Fraggy Friday

No need to wait any longer, LET'S GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!!

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I love this time of year. Why? Because the phone rings off the hook with political surveys and volunteers who try to sway my vote one way or another. I know most people are already sick of the ads and phone calls by now but for me I like to take full advantage of the opportunity. Whenever I get a phone call I love to actually talk to the person on the other end and argue (in a friendly way) their points and the positions their candidate takes on the issues. Last night I received 2 phone calls in less than 1 hour!! It made my day! I guess I'm just weird but what can I say? I just like to make lemonade out of lemons. I will say however that I am sick to death of all the attack ads on BOTH sides of the aisle. Whatever happened to just saying what you're going to do instead of attacking your opponent? Since when did elections become about who can win the best T.V. ad or who got the last word? That part of it makes me sick but just being able to participate in one of the most important things our country ever does is an honor. How do you feel about this years ads and campaign tactics? Oh, and one more thing, GET OUT AND VOTE!

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I'm Just Sayin'

Did the Texas Rangers even show up to play ball or are the Giants that good? I'm just sayin'

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Quote of the week:

"Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck leads the flock to fly and follow."  ~ Chinese Proverb

It's one thing to "talk the talk" but it's when you "walk the walk" that people will really follow your leadership. Sadly, we have more "talkers" these days than "walkers". Leaders lead, it's what they do. It's all they know. It's in their DNA. And when you've been called to lead you convert your words into action and as we all know, "actions speak louder than words". Perhaps we can learn something from the leadership of the wild duck.

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I don't like the fact that we are losing more daylight now! I do like the colors and weather at this time of year but I would just like to keep the sun out a little longer. It's crazy to look out the window and see darkness where there used to be sunshine at the same time just weeks ago. It's just hard to get used to at first but I will eventually grow accustomed to it. (Even though I don't really want to.)

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ABC is doing an "Extreme Makeover" across the river for a couple in Louisville KY. This will be the second couple that has been blessed with this really generous gift from ABC in the Louisville area. Yesterday the bus was moved and the family got to see their brand new house for the first time. The looks on their faces was priceless (as always). The interesting thing about it and what I really want to see when they finally air it on ABC in December is how they were able to overcome the storms we had while they were building it. On Tuesday we had severe storms where 3 tornado's actually touched down and did some damage in our area. It's gonna be neat to see how they managed to work through a storm like that and still make their deadline. These people are amazing!

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Until next week have a Happy Halloween and keep it FRAGGY!!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Fraggy Friday

Friday's are coming much sooner now that I am trying to do the Friday fragment thing every week. I can't believe it is seriously Friday again already!

Well, that leaves only one thing left to do. So, LET'S GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!!!

I think I have an addiction to social media. I check facebook and twitter constantly for new updates or to see if anyone has commented on my "witty" updates. I even have my cell phone set to text me when a new comment is posted on one of my status updates. Could there really be a diagnosis for something like this? I don't see why not, what do you think? Are you like this or am I just really weird?

I don't think I'm as bad as this picture indicates but I would definitely have to say that I got it bad!

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Quote of the week:

"Straight tress have crooked roots." ~ Chinese Proverb

This quote was used in my lesson for our Wednesday night youth group at GCC. I seen many students writing this down and posting it on their facebook status. It really does make a lot of sense and especially in the way I used it to tie up parts of my lesson.

The context I used it in (to make a long lesson short) was that we all have past mistakes, shame and guilt that we regret. Once we give our lives to Jesus our past is forgiven and our sins and regrets are cleaned up. We are like trees. We have a past that no one can see and it is a mess. Much like the roots of a tree. And though we really regret our past and sometimes allow it to hold us down we need to worry about the fruit that we produce rather than the roots of our past. In other words, what kind of fruit are people picking from your branches?

Straight trees have crooked roots. Let's not get so caught up in the past (the roots), but let's focus on if we are doing good works (producing fruit) like Ephesians 2:10 calls us to do!

