Wednesday November 25, 2009
What a great morning! Just talked with St Louis Cardinals rookie C.J. Beatty in studio with us about his upcoming Hitting Clinic on Saturday Dec. 5th at High Point Batting Center. for information contact Heather Soles @ 336 240-1303 or email her HeatherSoles15@aol.com C.J also offers one-on-one instruction as well d...etails available at his website www.cjbeatty.com or call 336 655-7729.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Controlling The Tongue
It was a particularly tough football game, and nerves were on edge. The home team had been the victim of three or four close calls, and they were now trailing the visitors by a touchdown and a field goal. When the official called yet another close one in the visitors' favor, the home quarterback blew his top.
"How many times can you do this to us in a single game?" he screamed. "You were wrong on the out-of-bounds call, you were wrong on that last holding call, and you failed to say anything about a late hit in the first quarter."
The official just stared. The quarterback seethed, but he tried to suppress language that might get him tossed out of the game. "What it comes down to," he bellowed, "is that YOU STINK!"
The official stared a few more seconds. Then he bent down, picked up the ball, paced off 15 yards, and put the ball down. He turned to face the steaming quarterback. "And how do I smell from here?" he asked.
There are so many times when it is hard to "bite the tongue" and say nothing. The urge to say "something" seems so overpowering that the words sometimes erupt before we have a chance to think them through. Unfortunately, those words have consequences. The minor offenses result in 15-yard penalties. The more serious offenses result in years of regret and heartache, or perhaps broken relationships that take years to rebuild. No wonder James had such strong words of praise concerning the person who is always able to control what he says (James 3:2).
"He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."
(Prov. 17:27-28)
May your words today be few, calm, and carefully thought out.
It was a particularly tough football game, and nerves were on edge. The home team had been the victim of three or four close calls, and they were now trailing the visitors by a touchdown and a field goal. When the official called yet another close one in the visitors' favor, the home quarterback blew his top.
"How many times can you do this to us in a single game?" he screamed. "You were wrong on the out-of-bounds call, you were wrong on that last holding call, and you failed to say anything about a late hit in the first quarter."
The official just stared. The quarterback seethed, but he tried to suppress language that might get him tossed out of the game. "What it comes down to," he bellowed, "is that YOU STINK!"
The official stared a few more seconds. Then he bent down, picked up the ball, paced off 15 yards, and put the ball down. He turned to face the steaming quarterback. "And how do I smell from here?" he asked.
There are so many times when it is hard to "bite the tongue" and say nothing. The urge to say "something" seems so overpowering that the words sometimes erupt before we have a chance to think them through. Unfortunately, those words have consequences. The minor offenses result in 15-yard penalties. The more serious offenses result in years of regret and heartache, or perhaps broken relationships that take years to rebuild. No wonder James had such strong words of praise concerning the person who is always able to control what he says (James 3:2).
"He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."
(Prov. 17:27-28)
May your words today be few, calm, and carefully thought out.
October 4th 2009
A Stroke of Luck
by: Michele Starkey, Copyright © 2003
I stopped for my morning coffee at the local donut shop and was pleasantly pleased to find no other cars in the parking lot. My usual routine is to wait in a long line to get my morning dose of caffeine. Opening the door, I noticed only one fellow at the counter.
The gentleman was obviously struggling to explain his order to a seemingly impatient young woman, "S-m-a-l-l c-o-f-f-e-e, b-a-g-e-l w-i-t-h c-r-e-a-m c-h-e-e-s-e." He spoke so slowly, some words slurred together, and I noticed that he held his left arm limply against his chest. It was obvious to me that he had suffered a stroke - so had I just four years earlier. Unlike this fellow, my deficits are few and unnoticeable. The fact that I sometimes can't remember what I had for dinner the night before has never bothered me. I am lucky enough to remember that I did eat, that there was food on the table and I did not go to bed hungry like so many others in this world of ours. No, the fact that I can't recall the menu is a small matter in an otherwise very blessed life.
I quickly stepped to the counter in time to hear the young woman ask again, "What was that you wanted?" I glanced at the man, then the young woman, and then I interrupted, "I believe the gentleman wants a small coffee and a bagel with cream cheese." The young lady nodded at me, glanced at the gentleman, who also nodded and quickly turned to prepare the order. The man turned slowly towards me and smiled.
