Lack of Posts/Blog Your Blessings.

I have been getting ready for our work/mission trip to Kentucky so I haven't been posting much. For the group of you who are looking for "Blog Your Blessing Sunday". . . I have been blessed to work with so many young people over the past 20 years and this year is no exception. I am really looking forward to the trip and spending time/imparting my life with these kids.

I will try to give updates daily(providing we have internet service).

Good Dam FishN Preview

In an earlier post I mentioned that Jeff Fawver was working on a fishing TV show. Jeff told me the name of the show is "Good Dam FishN" as they will be taping the shows at dams around the Central PA area. The thirteen shows will begin airing in October. This week Jeff let me see a sneak preview of the first show and has given me permission to post a short clip. I will share more information as I get it. For now, enjoy the end of the show.

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Chuck Bounced from Radio Network

The VCY Radio Network has dropped Charles Swindoll from it's programming for crude, vulgar and "from the gutter" language.?! I would love to hear your what you think. Here is an exerpt from the article from Monday Morning Insights (check out the full article here):

Last week, VCY released a statement telling why they have dropped Swindoll from their stations. Among the bad words Chuck has used since 2000 (yes, they've been keeping a tally for 7 years now): buns, heck, crap, balls, and also for mentioning (and encouraging the viewing of) the Lion King.

Blog Your Blessing #5

As I sat in church this morning and looked around . . . I am so blessed to be able to connect with so many good people. Oh, there are those who frustrate me and/or those who get frustrated with me. But, I just have to remember that those people "keep me on my toes" and help make me a better person. For the most part, though, I really enjoy the friendships that I have with the people at RMC.

Graybill Skates on the Street

Andrew has wanted me to get this video on for a few weeks. I finally got my videos uploaded to my computer. Maybe I will get more pictures/videos posted here. Enjoy this short video.

Theater or Church

Saw this on Lark News thanks to Lori V. I am not sure what to think? Give me your opinion.

Woman Upset by Theater Mix-up

LANCASTER, Pa. — Maria Holsapple thought she was attending performances at the local community theater, but after twelve weeks, she was angered to learn she had been attending Oak Grove Center, a 3,000-member church. "I would never willingly go into an evangelical church," says Holsapple, a practicing Catholic. She came after Oak Grove mailed her "tickets" to upcoming "drama presentations." She enjoyed the "mini-concert, the play and the motivational speech they threw in at the end," she says. "It worked well as performance art," she says.

"I was convinced it was a groundbreaking new theater company." But when neighbors remarked that they had seen her at church, Holsapple called Oak Grove and discovered it was a house of worship. "The pastor quoted Jesus, but he quoted Socrates, too, and Britney Spears," she says. "How was I to know?" •

Evan Almighty - I'm going! Are You?

Don't forget about Evan Almighty this Friday, June 22. I really think you will like this show. I got to preview it in Baltimore a few weeks ago. See my review. I also hope you will catch a vision for Acts of Random Kindness.

Youth Minister's Breakfast

Yesterday I went to the monthly breakfast meeting of youth ministers in "Valley". We meet the third Tuesday of every month at Perkins in Shamokin Dam. I enjoy the kinship the group provides. It is always refreshing to hear that I am not the only one who hears some off the wall remarks from the congregation concerning the youth, etc. At the same time it is good to be encouraged by new ideas and thoughts from each one.

I have been feeling old lately as I am forty something and never been married, while a number of these guys are in their twenties and talking about changing diapers and fixing broken toys. However, I do look forward to these monthly get-togethers. We have been getting together for lunch or breakfast for not quite 20 years now, so I am not about to stop now.

"Salty" Sands

I have wanted to post for almost a week now about a neat opportunity I had to hear Sarah Jane "Salty" Sands at the Father/Son banquet at my dad's church. Salty, as she was known, played for the Rockford Peaches of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League during the last two years of play. She lives in Orangeville, PA and spoke with enthusiasm about her baseball career. She was the real life story of the girls in "A League of Their Own". (She was also in the movie!) It was a very enjoyable evening as I listened to her talk about following your dreams and working hard at what you want to do. However, it was best to hear her give the credit to God for getting her to the "big leagues" and through life in general. I did take some pictures and even got an autographed picture, but I have been having a little computer difficulties lately and they aren't available now. Maybe I will post them later. I did find this picture of the Peaches of 1953. Salty is sitting in the next to last row, first one from left to right.

Blog Your Blessings Sunday #4

Thank you, God, for my father. Please help me to have more of his unbelievable forbearing spirit. Amen.

Hoffman Wins!

Cruiser's Cafe, the little cafe I run in Mt. Pleasant Mills, PA, sponsors a couple different racing vehicles. One of the cars we sponsor, the #21 of AJ Hoffman, a local guy and a pro-stock driver, won on Saturday night at Selinsgrove Speedway for the second time this year. The bad thing is that, while I was as the track on Saturday, I had to leave to take some friends to the airport (Yes, we left at 12 AM) and wasn't able to see AJ take the checkered flag. Continued success AJ!

Creation Science Museum Commercial

I was doing some planning for our work camp trip to Kentucky this summer and found this commercial. We are planning to go to the Creation Science Museum at the end of our trip. Fun.
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On Again Off Again

Our internet connection was off again almost all afternoon and evening yesterday. Today I am going to the hospital since our pastor is on vacation. I won't be around much today. Hopefully I will get to post about some interesting things that happened this weekend and some neat people I have met.

