one or another's fault, that's not where I'm going with this. The reason that you feel you need to wear that skirt is because you saw another girl at the mall wearing a similar skirt, or a girl on MTV getting all the attention wearing a skirt like that. Not because a guy walked up to you and said, "in order for me to talk to you I want to see a skirt". If you wear the outfits, of course men will look ladies, come on! You are attracting the very guys that you are trying to avoid!

You ladies are so precious. You have so much to offer your families, friends, and others around you. It makes me so sad when I see you put yourself into a situation with a guy who is not going to offer the same. So many girls today are attracted to the rebels. Well, if that's what you're looking for then that's exactly what you're going to get. You are going to get a guy who doesn't want to see situations, love, or blessings the way that they come, he is fighting life. You are going to get a guy that you are going to have to change. If you are attracted to the guys that need your help to change them, then you are going to spend a relationship of many tears, heartache, and pain. This is not a man, this is boy who has no direction, goals, focus, and who has had very little experience in situations that build character. His lack of character is going to produce lack of responsibility. This will lead to a lack of dependability and lack of dependability will lead to a constant battle of attempts and failures. I am not saying that trying and not succeeding is a bad thing, I am saying that guys who have honestly tried and failed on their own digression seeking their OWN goals will and have built character. You will never be able to instill character into a guy who has not and does not want it for himself. IT'S NOT YOUR JOB EITHER. This is a huge burden that you are taking upon yourselves. You are nurturers by nature, seek out a MAN that will be able to love you as much as you love he. Seek out a MAN that has goals, ambitions, and a desire to treat you as the precious young lady in which you are. Seek out a man of character that is ready to love and support you the way you deserve right now, not after you get done with him.


As these thoughts came pouring out of my mouth a thousand miles a minute Jill looked at me with a somewhat blank stare on her face. I paused in silence for a moment then softly said," did that make any sense?." She looked at me with a half smile, half laugh and half cry and said, "I think so..."

I guess the bottom line that I'm getting at here ladies is; "Mr. Right" is out there but where are you looking and what is your criteria? You know deep down in your heart that you are looking for a man that is going to stand up for you even when you're wrong. A man that is going to hold your hand even when you're in public. A man that is going to softly kiss your forehead and wipe your tear with his thumb as he rests his hand on your cheek. Most importantly, you are searching for a man that is willing to step up and lead the way a man should. You want him to provide for you, to be the one that says it's "ok" even when you know the situation is not good. You are looking for a man of character, not a boy with lack of focus and no heart for anything greater than himself.

My challenge to all of you ladies and in search of this illusive "Mr. Right" is this; are you living in a way that is going to attract this kind of man? Are you presenting yourself by the way you speak, dress, act, and socialize in a manner that would be attractive to this man that you yourself have set such high standards for?

Coming from the words of a 22 year old, newly engaged male, we hold these standards also. If you are looking for love at a party full of boys, you're going to get a boy that likes to party. If you are looking for a man that holds himself with integrity and character, you are going to find a man that has something to offer you that you will not find anywhere else. You do not want to spend your life searching and changing. Spend your life loving, laughing, focused, nurtured, protected, and all the other words you could possibly ever dream of. There are those "Mr. Rights" out there, and they are all looking for that "Ms. Right".

www.natefowler.net

Politics Today ... What would the Founders Think?

BEST OF JIM COOK

January 3, 2008

HANGING TOGETHER

[FROM: www.investmentrarities.com/ -- 1/16/08]

How do we know our political views are correct? On the left, liberals are certain of their intellectual superiority. This snobbery allows them to scorn anyone with differing views. Among conservatives, the neo-cons aim to make government bigger and more intrusive. On what basis can we build a powerful argument against those on the left or right who want to force their agenda down our throats?

Our founding fathers are a good place to start. When Benjamin Franklin stated, "It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one tenth part," he never dreamed the American people would hold still for today's taxes of 50%. Those of us who oppose higher taxes and advocate limited government are in much better company than the liberals and neo-cons who would find no favor with our founders.

Thomas Jefferson put it this way. "A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government." What we have today then is the sum of bad government. Jefferson warned about the eventual outcome of income transfers. "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Jefferson went on to say, "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

It hasn't worked out that way. Socialist schemes administered by government squander our tax dollars and social costs are running away. You can have socialism, but you can't have prosperity. As the great Austrian social economist Ludwig von Mises instructed, "Socialism [modern liberalism] is not in the least what it pretends to be. It is not the pioneer of a better and finer world, but the spoiler of what thousands of years of civilization have created. It does not build; it destroys. For destruction is the essence of it. It produces nothing, it only consumes what the social order based on private ownership of the means of production has created."

Mises further stated, "A man who chooses between drinking a glass of milk and a glass of a solution of potassium cyanide does not choose between two beverages; he chooses between life and death. A society that chooses between capitalism and socialism does not choose between two social systems; it chooses between social cooperation and the disintegration of society. Socialism is not an alternative to capitalism; it is an alternative to any system under which men can live as human beings."

We are in the early stages of the disintegration of our society. Multiculturalism, inflation, high taxes and a huge, growing underclass will see to that. Disparaging the free market is another sign of backwardness and coming chaos. Envy; hatred of the producers, anti-business propaganda, punishment of the rich; expropriation of wealth; the politics of class warfare; all are in vogue.

Worst of all, the government is destroying the dollar. Through its big spending, social schemes and foreign adventures, it must inflate to stay afloat. The flaw in paper money is that it can be created at will by politicians and bureaucrats to meet any contingency. At some point hyperinflation is inevitable. That will tear the social fabric further as the nimble become richer and the masses become poorer.

Each of us carries a responsibility to preserve our freedom and the greatness of our nation. We must gain enough understanding of the threat from within - the reigning dogma of the left. We must become beacons of economic education and influence in checking the inroads of socialism. "It's one mind at a time," said my mentor, the late Bernard Daley. He saw the writing on the walls years ago and vigorously warned about the inroads of socialism and the destruction it would make inevitable.

The socialist leader, Norman Thomas, once said, "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened." Fear for your country if that proves to be true.

The patriots who drafted the Declaration of Independence risked all. One tragic reversal and Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and the others would have quickly been hung from a tree and you would never have heard of them. The guidance they provided for controlling government has been rejected by the free spending pols of today. We have ignored the guidance of our founders and we will pay a price. Hopefully, the excruciating setbacks we suffer will make us harken once again to their wisdom.

