Pray for _______________

In the last few years, we have had a mixing of horrible events and the idea of prayer.

It seems that every time we turn around there is a new natural disaster or human made disaster and with social media, it can be overwhelming.

I believe that some of why we know so much more than in the past is because of the instantaneous ability to have everything happening right now known by us right now, and it's a global as well as local phenomena.

Whether it's Hurricane Harvey slamming and staying over the Houston, TX area or some terrorist attack where everyone changes their profile pic for the victims, we are bombarded by bad news.

Which gets me to the "pray for__________".

Prayer is a good thing, no, it's a great thing, but if that's all you do, you aren't doing much.

It's as if we are overwhelmed and don't feel we can do anything, so we say we will pray and that is at least something...and I guess it is.

But as more of these horrific events occur, it is ringing more and more hollow with me.

I'm not saying to stop praying, I'm saying back it up with action.

Do something!

Send money, send stuff, go and do work yourself, send cards or letters to the victims, but don't just "pray" about it on social media.

Because the cynic in me wonders if you are really even doing that.

Are you praying or is it the knee jerk thing to say when you feel you can't say or do anything.

Please...

Please continue to pray, because I do think it matters, but are you backing it up with action?

Have you ever backed it up with action?

Will you ever back it up with action?

Our faith isn't a passive "pray" and do nothing faith, we were called to do something.

I hope you do.

I hope I do.

Best Athlete in the Family

From The Attitude of Gratitude by J. Carl Newell

How far you go in life depends on your being 

tender with the young,

compassionate with the aged,

sympathetic with the striving,

and tolerant of the weak and the strong

because someday you will have been all of these.

George Washington Carver

Top 10 Excuses I've Heard as a Parent/Teacher/Coach

1. It's not my fault.
2. I didn't know.
3. I didn't hear you.
4. I'm not as bad as _________. (insert name)
5. I'm entitled to....
6. I will just quit.
7. You just don't like me.
8. ___________(insert name) is your favorite.
9. I have something else to do today.
10. I need to focus on another sport/activity etc.

Eyes Up

Today, at certain given times there will be millions of people looking up at the "sun" with smiles and awe as a solar eclipse occurs.

It should be a reminder that we should look up everyday with smiles and awe at the "son" who came and made things new.

Yep

Man, I Was Skinny

I remember this picture and this day.

I was walking through the GreenTree Mall in Clarksville, Indiana when I passed then U.S. Senator Dick Lugar.

I could not believe it.

I made my mom turn around and we went into Walden's books where he was signing books and I bought one and had it signed.

I remember telling him that I was going to take his job one day....ahhh the brash ignorance of youth.

I did not take his job or get involved in politics at all, but I do teach Government in high school....sorta similar.

PBR 9U...Great Weekend of New and Old Friends

Informed Ignorance

Where I live, there have been a few things going on and made worse by social media (shocking, I know).

Many, many complaints have played into stereotypes or accepted beliefs when dealing with certain issues.

The problem is that the issues are attacked from an angle that leaves out all information and some logic; it's being played out by emotion.

Because of bias or anger, people are led to believe what they want to believe and then they share that belief with others.

It's an unfortunate thing because it helps no one and even hurts those that they believe they are helping.

It is sad to say, and maybe it's because I can be arrogant, but it seems with more information comes less knowledge.

With more information, you wonder if there really are any "facts" anymore because we all can find some decent information to back up our opinion as, what we believe to be, a fact.

If you are frustrated, be frustrated at the right entity...do not blame a political institution and when you realize how far off you are stay with that story just because you are stubborn.

Admit you're wrong...and beg those you are misleading for their forgiveness because it is you that is hurting more people even under the guise of helping.

And maybe, just maybe, I am wrong, but I doubt it.

Not All Free Speech is Popular

I don't agree with Colin Kaepernick showing his disapproval of this country before each game.

So much so, I chose to not watch one single NFL game last year, OK, I did watch the Super Bowl.

I'm not saying I do not understand where he's coming from, I just don't think he picked an appropriate time to show/express his opinion.

I believe that his team or the NFL should have stepped in, or at the least played the National Anthem while the teams were in their locker rooms.

But the calls to ban him from the NFL because his beliefs are different than mine, I do not agree with.

Kaepernick should be allowed to play in the NFL if he is good enough...period.

Unfortunately, we are getting to a weird time in our history where opinions and belief systems are to be banned especially if the politically correct crowd does not agree with you.

But I truly believe that I may not agree with what you say, but I would die (figuratively) for you to say it.

The Triple Selfie

Building Mental Toughness as a Younger Person

When I think back on what I've done to get where I am today, I think about the jobs I have had.

Some of these jobs were cool and I met wonderful people, some of them...well, not so much.

I've been sitting around trying to figure out all the jobs I have been paid to do and here is a list that I can think of right now.

Car washer
Baby sitter
Christmas tree trimmer
UPS package sorter
Grocery store stock/bag
YMCA sports camp worker
Bob Evans kitchen prep
Military tent maker in a factory
Golf course keeper upper
Retail sales stock
Athletic official
Substitute Teacher
Education Aide
Athletic coach
Professional educator