Internet Problems

Internet problems . . . ALL weekend. I am on my niece's computer at her house. Hopefully this gets fixed soon. I think I am going through withdraw.

"Freedom Jazz Dance"

Another thank you to Jim. I thought this was cool. This goes out to all my "Band Geek" friends. I was/am one of you even though I coach football. ">

Spelling ?? Bee

Stan, this picture is for you. Let me know if anything is weird in this spelling bee picture.

Thanks to Jim's Blog Space for this.

Wild Wheelchair Excursion

From Fox News: A man in a wheelchair was pushed, unknowingly, by a semitrailer for miles at speeds of up to 50 MPH. See the full story here.

My "Evan Almighty" Review

"My mom would like this movie." This was my thoughts as I sat through the special screening of Evan Almighty last evening. (Understand, my mother didn't like the movie "Gone With the Wind" because of one line. "They don't need that kind of language", she would exhort.) It was fast-paced and fun. It was clean and, to my surprise, not degrading to the Bible. It was a little predictable at times and yet I laughed a lot more than I thought I might. According to IMBD.com the plot line goes something like this:

The last time we saw Evan Baxter (Steve Carell), he was being tormented by rival Bruce Nolan onscreen, live from their Buffalo TV station. But as time passed and Evan has made up with Bruce, he's gone onto bigger and better things. Newly elected to Washington D.C. as a congressman, Evan has left Buffalo, New York in pursuit of a greater calling. But that calling isn't serving in the illustrious ranks of America's politics, but being summoned by the Almighty himself (Morgan Freeman), who has handed Evan the task of building a new ark, much as Noah did before. With time passing by and his family belittled by Evan's newfound realization, Evan will have to do the work that God has given him in what promises to be an unusual adventure for a man who just wanted to serve his country, might actually be serving humanity.

Not being a professional movie reviewer, I thought the casting was well done and the subtle (and sometimes not to subtle) references to past movies and even the Bible were well done. The only uncomfortable part of the movie for me, being a church staff member, would have been while they were talking about praying. The actors seemed a little out of their element during this part of the movie. However, this in no way distracted from the rest of the experience. Wanda Sykes, "Rita", had a bunch of very laughable lines as did Jonah Hill, "Eugene Tananbaum".

Go to this comedy expecting a light-hearted and yet heartwarming film. If you like comedy, and especially visual comedy, Steve Carrol, "Evan Baxter" and his cohorts have done a great job. And in the end, the producers have made a moving film as well. I would highly recommend that you see Evan Almighty and maybe you will be encouraged.

Guess Who I Met at Evan Almighty

We had a nice time in Baltimore yesterday afternoon/evening for the screening of Evan Almighty. I will post my review later, but I would encourage everyone to see the movie and that's all I will say about that now.

Aaron and I had a good conversation on the 2 and a half hour trip to "Mobtown". We found the Charles Theater and headed toward Inner Harbor. Unfortunately, we were travelling during rush hour, got in the wrong lane and eventually were headed to Washington D.C. After getting turned around, we decided to return to the theater instead of going to our original destination. Next to the theater was "Tapas Teatro" an European Spanish cafe, where we decided to eat. It was perfectness. We sat outside along historic Charles Street. I had Spicy Croquettes de Tapas Teatro, Pan Fried Steak and potatoes. The price was a bit more than I usually pay but it was worth it.

The Charles Theater was really cool. The building has high windows, industrial ceilings, a traditional ticket window and snack counter and boasts 5 theaters. We were some of the first to be seated. About five minutes before the move started a blast from the past entered the theater. Jeremy "Beanie" Heisey, a former youth kid, and three friends walked past me. What a nice surprise. Everyone (even his mom) has called him Beanie since his high school days since he looked a lot like Mr. Bean. (Actually, he now looks a little like "Evan" during his early Noah days in Evan Almighty.) I will post more about this interesting guy at a later time.

We all settled down while the Representative from Universal Pictures announced the movie.

I have a few pics I will post later.

Private Screening

Heading to Baltimore today for the private screening of Evan Almighty today. I will try to blog about it tomorrow.

Over Six Million Seconds To Go

There are less than 1680 hours left until football practice can officially begin! That's 100,800 minutes and six million, forty-eight thousand seconds! I can't wait! Can you tell? Check out www.tigerfootball.cc for more information.

Graduation

I went to the graduation ceremonies of one of the local high schools on Friday to see youth group kids and football players graduate. I was pleased to listen as both of the student speakers shared about their personal faith in Christ. The event was held indoors, which is usually a bummer. However, the gym was air conditioned and very comfortable. I think it would be a good idea to hold the ceremonies there every year - rain or shine.

Blog Your Blessings Sunday #3

I have been blessed to have been raised in this small little town in Central PA. It is almost a perfect place to grow up and/or raise a child. We don't have the crime (except bank robberies and ham thieves) and other social problems of the city and yet we are close enough to be able enjoy the activity and cultural aspect of many different places. I can be in Harrisburg or Williamsport within an hour; Philadelphia and Baltimore within 2.5 hours; and Pittsburgh and New York City within 4 hours. I can be on routes 80, 81 or 83 in less than an hour. We have the best of both worlds here. And I love it!