THE ART GALLERY

2010-05-08T12:18:00.003-05:00

It's been weird-the only word i could think of right now.I've been on the mountain or at least climbing higher-to the top.Dealing with individuals with arrogant immaturity and those who have maturity yet are possessing an issue dealing with control-letting go.No, it's not weird,it's frustrating.I'm not talking work-that's a given for me and that is what is to be expected-at least where I work.not home -things going quite well-I am blessed.But what set me back is things in dealing with people at church.i wish seasoned people that have accepted the mantle of authority would possess it in such a manner of fear and humility.But once again we're dealing with the human race-a species not yet perfected until Christ's return.God continues to remind me in an ominous way of how King Saul ended up in the OT.Pastors, Youth pastors and others should take note that what happened to Saul can be the very same fate shared if we choose to not humble ourselves and recognize what our calling from God is and what isn't and when the season of servitude has passed and it's time to pass it to someone else.I'm enraged because it deals with someone very close to me and it's unfair to see that person be blackballed.Where is the love?

New Approach...

2010-04-02T22:34:00.002-05:00

I think assessing my life this week and assessing the things that encompass my life I need to change.Change sucks and it hurts alot.But it is necessary in order to adapt in being in this world.i find myself reminding me that -this is what you always do- Why?My whole relationship with God has cooled.I'm in the desert and i'm parched and not too far ahead of me is an oasis that God has for me but either Ihave become quite content and use to my surroundings or don't desire it at all and have given up...I'm tired of Churchianity,I'm tired of the church.Got to break through to get to the other side.It's like playing Medal of Honor at hard level.

So...

2009-05-13T21:52:00.001-05:00

So I vented yesterday.Then God opened the heavens and poured out rain-so there i won't have to fret about stuff this week.Thank you God...

Ok now you can stop the rain...

finis...

2009-04-27T10:03:00.001-05:00

I just completed my final exam for my speech class.I recieved a B-80%.That's good-especially for me.Now I have to complete my final persuasive speech on illegal music downloading.Thank you God.

Toys

2009-04-12T07:36:00.002-05:00

I started reading The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer and the last chapter I read dealt with materialism.In that, in order to have a more intimate relationship with God we need to cut out things we hold on to that seperate us.Things we coddle and view as our "toys" if you will.We all have them and so do I. The thing for me is to let go of those toys that I have cherished so much and let them go -even if it means to violently remove them.Toys can become idols and thus remove the Lord off the throne and place themselves upon it by our hands.A very challenging task for me.

Things...

2009-03-28T05:18:00.001-05:00

First,I cannot wait until school.One flipping class and already by spring break I am burned out.I plan on continuing in the fall so I'm hanging in there. Only four more to go with this one.A good friend passed on this week.He was one of those that you didn't have to know for years to get to like them,I've only hung out a couple times with him and his wife yet I know already he will be missed here on earth,Life can really suck sometimes...

Grapefruits

2009-03-26T04:12:00.003-05:00

Alot,and I mean alot has transpired since I last blogged.Life,church-hey I went back to school.I could not not and I won't share it all in this post.My life is like a grapefruit in some respects.Once you peel it apart all of juice,if you're not creful will ooze out all over you or squirt you in the eye making it a unpleasant eating experience.So yeah here I am in March 2009.Cheers you all!

Ahhhhh....

2008-11-22T07:09:00.002-06:00

Okay i'm on vacation this week long time coming with all the stress it is a quite anticipated relief that I have needed.
The bumps in the road.
Yeah it seems there are more these days but I should be used to them.For example,
My parents road before the township paved it, was all dirt and gravel.
Once in awhile,the township would spray them to keep the dust down and maybe grade it so it wouldn't be so washed out-mostly dirt,a little gravel.
After a while, the road would get to a condition where the surface would be like those old washboard like the ones my grandma had.It you weren't careful you could end up off the road or every part in your vehicle would fall from the eratic vibration.A pregnant woman could easily break her water on this road.
Life is like that in you have to be aware what's going on so you know how to maneuver andmake it to the other side.

One addition,I was so torked at one of the retailer's commercials I heard on the radio at work the other day saying that "this holiday,before you spend your money on your loved ones check out these deals here at such and such a place and give something to yourself..." I am so sick of the commercialization of Christmas-BARF!!

something to gnaw on...

2008-11-18T05:20:00.001-06:00

"He who has knowledge spares his words...
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit..." Proverbs 17:27
I read that today in the Word and it struck me because that is an area I need to be much better at... coming from a family that prides itself in being high strung in certain circumstances.

Done...

2008-11-15T12:26:00.000-06:00

Today the house is done and was ready for inspection down to the minutes! Thank you God!!!!

Alot of stuff...

2008-11-15T12:23:00.001-06:00

Yeah, I haven't been blogging because alot of stuff has been going on in my life.

Sorry.

Papa Palpatine

2008-08-17T06:49:00.001-05:00

"YOU mean you have been flying around for two weeks just to find a signal?-Ugghh you must smell like feet wrapped in burnt leathery bacon..."

-Palpatine in his discourse to Darth Vader after the Death Star explosion-ala "Robot Chicken"

CLONE WARS !

2008-08-16T07:28:00.002-05:00

We went to see "Clone Wars" last night and I must say it was AWESOME!
Once again,Lucasfilm has done it again.
The animation was good-some of it at certain frame shots gave the character or the object a"paint-brushed"appeal which was nice-digital is awesome!
The battle droids had more funny lines -like in EP.3-that was fun!
The action like a good Star Wars book, was fast paced.
All in all, the movie regained confidence that Star Wars is still fun and fun to watch.

GRRRRRRRRRRR....

2008-08-06T04:58:00.002-05:00

A slight mishap occured last night at church.You see,we are having special services with an evangelist.He's cool .He's been here before.Probally the best around at least I know because he is so down to earth and laid back.I think his one flaw is that since he has been back so many times, you can almost anticipate what he is going to preach about the next three days he's here.Don't get me wrong-what he preaches on is awesome -this is the guy that left a cushy job as theologan/professor to become a evangelist to India and Tanzania. God has done some mighty things through him.He's the real deal.But it can get boring when you know what he's going to preach about.I would have rather expected a fresh revelation from the Lord but anyhow that is not why I was p.o.'ed last night.
Now everybody turn to your neughbor and say what is he so pissed about?
I got at church five minutes before service started.I helped with worship on our "team" so i could gear up with my bass.
As I was approaching the sanctuary,a deacon,with good intentions came up to me and promptly said that we were going to have the youth group drummer play with us tonight since Jim our current percussionist couldn't make it.
Fine,I know Brandon I know he could pull it off-but it was last minute,thrown together as usual and unrehearsed and said deacon asked me if it was okay.
Flustered at what was thrown at me, i told them that it was up to pastor and my father in law who is "in charge" of the worship team ministry.
Then two minutes before the meeting,our pastor tried to contact our drummer to see if it was okay for this person to play on HIS set-I know Brandon would not have trashed it-okay.
No answer.He was at work.Brandon didn't play cuz we couldn't obtain permission to play on Jim's kit.
All of this two minutes before service.
What riles me is that there is and always been a meddling around and disrespect for other peoples equipment in our church.
I was shocked they didn't let Brandon play and that pastor actually tried to call Jim to get his okay-but it is the principle of the matter that has really torked me.