[FROM: www.investmentrarities.com/ -- 1/16/08]

Women and Islam

Women and Islam

BHUTTO'S BODY AND THE FACE OF ISLAM, GrassTopsUSA Exclusive Commentary By Don Feder 01-02-08

My reaction to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto?

What did you expect?

Let's see: Bhutto was a woman who refused to cower behind a veil. She believed in democracy and human rights, and opposed jihad. And she aspired to govern Pakistan again, as she had twice before, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

So naturally the savages killed her.

Imagine if Alexander Hamilton traveled back in time from the 18th to the 8th century, and tried to explain republican government and capitalism to the knuckle-draggers. They would have torn off his arms and beat him to death with the severed limbs. Thus, Bhutto's fate was inevitable.

Conspicuously absent from commentary on the crime was the word "Islam." It's as if the former prime minister could have been whacked by anyone, say deranged Amway salesmen or a roving band of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Not that there was a lack of finger-pointing.

The United States was blamed for backing Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan's "president" was blamed for not controlling al-Qaeda (whose operations he tolerates, as long as they don't go too far). Al-Qaeda was rightly blamed for pulling the trigger. (The scum gloated that they had "terminated the most precious American asset which vowed to defeat the mujahadeen.")

War-on-Terror hawks blamed "extremists," "radicals", "militants" and (when they were feeling really daring) "Islamo-fascists" -- as if fanatics with armbands had somehow subverted the tenets of an otherwise benign and pacific creed.

Almost no one was willing to cast a critical eye on the religion of peace itself -- for fear that logic and the overwhelming weight of evidence would lead to conclusions both politically incorrect and professionally perilous.

As Bhutto could attest, Islam is particularly hard on women. At a 2005 celebration to mark the end of Ramadan-a-ding-dong, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (who fits perfectly in the intellectual milieu of Foggy Bottom) declared that Islam was not just the religion of peace -- a la George Bush -- but the "religion of peace and love.

Hence, the expression: You always hurt the one you love -- or decapitate the one you love, or choke the one you love, etc.

Last month, in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga, 57-year-old Muhammed Parvez strangled to death his daughter Aqsa, age 16. Parvez's homicidal rage was fueled by his daughter's refusal to wear the prescribed Moslem headgear for females, the hijab.

By all reports, Parvez senior was a good Muslim, a cab driver who took a break from his work four times a day to wail toward Mecca.

The reaction of the Canadian Muslim community was edifying. Sheik Alaa El-Sayyed, imam of a Toronto mosque, helpfully explained, "Women who wear hijabs occupy higher positions in Islam, according to religious teachings" -- and those who don't have their windpipes crushed.

The Sheik further elucidated: "We can not let culture supersede religion. If we stay away from the teachings of Islam, we will pay for it."

Adherence to the teachings of Islam also carries a price.

In November, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah magnanimously pardoned a gang-rape victim. No, that's not a typo. The king pardoned the victim.

The unidentified woman was abducted along with a male companion and raped by six men. One taped the atrocity on his cell phone.

If gang-rape wasn't enough, the 19-year-old was sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in jail for the unspeakable offense of being alone in a car with a man she wasn't related to.
According to the Malaysian advocacy group Sisters in Islam, in Pakistan "three out of four women in prison... are rape victims."

And they're the lucky ones. In the Islamic world, and increasingly in Western countries where Muslims reside in large numbers, women who've "shamed their families" (by allowing themselves to be raped, being alone in a car with a non-relation, refusing the hijab, or other shameless and hussy-like behavior) are sentenced to death by male relatives.

Among adherents of the religion of peace and love, these homicides are so common that there's even a name for them "honor killings."

Between 1996 and 2006, there were 48 honor killings in Germany alone. The United Nations estimates that there are 5,000 honor killings a year worldwide. Being a woman in an Islamic society, or family, is almost as much fun as being an African-American in the era of Jim Crow -- get uppity, and out come the whips and nooses.

Much of this flows from the unique position women enjoy in the religion of love and peace.

Women are expected to submit to the authority of first their fathers, then their brothers and finally their husbands. In this world, women play an exalted role, as objects of lust, breeding stock and slaves.

Now, where do you suppose this tradition comes from?

The Center for the Study of Political Islam analyzed every reference to women in the Koran, Hadith (traditions) and Sira (life of Muhammed). In 91% of these citations, women were described as inferior to men.

The Hadith mentions over 20 times that the majority of those in Hell will be women. Their damnable offense? Insufficient subservience to their husbands. Men earn a place in paradise (plus 70 perpetual virgins) for acts of piety, like killing infidels. Women earn eternal reward by being obedient to the men in their lives.

Sexual violence plays a crucial role in jihad.

In 1971, Pakistani soldiers raped a million women in the war with Bangladesh. While Islam frowns on sex outside marriage, infidels -- especially those conquered in holy war -- are exempted from this prohibition. (Religious authorities had declared the Bangladeshis "infidels.")

Rev. Keith Roderick of Christian Solidarity International works with Iraqi Christian refugees. He recently met a woman who fled Iraq with her family after the following horrific incident.

After Muslims began moving into her formerly Christian neighborhood in Baghdad, she received a phone call informing her: "You have several daughters. We want you to give one to us (to marry a Muslim man)."

The mother ignored the demand. A week later, her 15 year-old daughter, Vivian, was kidnapped on her way home from school. When she received another call notifying her that her daughter had been taken, she asked how much the kidnappers wanted for the child's safe return. The reply: "We don't want your money; we just want to break your heart, because you're a 'crusader' (Christian)."

A week later, Vivian's naked body was dumped near the family home. She had been repeatedly raped, tortured and mutilated. In the wide world of Islam, there's a whole lot of lovin' going on.

If you're disturbed by that story, don't worry. In a few years, such reporting will be deemed a hate crime. The jihad lobby has learned well the intimidation tactics of multiculturalists. Under the mandate of sensitivity, they are moving relentlessly to crush any criticism of their delightful faith.

In Canada, an inquisition is underway which could have far-reaching consequences. Author Mark Steyn and Maclean's magazine have been summoned to appear before the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal and the Canadian Human Rights Commission on a "hate speech" complaint brought by three Muslim law students.

Maclean's, Canada's leading periodical, published an excerpt from Steyn's book "America Alone: The End Of The World As We Know It."

In the seminal work, Steyn observed: "So it's not merely that there's a global jihad lurking within this religion, but that the religion itself is a political project and, in fact, an imperial project in a way that modern Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism are not. Furthermore, this particular religion is historically a somewhat bloodthirsty faith in which whatever your bag violence-wise can almost certainly be justified."

Other than the qualifier ("somewhat"), what reasonable person can argue with this assessment?

