Stanford's Andrew Luck Tackle

Dating: In Search of...

At our Staff Retreat last weekend, I made a statement about my "lame" dating life. I said to Pastor Richey, Michelle, and Margaret..."I need to find a woman I can lead and be the more dominant person in the relationship."

He replied, "No, I don't think you have to be more dominant...it's not in your genes. You need a woman who will love you for who you are." Wow...I turned away and wept a little, as they continued talking about something else. I heard nothing for the next few minutes.

Top 40 Country Songs of the Decade

Here is the final ranking for CMT's 40 Greatest Songs of the Decade:

1. "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson
2. "Hurt," Johnny Cash
3. "Whiskey Lullaby," Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss
4. "Jesus, Take the Wheel," Carrie Underwood
5. "Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)," Toby Keith
6. "The Good Stuff," Kenny Chesney
7. "Live Like You Were Dying," Tim McGraw
8. "You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift
9. "I Hope You Dance," Lee Ann Womack
10. "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
11. "The House That Built Me," Miranda Lambert
12. "Bless the Broken Road," Rascal Flatts
13. "There Goes My Life," Kenny Chesney
14. "Breathe," Faith Hill
15. "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
16. "Somebody Like You," Keith Urban
17. "Redneck Woman," Gretchen Wilson
18. "Give It Away," George Strait
19. "Red Dirt Road," Brooks & Dunn
20. "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow," Soggy Bottom Boys
21. "Drive (For Daddy Gene)," Alan Jackson
22. "Chicken Fried," Zac Brown Band
23. "Beer for My Horses," Toby Keith and Willie Nelson
24. "You're Gonna Miss This," Trace Adkins
25. "Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood
26. "Three Wooden Crosses," Randy Travis
27. "Our Song," Taylor Swift
28. "She's Country," Jason Aldean
29. "Austin," Blake Shelton
30. "Then," Brad Paisley
31. "What Hurts The Most," Rascal Flatts
32. "Forever and for Always," Shania Twain
33. "Cowboy Take Me Away," Dixie Chicks
34. "Like We Never Loved at All," Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
35. "Believe," Brooks & Dunn
36. "Come a Little Closer," Dierks Bentley
37. "Stay," Sugarland
38. "Days Go By," Keith Urban
39. "In Color," Jamey Johnson
40. "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," Big & Rich

Your Grace Is Enough

In response to my current situation of dating or lackthereof...

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

Your grace is enough
Heaven reaching down to us
Your grace is enough for me
God I see your grace is enough
I'm covered in your love
Your grace is enough for me
For me

His grace is enough and I'm okay with that.. today.

Who Likes To Be Alone?

- Who likes to be alone?
- Who likes to lay their head down at night, with an empty space beside them?
- Who likes to eat dinner, with the evening sun setting in the window, by themselves?
- Who likes to go to church and worship, alone with empty seats between you and the next person?
- Who likes to go to the zoo, without one who can you share smiles, touches, and pics?
- Who likes to see a great movie, with no one beside them?
- Who likes to go the ballgames and watch a great play with no one to high-five?
- Who likes to hear a love song, feel the emotion, and no one to hide the tears from?

I used to not enjoy being alone...I'm sadly getting used to it.

Sparky Anderson Dies at 76

Reaction to the death of former Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers manager Sparky Anderson:

"Sparky was, by far, the best manager I ever played for. He understood people better than anyone I ever met. His players loved him, he loved his players, and he loved the game of baseball. There isn't another person in baseball like Sparky Anderson. He gave his whole life to the game."
-- Former Reds star Pete Rose

"Baseball has lost one of its greatest members. His idea of of baseball had the highest ideals. He believed in the game abd represented the game to the highest degree of class, dignity and character."
-- Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasoda

"Sparky was one of the greatest people I've met in baseball. He was a leader to his players both on and off the field. He was an incredible person and I cherish the time I was able to spend with him."
-- Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline

"He was always humerous and funny off the field. He was always making jokes, doing things to make people laugh. The last time I saw him was at the Hall of Fame induction this year and everyone was laughing because Sparky was the star of the show,"
-- Former Reds second baseman and ESPN analyst Joe Morgan

"He was a good guy, Baseball will have very few people like Sparky. He was a unique individual. He was a character with a great passion and love for the game."
-- Former Tigers pitcher Jack Morris