Life is a Barnyard

2008-08-03T19:21:00.003-05:00

Another cg movie I like is Barnyard.Okay if you have seen it, try to overlook the fact that the male cows have udders.I don't know why but there are weirder things in this world to ponder.
Otis,has issues of growing up and leading the barnyard after his dad is killed by coyotes.He would rather play and goof off than take up his father's example.Out of fear,he is forced to lead and then realizes he can do it-then with the help of all of his barnyard friends he triumphs over the coyotes.
Sometimes I feel like Otis.There are days I would rather goof off than step up to the plate.
God has given me three reasons to not back down-Leah, Keller,and Ikey.
No matter how sorry i feel for myself,God always has my back and He has given me family to support me.
I think we all go through this dilemma.The cares of this world and all of the stress keeps us down and then instead of looking up,we look down and pity ourselves and not consider others as well.
I am always reminded that someone out there has it worse than I do.
I don't face my coyote's alone I have God and my family.
Philipians 4:13

2008-08-03T15:45:00.002-05:00

One old cartoon I adore is "RoadRunner vs Wile E.Coyoye".
An endless quest of one beast seeking after a road runner for dinner.
I think sometimes in life we pursue elusive "roadrunners".
We use all of the latest "Acme gadgets" to help us achieve the goal.
What are they ? self help, attitude, or faith?
We usually end up like the coyote falling headlong down the cliff-and we never accomplish our goal.
Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding...
Commit your ways unto the Lord and He will direct your paths...
Acme can't guarantee that.

Backtracking...

2008-08-01T15:19:00.002-05:00

Now with the deck finished and Leah wrapping school up I want to try to get back into a positive regime in life.
In this house you have to be FLEXABLE.
It's time to catch up on things that I have kept on the backburner.
It's easy to say it,it's easy to point out those things that have been neglected.
It's another to put feet to flight.
That is my challenge.
God help me do it.

Sigh...relief

2008-07-30T05:26:00.002-05:00

Alright! We finished the deck.It passed inspection. Leah is done except for discussion boards and such.
It was a somewhat busy summer.
I am proud of my wife-trying to juggle for the last two years school,job,life and all that comes with it-she finally did it!
It's been hard but we trudged through it.I can think of worse case scenarios we could be in so I am thankful it was just this.
On to Kel's room.
On to Clone Wars!

What a life

2008-07-26T08:21:00.002-05:00

It's been quite interesting you know
coping with this roller coaster ride we call life.
I am a survivor of extreme downsizing at work now,for the last year and a half I have been floated back and forth to the sanding dept.In a word it sucks-but at least I have a job thank God. Now since May 19th, I have become assigned to the dept. indefinitely-YUK!
I still have a job though and have survived several layoffs and the atmosphere is chaotic-one week you you believe they are going belly-up and the next there is work-it's crazy I tell you-CRAZY!
Last year we bought a swimming pool.A big 27'radius pool. this past month,my father -in-law and I have been working on a deck for it and I cannot wait to finish it!AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!
Next is Keller's room. This past year, he has expressed interest in having his own room.That's fine because he would occupy what was the playroom. but he wants to design it to look like the interior of the Millenium Falcon or something of that close proximity so we'll have our hands full in that to.
I really need to trim my trees real bad.
I am happy to know that Leah is almost done with school and I can't wait and I know that she can't wait either.
I am getting jazzed up to see the "Clone Wars" movie in August.

A Long Time...

2008-07-24T16:28:00.001-05:00

Wow it has been a while since I have blogged.
I hope I can remember how it goes.
You know alot of it has to do with the business of life.

Up,up and away

2008-04-03T05:12:00.001-05:00

Leah and I are going away this weekend.I can't wait.
I think we both definitely need this time away.

Can't Wait...

2008-03-28T05:14:00.003-05:00

Eagerly awaiting Star Wars-The Force Unleashed, I found out yesterday that Keller, my oldest bought two action figures based on the game.
They're cool!
It's funny how although "Force Unleashed" is not a movie but a video game yet because we SW fans have been deprived in that area of SW media so that something like this comes along, its exciting.
Read the Darth Bane series to get a better understanding of "Unleashed",s plot about Vader having a apprentice.

P.S. Hasbro has a cool new action figure packs out that are totally the bomb also!

Books

2008-03-26T04:53:00.002-05:00

I have just finished reading "The Children of Hurin" by J.R. Tolkein and finished by his grandson.The book is quite a tragedy-one family in Middle Earth that probally should have stayed home but as fate would have it,they all were part of a drama that humans and elves were pitted against Morgoth-predecessor to Sauron and an evil dragon that could cast spells-Glaurung.Quite the sad book.
The other book I just completed is one of historical fiction by Bernard Cornwell.
"Stonehenge" a fictious account of the famed site of stones mysteriously placed for pagan practices-very interesting.That took a awhile to read.

Goodbye

2008-03-26T04:30:00.002-05:00

I just found out on reign radio today that Larry Norman, one of christian rock's pioneer died last month. I remember seeing him live at Cornerstone several years ago. He still had it.We'll miss you for the moment Larry until we meet again.

Why I Love...

2008-01-20T06:29:00.000-06:00

One thing I can say in the last few years I have had a steady dose of prog metal.
I love prog metal.
Think about it-a combination of classical and heavy metal music-my two favorites!
Just like Reses peanut butter cups-chocolate and peanut butter!
Rock on freaky bro!