The complaint alleges that Steyn, and by extension Maclean's, are suggesting that "Islamic culture is incompatible with Canada's liberalized Western civilization." What audacity!

Unfortunately, when hauled before a human-rights star chamber and charged with the high-crime of insensitivity, truth is no defense.

Exhibit 1, your honor, the strangulation of 15-year-old Aqsa Parvez.

Exhibit 2 -- The reaction of Canadian Islamic leaders to same.

Exhibit 3 -- A week before Christmas, an Italian Roman Catholic priest was stabbed in the Turkish city of Izmir. Last year, another Italian Catholic priest was shot dead in the Turkish Black Sea city of Trabzon.

Exhibit 4 -- A September CNN poll of Pakistanis, which showed Osama bin Laden's approval rating at 46%, compared to 38% for Musharaff and 9% for Bush.

Exhibit 5 -- A recent poll of our other good friends, the Saudis, in which 36% supported Saudi citizens fighting against U.S. troops in Iraq and 51% want Muslims to continue fighting Israel until the Jewish state is obliterated.

Exhibit 6 -- A Pakistani couple that converted to Christianity went into hiding after credible death threats. The death threats came from Muslim relatives.

Exhibit 7 -- Also a week before Christmas, an Egyptian national named Mohamad Sayed was arrested in the southern Philippine city of Catabato, after police recovered an explosive device from his room in the Majad Islamic School. (Isn't it strange how men named Mohammed -- however the spelling -- are so often connected to other "m" words, like murder, mayhem and massacre?)

Of course, the prosecution could counter with evidence of all of the explosive devices recovered from synagogues, cathedrals, tabernacles, yeshivas and ashrams.

It could also offer evidence of the Jewish charities charged with funneling money to terrorists, suicide bombers who die with "praise Jesus" on their lips and the injunctions to annihilate unbelievers found in the Bhagavad Gita, the Analects of Confucius and the Book of Common Prayer.

Exhibits 8 to infinity -- Anwar Sadat, Daniel Pearl, Theo van Gogh, Rabbi Meir Kahane, Benazir Bhutto, 241 U.S. Marines who died in the Beirut barracks bombing and the 3,000 Americans murdered on September 11, 2001. The Center for the Study of Political Islam estimates that since 9/11 there have 57,749 jihad murders.

It takes a tremendous and sustained act of will to ignore the elephant in the living room -- the one wearing a dynamite-belt and shouting "Allahu Akabar!"

But the guys and gals reporting the news are more than capable of that act of willful blindness.

The 9,000-member Society of Professional Journalists has a set of guidelines for covering Muslim murder, which could have been written by the Council on American Islamic Relations, they include:
1. When writing about Islamic terror, be sure to include references to white supremacists and anti-abortionists.
2. Don't use terms like "Islamic terrorist" or "Muslim terrorist." (Instead, say Religion of Peace struggler or overly enthusiastic Muslim.)
3. Jihad means exertion to improve one's self or Islam (through bomb-building, sharp-shooting, hijacking airliners, etc.).
4. Get Muslims to vet the articles.

Or get your news directly from Al-Jazeera, and eliminate the middleman.

Reacting to the Bhutto assassination, Sen. Fred Thompson (who has a sound understanding of foreign policy) observed, "This is a war, a clash of civilizations."

Could you be more specific? "The chance that a secular woman had the possibility of ascending to power in Pakistan drove the more radical Islamic elements in the country to violence."

"Radical Islamic elements" don't need to be driven anywhere. The term "radical Islamic elements" implies there are moderate Islamic elements. Who are they -- and where are they both hiding?

Assassinations, honor killings, suicide bombings, rape as a political weapon and the degradation of women -- all are symptoms of a disease, a plague bacillus being carried to the West by immigrants and converts.

Benazir Bhutto, rest in peace -- along with honesty, objectivity and the courage to be candid about the greatest threat to civilization since Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.
>

Don Feder is a former Boston Herald writer who is now a political/communications consultant. He also maintains his own website, DonFeder.com.

Oregon Ducks ... my pick

Ok, the game isn't even over yet … but the Ducks are rolling. I say we will win it.

But I must make some observations either way. J Stew is having an amazing game, and will probably get the MVP. Even though he is great and having a great game … with the holes the O-Line has opened up I believe anyone could have ran for 150 yards. I say MVP should go to the O-Line.

On a side note … J. Williams is catching the ball!!!

Another thing I want to make clear … I thought it earlier in the year when Roper came in as a back up. Roper is our guy. He looks to be a great leader on the field. Yes, I am saying it now … I think he should be given the starting position in the fall.

I am giving my nod to Roper now because two years ago I thought Dixon should be turned loose and taught to be a leader on the field and on the sidelines. But the coaching staff kept jerking him in and out. I truly believe it would have been better to give him the starting position and build his confidence two years ago.

I admit, he needed to be taught about leadership and of course Chip Kelly has brought some new stuff to the offense and being away in the realm of pro-baseball might all have been good for him. But I saw (and I said it several times) his "brilliance" on the field two plus years ago and wanted the team to be built round him in 2006. Somewhere along the way in the last year he learned how to be a great leader and continues to serve as a leader from the sidelines.

It all came together in 2007 with Dixon and Stewart being two of the top offensive players in the nation. In addition … the defense has had an amazing year.

*Since I started writing we have scored twice to make the score 39-14 and have been on the receiving side of two interceptions.

Brock, Nathan, Aaron, and Myself Together Again

Click on photo.




The four horsemen ride again. Well, not really but we did get together for breakfast today. It was great to be together again catching up on each other's lives.

It is interesting to note that each one brings something to the table … not just different breakfast items but … different interests, talents, and gifts. I think when good friends are together both parties go away with something new, something learned, something gained. It is true with this group of friends.

Our conversation has changed some, less about youth and more about our kids. But we still talk ministry and about church stuff. I think we could talk all day if given the opportunity. If we had a whole day together I think there would have to be a basketball game, because Brock keeps bringing up a game or two where he and Aaron got lucky and beat Nathan and I.

Our lives have changed in the over the last four or so years. All of us have changed jobs … none of us are doing what we were doing when we first started ministering together. By this spring, as I count, we will have had nine kids added to our families.

Who knows maybe we will ride again together in ministry. It seems we all like a challenge and with the talk of starting new churches, only God knows where we all will be in the next few years.

Currently reading : American Nightingale: The Story of Frances Slanger, Forgotten Heroine of Normandy By Bob Welch Release date: 31 May, 2005

Global Warming ... enough already!

