All of us want our lives to go well, to not get in trouble, to accomplish some goals. We hope by doing so we will be satisfied and happy. However, we wonder how best to do this and seek out wise counsel and advice that might point us in the right direction. In our consumer age, every demand is met with an abundant supply, and thus there is no end to the number of self-help books, videos, MP3s and even blog posts providing advice on how to live well in our relationships, in our job, in raising our children, and in providing meaning to our lives so we are able to live motivated and purposeful lives. However, I recently returned to the best book of practical advice I have ever read: The Book of Proverbs in the Bible.
Proverbs provides a multitude of brief pieces of advice for living and can be easily picked up and understood by anyone of almost any age. It provides practical advice on how to manage your finances, handle yourself at work, the sort of spouse you should seek, and much more. Furthermore, if you are a parent it is especially important to be well versed in Proverbs. Many of the chapters were written as advice from a wase father to his son, and are thus particularly applicable to the lives of young people. I believe that any person will benefit from reading the Proverbs and thinking about how the advice could be utilized. If you haven't read them recently, check them out.
7/27/2009
6/11/2009
Exciting Retreat for Teens and Adults with Physical Disabilities (Aug 28-30 in ATL)
If you have a family member or friend who suffers from a physical disability such as Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis or major paralysis you should to forward this on to them.
Announcing the 2009 SPEAK Retreat in Atlanta, GA- August 28-30!
We hope to see you all at the first annual retreat for the Speak Foundation in Atlanta, GA on August 28-30th. This will be for anyone who is dealing with Muscular Dystrophy and would like to connect in person with other adults living with the same condition. This retreat will be aimed mainly at young adults. However, others are more than welcome, and if there is a family that would like to attend with their teenager who has Muscular Dystrophy, we would love to have you. We have a fantastic rate at the Hyatt in Atlanta and they have very accessible features at this hotel for those of us who need it. The swimming pool even has a lift for all of us! We will be providing food for many of the events, so some costs for the weekend will be covered. Don't let finances prevent you from coming; some financial help is available to those who qualify. If you are interested in attending, please email us at thespeakfoundation@yahoo.com and we will give you all the details! Please email us before June 30th so we can add you to our reservation. Hope to see you soon!
For further information go to: http://www.thespeakfoundation.com/dnn/
Announcing the 2009 SPEAK Retreat in Atlanta, GA- August 28-30!
We hope to see you all at the first annual retreat for the Speak Foundation in Atlanta, GA on August 28-30th. This will be for anyone who is dealing with Muscular Dystrophy and would like to connect in person with other adults living with the same condition. This retreat will be aimed mainly at young adults. However, others are more than welcome, and if there is a family that would like to attend with their teenager who has Muscular Dystrophy, we would love to have you. We have a fantastic rate at the Hyatt in Atlanta and they have very accessible features at this hotel for those of us who need it. The swimming pool even has a lift for all of us! We will be providing food for many of the events, so some costs for the weekend will be covered. Don't let finances prevent you from coming; some financial help is available to those who qualify. If you are interested in attending, please email us at thespeakfoundation@yahoo.com and we will give you all the details! Please email us before June 30th so we can add you to our reservation. Hope to see you soon!
For further information go to: http://www.thespeakfoundation.com/dnn/
1/26/2009
Local Man Deemed to be Bad News by Sports Teams
Palm Bay, FL (AP)—A local youth pastor is being asked by college and professional sports teams to resign as a fan. Matt Jackson, a resident of Palm Bay, has been dubbed a "curse" by numerous teams including Florida State, the University of Texas, and the Tennessee Titans. Those who oppose Jackson's fandom include other fans and representatives from the respective schools/teams.
Those people cannot cite when or how Jackson became a curse, but some conjecture that it was probably sometime in 2006 when he lost his feared title of "Generale." The story of that downfall is well beyond the scope of this article. At any rate, Jackson cannot seem to shake the moniker of curse. He has garnered the attention of many people of influence and those people have practically begged him to give up his support of their team.
Last week, FSU president TK Wetherell and Athletic Director Randy Spetman landed their seaplane in the lake behind Jackson's Palm Bay home. They were greeted by the Jackson family, but despite their pleading could not convince the youth pastor to resign. A few days earlier, Texas coach Mack Brown called Jackson and offered him a month long vacation to the destination of his choosing if he stopped rooting for Texas, but his efforts were to no avail.