Boring

2008-01-20T06:05:00.000-06:00

I have been involved in worship/music ministry for at the least fifteen years.
My tour of duty at CLA has been the roughest and most trying in any church so far.
Our pastor leads worship-if you want to say that.We have been doing the same songs in the same manner for ages and it is getting boring.It is getting frustrating.
I'm contemplating a sabattical for awhile what is the purpose if my heart is not in it and it is a constant fight to maintain the proper attitude.
This is supposed to be a ministry and yet we are not . We are supposed to be a team yet it is the musicians versus the pastor because he HAS NO SENSE OF TIMING!
He doesn't know how to start a song,or finish it.He even struggles at knowing what to do when the Spirit takes over-like that bird dog in the cartoons-"Which way did they go,which way did they go duhh..."
Kind of cruel aren't I? I know.It just is frustrating because I look for leadership in this ministry and we don't really have it.As a pastor he can't invest the time necessary to develop the ministry to that which God desires it to be-he's filling a crack that needs to be filled by a leader designated for this position.
Week after week it is the same we work on the songs-yeah okay. and belt them out and butcher them-chaos.Is God the author of chaos or are we?If so,we have a responsibility to lead people into the presence of God.I fell the leadership is thinks that is important but it gets lost in the deluge of church stuff.
I desire to serve under a leader that invests time and careful prayer in the music-(worship compliments the preaching of the Word.)
I long for a leader who takes the time in encouraging and instructing us in new things and making time to mentor us in the Lord.
Our youth leader makes time with her leaders almost every week to discuss matters go over upcoming events and disciplining and praying.
Things need to change and maybe it starts with me.I feel as if we are spinning our wheels up there and just"getting the job done".
I think that if this is a waste of time I would be better off in a band than play at church.Yet I believe that leading worship in music is a high calling that must be handled with utter fear and care.I want to see in the end,that people's lives were touched.People's hearts were encouraged to go forth and experience God and walk away never the same person but changed from the inside out.
But in the meantime...

Forty

2008-01-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Okay i am not going to spend alot of time on this subject because I had a birthday this month.
I turned forty.(insert ominous music blurb)
Yeah,yeah okay I am forty now.A lot of people are forty now-and now I am.
So big deal.If you are busy and content in living your life to its fullest,you won't have to worry about your age.
There I said it.Can we move on?

Hmmm Interesting...

2007-12-24T08:29:00.000-06:00

The last two days it has been very windy.
So,I put out our Nativity set a while back in preperation for Christmas.
We found that the wind repeatedly knocked over Mary and Joseph.
But the baby Jesus never fell over.
Interesting.Very interesting.
There is a neat analogy to this besides the fact that I am going to
a)tie them down to a stake next year or b)build a stable for them.

The Cube

2007-12-24T08:23:00.000-06:00

Well,today is Christmas Eve and I have already got a great present fromLisa and Joe(Leah's sister and husband)
A Roland Micro Cube amp.It's a tinier size model of my amp and it not only runs on electric but it also runs on battery power as well .
Very compact and portable and it has a killer sound.
I've already have been having fun with it!
Thanks guys!

Christmas 07

2007-12-22T09:02:00.000-06:00

Here is something I was thinking about the other day.
Christmastime is always a stessful and hectic time of the year for all of us.
We take the most drastic measures to prepare wether it is to finish our shopping early or starting the decorating process in early November.
No matter what initiative we choose,there will always be stress.
Can it be completely relieved? I don't think so.
About 2000 years ago,holiday stress was not uncommon.
You have to understand the stress that Mary and Joseph endured upon yhe arrival of our Savior-what a precursor to what we face today.
Yet most of our stress we face has nothing to do with Christ-it is the pomp and circumstance that goes with the holiday.
Mary and Joseph didn't have to worry about decorations or cookies or presents;more like a place for Mary to have baby Jesus. And to end up in a stable neverthless.
Pondering Christ's arrival,its signifigance brings us back to the proper frame of mind what Christmas is about-it existed before retailers and Hallmark made it a official "holiday",
Christmas began before creation existed- the plan formed by the Heavenly Father Himself,not Father Christmas...

The Trip

2007-12-01T10:07:00.000-06:00

I was on vacation this week.
It was pretty nice-man I am going to hate going back to work.My sciatic nerve on my left lower back is all irritated so it has been up and down in the pain arena.
Anyway,this past Friday,we(me,Leah,the boys,and G and Pa) went to the Museum of Science and Industry. they had a Star Wars exhibit that showed over 80 props from the movies along with things related to science and so forth.
It was so cool!!! Even though my sciatic was killing me and all the boys wanted to do is buy,buy,buy at the gift shop,It was an awesome experience.
I haven't been there in awhile-a long while. And the big train set GREW!!
it was so awesome-i could just stand there and stare at the trains and the models!They had a big model of Chicago linked with it complete with the Sears Tower and its own L train.The boys and I agreed that this would be a cool train set layout to have for our own!
The Star Wars exhibit was so cool.Just stand and admire the same landspeeder prop used in Episode 4 was cool.All the models used in movies were so neat look at.
Seeing Artoo and 3-PO along with the Wookie costumes and the other droids and such.
All in all,it was all too cool.There was a family from Canada that came down to see the exhibit because they were not going to have it up in Toronto.
The last thing was going on the ride in the simulated cockpit of the Milleium Falcon-that was so fun-I wish I could make something like that at home-this definitely rejuvenated the little boy in me.

High hopes

2007-11-07T10:02:00.000-06:00

I am pretty pumped to have read that there is a possibility of Peter Jackson doing a film version of "The Hobbitt"!Hopefully Pete and New Line Cinema can finally iron out their differences.
While on the subject of epic movies,I am equally torqued at George Lucas.
They are making a CG series on the Clone Wars.I really think he(Lucasfilm) needs to think outside the box instead of throwing the clone wars at us again!
Believe me,I have read the novels and the graphic novels as well as the animated series and you can't really do any more without sacrificing chronological order.
I would suggest maybe doing something from the Knights of the Old Republic,or maybe finally making a CG film version of Shadows of the Empire,the Thrawn Trilogy,Dark Empire-or just something other than the Clone Wars please!
Anyway,got that off my chest-whewwww!

143

2007-11-07T07:36:00.000-06:00

Okay,today I stayed home because Leah and Jean are down in Springfield for a library function.So I'm here with the kids.Kel has a half day and Ike has a whole day off.
Kel was up early and we watched the tail end of Mr. Rogers. Yes you are correct the one and only Fred Rogers.Mr. Mcfeely and trolley and all.In the show, Daniel the tiger had a code to "I love you"-143.
1-I-one letter
4-love-it has four letters
3-you-three letters
So there you have it.You can say I love you in a neat and unique way.
143 to all of you.

The Apple and the Pear

2007-11-05T05:06:00.000-06:00

The other day I was on break from work.I yanked out a huge red delicious apple and proceeded to devour it. While doing that,a fellow worker just pulled out a strange looking apple.After I inquired about it, my friend informed me that this strange deformed apple was in fact a red pear.Though the two fruits looked similar in appearance, they were miles apart in distinction.
In the church today we seem to have two things confused.
Confession and repentance.
They pose as effective if necessary in the process of connrcting with God.Yet, these are two different actions that are not to be confused.
Confession is admission.
Repentance is an action following confession.
For example, I confess that I have a bad temper.I then can choose to repent of it that is to turn away from doing it-a change of mind,of heart.
We might confess our sins but do we truly repent of them?Maybe that is why so many of us hsve struggled in victory over certain sins and can't because we simply confuse the two or refuse to repent for whatever reason.
Confession and repentance are similar in that both are beneficial and are necessary yet they are different in meaning just like the apple and the pear.