Global warming ... argh. Almost daily in the news. It drives me crazy the way the news people and others with a voice (i.e. politicians and celebrities) take up stories without knowing what they are talking about. They are building a frenzy for reducing greenhouse gases around the world (i.e. Kyoto Protocol) and its a frenzy based on truth that is inconveniently not true.

From what I read humans have almost no effect on global warming and the greenhouse gases that cause some of the global warming. Below is a quote from the website www.junkscience.com explaining that 90-95% of the greenhouse effect is from water in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and other miscellaneous gases are "minor greenhouse gases" that have almost no effect on greenhouse changes.

"In simple terms the bulk of Earth's greenhouse effect is due to water vapor by virtue of its abundance. Water accounts for about 90% of the Earth's greenhouse effect -- perhaps 70% is due to water vapor and about 20% due to clouds (mostly water droplets), some estimates put water as high as 95% of Earth's total tropospheric greenhouse effect (e.g., Freidenreich and Ramaswamy, "Solar Radiation Absorption by Carbon Dioxide, Overlap with Water, and a Parameterization for General Circulation Models," Journal of Geophysical Research 98 (1993):7255-7264).

The remaining portion comes from carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone and miscellaneous other "minor greenhouse gases." As an example of the relative importance of water it should be noted that changes in the relative humidity on the order of 1.3-4% are equivalent to the effect of doubling CO2." (FROM: www.junkscience.com/Greenhouse)

Please read the entire article to learn more about atmospheric science at:www.junkscience.com/Greenhouse.

Next read an article about Al Gore's movie "An Inconvenient Truth" at: http://home.earthlink.net/~ponderthemaunderg/index.html.

The author explains where Gore is correct and not so correct.

The article starts with a telling quote from Al Gore himself in an interview.

"Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth does indeed have some correct facts, but as he even says himself, sometimes you have to over-exaggerate to send the message to people:

Q. There's a lot of debate right now over the best way to communicate about global warming and get people motivated. Do you scare people or give them hope? What's the right mix?

A. I think the answer to that depends on where your audience's head is. In the United States of America, unfortunately we still live in a bubble of unreality. And the Category 5 denial is an enormous obstacle to any discussion of solutions. Nobody is interested in solutions if they don't think there's a problem. Given that starting point, I believe it is appropriate to have an over-representation of factual presentations on how dangerous it is, as a predicate for opening up the audience to listen to what the solutions are, and how hopeful it is that we are going to solve this crisis. (http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/05/09/roberts/ (Interview with Grist Magazine's David Roberts and Al Gore about An Inconvenient Truth)

Al Gore said this, so how are we supposed to know fact from fiction in the global warming debate? The following paragraphs will inform the reader of the false claims, the facts, the selective facts and tactics to scare and advertise." (FROM:http://home.earthlink.net/~ponderthemaunderg/index.html)

By the way ... statements like the one above are similar to socialist dictators who believe government is the solution for every problem and the people are not capable of understanding the truth. Venezuela's President Chavez is a scary reminder of power gone wrong. (http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/dec2007/gb2007123_114899.htm)

The Al Gore article goes on to describe the misuse of charts and dates to make a point that is not true.

One set of stats Gore shows deals with the receding glaciers around the world. It is true that they are receding but he fails to explain that it can be shown they have been receding for 100-150 years, well before we humans started driving cars in mass.

Please take time to read: http://home.earthlink.net/~ponderthemaunderg/index.html

The truth as I understand it is ... humans are not causing global warming and we should not be forced into all becoming Green and driving cars that cost $20,000 more because of all the added Green engine stuff. Diesel engines went up $7000 to $10,000 this year (2008) because of government mandated emissions upgrades.

Is going Green bad? No, actually I like the idea of reducing my use of fossil fuels. I think we should all walk more and ride bikes more often. I am planning on buying a diesel and trying bio-diesel (which is fuel made from vegetable oil). And I am also designing a house that is highly efficient with passive and active solar heat and power. I hope to build it some day to lower our natural gas and electricity bills, relying more on God-given solar power and possibly even wind power.

BUT ... it should be my choice to be Green or not be Green. The government should stay out of our business.

8:27 PM - 1 Comments

Christmas Letter from The Gants

December 2007

Dear Family & Friends,

Not many days past in the New Year before we became convinced that this would be another year that would grow & stretch our faith. On January 4th we learned that Cory's job with Santa Clara Church of Christ would end; the elders decided they wanted to move in a new direction. It was a big surprise to us, but we both felt confident that this was part of God's plan and that our family would be blessed despite the stressful & uncomfortable circumstances. The next chapter of our lives we refer to as our sabbatical. The boys and I greatly enjoyed having Cory home and he was provided the opportunity and time to dream & pray about what he would like to do with his future. Cory decided, for the time being, not to pursue paid ministry and is considering other avenues of employment. He finished classes to become a Real Estate Appraiser & is hoping to find an Assistant position (hard to do when the housing market is slow). In May, Cory went to work for a friend in the construction business. He enjoys learning how to build houses. The boys & I go to visit him on the job site usually every week.

Zane, who will be six in February, started Kindergarten at home this year. He is a good student and we enjoy watching him learn. Zane has a great imagination. When he isn't making plans for the house that he will someday build (which includes a rocket & restaurant), then he is perfecting his plan to build "safety pipes" in our house. This idea involves tunnels & rooms that will be under our home. The "pipes" are for fun (there will be toys, tv, and food) and also provide a hiding place for the boys in case a "bad guy" comes. Zane is enrolled in a Saturday basketball program during the month of January. We aren't concerned much about his basketball skills, but we are hoping this will give him more opportunity to socialize. It should be lots of fun to watch!

Luke turned four in October. He likes playing with Zane and spending time with his Dad (especially outside). He still enjoys snuggling with me and his hugs are hard to beat. He loves to be silly & tease. You should hear his adorable laugh! Luke is brave and often paves the way for Zane in social settings. He doesn't like it when his brothers are sad and does his best to fix their problems. He also wants me to mention that he loves spending time with his grandparents.

Cade is very expressive and full of character. He has a blanket (Bubba) and an alligator (Buzz) that he loves. He doesn't talk a lot, but he does great communicating what he wants/needs one or two words at a time. He loves his big brothers & cousin Lolly. He is getting close to 2 ½ and Cory and I are beginning to envision a time in the near future without diapers to buy or change!!