Jackson claims that he is not curse and cites specific instances of success. "Now wait a minute", he says while sipping on a large beverage from Sonic, "I watched FSU beat Colorado and Wisconsin in person. And I watched the entire Fiesta Bowl and saw Texas win." Opponents of Jackson are quick to claim that these victories had asterisks.
"Clearly the Colorado game was a result of Iron Brent watching with Jackson, and the other two—well we all know those are just the Big 10," claims Brent Doughty, aka Iron Brent. Doughty is said to be the cure for Jackson's kryptonite and his powers have overcome Jackson's curse in more than one instance. Doughty's reference to the Big 10 addresses the obvious inferiority of the Big Ten conference in all athletics. Opponents also cite that the only games FSU won during the season were ones where Jackson did not watch and instead pursued his favorite pastime of shopping, or took in a children's romantic comedy at the cinema.
Jackson adamantly denies any wrongdoing and says he will continue to support whomever he likes. He recently put forth fervent support for Oklahoma in the national championship game, writing "Boomer Sooner" on his arms. The Sooners lost the game to the loathed Florida Gators, 24-14. That put Coach Bob Stoops in the anti Jackson corner.
Representatives from the teams Jackson supports are not the only ones visiting with him these days. Urban Meyer and Charlie Strong recently took a trip to Palm Bay to thank Jackson for his support of FSU and threatened that he should think twice about ever being a Gator fan. Unfortunately, these are not the only threats Jackson has received. He will likely continue to get pressure to resign as a fan and many fear that this pressure may turn violent. Still, Jackson seems oblivious to it all. When asked at one point he would consider ceasing team support, he simply replied "why don't you ask your mom."
Those people cannot cite when or how Jackson became a curse, but some conjecture that it was probably sometime in 2006 when he lost his feared title of "Generale." The story of that downfall is well beyond the scope of this article. At any rate, Jackson cannot seem to shake the moniker of curse. He has garnered the attention of many people of influence and those people have practically begged him to give up his support of their team.
Last week, FSU president TK Wetherell and Athletic Director Randy Spetman landed their seaplane in the lake behind Jackson's Palm Bay home. They were greeted by the Jackson family, but despite their pleading could not convince the youth pastor to resign. A few days earlier, Texas coach Mack Brown called Jackson and offered him a month long vacation to the destination of his choosing if he stopped rooting for Texas, but his efforts were to no avail.
Jackson claims that he is not curse and cites specific instances of success. "Now wait a minute", he says while sipping on a large beverage from Sonic, "I watched FSU beat Colorado and Wisconsin in person. And I watched the entire Fiesta Bowl and saw Texas win." Opponents of Jackson are quick to claim that these victories had asterisks.
"Clearly the Colorado game was a result of Iron Brent watching with Jackson, and the other two—well we all know those are just the Big 10," claims Brent Doughty, aka Iron Brent. Doughty is said to be the cure for Jackson's kryptonite and his powers have overcome Jackson's curse in more than one instance. Doughty's reference to the Big 10 addresses the obvious inferiority of the Big Ten conference in all athletics. Opponents also cite that the only games FSU won during the season were ones where Jackson did not watch and instead pursued his favorite pastime of shopping, or took in a children's romantic comedy at the cinema.
Jackson adamantly denies any wrongdoing and says he will continue to support whomever he likes. He recently put forth fervent support for Oklahoma in the national championship game, writing "Boomer Sooner" on his arms. The Sooners lost the game to the loathed Florida Gators, 24-14. That put Coach Bob Stoops in the anti Jackson corner.
Representatives from the teams Jackson supports are not the only ones visiting with him these days. Urban Meyer and Charlie Strong recently took a trip to Palm Bay to thank Jackson for his support of FSU and threatened that he should think twice about ever being a Gator fan. Unfortunately, these are not the only threats Jackson has received. He will likely continue to get pressure to resign as a fan and many fear that this pressure may turn violent. Still, Jackson seems oblivious to it all. When asked at one point he would consider ceasing team support, he simply replied "why don't you ask your mom."
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