Another Day

2007-09-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

Trying to relax.Ike is alot better since Wednesday.
He came back to school today-Yeah!!!
Jim started working on the electrical wiring for the pool-the poor guy was having a bad sinus headache and it got too dark to work so we called it a day.My brother -in-law Jim-he's the man for the job and he's doing a fine job that is.
Keller-that boy needs to buckle down in school-the kid is smart -very smart he just hurries through everything he does then gets sloppy and forgets stuff-definitely a year of transition for him in the area of school aptitude.
Part of growing up.
Leah-work,home,school,me,the boys you know stress.
And there is Max.The crazy cat.
I thank God for His grace over us even when I don't show appreciation for it at times.
I can think of worse things to brood over and situations to dread than what I have now.
I think with God's help,I can handle this.

Sick

2007-09-13T04:31:00.000-05:00

Isaac has been sick.
All week.
It finally hit its peak yesterday when Jean (my mother-in-law) tool him to the doctor early than the proposed time because he had another bout of SEVERE abdominal pains.Nothing renders you helpless watching you child writhe and scream in pain.
It tears you apart inside.
So the doctor sent him to the ER at Morris hospital to run some tests.
11:00-11:30He was a trooper through the whole ordeal.
In the end,cat scan,IV and all, they ended up diagnosing him with
Lyphadinitis-messentric.
Due to a virus,the lymph nodes in you small intestines get inflamed.
So, you get bad abdominal pains and fever.
He's doing okay.We all got back at 6:30.
I thank God that it wasn't as bad as it could be.

Rush Hour

2007-09-10T19:58:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday at church it was interesting.
The service was great and the Spirit moved.
Our pastor,who leads worship with music was,I felt rushing us into the presence of God.
Sometimes I feel we are in such a hurry when it begins we miss out at the important intimate time in the Most holy place.
My pastor is so notorious with that. He gets so excited he lose his place and this Sunday was of no exception.
We actually stopped playing the train wreck was so bad.
However, God prevailed.
In the worship experience,we often times lose sight of why God has called us together.
We use upbeat songs to get the congregation moving-to hurry up and get to the slow stuff in order to do the altar call or to get to that all important message from the Word so we would have time for preaching and maybe an altar call at the end.
Have we put the Holy Spirit on a schedule?
Are we in a hurry?For what?
Is the worship experience on Sunday morning the equivalent of waiting in the drive-thru at Macdonalds?
Have I and the many others in the body of Christ forgot what it means to wait in His presence?Many of us prefer the outer courts and dread the inner courts for what
The Unexpected?
A warm fuzzy glowing type feeling?
What if?
What if God showed up-it's His house you know,and disrupted our timetable to establish His own agenda.
Do we really know how to worship in His presence or do we spend that part of the service groping in the dark?
What's with the rush hour?
Is what we bring to the Master worth the time we spend or are we wasting it for our own agenda-to please ourselves?
I'll let you answer the question.

r

Trip to Ohio

2007-09-10T19:49:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Jean and Dave and Leah and I went to a friend of our's daughter's wedding in Colombus,Ohio on Friday.It was a nice time-ha! No kids!No kidding!!
We came back that Saturday night-I think you can still get jetlag just from travelling in a car besides flying.
I was wiped.
Then to top it off Sunday afternoon Isaac startred getting REAL bad stomach cramps that lasted all through the night.
He then began spiking a fever.
Today, he's doing better although Keller started spiking a fever.
We are supposed to be getting our swimming pool this week and Julie hasn't come out to mark all the lines in the ground .I still need either Dave or Jim to help me get the wiring for the pool ready so it's going to be an interesting week.

Path

2007-09-03T07:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday,Keller and I went for a bike ride.In Coal City there is a bike path that stretches from border to border.
So, we took it and we must say it is a cool bike path.
This morning,I took a ride on it early.It was beautiful-just before the sun rose up.
I saw a doe on the path ahead of me.
Before I could get my camera phone ready,she took off.It's nice to see nature once in awhile in action.I think I found a new bike path.
Too bad Diamond doesn't have any-they should.

Spiritual Game

2007-09-02T06:03:00.000-05:00

"And churches still go on playing a spiritual game
while the beggar on the street goes insane
And churches still go on with a humanistic message made to soothe your soul
while the truth about your sin goes untold..."

That was an excerpt from the song "Spiritual Game" off the album On Rock by a Christian rock band Daniel Band.The album was recorded in the 80's yet this song seems as relevant today as it was in its day.

Well-tempered

2007-09-01T11:21:00.000-05:00

In my last post, I was re-evaluating my life.It's good to do that once in a while.
In my class, we are studying the Book of James. I have read it before and now once again I experience insight in a book that today is overlooked.Mainly because it is a "meat" of the Word book-new Christians will have a tough time reading it because to me it is geared for the seasoned believer that needs a proverbial "kick in the butt" so to speak.Chapter One- How we see our trials and how we respond to them can shape our relationship with God. We can allow them to lead us to righteousness or like Adam and Eve,we can let these tests take us into sin-which leads to death.
Counting it joy is having the Godly perspective-not superficial or negative since-that calm in the midst of the storm-smiling in the face of death because we know Whom it is that is there with us-He,Christ suffered as well.
I see the analogy of making swords in this.The metal has to be heated,beaten and heated and beat again until the piece of metal becomes the desired object-a sword.
Our trials can shape us into be the tool God wants us to be and the weapon that the devil fears most.
That means believing in God without wavering.That is the challenge right there.
Being double-minded is to be unstable.
James goes on to say that the person who is double minded should not expect to receive anything from Him.
Maybe that's why we see less people get healed,saved,and delivered.
Maybe that is why we don't see a breakthrough in our nation and our churches.
Unbelief,doubt, walls we set before because it is easy to hide-
"what if?""What if this?"-that is fear and fear leads to fin-an absence of faith.
Lord help me in my disbelief.

Reflecting

2007-09-01T11:15:00.000-05:00

Looking back at the road I am treading.
The shortcuts I tried to take.
The curbs of life I hit.
I don't pray enough-if not at all.
I don't read His Word enough if you even count on Sundays.
Do I believe as I use to?
Have i allowed the trials in my life to draw me closer to Him or farther away.
Do I allow too much distraction in my life to weaken my focus?
I desire to finish-to finish well.

Laodicea

2007-09-01T08:51:00.000-05:00

My Pastor told us last Wednesday about a website geared at watchdogging the "new" churches and their hirelings we call pastors today:
sliceoflaodicea.com
Must I be carried to the skies with flowery ease
While others fought to win the fight and sailed through bloody seas...

Sir Isaac Watts

Java,java,java

2007-09-01T07:57:00.000-05:00

I remembered today the quote I had Leah put on my birthday cake last year.
The saying goes...