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There is a brand new website that I stumbled upon on another persons blog. If you are a big music lover like me and like a wide variety of different types of music then http://stereomood.com/ is for you! They have everything on there! You can just click on whatever type of mood you are in and it plays songs that fit nothing but that particular mood. I highly recommend you check it out. I bet you will like it if you do!

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Another thing that you might find interesting is finding your family "Coat of Arms". I don't know why in the world I thought to do this but I am so glad I did. I was really impressed with the way our C.O.A. looks and what made it even better was the motto inscribed on it which reads...

Know thyself, and learn to suffer.

If you know our history with Emily's battle in I.S. then that motto fits us perfectly! We are having to learn how to deal with suffering on a daily basis. How crazy is it that I "stumbled" upon that motto and how neat is it that it really fits my family today! I was really shocked and amazed!

And hear is what our C.O.A. looks like. I really like it!

The Motto is usually placed right above the top of the picture. I couldn't find a picture on the net that displayed that so I thought I should tell you.

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And to bring Fraggy Friday to an end for this week I would like to leave you with some amazing pumpkin artwork to help get you in the mood for this Halloween season. Some of these are truly amazing!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!!

Be Blessed!

Joe

Fraggy Friday

It's Friday already?

Well then, LET'S GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!!

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This time last year, on this very day, America was captivated by an unbelievable story about a little boy and a balloon. (No, we aren't talking about Christopher Robin). It turned out that the story really was unbelievable because it was, well, FAKE!

Now do you remember the story?

Remember how America sat glued to their TV's in total shock that a little kid could climb into a "balloon" and just "fly away"? I remember how scared I was for that family since I was then just a new daddy myself. And then when it turned out that the family totally made it all up and confessed I was SO mad.

Why in the world would a family want to create a story like that? Did that bother you too when you found out it was all fabricated?

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Speaking of being glued to the TV, I already blogged about it this week but how are you feeling now that ALL 33 of the Chilean miners have been rescued?

Isn't it just an amazing story? This is no doubt something that will be remembered for years to come. Just the fact that ALL of these men lived to tell this story is amazing and it truly is a miracle. How much do you want to bet that church's all over the world will be using this story in their sermons on Sunday? I would make a bet that at least 85% of them will be using it one way or another!

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Are you crazy about Monopoly at McDonald's? I love it! And I know a few other people who are even more crazy about it than I am! Isn't it something how these big corporations can find ways to draw people in?

Controversy is swirling lately about how McDonald's is "wrong" for putting toys in happy meals. I don't agree with that myself. I think the happy meal is incomplete without the toy but health nuts everywhere are protesting it.

But I think the Monopoly game brings an interesting question... How do you propose to keep the adults away from McDonald's while Monopoly is going on? Solve that one health nuts!

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Quote of the week:

"The first step to drowning is isolation. The first step to rescue is being heard. Tell your story." ~ Eric Samuel Timm

DANG!!!

When I fist read this quote on facebook I was floored. Isn't it soo true how when we find ourselves in isolation is when we are tempted and face trials the most? Drowning is way more likely to happen to us when we are alone. It is important to surround ourselves with fellow believers who we can trust and rely on. And we have to take it a step further. We have to tell our stories! We have to be heard to be rescued and to rescue others. Tell your story!

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I ran across a tweet this week by pastor Mark Driscoll. He tweeted the top 5 pastors in America who had the largest congregations and I was shocked with the results.

1.) Joel Osteen (like you didn't already know that one) LOL
2.) Andy Stanley
3.) Ed Young
4.) Bill Hybels
5.) Dave Stone

What shocked me was #5 because if you are from the Southern Indiana / Louisville Ky area then you know why. Dave Stone is the pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville Ky and yes it is a HUGE church. I just didn't realize that it was THAT huge! Maybe it comes as a shock to you too but praise God that people are being ministered to in all these places! Congratulations Southeast for being in the top 5!!

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Have a great Weekend!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Fraggy Friday

It's Friday once again and another week has quickly passed us by. So, without further delay, LETS GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!