When the order was placed in front of the man, the young woman took his money and placed the change on the counter. He gingerly tried to pick up the coins with his trembling hand. "Can I help the next person in line?" I couldn't believe that she was oblivious to his struggle and only concerned with getting my order filled.
"The next person, the only OTHER person in this line is me. I will be with you in a minute as soon as I assist this gentleman." I picked up his change and placed it in his hand. Then, as he gingerly tried to lift up his bagel, I reached for his coffee and motioned towards a small table in the corner, "How's this?" I placed the coffee on the table and reached for a few napkins. He sat down slowly, positioning himself with his left arm resting on the table. "T-h-a-n-k y-o-u. G-o-d s-e-n-t m-e a-n a-n-g-e-l t-o-d-a-y."
He smiled as I answered, "No, God sent ME the angel. You see, I suffered a stroke, too. I survived a ruptured brain aneurysm four years ago. It was a stroke of luck that God put you in my path this morning to remind me how blessed I really am. Blessed to be here to help you. Blessed because I can use both of my arms. Blessed because I have been given a gift of compassion which has opened my eyes to others in a world that is blind to suffering."
I returned to the counter to place my coffee order. The young woman was unaware of the conversation that had just transpired between my newfound friend and myself. I wanted to share it with her. I thought perhaps it would open her eyes to his misfortune. "He had a stroke and that's why he is moving and speaking so slowly." She nodded and said, "$1.29. Will that be all today?" I handed her the money, took my coffee and waved goodbye to my new friend who was smiling and enjoying his bagel.
Why is it that we cannot see the suffering around us? Have we become too wrapped up in our daily routine, our chores and our jobs that we do not recognize the need to stop or slow down and help the less fortunate? A simple smile. A kind word. A helping hand for those who may have only one hand. Let us not be so wrapped up in getting through the day that we see clear through the veil of suffering around us. Let us give thanks for the little things like being able to help someone in need.
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2)
[ by: Michele Starkey, Copyright © 2003
A Stroke of Luck
by: Michele Starkey, Copyright © 2003
I stopped for my morning coffee at the local donut shop and was pleasantly pleased to find no other cars in the parking lot. My usual routine is to wait in a long line to get my morning dose of caffeine. Opening the door, I noticed only one fellow at the counter.
The gentleman was obviously struggling to explain his order to a seemingly impatient young woman, "S-m-a-l-l c-o-f-f-e-e, b-a-g-e-l w-i-t-h c-r-e-a-m c-h-e-e-s-e." He spoke so slowly, some words slurred together, and I noticed that he held his left arm limply against his chest. It was obvious to me that he had suffered a stroke - so had I just four years earlier. Unlike this fellow, my deficits are few and unnoticeable. The fact that I sometimes can't remember what I had for dinner the night before has never bothered me. I am lucky enough to remember that I did eat, that there was food on the table and I did not go to bed hungry like so many others in this world of ours. No, the fact that I can't recall the menu is a small matter in an otherwise very blessed life.
I quickly stepped to the counter in time to hear the young woman ask again, "What was that you wanted?" I glanced at the man, then the young woman, and then I interrupted, "I believe the gentleman wants a small coffee and a bagel with cream cheese." The young lady nodded at me, glanced at the gentleman, who also nodded and quickly turned to prepare the order. The man turned slowly towards me and smiled.
When the order was placed in front of the man, the young woman took his money and placed the change on the counter. He gingerly tried to pick up the coins with his trembling hand. "Can I help the next person in line?" I couldn't believe that she was oblivious to his struggle and only concerned with getting my order filled.
"The next person, the only OTHER person in this line is me. I will be with you in a minute as soon as I assist this gentleman." I picked up his change and placed it in his hand. Then, as he gingerly tried to lift up his bagel, I reached for his coffee and motioned towards a small table in the corner, "How's this?" I placed the coffee on the table and reached for a few napkins. He sat down slowly, positioning himself with his left arm resting on the table. "T-h-a-n-k y-o-u. G-o-d s-e-n-t m-e a-n a-n-g-e-l t-o-d-a-y."
He smiled as I answered, "No, God sent ME the angel. You see, I suffered a stroke, too. I survived a ruptured brain aneurysm four years ago. It was a stroke of luck that God put you in my path this morning to remind me how blessed I really am. Blessed to be here to help you. Blessed because I can use both of my arms. Blessed because I have been given a gift of compassion which has opened my eyes to others in a world that is blind to suffering."