If Given Enough Coffee,I Could Rule The World..."
I haven't got my quota yet so the world can sigh a breath of relief.

Warning

2007-08-31T17:57:00.000-05:00

I just got out The Warning and Rage for Order by Queensryche the other day to listen to.
The Warning is awesome album as so was Rage.
Then Operation Mindcrime came and that was the icing on the cake.
Warning is one of my favorites.

Take hold of the flame.
Can't you see life's a game.
So take hold of the flame...
You got nothing to lose but nothing to gain...

Quote

2007-08-31T17:51:00.000-05:00

" I'm not quite what I thought I was
Then again, I may be more..."

Roads to Madness- Queensryche

Work,work,work...

2007-08-31T17:25:00.000-05:00

Ah, I finally can breathe again.
I have been doing time in sanding department.
I was a sander years ago -five years to be exact.
years following that I was able to do other things and escape that drudgery.
Since then, and two layoffs later,they somehow needed me -a "floater" you might say.
Permanently yet temporarily stuck there.
Labor weekend is here and I am glad to be home.

Summer

2007-08-26T20:25:00.000-05:00

This summer as a whole was okay-at least I did not spend it bound up with an injured arm as was the case last summer so I thank God for that.
1. I saw the Transformers movie-COOL!
2. Got a new bike for Father's day-SWEET!
3. Got the new,recent Stryper album "Reborn" -different yet very cool-it rocks!
4. Watched "300"- awesome!
5. For fun, I got a new ZOOM fx pedal for my guitar. nice!
6. spending another summer with my family and watching the Bill boys grow up some more-priceless.

Keller Rocks

2007-08-22T04:29:00.000-05:00

Last night I was giving Keller guitar lessons.
He wanted to learn about power chords so I showed him his first power chord.
I even added a little distortion.
You should have seen the look on everyone's faces.
That look of excited discovery-charting a new territory.
To see my son learn something that I taught him makes me fell adequate.
An accomplishment worth noting.
I hope Keller keeps progressing.Leah and I want the boys to have a good foundation in music-even if they don't do anything further than just play it in their bedrooms.
Oh and Isaac is ready to learn also.
Keller Rocks!

Another Day

2007-08-22T04:26:00.000-05:00

Well, another day is transpiring. Both my sons are starting school today.
One is entering fourth and one is entering kindergarten.It is relieving yet it also is quite awesome in that these kids are getting older.
They're growing up.

300

2007-08-19T18:09:00.000-05:00

Last night I watched "300". It was awesome! It was like "The Matrix" and "Braveheart" combined together .i liked it-ALOT.

New Cat In Town

2007-08-19T17:54:00.000-05:00

Hey there!Well,we just received a new addition to the Bill household.Meet Max.He's a good cat-very smart. I wasn't sure it would work having a cat in the house and everything but-since I was the last to be convinced to get the cat.I am happy say that I am glad to have gotten Max.

The Triumphant Return...

2007-08-19T17:49:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody I am back.It has been awhile and so I have felt that I need to start doing it again.A lot has transpired since then so here we go .

My boys

2007-03-31T10:49:00.000-05:00

Here is a shot of my boys being silly one day.
That's why I love them so much.
Just like dear old dad.

Dungy

2007-02-05T04:22:00.000-06:00

O.K. I am not into sports that much.
Hey I did however watch a little bit of the Super Bowl at my sisters though-
The Bears got royally served.
This morning I read an interview with Coach Dungy of the Colts.
It is cool to read about a coach who puts the Lord first in everything.
A coach who isn't ashamed to mention the Lord-(you know its sooo much easier to say God...) Dungy is not afraid to mention his faith-how it molds his strategies-
his help in dark times that he has faced.
In a society tthat is Godless,tearing down our crosses,staying politically correct to stay safe, it is great to see someone stand out and give credit to the Lord for their accomplishment.
I believe the Lord gave Dungy that win to bring glory to His name.

Scrat

2007-01-25T19:45:00.000-06:00

If you haven't seen any of the Ice Age movies,do it.
In the movies,there is a character named Scrat. A prehistoric squirell with an appetite for acorns. So while you watch the main storyline,you also experience the hardships of Scrat trying to get this acorn and keep it while enduring icebergs,lightning and predators.
The elusive acorn.
When I see Scrat.I think of myself and others trying to get our "acorn" in life.
We go through hardships and weigh countless burdens on ourselves just to get that acorn.

30 years

2007-01-23T16:50:00.000-06:00

Oh! hey guys! I completely forgot!

Thirty Years of Star Wars!
Happy Anniversary!
May The Force Be With You!

Aeronautics

2007-01-23T16:42:00.000-06:00

I just got a new cd.
Masterplan:Aeronautics.
These German Prog metallers totally rock!

Happiness

2007-01-12T05:07:00.000-06:00

Here is a list I stumbled on in my devotions the other day:

Ten Rules for Happier Living:
1. Give Something away
2. Do A Kindness
3.Give Thanks Always
4.Work with Vim and Vigor
5. Visit the elderly and Learn from Their Experience
6.Look Intently into the Face of a Baby and Marvel
7. Laugh often-it's a Lubricant
8. Pray to know God's way
9.Plan as Though You will live Forever-You Will
10. Live Today As though Today was Your last Day on Earth

C&C

2007-01-12T05:04:00.000-06:00

As a RTS fan, I am eagerly awaiting the release of the new Command and conquer game this year.The Brotherhood of Nod will be up to their shennanigans again and I can hardly wait.

Over

2007-01-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

I thank God.
Yesterday I was released to full time duty.
This ordeal is over.
God I thank You for getting me through this even when I didn't cooperate in the process.
There were times I focused more on my plight than seeing what God was doing
in this situation.
Thank You again God.

Finis.

Pilkey Rocks

2007-01-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

Dav Pilkey is one of my favorite kid's books author.
Why you ask?
Because Dav is funny.tackling kid stuff.
Stuff kids like to joke about-you know burps,farts and puking.
My oldest son Keller loves the books.
He is currently working on one of his own creations.
It's exciting to see a kid so enamored by a book,that he wants to write his own.

Tra-la-la!!!

Wallace

2007-01-06T05:57:00.000-06:00

On the coattails of my last blog,here is a artist's rendering of William Wallace-a famed Scottish leader in their struggle for independence from England.
Here was one man whose life and death has been a source of inspiration for many people like myself included.
I still enjoy watching Braveheart from time to time.
I have books about Sir William that I have read.
Here was a man who thought freedom was something worth fighting for.

That is inspiration alone in itself.

What of the martyrs of the Faith?
They saw that standing for the Truth,for Christ something worth dying for.
The millions in China and abroad suffering persecution for the gospel.
I see a lot of Wallaces in my world today.
Our founding fathers of this country. Giving up riches,titles to birth this country.
Standing for something regardless of the cost.
Awesome.

