Hello,
September 4th marked the last time I ever slept in my bed at my parents place... I remember that day in 1991, when we left our previous house for the new one.
I remember the last days we were at the old house...
Going over to the park...
My mom cooking in the kitchen...
Eating a calzone hurriedly so we could go to my grandmother's pool.
The times we played Nintendo in the basement...
My mom watching "The Young and the Restless" on the portable television with the channel knob on the side.
Coming home after Christmas Eve...
The sharp television for which either had it on Channel 11 or 13... HRC, IRC, Cable...
A lot of things I remember about the old house.
----
The current house?
I will remember the days we played Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and beyond in the living room...
The days we had the Maurers and the Grabs over.
The family Christmas parties we threw...
The family Thanksgivings...
Everything...
Those days... well, they were great but a new era is beginning.
----
That era is over... It's all over and things will be totally different. It's already different because of the fact that I won't be sleeping in my own bed at my parents place... I'll be sleeping on a futon for a bit until we can get larger bed for my wife and I down the road.
----
Am I sad that this is happening? Yes. But I know that my mom and dad know that their 28-year old has grown up and is ready to start his new life. I kept saying that it was time to push play on life and I will be pushing play on it now.
Things, yes... it just don't feel like it's going to be the same anymore. Waking up in a house that you've barely spent any time in... no internet or anything... it's just going to be different for awhile.
----
November 7th is right around the corner. Am I getting nerve-wrecked? No.
I know that I am marrying a wonderful woman in Joanna. I wrote a great letter to her that will be delivered to her on the wedding day.
I'm looking forward to seeing all of my friends and family there. Looking forward to everything.
----
But it's time to say good-bye to a home I called for 24 years... a home I will still visit from time to time, but... I guess the time is here to begin a new era. It's going to be right goofy going down 295 to 166 to get home.
----
~ Joshua
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Sunday Sermon: Where's our patriotism?
Good Evening,
Picture if you will... where you were on 9/11. Just picture it for a minute.
It was a beautiful morning, not a cloud in the sky, and I was on my way to my 2nd full week at Western Tech High School as a 9th grader. I remember being in American Government class which was very ironic because we were assigned a project (which I didn't do...) in regards to George W. Bush. Class was over at 9:00am, while the attacks were currently ongoing.
Then I remember around 9:05, the morning announcements were done but no mention of the attacks (which was a very smart move by our principal) to try to keep us calm. But something was itching at me that something just didn't seem right. Today felt ok, but something was nudging at me saying: "Hey Josh, something's wrong..."
Something was wrong... The WTC towers in NYC were attacked by Islamic extremists and Osama Bin Laden.
The situation was dire as many people were trapped inside the towers and I knew that a lot of people were going to pass on that day.
Then it got worse... The Pentagon was attacked.
It was a very serious situation that just couldn't seem to get any worse... Then it did when another plane about 80 miles from Pittsburgh was overtaken by the Islamic extremists by retaken by the passengers on the plane but they couldn't stop it and it crashed at 600 mph.
By 12:00pm, my mother was taking no chances and took me out of school. Mom pushed me into the car and told me what happened. We came home and on the television... the same towers I visited back in 8th grade... were gone.
Nearly 3,000 were killed... many were displaced... bodies still haven't been claimed... 9/11 was a complete disaster.
Later that evening, it was silent in the skies... not a plane to be heard... It was deafeningly silent and very scary. The full ground stop grounded all the airplanes.
---
Our patriotism on the days prior were lacking... we didn't have many American flags flying and it was just at all-time lows... We thought that our nation couldn't possibly be attacked... Well, were we ever wrong.
9/11 brought back the great patriotism that America needs to seriously be showing again. What will it take to bring back patriotism in America. I see the American flag being desecrated in so many ways... We're in America, this is the land of the free, and the home of the brave... Why in God's name are we doing such despicable acts with our American flag... Why are so many people getting offended by the flag of our nation?!
Do this in any other country and you will get destroyed like nobody's business!
It's popping up all over social media.
1. I am seeing pictures of people on facebook shoving the flag up their rear end
2. People stepping on the flag
3. People burning the flag.
Come on people, where IS YOUR PATRIOTISM! Do you not understand what this flag means to our nation? Honestly? Do you not understand? Think of all the military men and women who sacrificed THEIR LIVES to SERVE AND PROTECT!!!
What about our firefighters... police officers...? They sacrificed their lives on 9/11 as well! I've had enough of this flag desecration! Why aren't we punishing people for this!?
Fly the flag on 9/11 and every day of the week. Remember, this is the country YOU LIVE IN! Remember all the men and women that have sacrificed THEIR LIVES for that flag.
---
9/11 is also NOT AN ANNIVERSARY... It is a not even considered a federal and public holiday... For which I don't understand. We call it Patriot Day but there's just no federal recognition for it to become a public holiday of sorts.
It is an extremely significant day in our nation's history.
Why are we calling something an anniversary when it was a dark day?
---
I ask everyone, no matter how old or young you were on 9/11, to fly the flag that our forefathers bore and our military defends today.
