Real Inner Peace

In 1968 an hour after the winner, Mamo Wolde had finished the 26 mile marathon, into the Mexico City stadium came the Tanzanian, John Steven Ahkwari hobbling with the bloody leg that had happened when he fell earlier in the event. The remaining crowd cheered wildly as he crossed the finish line. When interviewed afterwards, the reporter asked him why he bothered to finish the race to which he replied, “My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race but to finish it!’


Below is my good friend Chris Lynch who in the picture is just finishing the Las Vegas ½ triathlon. Chris’s story begins after he and his wife Sharon moved to our city. He started several businesses and in the world’s eyes, had tremendous success. When the bottom fell out of the economy they basically lost everything and their businesses went bankrupt. They are losing their home, have lost one of their expensive cars, and they had to sell everything they didn’t need including the over 20 handbags that Sharon had originally paid over $200 each for.



Bj and I were in the same small group with them where the topic was Faith. Our study was concentrated in Hebrews 11 about the prophets of old and how imperfect their lives were but in the end they relied on their faith. As Chris and Sharon told their story to all of us – 18 in total, it was obvious that God was in the room. Their story would make any non-believer panic, but their faith is so strong that you could just feel their strength. The rest of us were experiencing the pain they should have had but didn’t. As they finished their story they thanked God for their health, their family (they have 3 wonderful children), each other but most importantly their God. The capper to the story is the majority of their family ties, who they are very close to, live in Southern California. You would think they would go running back to that security.

But no, they find their real security in the relationship with God, supported by their church, and the people they associate with like those of us pictured below.


When Chris and Sharon say they are happier now than they have ever been and mean it – that’s the kind of inner peace I want. Relationships with people like them provide such strength to help me finish the race. It feels real good…

Healthcare Debate Continues

On Wednesday the President speaks to the nation and we will see which direction the healthcare debate is headed shortly after that. My views on healthcare have not changed. Healthcare for everyone is important. A combination of congressional relief on interstate commerce allowing basically unrestricted competition for insurance companies in all states is necessary, tort reform, health insurance accounts, and government underwriting below the poverty level would all be acceptable in my view.

What is not acceptable is a government run healthcare program and particularly a government run program that adds to the national debt. We will see what approach our government will take...soon...

I can't hold it in any longer.

I have to let it out! I have been holding it in way to long. I hoped I was wrong but I am not. The events that made our country great have eroded to the point where our freedoms are seriously in danger.

Just a very short list of so many of things I could relate but don't have the time or desire.

• Yesterday in typical fashion, (these announcements always occur late Friday afternoon) U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner formally requested that Congress raise the $12.1 trillion statutory debt limit, saying that it could be breached as early as mid-October. No big deal, it will be old news by next Monday. The way this administration is spending money, taking over the auto industry, the banking system, FNMA/FMAC, and soon to be healthcare, and giving no help to the small businessman, our national debt problems are just beginning.
• President Obama continues to up the number of Town Hall meetings that he does in an effort to push his healthcare package through. We must pass this as quickly as possible for two reasons: (1) If we have time, people will figure out how bad the proposed healthcare package really is (2) With each passing day and town hall meeting, the president's popularity is dropping like a rock because he is not consistent with his message. (That's the nice what of saying he speaks out of both sides of his mouth.)
• Congress is in recess, real recess. They are not holding town hall meetings because of the huge outcry from their constituents which of course the press is billing as republican radicals. Here is a short clip from a typical town hall meeting.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix18YPmsxqw. Where is all of the transparancy we were promised during the campaign so proposed legislation could be scrutinized.
• The Dow fell to about 6500 earlier this year. It has recovered to about 9200. How many jobs were created during that time? None. Our system is on borrowed time folks, borrowed time.
• Liberals will argue that everything is going to be all right, just give it time to escape all of the horrible things that George Bush did. Time will provide the answer. I am predicting that the powers to be will only be able to stop the inevitable for so long. Interest rates will eventually rise dramatically, the stock market will drop, the dollar will be worth next to nothing because we are printing money faster than a speeding bullet, and the commodities (gold, silver, oil etc) will be the only thing worth owning. Yes the crisis started with George Bush but with each passing day, the problems become the current administration's crisis.

These are just miscellaneous rants that currently come to mind. But I will periodically have to do this so my blood pressure hopefully will drop, at least temporarily. The good news is Barack Obama is not in charge of my life, there is a much higher power that is. The following helps make me laugh... This says it all!

Can You have fun when the temperature is 104 degrees out?

Last Sunday I was sitting in "Volunteer Central", a room where people who serve at Church congregate prior to the service, when the air conditioner went out. There was immediate complaining and suffering as the temperature rose. I chuckled to myself as I forsaw the coming party at our house outside where the temperature would be much hotter, and many of the same people would be there. I wondered if the heat would destroy our get together. I got my answer yesterday.

Bj and her help before the party started.

Our worship lead musician and his lovely pregnant wife.

Some of the over 50 that attended.

People in line to get their great food prepared by Bj.

The biggest party favorite - the lemonade pitcher

New student intern Emilee and Jake's wife and son

Pastor Jake congratulating the group.

The party turned out to be a stunning success. In fact people hung around in the severe heat to network with each other. Bj and I are so lucky to be in such a life changing experience.

I am working up the courage to blog about the state of things in our country. The blogs will not be very positive, but I have to relieve myself of a very heavy heart.

What Can Happen if You're Not Careful

This is what your skin will look like if you do not protect yourself from the sun. Fortunately what you are seeing is a good thing. Every blotch is skin that is in the pre-melanoma stage and I have applied some special goop to get rid of this skin. In about 4 weeks I will be back to normal without the risk of skin cancer on my face.
Now if I can just get through allergy season life will be truly wonderful again!

What is Really Important

Since the last half of 2008, our politicians have been seriously screwing with what has made this nation the greatest in the world. I believe to my very core that the conservative values that this nation was founded on are in serious jeopardy. I have been suffering with every massive bail out, pathetic proposed and approved expenditure that my children and grandchildren will have to pay for as this nation gets dangerously close to socialism. But that is not what this blog is about.

This Sunday at Church God woke me up. He said, "Roger, what are you doing? You shouldn't be fearing what is happening in the world. You should be fearing my approval in the way that you lead your life, more for who you are - than what you do." At that moment I realized that I have not been spending the time or the energy praising and worshipping my Lord and Savior.

Dear God - Thank you for the wake up call. I pray for this nation-yes-but realize that you are in control and what happens is in your master plan. More importantly I pray for my family. Please dear God - I pray for those who have not yet found you - open their hearts to your redeeming grace. For those who have including me - strengthen our relationship with you. May it be the most important thing in our lives. In your name we pray...Amen.

Great time with Family

Well it has been too long since I have seen my family. And the trip was long overdue. I am just winding up six of the most wonderful days - four days with my son, David and family and two with my daughter, Carrie and family, and to make the trip complete, my other daughter Bethany came up from Portland. The trip included four wheelin', Cougar basketball, the superbowl, but mostly just a great time with the family. Following are pics of the trip:

Mathew catching some zzz's

Will examining Grandma Louise's gift

Carrie and her nephews at the Pizza place

Dave - One happy son


Friday night poker

Grandpa and the boys

Mom with Mathew

Beth and Mathew

Christian, Grandpa, and Megan

Megan and William on the Froghopper

Beth and Maggie, Julie in background

Thank you so much to David and family, and Carrie and family for letting me intrude into your normal family routine. I can tell you that this Grandpa really enjoyed it.