Impact

2007-01-06T05:45:00.000-06:00

In my devotions the other day the writer used a quote from one of my favorite films-Gladiator.

" What we do in life echoes in eternity..."

It is my prayer that in this new year that what I do will have a lasting eternal impact on those around me.
An impact of positive not negative proportions.
Christ was one man-God in the flesh mind you, yet he has not only impacted the world with His life,death and resurrection, but has altered the course of history as we know it.
The order of the universe has changed-forever.
One person.
One destiny.
One God.
God is the enabler to achieve this manifesto.
I know alone I cannot make this materialize into a reality.
May God help me achieve my goal.
For we are destined to win.

Here is something you don't see everyday...

2007-01-01T07:23:00.000-06:00

See this picture? Ibet you do now.
Snow.Remember that white stuff?
Frozen rain?
snow forts?
Snowball fights?
What happened to winter?
What happened to snow?
Can I have it back please?

Gerald

2007-01-01T07:15:00.000-06:00

With Gerald Ford's passing this week,I am reminded of a time in my life when I wrote to President Ford.
I was in third grade I believe and out of the blue I wrote him a letter.
Basically kid stuff.I don't recall the body of the letter.Today,though, we'd make two copies just for reference and to use for scrapbooking purposes.
I got a reply but it was a preprepared formal letter -not a personal reply.
But my letter got to the White House somehow and for a kid my age, that meant the world to me-it was cool.
So long Gerald-rest in peace.

A New Year

2007-01-01T07:10:00.000-06:00

Alright! This past year finally blew over! And I am glad for it.
I think for 2007 I am thinking of a quote Mel gibson's character William wallace makes in Braveheart.
"Every man dies,not every man really lives..."
It's my hope that in 2007, I will live even more .
I will attain even more.
I will accomplish even more.

CHRISTmas

2006-12-25T10:48:00.000-06:00

Christmas is...

Divinity
+
Humanity

=

Christ

Charlie Brown

2006-12-08T04:18:00.000-06:00

Last night, the boys and I watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
Two things I have observed in this classic.
One,the kids.They miss the whole mark of what Christmas is really about.
They would rather revel and mock Charlie rather than celebrate Christ and show "good will to their fellow man".
Two. Charlie.
Here this young lad,plagued with depression because no one likes him goes on a quest to find the real meaning of Christmas,
He finds it in the form of a pine twig.
His Christmas tree.
He found Christmas in that branch.
He saw Christ.
He saw the real purpose-the whole meaning.
The best thing was his friend Linus finally drove the whole point home.
He took the risk among his friends tell the Story.
And there,it was finally realized what Christmas was truly about.

DT

2006-12-01T15:28:00.000-06:00

Here is a photo of Dream Theater.
As I said before these guys rock.
And they write very deep lyrics.
I like all that very much.

SNOW!!!!!!

2006-12-01T09:26:00.000-06:00

Today we got snowed in! I ended up coming home early because a transformer went out at work.Keller had no school.I canceled therapy.
YEAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
It's snowing! How ironic.
The first day of December.
So,we'll drink hot cocoa and decorate the house for Christmas.
My kind of winter day.
I anticipate a snowball fight.
And I am sure we'll be making a snow fort to .

MSG

2006-11-28T08:10:00.000-06:00

Alright.I can't leave out the granddaddy of metal guitar(sorry Michael if I make you out to be so old...) Michael Schenker.
This guys still shreds.

Masterplan

2006-11-28T08:05:00.000-06:00

Here is a picture of the guitarist for the German prog-metal band Masterplan.
They play alot of their stuff on Reign Radio and Trirock.
They are so cool.
This picture is why I love to rock.
Finis.

More Java Jive

2006-11-27T20:15:00.000-06:00

"My blood type is Folgers"

Author Unknown

coffee prose

2006-11-27T20:13:00.000-06:00

"Decffienated coffee is kind of like kissing you sister..."

Bob Irwin

Remembering

2006-11-27T10:45:00.000-06:00

It's been a year since I started this thing called The Art Gallery.
A lot progressed in this course of time.
A wedding.
A work-related injury.
Watching my sons grow up.
My wife going back to school-doing awesome as she always does.
Leah.
My wife.My love. The one who understands me just about as much as I do.
She puts up with me in all the things I put myself through and all the stupidity I throw around in my foolishness.
She is there with me in my moments of triumph.
She's my wife.
with Thanksgiving passing by , I thank God for my wife for it was through her I discovered myself,loved me for myself inspite of me sometimes.
My family-your one of the greatest blessings God has given me.

Oh,yeah,I discovered how awesome of a band Dream Theater is-thanks Nick!
Let's make more memories-uh lets try to bypass the injuries okay?

Saturn's sinkhole

2006-11-11T11:41:00.000-06:00

Here is a picture of a storm on Saturn.
I think it kinda looks like my tub as the bathwater is draining.
I think it's kind of cool being able to see storms on other worlds.
Or maybe Nasa was draining a tub at the lab-
Ah the joy of creating controversy.

Mistaken

2006-10-30T15:33:00.000-06:00

How can I be alone when the world surrounds me ?
How can I bite the hand that feeds the strangers all around me ?
How can I know so many never even knowing anyone ?
If I seem superhuman
I must be mistaken...

-Dream Theater

Quote of the Day...

2006-10-28T10:48:00.001-05:00

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home..."
-Ken Olson,president,and chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp.

HAHAHAHAHAA-Oh man that was so funny I gotta catch my breath
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Star Wars Novel

2006-10-26T19:44:00.000-05:00

I have just finished another Star Wars novel. I loved it!It was awesome! The story takes you back to the old Republic way before The Phantom Menace era. During this period,The Sith and the Jedi/Republic are at an all out war.Des,a young miner trying to escape a hopeless life discovers a power that leads him to the Brotherhood of darkness-the elite Sith order comprising of trained Sith Lords.Through his training,he discovers that the current order is flawed and he is the one to finally bring the Sith back to the two rule leadership-Master and Apprentice.

"One to embody the power,one to crave it..."
Des finally becomes Darth Bane and overtakes the order and wipes out the ruling factions to bring the Sith back to where it was.In this book,Bane makes Palpatine and Vader look like a bunch of pansies.The Sith Lords of the old era were just plain evil.
Reading the book,it gives one an idea of how a person with the best intentions to survive can meet devistating and dire consequences if you trust yourself and lean on decisions that can toatally alter a life regret.
Bane lived a life that knew nothing but hate-pain abandonment.He was beaten by his father-repeatedly.He never knew his mother.He wound up on a mining colony enduring horriffic labor.In all this he then recognized that he had "abilities" He then got hooked up with the Sith army.And then his journey down the dark path began.
"Peace is a lie.."
Do you know how many people tread a dark path looking for good intentions to redeem themselves only to end up in a catalcysmic ocean of pain, sorrow and evil?
"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness,and seeking to establish their own righteousness,have not submitted to the righteousness of God."
Romans 10:3
The world is filled with people looking in the wrong places for redemption.For a sense of belonging.Using personal tragedies to fuel angst instead of birthing triumphs.
Beware of the path of destruction.