"Sparky was a great man and a great manager. He was the man who put together some great teams and made us go. We will miss him. We love him."
-- Former Reds first baseman Tony Perez

"Those of us who had the privilege to know Sparky personally know how much he loved American's favorite pastime and how proud he was to be associated with baseball. His success as a manager, both with the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds, was about far more than wins and losses, it was about the character of the man. He cared about his players, he loved the fans and he put his heart and soul into the community. He will always be a favorite among Tigers fans and an important and memorable part of this incredible sports town."
-- Tigers owner Mike Ilitch

"Sparky saw what he had and was able to get the most out of them. He was a people person. He knew how to handle people and get them to get along. If you can get even 90 percent of 25 guys on the same page, you're doing a good job. With Sparky, even if everyone didn't get along off the field, by God they were all together when they were on it. He just did an outstanding job and treated everyone with class."
--Former Reds infielder Tommy Helms

"I am truly saddened by the loss of Sparky Anderson. I have lost and all of Baseball has lost a dear friend. Sparky was a gentleman, a great baseball man and a superb ambassador for the game. Sparky won three World Series Championships with the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers, leading several of the best teams of the last 40 years and holding the most wins as manager for both tradition-rich franchises.

"I recall with great fondness the many hours we would spend together when his Tigers came to Milwaukee. Sparky was a loyal friend, and whenever I would be dealing with difficult situations as Commissioner, he would lift my spirits, telling me to keep my head up and that I was doing the right thing."
-- Major League Baseball comissioner Bud Selig

"All of baseball mourns the passing of one of the game's all-time great managers and ambassadors. In one way or another, Sparky touched the life of every Reds fan. Every person who visits our ballpark and Hall of Fame is reminded of his contribution to the success of this proud franchise. We offers our prayers and support to Sparky's family and friends during this diffi cult time."
--Reds president and CEO Bob Castellini

"Sparky was a brilliant manager whose successes between the white lines, in both leagues, are well documented -- 2,194 wins, five pennants, three World Series and two manager of the year awards. Not only did his jovial disposition, warm demeanor, infectious smile and innate ability to build confidence allow him to get the most out of his players, but it assured him of befriending everyone he touched. He will be missed in Cooperstown, especially during Hall of Fame Weekend, where he was a favorite among the fans and his fellow Hall of Famers."
-- National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum President Jeff Idelson

"On behalf of the William Clay Ford family and the Detroit Lions organization we extend our deepest sympathies to the Anderson family, the Detroit Tigers and the legions of Sparky Anderson fans in Detroit and across the country.

"Detroit has lost one of its most beloved and iconic sports figures. Sparky's Hall of Fame accomplishments on the field rank him as one of baseball's all-time greats. But it is his work off the field and how he touched people in our community that will truly leave a lasting legacy."
-- Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand

Final Four Appearances

NCAA FINAL FOUR COACHES: Most all-time appearances (most recent)

12 John Wooden (1975)

11 Mike Krzyzewski (2010)

11 Dean Smith (1997)

7 Roy Williams (2009)

6 Tom Izzo (2010)

6 Denny Crum (1986)

6 Adolph Rupp (1966)

5 Bobby Knight (1992)

5 Guy Lewis (1984)

5 Lute Olson (2001)

5 Rick Pitino (2005)

The Rising

Sky of blackness and sorrow
(a dream of life)
Sky of love, sky of tears
(a dream of life)
Sky of glory and sadness
(a dream of life)
Sky of mercy, sky of fear
(a dream of life)
Sky of memory and shadow
(a dream of life)
Your burnin’ wind
fills my arms tonight
Sky of longing and emptiness
(a dream of life)
Sky of fullness, sky of
blessed life

My Two New Favorite Quotes!!

"Some people care too much, I think it's called love." - Winnie the Pooh

"I may not have a brain, gentlemen, but I have an idea." - B.O.B. in Monsters vs. Aliens

These are my two new favorite quotes. The first one, pulls on my the father-of-the-year/hopeless romantic side of me. The second reveals my childlike ways of looking at life and and managing a smile.