It is really sad that our flag continues to be ignored as a piece of our history. Not to mention the fact that people are literally being asked to take it down because "IT OFFENDS"
You know what, if someone tells you that the flag offends... Tell them: "Sorry, this is the flag that my country hails... I will not take it down."
---
On this 9/11, 14 years later, remember those who perished... say a prayer for the nation... and hope that this never happens again...
Thank you
~ Joshua
Sunday, August 23, 2015
The Road to November: Reality setting in
Hello,
Have you ever gone to bed thinking what does tomorrow bring? How does the future look...? Is it dark? bleak? Is there a big shining light at the end of the tunnel? Do you just want to turn around and go back the other way?
For me, it's the constant countdown running down to November 7, 2015... It is the day that I am about to be a husband... someone who cares for his wife just like a real husband should.
As a follower of Jesus Christ and his teachings. Jesus Christ taught us many things and Paul elaborated on those teachings in his epistles. Paul said: "Wives, submit to your husbands as you would the lord. He is the head of wife as Christ is the head of the church."
However... in continuing... Paul also states to the husbands: "Love your wife as you would love the LORD."
Joanna and I are going to have a traditional marriage. We both work, have lives, do the housework together, pay the bills, work hard, and we are going to make our marriage last even beyond our olden years together.
We are the last of our families to get married and it does come with some sadness to our mothers and fathers because... this is the last child they are sending out into the world. It is just such a big event.
---
Reality is setting in... I know I won't be the perfect husband but I know darn well I do my very best to be the best husband.
It's really weird to even saying that: "Husband..."
This coming from the guy who didn't think he was going to see the light of marriage... seeing friends see me get married to the one I am giving my heart to permanently...
I didn't think it would happen. I thought I was going to be a single man with no kids going into my 40s and living by myself.
But at 28 years old... I'm just 77 days away from giving my heart to Joanna.
Ever since I've been with Joanna, I've keep knowing more and more that I've made a great decision. I've made new friends, got rid of a lot of rubbish and fakers in my life, people who just want the handout... I've made some incredible strides at work by getting not one but two new jobs...
Changes were coming regardless. I fought hard for a new job and got it... Don't have to work my weekends anymore... I'm spending more time with the LORD in the church... I'm doing everything I can to make my life so much better.
Not to mention I bought a house on my own without any parental help... I purchased my honeymoon without any parental decisions... I'm learning how to do things on my own...
It's time for me to get up, be a man, and take charge of my life... That's exactly what I did.
---
I wrote a very special letter to Joanna that will be delivered on our wedding day in regards to how happy I am to be marrying someone so wonderful and right for me.
---
When I pledged marriage to Joanna with that engagement... Right there, I grew up. Bottom line... and she's been there for me through the best, worst, head-scratching, crazy, and outrageous of times.
And as I learned, it's my job to be there for the best, worst, head-scratching, crazy, and outrageous of times.
---
I pledge to be a good and very valued husband and I will be. I got God on my side and Jesus at the ready patting me on the back.
Brandon, a friend of mine, at Steve's party yesterday said:
"The nerves kick in about an hour before the wedding begins..."
---
~ Joshua
Have you ever gone to bed thinking what does tomorrow bring? How does the future look...? Is it dark? bleak? Is there a big shining light at the end of the tunnel? Do you just want to turn around and go back the other way?
For me, it's the constant countdown running down to November 7, 2015... It is the day that I am about to be a husband... someone who cares for his wife just like a real husband should.
As a follower of Jesus Christ and his teachings. Jesus Christ taught us many things and Paul elaborated on those teachings in his epistles. Paul said: "Wives, submit to your husbands as you would the lord. He is the head of wife as Christ is the head of the church."
However... in continuing... Paul also states to the husbands: "Love your wife as you would love the LORD."
Joanna and I are going to have a traditional marriage. We both work, have lives, do the housework together, pay the bills, work hard, and we are going to make our marriage last even beyond our olden years together.
We are the last of our families to get married and it does come with some sadness to our mothers and fathers because... this is the last child they are sending out into the world. It is just such a big event.
---
Reality is setting in... I know I won't be the perfect husband but I know darn well I do my very best to be the best husband.
It's really weird to even saying that: "Husband..."
This coming from the guy who didn't think he was going to see the light of marriage... seeing friends see me get married to the one I am giving my heart to permanently...
I didn't think it would happen. I thought I was going to be a single man with no kids going into my 40s and living by myself.
But at 28 years old... I'm just 77 days away from giving my heart to Joanna.
Ever since I've been with Joanna, I've keep knowing more and more that I've made a great decision. I've made new friends, got rid of a lot of rubbish and fakers in my life, people who just want the handout... I've made some incredible strides at work by getting not one but two new jobs...
Changes were coming regardless. I fought hard for a new job and got it... Don't have to work my weekends anymore... I'm spending more time with the LORD in the church... I'm doing everything I can to make my life so much better.
Not to mention I bought a house on my own without any parental help... I purchased my honeymoon without any parental decisions... I'm learning how to do things on my own...
It's time for me to get up, be a man, and take charge of my life... That's exactly what I did.
---
I wrote a very special letter to Joanna that will be delivered on our wedding day in regards to how happy I am to be marrying someone so wonderful and right for me.