Quote of the Day

2006-10-21T13:54:00.000-05:00

"The march of Providence is so slow and our desires so impatient;the work of progress is so immense and our means of aidingit so feeble;the life of humanity is so long,that of the individual so brief,that we often see only the ebb of the advancing wave and are thus discouraged. It is history that teaches us to hope."

Robert E. Lee

Tut,Tut

2006-10-21T07:48:00.000-05:00

Yesterday,I went with Jean,Leah and Keller on a field trip to the Field Museum at Chicago.The trip was sponsored by the Coal City Public Library.I had alot of fun. It was so cool..The museum had the King Tut exhibit going on.The show was cool.If you grt a chnce,go see it. The only bummer is thst you got to see his great granmothers casket and not Tut's.Although they had a cool holographic display of each level inside Tut's tomb down to his mummified remains-cool.We got to see some of the other exhibits to.There was these two LARGE Inuit totem poles near the entrance hall and they had a Inuit Native chant and dance by the display for the public that was cool to.All in all, it was a cool trip.
Oh,I just forgot,Kel and I went to see the Native American exhibit.that was awesome.We got to walk inside an actual Pawnee earth lodge.They're actually very homey inside.It's incredible to see how intricate and detailed ancient workers were on their stuff ! I am amazed how accurate they're measurements were on the tools ,weapons and furniture they constructed.
A good time was had by all.

Being Used Up

2006-10-14T02:19:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a big one.
The idea just came inti me at about-oh 1:43 in the morning.
Being Used.
Finding your purpose in this life.
In Toy Story2,That theme kind of runs behind the scenes in the movie's plot.
Woody gets damaged and then begins to fear that he will cease becoming Andy's plaything and end up being discarded forever decomposing on a landfill.
In the end,Woody is saved,restored and comes to the conclusion that he is not afraid of whatever happens.
Woody will be there for Andy as long as it lasts until he is no longer played with-he is not afraid.
Not afraid to be used up-to the end.
It didn't matter what outcome he would face.He was going to endure with Andy and Buzz and the other toy friends by his side.
Woody found his vision.His focus.
In my class on Wednesday nights at church,we looked at Romans chapter 9 .In that passage,the apostle Paul is addressing the Jewsish Christians on questioning God on who receives and who should receive.
who has the right to serve,
Paul stated that it is not our place to question who receives salvation and mercy for Christ died once and for all-all meaning Jew and Gentile.
Mercy for all-that's how God planned it.
Salvation for all.
Yet the Christians in that early church felt they had the right to advise God in that area.They got stuck in the law missing the boat and God used Paul,one of their countrymen to knock some sense into their mindset.
" can what is made say to the one who made it,"Why did you make me like this?"
(Isaiah 29:16)Isn't the potter free to makedifferent kinds of pots out of the same lump of clay?Some are for special purposes.Others are for ordinary ones."
Discoverer's Bible NIV
Who are we to question or advise God on wether we should be used in this manner or for any rate,to be used at all.
We were created for His purpose-to glorify Him in our lives no matter how hectic or mundane it can get.
No matter what situation or circumstance befalls us.God can use us,
No matter what the future holds-God will use us to the end.
To question the Maker of the Universe,Creator of mankind,earth water and sky-Job tried to advise God but failed.
God in His divine wisdom knew what is best for Job at the time and eventually was blessed more than what he had before-interesting-he was scraping his boils with a piece of broken pottery.
No matter what,God loves us and wants to use us for whatever purposes He sees fit-in the end it brings Him glory and joy.
When we're injured,He doesn't leave us abandoned or discards us-He uses our infirmaries and shortcomings to achieve His purpose-look at Moses,Jacob,Esau-men with flaws yet God completed His plan for them to the end.
Be like Woody,let God use you until the end
To Infinity and Beyond.

Quote of the Day

2006-10-10T17:09:00.000-05:00

"I'm Barf."
"Half man,half dog."
"I'm my own best friend..."

"Barf"-Spaceballs

Back for more

2006-10-08T06:41:00.000-05:00

I am so pumped!It's official!George Lucas says they are going to do an animated series based on the Clone Wars era. Weeeee!!!!!!

You know,that means more action figures and lightsabers-cool!

Sharpe rules!

2006-10-07T13:47:00.000-05:00

If you get a chance check out the Sharpe series on video or dvd.You can probally get it at your local library-there's a plug Leah hope you like that.
anyway the series is based in Bernard Cornwell's historical fiction series centering around a man named Richard Sharpe serving in the British army during the India/Napoleonic wars era.
It rocks!I just started reading the series this summer.Bernard is an awesome writer.Sean Bean is great portraying Sharpe in the series also.
If good historical fiction is your game,then Sharpe's the name.

Fun,fun,fun...

2006-10-07T13:36:00.000-05:00

Here is some summertime fun Keller and I had.
We got out his Revolutionary War soldiers I got some sticks and we made a cool little battle layout complete with a fort.
Too cool.
In the computer age, you never outgrow playing with toy soldiers!

Reflections

2006-09-29T05:20:00.000-05:00

I like fruit.
Not all kinds of fruit-granted but alot-you know the basics
Apples,bananas,oranges ,grapes etc.,etc.
I observeed the other day some pears ina bowl with other fruit,Apples and some oranges together resting comfortably waiting for one of us to extract them to insatiate our hunger.
Then I saw it.
A Danjou pear was reclining or had been reclining next to an orange.i picked it up and noticed that the skin of the pear had begun to take on the color of that orange-a most amazing sight.
The orange's color began to rub off onto the pear.
I then noticed the pear did the same thing after being next to an apple for awhile.
Humans are like pears.
We begin to take on the color(identity) of those we ally ourselves to closely.
Good or bad, the image begins to tatoo our color.
If we hang next to bad fruit,we then turn bad ourselves.
Good fruit, we become good.
If we stay close to Christ,His image will take hold upon us in that its not us so much but Him people begin to see.
His image begins to rub off on us.
We become transformed into His image.
Our lives are changed because of His reflection on us.

Quote of the Day

2006-09-12T17:22:00.000-05:00

" Hey!Who turned on the heavy?"