I returned to the counter to place my coffee order. The young woman was unaware of the conversation that had just transpired between my newfound friend and myself. I wanted to share it with her. I thought perhaps it would open her eyes to his misfortune. "He had a stroke and that's why he is moving and speaking so slowly." She nodded and said, "$1.29. Will that be all today?" I handed her the money, took my coffee and waved goodbye to my new friend who was smiling and enjoying his bagel.
Why is it that we cannot see the suffering around us? Have we become too wrapped up in our daily routine, our chores and our jobs that we do not recognize the need to stop or slow down and help the less fortunate? A simple smile. A kind word. A helping hand for those who may have only one hand. Let us not be so wrapped up in getting through the day that we see clear through the veil of suffering around us. Let us give thanks for the little things like being able to help someone in need.
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2)
[ by: Michele Starkey, Copyright © 2003
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Two Horses
There is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will
notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes
of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner
has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a
good home for him.
This alone is amazing.
If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the
sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of
the sound, you will see that it comes from the
smaller horse in the field.
Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.
It lets the blind friend know where the other
horse is, so he can follow.
As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see
that the horse with the bell is always checking on the
blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for
the bell and then slowly walk to where the other
horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter
of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and
looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't
too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not
throw us away just because we are not perfect or
because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our
lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
the little ringing bell of those who God places in
our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others
to find their way....
Good friends are like that... you may not always
see them, but you know they are always there.
Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.
And remember...be kinder than necessary - everyone
you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.....
Leave the rest to God...
There is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will
notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes
of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner
has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a
good home for him.
This alone is amazing.
If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the
sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of
the sound, you will see that it comes from the
smaller horse in the field.
Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.
It lets the blind friend know where the other
horse is, so he can follow.
As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see
that the horse with the bell is always checking on the
blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for
the bell and then slowly walk to where the other
horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter
of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and
looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't
too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not
throw us away just because we are not perfect or
because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our
lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
the little ringing bell of those who God places in
our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others
to find their way....
Good friends are like that... you may not always
see them, but you know they are always there.
Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.
And remember...be kinder than necessary - everyone
you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.....
Leave the rest to God...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Science...As Seen By Kids
Answers from kids to science test questions:
Q: What is one horsepower?
A: One horsepower is the amount of energy it takes to drag a horse 500 feet in one second.
Q: How can one determine how close to them a lightening strike was?
A: You can listen to thunder after lightening and tell how close you came to getting hit. If you don't hear it you got hit, so never mind.
Q: What makes up molecules?
A: When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions.
Q: What is an orbit?
A: When people run around and around in circles we say they are crazy. When planets do it we say they are orbiting.
Q: Is the sun a star?
A: Most books now say our sun is a star. But it still knows how to change back into a sun in the daytime.
Q: What is a vibration?
A: A vibration is a motion that cannot make up its mind which way it wants to go.
Q: What is a fossil?
A: Many dead animals of the past changed to fossils, others preferred to be oil.
Q: Define a vacuum.
A: Vacuums are nothings. We only mention them to let them know we know they're there.
Q: What is exaporation?
A: We say the cause of perfume disappearing is evaporation. Evaporation gets blamed for a lot of things people forget to put the top on.
Q: How are clouds formed?
A: I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know how to do it, and that is the important thing.
Q: What makes it rain?
A: Rain is saved up in cloud banks.
Q: What is the average temperature in the tropics?
A: It is so hot in some parts of the world that the people there have to live other places.
Answers from kids to science test questions:
Q: What is one horsepower?
A: One horsepower is the amount of energy it takes to drag a horse 500 feet in one second.
Q: How can one determine how close to them a lightening strike was?
A: You can listen to thunder after lightening and tell how close you came to getting hit. If you don't hear it you got hit, so never mind.
Q: What makes up molecules?
A: When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions.
Q: What is an orbit?
A: When people run around and around in circles we say they are crazy. When planets do it we say they are orbiting.
Q: Is the sun a star?
A: Most books now say our sun is a star. But it still knows how to change back into a sun in the daytime.
Q: What is a vibration?
A: A vibration is a motion that cannot make up its mind which way it wants to go.
Q: What is a fossil?
A: Many dead animals of the past changed to fossils, others preferred to be oil.
Q: Define a vacuum.
A: Vacuums are nothings. We only mention them to let them know we know they're there.
Q: What is exaporation?