*** Most everyone who knows me knows that I am a commercial junkie. I'm the weirdo who likes to WATCH the commercials rather than skipping over them. Yeah, weird huh? And yeah, the Super Bowl is a blast for me as you can imagine. With that being said, does anyone remember this commercial?



MILKA WHAT??

How can you not like that?

*** One of the most INSANE shows I've ever seen is IRT: Deadliest Roads on the History Channel. It comes on Sunday nights @ 9:00 pm. Let me tell you, this show takes the cake for some of the bravest (or craziest) people you will ever see. Here is a preview of why it's so insane...



Who in their right mind would even attempt to drive on roads like that? Are these people just asking for death? But you have to admit, it does make for good entertainment!

*** One of our good friends, Lynn, on facebook asked, "what is your favorite movie that you can just pull out anytime and watch"? I had to think for only a second and instantly thought of The Green Mile. That is one of my favorite movies of all time! Not only is it Stephen Kings best work ever, but King said that he based the movies main character (John Coffey) off of Jesus! And when you think of it from that perspective it really is that much better! (I just wish it didn't have so much cussing but that's typical Stephen King for you).

One of my favorite lines from the movie is...

"I know you hurtin' and worryin', I can feel it on you, but you oughta quit on it now. Because I want it over and done. I do. I'm tired, boss. Tired of bein' on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. Tired of not ever having me a buddy to be with, or tell me where we's coming from or going to, or why. Mostly I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world everyday. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head all the time. Can you understand?" ~ John Coffey

John Coffey

Be Blessed!

Joe

Fraggy Friday

Friday on my blog is reserved for Fraggy Friday's. It's a compilation of some random thoughts I have on any given subjects or comments on things that have happened this week.

So without further delay, let's get fraggy with it!

*** First off let me just say that the picture above brings back many great memories! We use to play Mario Kart to death. And I literally mean we couldn't put it down! Even dad would get in on the action and play with us kids. It became a family staple for a while and we would always look forward to getting home from school so we could get our Mario Kart on! It's funny how a video game like this could cause riffs and heated tempers one minute and then the next minute it would bring you together with your brother or sister or even your dad. We had some great times with Mario Kart, good times indeed.

*** THE REDS ARE BACK IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!

The last time the Cincinnati Reds were in the playoffs (yes just the playoffs, not the World Series. It is THAT big a deal!) was in 1995. I was in the 7th grade!!



This past Tuesday, September 28 the Reds beat Houston 3-2 when Outfielder Jay Bruce hit a game winning home run to send the Reds to the playoffs by clinching the NL Central division. The game was tied at 2 in the ninth inning when Bruce knocked the ball into the bleachers, erasing the Reds (previous) 15 year streak of bad luck!

Speaking of bad luck...

Looking at the picture above it looks like the Cubbies are still in a slump. Poor Cubs fans, my heart truly goes out to you guys!

Good luck to the Reds on their journey to the World Series!!

*** I just picked up a book at our local library by Billy Graham. It's called Storm Warning. I opened it up and looked at the chapter layout and read what each chapter was titled. The one that caught my attention the most was called The Cult of Self. Intrigued I paged through the book until I arrived at that chapter and this one sentence alone is probably what prompted me to go ahead and check out the book...Me, Myself and I has come to be known as the trendy trinity. DANG!! This is going to be a page turner. I can already tell.

*** A subject on the local sports radio talk show was discussing Kentucky basketball fans yesterday. Apparently fans have been camping out and waiting in line since early Tuesday morning for - get this - a CHANCE to buy some vouchers for UK's upcoming Midnight Madness basketball practice game. The question on the radio was, in your opinion, are these people FANS or FREAKS? My vote goes in the direction of FREAK. But let me ask you this - is there anything you would be willing to wait in line that long for? If so what?