Anything But Mine - Kenny Chesney

Walking along beneath the lights of that miracle mile
Me and Mary making our way into the night
You can hear the cries from the carnival rides
The pin-ball bells and the ski-ball slides
Watching the summer sun fall out of sight
There's a warm wind coming in from off of the ocean
Making its way past the hotel walls to fill the street
Mary is holding both of her shoes in her hand
Said she likes to feel the sand beneath her feet

Chorus
And in the morning I'm leaving, making my way back to Cleveland
So tonight I hope that I will do just fine
And I don't see how you could ever be anything but mine

There's a local band playing at the seaside pavilion
And I got just enough cash to get us in
And as we're dancin Mary's wrapping her arms around me
And I can feel the sting of summer on my skin
In the midst of the music I tell her I love her
We both laugh cause we know it isn't true
Ah but Mary there's a summer drawing to an end tonight
And there's so much that I long to do to you

Chorus 2x

Mary I don't see how you could ever be anything but mine

March 26, 1988 - Springsteen Concert

Edit this setlist | More Bruce Springsteen setlists

Jeff Sheppard dunks on Stanford -1998

Rex Chapman Dunk on UL

Derek Anderson Dunk!

iPod Shuffle

10. I'm Holding On To Love - Shania Twain
9. Signs of Life - Steven Curtis Chapman
8. Breathe - Faith Hill
7. Hey You, It's Me - Michael W. Smith
6. We'll Be Together - Sting
5. So Many Books - Michael Card
4. Born In The USA - Bruce Springsteen
3. Bang A Drum - Selena Gomez
2. Little Drummer Boy - Audio Adrenaline
1. When The Sun Goes Down - Kenny Chesney

Feel Good Baseball Stories 2010

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&page=starting9/100929

Jordan the Magic Bird

Randy Blair...Glory Days

Deer Park Football Intro 2010 from Deer Park ISD on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Wow...14 today!

Happy Birthday, Boss...61!

Bruce Springsteen turned 61 today, and he could run circles around me! Wow... These pics are from 1975, 78, 81, 85, 88, 93, 2001, 06, and 10.

Your Words Reflect Your Character

Your Words Reflect Your Character

Lark Watts "Nothin' Ever Happens"

Lark and I grew up in the same neighborhood in Winchester KY, playing baseball and air guitars! He went on and played real guitars! Love it!

iPod Shuffle...Remix

1. Lord, I Lift Your Name On High - Various
2. El Shaddai - Michael Card
3. Two Heart (NYC) - Bruce Springsteen
4. Peace - Doug Butler & SJC Worship Band
5. Is This Love - Whitesnake
6. Hey Stephen - Taylor Swift
7. Born To Fly - Sara Evans
8. She Walks With Me - Michael W. Smith
9. Mighty To Save - Hillsong
10. As Long As You Love Me - Backstreet Boys

JMac & ESPN

Touching Them All - Softball

Hungry for Bread

Bread is given to slaves, prisoners, people of God. We live on bread from heaven, the Word of God. Check out Proverbs 30:5...

"Every word of God is flawless;he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

Scriptural Word of the Day

"As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man."

Proverbs 27:19

"I Will Lift My Eyes" - Bebo Norman

As I was driving to pick up Jon Mark and Emma this morning for school, I was listening to KSBJ. The song "I Will Lift My Eyes" by Bebo Norman came on. Suddenly, my tears blindsided me and I was a blubbering mess, pulling over just to be able blow my nose and see to drive. The reality is that I need God today and I cannot rely on yesterdays connection. I need him now.

Here are the lyrics to the first verse and chorus:

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near calm my fear and take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

Dream Dinner 8 - Teachers

For my latest "dream dinner" idea, I have chosen teachers who have taught my kids'.

- Mrs. Hicks: Abby's 5th Grade homeroom at Deer Park Elementary. She is also a marathon runner!

- Mrs. Kenley: Jon Mark and Emma's 1st Grade at Stamping Ground Elementary. She has the biggest smile you will ever see.

- Mr. Wegman: Jon Mark's 7th Grade Football and Basketball Coach at DPJH. Great man and coach!

- Mr. Shoen: Emma's 8th Grade Science Teacher at DPJH. Extremely funny, who loves Mt. Dew!

- Mrs. Johnson: Jon Mark and Emma's 2nd Grade Teacher at Stamping Ground and Anne Mason Elementary. One of the nicest people I have ever known.

- Mrs. Monroe: Jon Mark and Emma's K teacher at Stamping Ground Elementary. Kinder teachers are the best, especially Mrs. Monroe.