I have often prayed for patience and asked that God teach me gently. I think having three boys in 3 ½ years is the answer to my prayers. These precious boys are such a great motivation for me to daily work on being more patient! And, the situation with Cory's job helps too. I am learning to wait for God to show us His plan. Of course, my thankfulness does kind of ebb and flow, but I'm learning. My sister, Joy, and I went to Sisters in September to participate in a 10k walk. We took along our little ones, Lolly & Cade. It was so beautiful and fun that we plan to make it an annual "sisters" event. Also in September, the three boys & I went to Bend to visit Grandpa Bruce & Grandma Marsha at the Seventh Mountain Resort. We had a wonderful time swimming, boating and playing miniature golf.

I leave you with the following blessing from Numbers 6:24-26, "The Lord bless you and take good care of you. The Lord smile on you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you his peace."

With love, LORI

8:07 PM - 1 Comments

The Exploding Whale - amazing Local History 37 years later

WATCH THE VIDEO ... this is a hilarious incident in Lane County history! See it at:

http://www.theexplodingwhale.com/evidence/the-video/

Dave Barry wrote about it in 1990, article below.

The Farside Comes to Life in Oregon By Dave Barry (1990)

I am absolutely not making this incident up; in fact I have it all on videotape. The tape is from a local TV news show in Oregon, which sent a reporter out to cover the removal of a 45-foot, eight-ton dead whale that washed up on the beach. The responsibility for getting rid of the carcass was placed upon the Oregon State Highway Division, apparently on the theory that highways and whales are very similar in the sense of being large objects.

So anyway, the highway engineers hit upon the plan — remember, I am not making this up — of blowing up the whale with dynamite. The thinking here was that the whale would be blown into small pieces, which would be eaten by sea gulls, and that would be that. A textbook whale removal.

So they moved the spectators back up the beach, put a half-ton of dynamite next to the whale and set it off. I am probably not guilty of understatement when I say that what follows, on the videotape, is the most wonderful event in the history of the universe. First you see the whale carcass disappear in a huge blast of smoke and flame. Then you hear the happy spectators shouting "Yayy!" and "Whee!" Then, suddenly, the crowd's tone changes. You hear a new sound like "splud." You hear a woman's voice shouting "Here come pieces of… MY GOD!" Something smears the camera lens.

Later, the reporter explains: "The humor of the entire situation suddenly gave way to a run for survival as huge chunks of whale blubber fell everywhere." One piece caved in the roof of a car parked more than a quarter of a mile away. Remaining on the beach were several rotting whale sectors the size of condominium units. There was no sign of the sea gulls, who had no doubt permanently relocated in Brazil. This is a very sobering videotape. Here at the institute we watch it often, especially at parties. But this is no time for gaiety. This is a time to get hold of the folks at the Oregon State Highway division and ask them, when they get done cleaning up the beaches, to give us an estimate on the US Capitol.

© 1990 Miami Herald

4:09 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos

Oregon v Oregon State Civil War

1990 Oregon 6 OSU 3
1991 OSU 14 Oregon 3
1992 Oregon 7 OSU 0
1993 OSU 15 Oregon 2
1994 Oregon 17 OSU 13
1995 OSU 10 Oregon 12
1996 Oregon 49 OSU 13
1997 OSU 30 Oregon 48
1998 Oregon 41 OSU 44[14]
1999 OSU 14 Oregon 25
2000 Oregon 13 OSU 23
2001 OSU 14 Oregon 17
2002 Oregon 24 OSU 45
2003 OSU 20 Oregon 34
2004 Oregon 21 OSU 50
2005 OSU 14 Oregon 56
2006 Oregon 28 OSU 30
2007 At Oregon

Crazy beard ... I love my wife more

I have enjoyed all the MySpace comments about the long beard.

It has actually been trimmed as of last Sunday. Lori gave me a hair cut and I let her trim the beard as well. The whole issue comes down to what one of my good friends (Brock) said in picture comment:

"4 Words to live by

Happy Wife....Happy Life"

Guys you should take note.

Your happiness is in direct correlation with your wife's happiness.

The Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesian Disciples, "husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her ... so husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. HE WHO LOVES HIS OWN WIFE LOVES HIMSELF; no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it ... each individual among you also is to love his own wife EVEN AS HIMSELF (Ephesians 5).

Remember what the Love Chapter (1 Cor 13) says? Among the character of love list is "[love] does not seek its own".

Also in 1 Corinthians Paul writes, "...the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does..."

Ladies the opposite is also true...love, respect, honor, and submit to your husband!

If both husband and wife would "consider one another as more important than himself" there would be no marital disharmony in the Church. "They would know we are Christians by our love"!

Sadly, statistics say that divorce is the same or higher among church-going people.

Christians need to be mentoring one another in how to be the type of Disciples Christ called us to be. Disciples of Christ must be striving to live holy lives, loving those around them, doing good deeds for their family and neighbors.

Take care of your family!

If you are not married, don't get married until you are ready to give up "me" to become "we." This also applies to your hobbies ... if you can't do it together then maybe you need to give it up. Develop hobbies that bring you together not ones that take you in different directions.



My friend Erik Nielson posted a good article by Gordon MacDonald that should check out at:



http://www.accmen.blogspot.com/


Shalom.

Currently reading : The Dangerous Book for Boys By Conn Iggulden Release date: 01 May, 2007

Rootbeer

You may or may not know that I like rootbeer. In fact Lori and I both enjoy taste-testing new rootbeers. There are 100s of different rootbeers brewed in the US.

I have a collection of glass rootbeer bottles representing many of the brands we have tasted. If you ever come across a unique rootbeer (especially in a glass bottle) pass it along.

Below is a list from best to the not-so-good, of the rootbeers we have tried.

1. Souix City
2. Steelhead
3. Henry Weinhard's
4. A&W Rootbeer - on tap
5. Tommyknocker
6. Sprecher
7. Thomas Kemper
8. Stewart's
9. Bulldog
10. Teddy's
11. IBC
12. Dad's
13. Root 66
14. Frostop
15. Hansen's
16. Briar's Premium
17. Frosties
18. Sparky's Fresh Draft
19. Briar's Premium Red Birch Beer
20. Trader Joe's Organic Soda Rootbeer
21. Boylan Brand
22. Steaz Green Tea Soda Rootbeer
23. Mt. Angel
24. Virgil's
25. Blue Sky Organic Rootbeer
26. Etna
27. Sarsaparilla Rootbeer
28. Natural Brew
29. Jones Soda Rootbeer
30. Stewart's Ginger Beer

As I have been thinking more about this I think there are some others I/we have had...