A: We say the cause of perfume disappearing is evaporation. Evaporation gets blamed for a lot of things people forget to put the top on.
Q: How are clouds formed?
A: I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know how to do it, and that is the important thing.
Q: What makes it rain?
A: Rain is saved up in cloud banks.
Q: What is the average temperature in the tropics?
A: It is so hot in some parts of the world that the people there have to live other places.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Why Did God Make Dogs?
An elderly woman was trying to recover from a stroke. Her brain was damaged, and her arm was weak, so her therapist brought, of all things, a dog to help out. Instead of completing monotonous drills, the elderly patient threw a bright red Frisbee across the room, and the dog bounced over, picked it up, and brought it back, his eyes begging, "Throw it again, please!" And she did, over and over and over, forgetting that she was actually working quite hard.
What possessed God to make dogs anyway? Certainly there are exceptions, and certainly people can breed dogs to bring out the worst in them, but in general, there is nothing more selfless, loving or patient than a dog. Mistreat it and it comes back to you anyway. Ignore it and it never gives up hope that you will be its friend again. Make it wait days to go play, and it will still be ready. It offers you friendship and companionship and in return asks only for food, water and an occasional scratch behind the ears. Why would God bother to make such a creature?
I suppose that if dogs were like people they would eventually give up on us ... but they never do. A dog’s love is almost impossible to destroy, because it’s not a love you earn; it’s simply a love you are given. In other words, dogs love unconditionally.
Unconditional love; unending patience; faithfulness to the very end. Do you suppose, just perhaps, that God made dogs to show us a little something about Himself? Do you think maybe "man's best friend" is really pointing us to the One who is truly our very Best Friend?
You could learn a lot about God from a dog.
An elderly woman was trying to recover from a stroke. Her brain was damaged, and her arm was weak, so her therapist brought, of all things, a dog to help out. Instead of completing monotonous drills, the elderly patient threw a bright red Frisbee across the room, and the dog bounced over, picked it up, and brought it back, his eyes begging, "Throw it again, please!" And she did, over and over and over, forgetting that she was actually working quite hard.
What possessed God to make dogs anyway? Certainly there are exceptions, and certainly people can breed dogs to bring out the worst in them, but in general, there is nothing more selfless, loving or patient than a dog. Mistreat it and it comes back to you anyway. Ignore it and it never gives up hope that you will be its friend again. Make it wait days to go play, and it will still be ready. It offers you friendship and companionship and in return asks only for food, water and an occasional scratch behind the ears. Why would God bother to make such a creature?
I suppose that if dogs were like people they would eventually give up on us ... but they never do. A dog’s love is almost impossible to destroy, because it’s not a love you earn; it’s simply a love you are given. In other words, dogs love unconditionally.
Unconditional love; unending patience; faithfulness to the very end. Do you suppose, just perhaps, that God made dogs to show us a little something about Himself? Do you think maybe "man's best friend" is really pointing us to the One who is truly our very Best Friend?
You could learn a lot about God from a dog.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday 9/10/09
Tonight is the kickoff for the NFL season....so ponder this...
Are you ready for some football? This is about football - but it's about life too.
Quotes from past gridiron legends
1. 'After you retire, there's only one big event left... and I ain't ready for that.' Bobby Bowden / Florida State
2. 'Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.' Lou Holtz / Arkansas
3. 'I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I want him to quit in practice, not in a game.' Bear Bryant / Alabama
4. 'Football is not a contact sport - it is a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport.' Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers
5. 'If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education.' Murray Warmath / Minnesota
6. 'Always remember... Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David.' Shug Jordan / Auburn
Tonight is the kickoff for the NFL season....so ponder this...
Are you ready for some football? This is about football - but it's about life too.
Quotes from past gridiron legends
1. 'After you retire, there's only one big event left... and I ain't ready for that.' Bobby Bowden / Florida State
2. 'Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.' Lou Holtz / Arkansas
3. 'I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I want him to quit in practice, not in a game.' Bear Bryant / Alabama
4. 'Football is not a contact sport - it is a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport.' Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers
5. 'If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education.' Murray Warmath / Minnesota
6. 'Always remember... Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David.' Shug Jordan / Auburn
WOW! What a picture.....so I'm pondering how anyone is going to try and convince us that this happend by some random chance explosion, or 2 stars collided and this just happened? I know how this happened.....it was created by God Almighty for us to appreciate his creativity. And you know what?.....I DO!!!!!
Darren
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
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