Patrick Starfish from SpongeBob Squarepants

Radio Plug

2006-09-11T04:32:00.000-05:00

In my previous blog,I quoted lyrics to a song by a band some of you have never heard of.If you have access to internet radio my two favorite stations you should check out are:

ReignRadio at reignradio.com
TriRock at classicgod.com

The Choice

2006-09-11T04:17:00.000-05:00

If you happen to notice when you leave a comment,just below the box is a space that has the line-"choose an identity". In our lives,we make choices everyday.Some are signifigant choices,others are as common such as breathing0thats just natural.
Choices.
We make choices to live or die.
We can choose to follow God's will or follow our own.
To live or die.
I have said in my class that everyday we wake up and make a sub concious decision of wether or not we live for God the moment we crawl out of bed.
For some , it is the choice of do I believe that there is a God?
Should I take this route to work?
Do I wear this shirt or this blouse?
My identity?
Do I identify myself in Christ or not?
I have to choose this everyday.
There is a song by Saint-a Christian metal band that has a song titled "The Choice"
You can choose to walk away..
Or you can choose to disobey...
You can choose to throw your life away...
God or the devil,God or the devil...
Choose Your Identity.

The End

2006-09-01T12:26:00.000-05:00

You know, I've heard alot of talk cocerning global warming from Al Gore.
Stupid.
Leave it to a politician to prey on our hearts and minds about something that cannot be reversed.
The End of mankind.
End of History.
It is a common theme for a hopeless people to dwell on ways to save their lives and existence through soapboxes like this.People that have not any hope fpr the afterlife concern themselves with prolonging life.
Earth is running down.
The universe is running down.
The human race is not ready to face its own motality.
If we save the Earth,we'll save our lives.Scriptures teach us that our lives are like a vapor.
Perhaps if we focus our lives on what we do now in the present state,better would our souls be prepared for the future.
I heard it said of one survivor of WTC that he now because of that tragedy,he loves his kids now more than ever-he takes advantage of every minute of life that is given to him.He is prepared now more than ever to face his eternity.
Look, I believe strongly in being a good steward of this world we're in-heck I am a composter-it makes so much sense. We are called by God to look after the earth-from Adam to me and you.
it doesn't change the earth's fate-we can however change our fate.
Hope.This old world will pass on and Christ is preparing a new one-no war,no disease,no global warming,no hate,no sin.
That is a future we need to focus on-the unshakable Kingdom.
We can shape our future generations with that kind of mentality-if succeeded,our end would be more glorious.less fearful andominous.
If your future lies with the hope of Christ,the end won't seem so harrowing because you are part of a eternal Kingdom-better than this world-FOREVER!
Don't take my word for it.Search the Scriptures yourself.
And don't listen to some dork who can't even quote Scripture correctly.
Like a politician he wants to use a topic such as global warming to strike fear to promote his own political bandwagon.
Even so,come quickly Jesus.

Of Morgul blades and skin infections...

2006-09-01T11:39:00.000-05:00

We are making progress as of today.I was able to get my brace off my arm.
The arm is free-yet inspite of its atropy.
I am continuing my therapy and next week I will see the doctoer on my progress.
But you know,sometimes a bad thing can bring a good thing into fruition.
Tuesday,it was my usual day to go to therapy.My incision had been inflamed and painful.So, I showed my therapist and she told me to hold off on therapy and promptly got me hooked up with my doctor,who just happened to be in the office .
It was infected.So,he wrote me a perscription for an antibiotic and at the same time he asked how long the brace has been on -six months.He then told me that he thought it was time I had it off.I'll still be on light duty though.
Seeing the doctor got my brace off -thanks to an infection.
A bad circumstance can produce a positive result.And yes, the infection is beginning to clear up also.
Man it was hurting so bad (the wound)I thought I was stabbed with a Morgul blade

Moving...yeah yeah we know...

2006-08-27T06:02:00.000-05:00

Just realized my last two blog titles had intertwined themselves.Interesting.

Moving right along

2006-08-26T04:38:00.000-05:00

Things are progressing quite well .It seems I am approaching the final quarter of this whole process.I will see the doctor on the fifth of September and go from there.If all goes well,I will wrap up the rest of September with resistance therapy to get my arm back into shape.It has been quite a ride and I won't mind getting off of it soon.

Moving Along...

2006-08-15T04:47:00.000-05:00

I started therapy last Friday.
I have been doing these little dorky exercises-4 times aday.
Dorky-like "dusting the table"moving your arm,rested on a towel upon a table for five minutes.
But I'm doing them.I have been told if you do these on your own like your supposed to,the time and pain of therapy will go much smoother and speed up the process of healing.
So I'm in the zone.
It's funny though, that these little exercises are what it takes to introduced all my muscles and ligaments back to proper working order.
Little,giant steps.
More therapy to come today.

Small Steps

2006-07-29T08:03:00.000-05:00

Went to the doctor Wednesday.I have tp now wear a controlled brace.Hey, it's like having a robotic arm-COOL!Eat your heart out Anakin Skywalker-hahahah!! Still a little limited in activities though.I did go back to work.I managed to be able to play my bass guitar so that is a plus.Lookung forward in the next few weeks to get beaten up at therapy.The doctor wants to keep it braced up because he wants to let the tendon heal for a good six weeks.Healing.

The Gargantuan Day(big)

2006-07-26T06:39:00.000-05:00

Today I go see the doctor for my follow up exam and see where do we go from here. MYy sleep patterns has gotten all messed up because wee, Ihaven't been very fatigued so Idon't get alot of sleep so I'm awake most of the night reading watching a movie or History channel.
The thing that bites is having all of this time off and having limited abilities.
I think I'm ready to go back to work.
Ithink I'm ready to get my right arm back thank you very much.
But still it was kind of nice having time off.
Wait and see.

P.S. I had coffee at Starbucks the other day with a good friend boy it was sure nice. Hadn't had Starbucks in a while

Healing...

2006-07-17T15:52:00.000-05:00

It's Monday.
The arm is a little sore.But I'm still plugging along in the healing process.
Trusting God.
Trusting in Him although the wrappings are still on.
Trust in the unknown.
That is the test.Finished a new StarWars novel last night. A good one.Getting a lot of sleep.So, I keep on healing...to be continued.

Cookies and juice,cookies and juice...

2006-07-15T07:38:00.000-05:00

Alright!Praise God! My surgery went very well.The said the tendons were already forming scar tissue so he took care of that to.The incision was at least an inch wide.I remember talking to the anastesiologist-(try that word for spelling bee-ha ha!)about where I worked and then I remember waking up in post op- man that's good stuff.Then wheeled me into a reclyner in another room and got me cookies and juice-and-coffee!You gotta understand I had NOTHING since nine p.m. the day before so they were awelcome sight.
Cookies and juice,cookies and juice!...
That was the going joke Leah and I were using while we were WAITING for the doctor to arrive.
She was hungry,I was hungry,It was after one.
So I adopted that as my focus-my goal-cookies and juice,cookies and juice!
Well,here Iam at home-healing.Praise the Lord.
Oh,in case I miss anyone,thank you for your prayers!