Kirkland Rootbeer - I was surprised by how good it was
Frosties - on tap at Walleries Pizza in West Salem
A&W - in a bottle, available at any store. Good but nothing close to the on tap variety
Robinson's - on tap at Robinson's Resturant in Tigard, OR
Stealhead - on tap at Stealhead Brewery in downtown Eugene, OR

Currently reading : Heaven By Randy C. Alcorn Release date: 01 October, 2004

9:19 PM - 5 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Elisabeth Hasselbeck Dangerous?

The amazing crooner Barry Manilow has dropped a few spots in my book after making a ridiculous statement about why he dropped out of an appearance on television show The View. He said Elisabeth Hesselbeck is "dangerous and offensive ... I will not be on the same stage as her."

Hesselbeck is a conservative on a show called The View. The show that purposefully has five ladies with different views. They are five co-hosts. He stated that he would be willing to be interviewed by one of the others, but not Hasselbeck. Like they are going to ask her not to show up to her own show...

It seems that he is actually making a stand in support of Rosie O'Donell, as she and Hasselbeck had seen things differently in the past. O'Donell, who is no longer on The View is the one who characteristically strikes out at others and makes similar stupid statements.

Here is Manilow's ridiculous statement, "I strongly disagree with her views. I think she's dangerous and offensive. I will not be on the same stage as her."

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=7930a03e-1707-41fe-a3e2-74bd0b0dc540&sid=fd-news

There are two people that continually are in the news who I wish the media would just forget and let them become the poor white trash they seem to want to be ... Rosie O'Donell and Brittany Spears.

8:52 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Recent blogs

Vehicles A couple weeks ago my friend Darrel and I were talking about the cars we have owned. Both he and Roger have owned many more than I have (Roger has owned around 100 vehicles-he has 6 now). Here is what I have owned: 1981 Ford Escort (purch. c.1989) 1986 Toyota pickup (purch. c.1991) 1971 Ford Bronco (purch. c.1999) 1978 VW Bus (purch. c. 2006) - it never ran, I bought to make it into the DUCKBUS. 1990 Toyota pickup (purch. c.2007) Lori's cars: 1982 Toyota Camery (purch. c.1991) 1997 Ford Escort wagon (purch c.1997) 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan (purch. c.2003) We have never bought a new vehicle because the value drops so much in the first year. However we have purchased nearly new vehicles for Lori so that she will have a reliable vehicle to drive. For years I have said that I own my dream vehicle (Early Bronco, which I still really enjoy!), only that I would like to put $2000-$5000 into it to make exactly what I want. I now have a new dream vehicle. I am even writing a business plan around the vehicle to make it into a business so I can possibly get it some day. Below are some pictures of some Sportsmobiles (www.sportsmobile.com), it is my desire to have one built to haul 10 people and equipment for any adventure any where. If you would like to see my business plan let me know. Click on the pics to view bigger. 3:36 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

What I have been Studying Before work I usually get up at 5:00 am to study, prepare sermons, pray, eat some breakfast, make a lunch, and get ready for work. In the last couple years my friend Pete Slocum and I memorized the book of James and the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7). We would meet once a week to recite what we had worked on to keep each other accountable. Over the last couple months in the mornings I have been reviewing and studying the book of James to come to a better understanding of the meaning of this great letter. I hope to develop 1-5 messages incorporating reciting of the book or chapters. This past winter and spring I also was reading Randy Alcorn's book Heaven. I believe he has done an excellent job of opening up what the Bible says about heaven. It seems many of us have had a wrong understanding of what heaven is like and will be like for us when we get there. He teaches that it will be much more recognizable than we think. In the past i have taught that words cannot describe what heaven will be like and in a sense this is true, but to be more accurate we can see glimpses of heaven right here on earth. All that is good here will be there. Because heaven will be the restored, renewed, resurrected earth. The book is 500 pages+ so he says a lot more than this. I am hoping to write a sermon or two regarding what the Bible says about heaven in the near future. Maybe I will post the sermon in manuscript from here? Next I hope to do an indepth study of the book of Hebrews. It is a long book but the Jewish history and traditions are very interesting to me. I believe each of us would be benefited greatly by understanding the Jewish world and culture of Jesus, and the Apostles and Prophets. 3:27 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Comments on Comments (On MySpace.com/cdgant) I really appreciate those who make comments on my blogs. Some of the topics I blog about are simply for fun … me writing about the strange things I think about (i.e. Tyson & fixed-gear bikes, etc.). Other times as I write I am journaling my journey and as I journal I am sorting out my thoughts. We continue to ask of God where He wants my family and me. God works through people … in fact I preached about that today at the Dayspring Fellowship. We are Christ's Body on earth, He works through you and me. Therefore, I take your comments seriously as I continue to pray for wisdom. I received some good comments regarding my blog about Idaho possibilities. I would like to share some of what I wrote in response to The Deej, as I think maybe I have not been clear enough about my views on ministry. Because whether or not I am being paid to be a full-time vocational minister I believe I am still responsible to be ministering. I believe I am a much better person because of my years in full-time ministry. My experiences at both churches has given me much. The friends (students, adults, and other ministers), teaching experiences, Bible study, interaction with other leaders, failures and successes, have all been blessings. I am so grateful to God for all these experiences/people. I believe what I have gained is a great asset to my current and future ministries as a volunteer. I enjoy being a support and encouragement to Ministers and Elders and having the opportunity to preach occasionally (last month I gave the morning message at the Drain Church and today at Dayspring Fellowship) and I will resume teaching once I get settled in a more permanent job. I have been studying the book of James and reading an in depth book on what the Bible says about Heaven in preparation for future messages. Your comments are helpful and I will spend more time in prayer and even looking deeper into the opportunities that have been presented. Other opportunities have come and gone as well. I received another call this week from a church who's minister is resigning and a handful of others have called to asked me to considering applying to be their preacher and the Amity Church (where I was previously) asked me if I would be interested in coming back. To all of you who comment and pray for us …. Thank you!!!!

IDAHO 1, 2, 3?

I got a call from the minister of a large church in Idaho this week. Their HS Youth Minister is moving and he thought of me for the soon to be vacated position.

Another call from Idaho … 1, 2, 3 … Lori a couple weeks ago found out that the University in Boise offers a program in ultrasound technology. If we could ever work it into our lives she would like to be a pre-natal ultrasound technologist (probably part-time).

So in the last couple weeks, three (3) opportunities in Idaho.

In the conversation with the minister I let him know I did not think I was the right person for the position. He disagreed and told me about his idea for a different type of position, one that essentially mentors the leaders of the ministry. I am kinda interested in hearing more about this but my current feelings are that because of my personality and desire to have quality family-life, ministry is just too difficult. However, this church has several people on staff that are friends of mine, hmm?