*** On Fraggy Friday's I'm going to also do a thing called This Day In History. I always like seeing all the interesting things that have happened on this day years ago. Maybe this way we can learn something together. }:~)

• 1903 - 1st baseball World Series, Pitts Pirates vs Boston Pilgrims (Red Sox)
• 1908 - Henry Ford introduces Model T car (costs $825) I wish it was still that same price today!
• 1910 - Berkshire Cattle Fair held in Pittsfield Mass (1st state fair)
• 1942 - Little Golden Books (children books) begins publishing
• 1952 - 1st ultra high frequency (UHF) television station, Portland Or
• 1958 - Inauguration of NASA
• 1962 - Johnny Carson hosts his 1st Tonight Show, Joan Crawford guests
• 1967 - Pink Floyd's 1st US tour (arrives in NYC)
• 1968 - "Night of the Living Dead" premieres in Pittsburgh
• 1970 - 63 arrest in riot to buy Rolling Stone tickets in Milano, Italy
• 1971 - Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida opens
• 1974 - Watergate cover-up trial opens in Wash DC
• 1977 - Elton John honored by MSG Hall of Fame
• 1982 - EPCOT Center opens in Orlando Florida
• 1989 - Dallas Cowboy, Ed "Too Tall" Jones records his 1,000th NFL tackle. Anyone seen the recent Geico commercial featuring Ed?
• 1995 - Indians set record of 30 game lead over 2nd place team

Now is anyone willing to admit if they remember any of these events??

Have a GREAT Friday!!!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Fraggy Friday

I wanted to do something on my blog that I could update weekly so after seeing that a few of my blogger friends were already doing this I decided to jump on the wagon myself...

* Baseball Season Is Here!!! - I'm so happy that baseball season is now back in full swing. I think I've watched a total of about 5 games so far this week and looking forward to some weekend games too. What is it about the game of baseball that just seems to say AMERICAN?? Maybe I get it from my grandpa because dad isn't the biggest fan of the game. Dad told me that grandpa ( I never met him because he died before I was born ) was always watching or listening to baseball games. I'm sure I have to take it after him because when the season starts I'm all about it. I consider that one of my best connections and tributes to him. Sometimes I just wish I could have spent a full day with him. I'm sure we would have spent a lot of our time talking about the game.

* My Allergies Are Going Nuts! - Seriously! And the strangest thing about it all is I NEVER had allergy problems until just last year. What's up with that?? How can you go your whole life with no allergy problems and then all of a sudden it hits you like a brick wall? Yesterday I felt like just getting a garden rake and scratching my eyes with it. That's how much they were itching! I love warmer weather but could do without the allergy season.

* Can We Learn Something From Tiger Woods and Jesse James? - The short answer of course is yes but if you want the longer one then consider just how many things we can learn from them. I believe in giving people a second chance because that's what Christ did for us - to give us a second chance. BUT once you've been given a second, third, fourth or 16th chance then maybe you need to pause and ask what it is you really want. If these men really wanted to devote themselves to their respective wives then they wouldn't have messed up in the first place - or especially after the numerous other chances they were given. Perhaps the biggest thing we can learn from them is Satan comes to "steal, kill and destroy" NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE!!! John 10:10

* Minute To Win It IS AWESOME!!! - Erica and I have started watching NBC's new game show and we are HOOKED!! Have you seen it? It is seriously some of the most challenging and funny looking stunts I've seen someone have to do. Our good friend Lynn has suggested that we take on the challenge of trying some of these things at our next game night and I am waiting with bated breathe for this to happen. Especially with all the good friends we have. There is bound to be some "kodak moments" when we get together for this.

* Do We Really Need To See Kate Gosselin In TWO MORE SHOWS??? - I about had a cow this morning when I was looking at the updates on my Yahoo homepage and seen what it said: "Kate Gosselin, kids to star in new TV shows. The reality star announces two shows, one involving her fans and the other her eight kids." Are you serious?? Enough with Kate already!!!

* Say A Prayer For The Miners - I grew up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with many miners in my family. The news about the recent tragedy at the West Virginia coal mine has kept me in prayer all week. I can't imagine what those families are going through right now. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as you use the electricity they work and sacrifice so hard for us to enjoy.

Happy Friday everyone. Enjoy your weekend and as always, BE BLESSED!!!