UK Should Honor Tubby

A new coach is in town , Billy Gillispie. I hope Billy G has as good or even better success as his predecessors. In the history of UK basketball four previous coaches have all guided Kentucky to national titles. Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, and Rick Pitino have all been honored by having jerseys hung in the rafters at Rupp Arena. Tubby deserves to join them. Tubby Smith coached Kentucky to a national title and eight SEC championships in his 10 seasons. So, sometime in the near future UK should also honor Tubby as it has the prior coaches who have won NCAA championships for the winningest college basketball program. I also might add that his 10 years was scandal free.
Come on UK doing the right thing.

Home Sweet Home

Joyce and I have just returned tonight from a visit with our son Brad in Lexington. We really enjoyed the visit of course. We had a nice room at a local Holiday Inn, ate well, had plenty of shopping opportunities and enjoyed an extra inning UK baseball game. But, as we drove home I realized I couldn't wait to get home. As I thought about this I realized as humble as it is I find a comfort that no place on earth can provide as our home. Even though our children are mostly away and I miss them greatly. My wife always instills this happiness and comfort at our home. There truly is NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

28 Blessed Years

Sunday March 10, 2007 I celebrated my 28th wedding anniversary to my wonderful wife Joyce. In that glorious time I learned what the true meaning of Love.
My wife is the most unselfish person. She has made every minute of our marriage a true blessing. Never a day goes by that she doesn't somehow make my life better.
We have also been blessed with two children. Justin our oldest lives in Memphis where he is pursuing a master degree in family counselling at Harding School of Religion. He has been blessed himself with a lovely wife Erin. Our other son Brad lives in Lexington and attends school at University of Kentucky. I am so thankful for my family.

Jesus Coffin ???

I would like to share an email I recieved from Jared Jackson at the
CHRISTIAN COURIER


Perhaps you saw the news. How could you miss it?

James Cameron, director of the blockbuster movie Titanic
just released a documentary for the Discovery Channel
claiming they've found the missing coffin of Jesus and his
family, including his wife, Mary Magdalene - ala the Da Vinci Code.

In timely fashion, Wayne Jackson released an article
this morning debunking the whole scheme. Once again, we see
those who oppose Christ try to hitch a profit-ride on his back.

You can read all about it here.

Those Bogus Jesus Bones

We had no idea this junk was coming last week when we
posted the following article addressing the same topic.

The Burial of Christ's Body

I hope these are helpful for you.

Spend It On Beckham

For a mere $250 million over five years David Beckham a 31 year old midfielder who showed in last years World Cup that he is a step behind the world's top players will join the LA Galaxy. Beckham will join the Galaxy when his contract with his European team, Real Madrid expires on June 30.


Beckham and his celebrity wife Posh Spice from the former Spice Girls pop group will be headed to Hollywood. Of course Beckham is probably more known in the USA as a celebrity icon immortalized by the naming of the movie "Bend It Like Beckham " than his free kicks.



Major League Soccer is counting on Beckham's magic with a soccer ball to popularize the game in America.As a fan of the game I would love to see this happen.
At $250 million this fading soccer star is going to have to draw a lot from his star image and endorsement power to earn his keep. That amounts to a lot of T-shirt sales.
I wonder how much soccer cleats and sports drinks will go up to pay his endorsements?
Looks like the fan loses again.

HALL OF FAMER OR SHAMER ???

For one glorious summer, Mark McGwire was bigger than baseball itself. He could do no wrong, it seemed. Surely he would be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame someday.A 70 home run season and a 583 for a career. And then came that day on Capitol Hill. Over and over, the big slugger was asked about possible steroid use, and his reputation took hit after hit as he refused to answer, saying he wouldn't talk about his past.McGwire looked every bit as guilty and his excuse as flimsy as Sammy Sosa’s sudden inability to speak English and Rafael Palmiero’s finger-pointing denial that he ever took steroids.



Unfairly or not, McGwire is forever linked to an era of home run explosions that will forever be tainted. There is a pretty good chance he took performance enhancing drugs. Just compare photos above.

Let the voting stand !! Maybe some day but for now SHAMER !!!

Oh, to remember the good guys The Babe, Willie and DiMaggio.

Resolution Time Again

A new year has rolled in again. I have reflected on all my blessings which there are many. Now I guess it is time for making my 2007 resolution. DIET and lose 25lbs. That means healthy eating and exercise. Wish me luck !! Stay tune. I will make regular reports. I am now at 190lbs.

He's A Good Guy

Watching the coverage of the funeral of former President Gerald Ford they showed a clip of his daughter Susan Ford. She was remembering her dad and stated there never was a time she was ashamed of her dad , nor a time he ever failed her..... " he's a good guy ."
What a way to be remembered !! Every dad should be so lucky. I suspect it would even be harder as the President of the USA. His son Jack said his dad was proud of the title President but just as proud as the title of Dad and Granddad.
His wife Betty said "His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country." President Bush said "President Ford was a great man who devoted the best years of his life in serving the United States." The first President Bush said "Ford was, simply put, one of the most decent and capable men I ever met.
I remember President Ford being appointed after the resignation of Richard Nixon . I cast my first vote for President for Gerald Ford in 1976 but he lost the election to Jimmy Carter. But, Gerald Ford as President reassured my political thought process.
Known as honest, integrity and openness he was a man of his word. All Americans should be thankful for his years of service to our country. God bless his family during these times.

Bell Smith Springs

Southern Illinois's Bell Smith Springs is one the most beautiful recreational areas in the Shawnee Forest. It has a lot to offer the hiker from clear rocky springs, scenic canyons, to sandstone cliffs. The 12 miles of trail system features wondeful rock formations, such as Devils Bone and also a natural bridge. At one point the canyon floor can be reached by a stone stairway. I have never found the trails crowded. It is wonderful place to enjoy the great outdoors. Several geocaches are available in area too.

HAPPY TRAILS !! Pack it in pack it out !!

photos by Rick.

Pray with Thanksgiving

I would like to take this time to share my favorite Bible verse.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7
6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This verse became my favorite one evening when I was worried about my employment and at the same time anxious about the health of one of my children. I lay in bed and tried to pray but my mind just wondered off in fear and greater anxiety. I finally unable to sleep turned on the light and read my Bible. I am uncertain now how I came upon this verse but it was an eye opener. As I read in Philippians I came to realize that thanksgiving was missing from my prayers. No more whoa is me. I thanked God for the children I love so much and so proud of. I even learned to thank Him for difficult situations which have taught me so much.

This verse has been a lesson and blessing for me. Now when I take time to thank Him each morning when I wake it seems to improve my attitude. Pausing for prayer throughout the day it seems to give me comfort. I set my watch to beep on the hour and every time I hear the beep I just take a pause to pray, thanking God for my love ones. How peaceful I have found it to fall asleep counting my blessings.

A thankful spirit is the cure for many problems. Try praying with thanskgiving. You might even pray the words of PSALM 100.