- Mrs. Frederick: Abby's 1st Grade teacher at DPE. A beautiful lady and great teacher.

- Mrs. Stack: Emma's 3rd Grade Homeroom Teacher at DPE. A very caring teacher and one of my favs!

- Mr. Painter.. Emma's 9th Grade Teen Leadership teacher!! Cool dude!!!!

One of My Favs Bible Verse

Proverbs 25:25
"Like cold water to a weary soul, is good news from a distant land."

iPod Shuffle Revisited

1. "Joy to the World" - Casting Crowns
2. "How Great Thou Art" - Charlie Hall
3. "I'll Be" - Edwin McCain
4. "Open the Eyes of My Heart" - WoW Worship
5. "My Favorite Mistake" - Sheryl Crow
6. "All the Way to Kingdom Come" - Rich Mullins
7. "Known By The Scars" - Michael Card
8. "There is a Redeemer" - Keith Green
9. "Johnny 99" - Bruce Springsteen
10. "Declaration" - Geoff Moore & the Distance

A.D.D. & Calendar Issues

I rely on the calendar. I have tried to learn to use the iTouch to help me stay organized. I use circles, arrows, lines, stars, etc in my written calendar. So, I am frustrated that I can't use the technology afforded me to stay on time and organized.

I need the creativity the written calendar offers and the flexibility to change/erase in the written one. I have so many appts, I must use something. Perhaps I am stuck in the past.

Baptism Wetness

We baptized 24 children, youth, and adults Sunday! It was an amazing day of celebration and worship! Many of those were decisions made at Summer Camps! If you didn't get wet from the water, then moisture from your eyes was enough.

God is moving and I am thrilled to be a part of it!

First Day of School

Wow! Is it really here? Emma is a Freshman and today, on our way to North Campus, we were reminiscing about her first day of Kindergarten...9 years ago!! She refused to let me take her, insisting on riding the bus! hahaha! Hilarious and yet so sad for a Dad, who loves taking his kids to school.

All three kids loved their teachers yesterday and it was a good start to another year of learning, growing, stretching, and experiencing the joy/pains of growing up.

On another note...Jon Mark was cut from the baseball and basketball teams this summer. The basketball is understood, but the baseball is a mystery. Very frustrating. He said this weekend he felt like a failure. I reminded him of God's setups, appear as setbacks...thanks to Pastor Chris, this has been my motto for several years. :)

Compass by Ryan Hunt

Ryan is a great friend of mine...Love it!

Hold me Jesus - Rich Mullins

Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles [live in New York City]

My tribute to a long distance friend...

two chinese boys: i want it that way

This is the first video I ever watched on YouTube! Tom Winterfeld, of Parkgate Church, came into my office and asked me to type in youtube.com and then we found this vid...and laughed for awhile! It is officially the 20th video submitted to Youtube.

Bruce Springsteen & Eddie Vedder - No Surrender

Maybe the best song off of Born In The USA! Love this version with former lead man of Pearl Jam, singing with the Boss!

Chris Tomlin - I Will Rise

My kids love this song!

An "Imperfect" Game by Armando Galarraga

Armando Galarraga pitched a perfect game, the third one this year...almost!

A great article about Galarraga's grace.

and then today's game...after last night. awesome vid!

Ken Griffey, Jr

The Kid Retires

The 6th best CF of all-time and certainly the best in an entire generation. Who are the other five? Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Tris Speaker, and Joe Dimaggio.

Poem - Afraid To Be

Behind this mask I wear,
I wear so no one can see;
A boy inside this man, afraid to be.

Behind this mask, I breathe,
Behind 1,000 “friends”, no one can see,
A boy inside this man, afraid to be.

Behind this smile, I’m weak,
Behind this strength so meek;
A boy inside this man, afraid to be.

T-Bone - Name Droppin'

Lisa Hassell

Lisa Hassell died of a brain tumor...she was 45 and a friend. I regret not staying in touch with her and Byron over the last 12 years since leaving Clearwater.

I will see her again, on the other side of the sea. :)

Waco and Oklahoma City

This is the 17th anniversary of Waco and 15th of the bombing in Oklahoma City. I recall watching the Waco tragedy and wondering where in the world Waco was in Texas. In 2005, I found out as we left Houston, along with 2.4 million poeple fleeing from Hurricane Rita!