More to pray about.

Jobs ... What I have been up to...

I have been working for Steve Cornelius (Roger Cornelius and Darrel Sheets, too) for almost three months now. We are building duplexes in Harrisburg and developing land in Springfield. Even through the poison oak, sunburn, constant tiredness, daily muscle pain, and long hours I am enjoying the experiences as learning experiences. “Work to learn … learn to work.” I believe learning building techniques is a very valuable asset. And at the 35 acre site we are developing we have been logging which is another trade that I have always been interested in, because it’s in my genes (grandfather was a logger) and I have a love for being in the woods. I know some might ask, “then how can you cut them down?” To this I answer, “there are forests all around, there is no shortage of places to hike and enjoy God’s creation and humans need a place to live.”

My future plan is to get a good paying position as an Apprentice with an Appraiser in Western Oregon by the end of the year. I am sending out about three-dozen resumes and cover letters to Appraisers in Lane and Douglas counties, plus a couple in Portland. I am not sure who or if any are hiring at this time, but it is my prayer that I get a position with a good Appraiser who will train me to do the job correctly.

I turned down an interview with the Sutherlin Post Office today. The job wasn’t right for me at this time. The job was a Rural Route Associate. They are guaranteed only two days a month (Saturdays) but they actually work every Saturday. So I would never have Saturdays off. Plus, I would be on call every day, meaning I could get a call at 6 AM and have to be there that same day (this happens if the regular driver is sick or cannot come to work). I would have to drive my own vehicle (which I would have to buy another because the ones I have would not work). There are no benefits. There is no full-time position opening for several years, unless something changes. So you can see, not the ideal job for me at this time.

We also got a call today from the Christian Children’s Ranch in Eagle, Idaho. They called to ask if I would be interested in being the Principal of the Christian school there. It is interesting they ask, for a bunch of reasons. When I was in college I volunteered at the school a few times, formerly (in a past life) I had a goal of starting and running a Christian school, and I am currently seeking a new career. However, the schools I had envisioned starting were not at a children’s ranch, I have not seriously thought of leading a Christian school for several years, and I have a plan - I want to be an Appraiser. The hours and wages as an Appraiser are what I desire for my family at this time. Full-time ministry has little draw for me right now. Oh yeah another thing, even though I love Idaho, it is a long ways from the boy’s grandparents. Neither would be too happy about the move.

God will lead, I pray I will follow. I called them back to ask for a job description to be sent to me. I will be praying about it as well as the letters going out to the Appraisers.

Join me in praying. Thanks.

Work to Learn … Learn to Work

I started working when I was 16 years old in 1986. My first job was a busboy at the airport restaurant at the Eugene Airport. I have had an interesting job history (at least in my mind it is interesting).

Every job provides learning experiences. Work to learn. Learn to work.

I have worked at about 20 different jobs. Everyone has provided me with many learning opportunities. I have never had a job that didn’t provide a lesson in life. As I look back I regret all the missed opportunities … I could have been a better worker and I could have learned more. There are always many “could haves…” I could have done this or I could have done that. Every job has some failure and some frustrations. However, you learn to do your job or move on to something better. All but one of my previous employers would hire be back if they had the opportunity.

The following is a brief description of each of my employments:

Flightline Inn Restaurant – Eugene Airport (formerly known as Malon Sweet Airport). I worked two days a week (Sundays-Mondays) during the summer of ‘86. It would be very slow until an airplane landed and then we would be swamped with work. They had some amazing greasy hamburgers. I learned how to wipe down a table among other things.

GI Joes (now know as Joes) – Athletic shoe department during the summer through winter of ‘87. I learned some about the corporate world and athletic equipment retail.

MovieLand Theater – For a month during the summer of’88 I worked at the snack bar of this now extinct movie theater (Lowe’s parking lot off West 11th is where it once stood). A friend (Brian Johnson) and I got the job through the music minister at my church*. The only job I really-really disliked, hence only lasting one month. I learned concessions are a gross messy business.

Institute of Molecular Biology at the UO – Starting the summer of 1988 through the school year I was did the filing for the accounting department for this department. I was also the errand boy and I watered the numerous plants in the office. My boss (Mary Rigby0 went to my church*. I learned about how the university worked and the money that came from National government agencies for science programs and research at the university.

Crater Lake Lodge Gift Shop – During the summer of ’89 I had the opportunity to live at majestic Crater Lake. Some friends from church* (Nate & Farah Reed) had worked up there the summer before and were going back up and invited me to join them. Working in the retail shop and at the information desk made me realize tourists are an interesting breed. Not real easy to deal with at times. I learned Crater Lake is and amazing creation of God and that the snow doesn’t melt up there till July.

Institute for Molecular Biology at the UO – same job as before, working through the school year (Fall 89 – Spring 90).

Lane ESD – My Mom worked for the ESD for about 20 years, during the summer of ’90 I applied for and got a job working in their warehouse. We prepared supplies to be sent to the county schools for the following school year. I learned about working 8-5 in a warehouse.

Payless Drug Store (now know as Rite Aide) – After moving to Boise to attend Boise Bible College (BBC) I got a job at Payless. I stocked shelves and cashiered. They were good to me, giving me hours around my school schedule and even holidays off to go home to Oregon.

Payless Drug Store – In Eugene, at the beginning of the summer of 1991 I got a part-time job at the store at 29th and Willamette. However, I needed to be working full-time and they knew it so I continued to look for other jobs. After two weeks I was able to start at…

Marathon Coach - I worked in their parts department and my main job was to be the parts driver. I would pick up specialty parts around town in a company van or sometimes the stretch flatbed p/u. This was a cool job, I liked being a delivery person and learning about million dollar RVs was very interesting. The money people spend on these coaches is remarkable. And the luxury parts were spectacular.

Idaho Sporting Goods – On returning to BBC I was able to get a job at ISG in their screen-printing shop. Here I learned how the screen-printing process works. We printed jerseys and corporate shirts for teams and businesses in the Boise area. I worked there through the winter.

NW Cable TV – In the late winter through the Spring I worked assembling antennae for this wireless cable company (ironic, huh?). I worked alone in a backroom making antennae after antennae but I didn’t mind it. [I think it was here that I first became acquainted with the Rush Limbaugh radio program.] A friend from Bible college, Scott Colburn, suggested I apply for the position*. Even though I enjoyed working for the cable company and there was even possibility of advancement in the company, my next job offered a big jump in pay.