We drove to Waco and then a little more westward to Hamilton and stayed with Keith and Sharon Felton, old friends from Georgetown, KY.

I remember the bombing in Oklahoma City was also a snow day for us in Cynthiana, KY and our exchange student, Frauke, loved playing in the snow as we watched the horrible pieces of the bombing being put together.

Viewing California From Kansas!

This is a cool space station site!


Ed took this photograph of the Earth’s horizon from a spacecraft position over Dodge City, Kansas, looking westward out the window. In the lower right is the Great Salt Lake. At the left side in the distance are the Sierra Nevada Mountains with elevations between 12,000 and 15,000 feet, and coastal California. ISS007-E-9986 (July 11, 2003, 50 mm lens)

Saving Private Ryan - It Is Finished

Read this post!

Where There is Faith - 4Him

Clay Crosse- My Place Is With You

Jesus Was An Only Son

Dick Muse

On March 27, 2009...I wrote this in memory of one of my favorite people on the planet...

Dick was one of the smartest and hardest working men I have ever known. He also had a quit-witted sense of humor which required thought, followed by laughter. I am sure God is smiling that Dick is home and is providing lots of joy in heaven; I can't wait to see him again!

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=5089661735124&eid=viewgb_32210#ixzz0iuwO3WbG

Tayshaun Prince 5 for 5!

David Benke: Hero

Another Colorado school shooting, halted by a modern day hero, David Benke.

Lindsey Vonn - Winter Olympics 2010

The video of the Gold Medal race for Lindsey Vonn! Awesome!

Deer Park High School Baseball!

Today, Jon Mark found out that he made the Deer Park Deer Baseball Team! Wow!

Here are the freshmen picked out of 86 kids who tried out: Vince Vega, Cade Williams, Clay Thompson, Matt Cauley, Jordan Gardea, Derek Boneke, Joey Rangel, Zach Kent, Stephan Gehringer, Josh Pettitte, Tyler Butterfras, Ashton Cleveland, Tyler Allen, Josh Rutherford, Tyler Jarvis, Jay Turnipseed, Eric Luna, Landon Bedrich, Brittan Brown, Bailey Darden, Jacob Hickman, Brian Pattison, John Lopez, Zach Bajula, and Jon Mark Feeback.

Some left off, but played on the Mickey Mantle Team were: C.J. Babb, Noah Cano, Mitchell Wilkinson, Brandon Hock, Cameron Gregory, Michael Heim, Kyle Liescheski, Nolan Sampson, Chad Leatherwood, and Tyler Martin. Daniel Grider, who should have made it, did not.

That's a lot of players, plus many more who tried out and perhaps just had a tough workout. People like: Ryan Husemann, Taylor Sisemore, Eric Fitzwater, and Jacob Daugherty - good kids, decent talent...but just weren't chosen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I find it totally amazing and pitiful that among all those Little League and All-Star teams Jon Mark played with, only Tyler Allen and Landon Bedrich made the high school team with him.

Then only 12 of them were in Pony League, the other 13 decided not to play Pony, I heard because of the shotty politics. hahaha

Granted, Jon Mark is younger than his peers in the 9th grade, so there may be a few more join him next season, such as Cade Wilson, Joshua Martinez, and others.

It tells me that players come from all over and from various leagues, cities, and select teams.

Beyonce's Halo: Hope For Haiti

The Hall of Fame & Steroids

As I have noted in previous post , I really don't care about the steroids and the Hall of Fame voting. If I had a vote, those that were worthy by their numbers would be in the HOF. Check out this explaination by Buster Olney, speaking about Mark McGwire:

I will vote for McGwire, as I will vote for all of the elite players from that time we know as the steroids era. I believe most of the elite players of the time used performance-enhancing drugs, in the absence of oversight from the union or Major League Baseball -- but in trying to formulate a consistent standard on this issue, I do not know who did what. Which leaves me two options: Vote for nobody, or set aside the issue of performance-enhancing drugs and simply vote for the best players of the era. Separate of that: It's not the place for writers to be making these kinds of decisions. We shouldn't be involved in the HOF voting.

This quote and many others can be found in this link: .

Dirk Minnifield Dunk!

John Mellencamp: Born In The USA

LeAnn Rimes "How Do I Live"

I love this live version of "How Do I Live?"