Freightliner Corporation – My step-dad has worked for Freightliner for over 30 years in the 90s they offered summer jobs to employee’s kids and they paid almost $10 an hour, which was good money in 1992. I worked in the Parts Plant making brake petals, u-bolts, and other parts for big trucks. I learned about union jobs, fabricating, and machine shops. My brother Curtis and stepbrother Mike also worked nights making parts.

Merlo’s Cutlery – At the end of the summer I got a call from a friend from church in Boise*, his mom managed a knife store in the Mall, he said that she needed a worker and wanted to know if I wanted a job when I returned to Boise. I agreed to meet with her and accepted a job selling knives (and nick-knacks), sharpening knives, and repairing electric razors. I learned all about knives and the steel used to manufacture good knives, as well as Mall work. It was enjoyable to work there for the whole school year. It was here that I got the first glimpse of my future wife when she returned to Boise from summer break; she came by to say “hi”. Was she pursuing me?

Idaho Camera – I stayed in Boise the summer of ’93 getting a new job doing video transfers in the lab of Idaho Camera. I would take 8mm and 16mm movie reels and transfer them to VHS using special movie projectors that converted the signal to the VHS recorders. This job was also through a church* acquaintance in Boise. I worked here through the winter.

Coffee Merchant – Also during the summer of 1993 I worked selling coffee out of the Coffee Merchant’s warehouse. I had never drank coffee and didn’t even like the smell of coffee. After working around it and making espresso and mochas and lattes I developed an appreciation for the smell of good coffee and a great dislike of the smell of cheap coffee. I still don’t drink the stuff. This was a fun job in that it was fairly slow and so I got to read several books during slow times (~15 Louis L’Amor paperbacks). My friend Mark Harris* helped me get this job.

Idaho Camera – The bosses at Idaho Camera approached me during the winter of 1993-94 and offered me a sales job in their downtown store. I learned all about cameras, film, and camera accessories. I worked with them full-time through the spring until I graduated from BBC. I enjoyed working in downtown Boise, it is a great city to live and work.

2-Bar-A – After graduation from Bible College, not knowing what I wanted to do with my life, Lori and I decided to place a classified ad in the Capital Press Agricultural Paper seeking work on a horse or cattle ranch. The ad stated I had little experience but I was willing to learn. We got several calls and ended up taking a job in Outlook, WA in the Yakima Valley. The ranch is 30,000 acres on the Rattlesnake Ridge. We had a few hundred head of cattle, a couple horses, 200-300 acres of grass, alfalfa, oats, and small apple and Asia pear orchards. So much was learned during the year and a half I am not sure what to say … it was an amazing experience (riding, fence building, round-ups, brandings, feeding, tractors: bailing, disking, raking, caterpillar work, irrigation work)
We joined the church on the Yakama Reservation outside of Toppenish during this time and I taught HS Sunday Bible class, which I enjoyed but I only had an hour or so with the students every week. It was a 30-minute drive from the ranch to the church and ranch work often was 60+ hours a week. At this time I decided I wanted to disciple teens and we started putting resumes out to churches in Western Oregon with the help of Harry Orn, director of the Oregon Christian Evangelistic Fellowship (OCEF – i.e. church planting association) at that time.

Amity Church of Christ – In December of 1995 I began as the Associate Minister in the small town of Amity, OR. I was to oversee the ministries of Education, Youth, and Children (for awhile I was Office Manager and for a time I oversaw the Preschool and janitor, as well). This was an excellent place to begin ministry and we have many friends from the seven years we spent living and ministering in Amity.

Santa Clara Church of Christ – In December of 2002 we moved back to my hometown to become the Youth Minister at SCCC. I was to be in charge of Middle School and High School ministries. We enjoyed all the friends we made amongst the students and adults during our 4 years working with this congregation.

C4G4 Construction – May of 2007 I began working with Steve Cornelius (friend from SCCC*) in his real estate development business. We are building duplexes in Harrisburg and developing 37 acres in Thurston for house lots. I am learning about home construction, obviously, which is a great skill to have, and about the process of developing land, both will come in handy in the future.

While working with C4G4 I am also taking classes to become a Real Estate Appraiser. Later in 2007 I hope to obtain a position as an Assistant Appraiser (I am required to complete 2000 hours as an assistant before I can become a licensed Appraiser).

*Looking back it is interesting to note that many of the jobs I have had have come about because of people in the church. I love church!

The Perfect Candy Bar?

I believe we have found the perfect candy bar. I know this is a strange thing to put a whole lot of thought about, especially from someone like me who, pretends to care about good nutrition, but

Reese’s Crispy Crunchy Bar is amazing!

Chocolate, peanut butter, peanut butter crunch, and chopped peanuts. Wow! Both Lori and I are enjoying them very much. Muy Bueno!!

Conversation with Zane at prayer time tonight:

Zane: “Maybe God doesn’t want me to have a house. Do some people not have houses?”
Me: “Yes, like you’ve said before, maybe He wants you to travel around the world, telling people about Jesus.” [He made the statement before, "God told me He wants me to travel around the world telling people about Jesus."]
Zane: “Then where would I eat?”
Me: “Well, maybe you will eat with other people.”
Zane: “Or maybe He’ll have birds bring me food.”
Me: “Yes He can do that.”

A note to clarify:
Zane has elaborate house plans; think like Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. Zane has an imagination much like Calvin. Really … with rocketships and everything. We have our own Spaceman Spiff! One of Zane’s house designs includes a retractable roof, for launching a secret space rocket from within. When I quizzed him on how the house will not burn up from the burning rocket fuel, he described in detail huge metal shields that would fold out.
He has also stated he wants to build us a house where we can all live together, when he is older. A couple years ago he picked out a site along the freeway near Cottage Grove, it is a nice site if it weren’t so close to the freeway.
He plans on adopting kids, but doesn’t want a wife. When questioned on this, he says, Luke will take care of his kids when he goes to work … he has actually said he wants to marry Luke.

USPS & the next Prez

I took the USPS Battery Exam 460 this morning. It went well, I think I did good. Results will not be available for 3 weeks. However, during the instructions the test proctor made it clear the positions that this test are for are for filling in for other rural carriers on their days off. So at the most one day a week and no benefits. At that he announced that if anyone thought it a waste of their time they could leave and skip the test they could, one lady did. We'll see ... if I get called I will talk with them.

I heard that Fred Thompson is thinking of running for The President of the United States. Now that could be a good thing. I remember listening to a radio show he did years ago. If I remember right, he was in line with my thinking on most things. He is a good communicator, conservative, and has entertainment connections (he plays the district attorney on Law&Order).

www.fred08.com