---
When I pledged marriage to Joanna with that engagement... Right there, I grew up. Bottom line... and she's been there for me through the best, worst, head-scratching, crazy, and outrageous of times.
And as I learned, it's my job to be there for the best, worst, head-scratching, crazy, and outrageous of times.
---
I pledge to be a good and very valued husband and I will be. I got God on my side and Jesus at the ready patting me on the back.
Brandon, a friend of mine, at Steve's party yesterday said:
"The nerves kick in about an hour before the wedding begins..."
---
~ Joshua
Friday, August 21, 2015
A realist Orioles fan...
Hello,
So the O's are having a stretch where they are once again, up and down and still in the run for the playoffs. As I've wanted to be a radio announcer since I was 14, isn't the rule: You have to be objective? And yes, I am being extremely objective and critical.
In 2014, the Orioles won the American League East, making a few band-aid moves, but it worked out because a lot of people didn't understand our strategy. We had a strength of our bullpen, a great D, and we lived and died by the home run. To build upon that great success, I was hoping Dan Duquette would use the money wisely enough to make some moves do so. Instead, he let Nick Markakis walk... he let Nelson Cruz go and he's having great success with Seattle... and now... the O's are up and down and don't know what to do. The O's once again sat on their hands, watched everyone else improve, and teams re-worked their strategies.
Fans say: "But we increased our payroll."
You increased payroll, ok. BUT WHAT IMPROVEMENTS DID YOU MAKE!?!?!? Dan Duquette, you were so distracted by the President and CEO job of the Toronto Blue Jays, that you didn't do a thing!
Folks, I am a Orioles Fan, but there's a thing called: Being a realist.
The pitching this year has let us down badly... We've turned a corner with our D after a questionable first half. We're still free swinging at the ball, just living and dying by the homerun. Might I also state that we also have NO MINOR LEAGUE TALENT younger than 24 READY to come up to the big leagues. We don't have any promising prospects at all! See, my feeling is, if they don't get into the major leagues by 25? They are a career minor leaguer... Our farm system is the OLDEST in professional baseball at 27.8.
Do you guys not understand that the farm system is barren and has no ready talent to come up. Hobgood.... huge bust... Bundy... not even close to being ready, he's oft injured and never ready to go. I gave him time, but I'm running out of patience with him.
I figured some of these guys we had doing really good right now were young and poised and ready to go... Nope, some of them are going into their 30s... Does that not speak any volumes?
I continue to say, we got a lot of questions on our team and understand, our future does not seem to be very bright as Dan Duquette has already stated: WE'RE NOT SPENDING MONEY.
YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO COMPETE AND CONTEND... You have to get the right talent to help the rookies grow up.
---
Fans, if we have enough to carry the team to the postseason. That's fantastic. But anything less than the World Series after being in the ALCS means the season was a failure.
Last year wasn't luck, it was just a lot of strengths we had finally come together.
---
I also ask Adam Jones to stop being such a pathetic prick. Look man, if you say you are the leader you so claim to be then you need to start acting like it and not being so arrogant and uncaring of where this team goes.
---
Losing Markakis was a huge mistake. He was the true leader of the team and spoke when spoken to. He spoke up when he had to. He was the true captain of the team and just did his job. He was very mild-mannered.
---
Fans,
Can you please hear me out? I'm being objective and a realist. I'm not sure if this team has enough left in the tank to get to the postseason... This team is on E... There's no minor league talent ready to come up to help the team... Fans, we may have to face it... there is nothing like in the tank. I hope we have something big come down the stretch, but I don't have a lot of hope for this year or next... Dan Duquette has made it clear that not much is changing next offseason in terms of spending.
Does that not ALARM YOU!? Seriously? Does that not make you a bit fearful about the team's future? This team has no ready prospects and the future is pretty dark.
This is why we need to spend and make signings... it starts this offseason.
~ Joshua
So the O's are having a stretch where they are once again, up and down and still in the run for the playoffs. As I've wanted to be a radio announcer since I was 14, isn't the rule: You have to be objective? And yes, I am being extremely objective and critical.
In 2014, the Orioles won the American League East, making a few band-aid moves, but it worked out because a lot of people didn't understand our strategy. We had a strength of our bullpen, a great D, and we lived and died by the home run. To build upon that great success, I was hoping Dan Duquette would use the money wisely enough to make some moves do so. Instead, he let Nick Markakis walk... he let Nelson Cruz go and he's having great success with Seattle... and now... the O's are up and down and don't know what to do. The O's once again sat on their hands, watched everyone else improve, and teams re-worked their strategies.
Fans say: "But we increased our payroll."
You increased payroll, ok. BUT WHAT IMPROVEMENTS DID YOU MAKE!?!?!? Dan Duquette, you were so distracted by the President and CEO job of the Toronto Blue Jays, that you didn't do a thing!
Folks, I am a Orioles Fan, but there's a thing called: Being a realist.
The pitching this year has let us down badly... We've turned a corner with our D after a questionable first half. We're still free swinging at the ball, just living and dying by the homerun. Might I also state that we also have NO MINOR LEAGUE TALENT younger than 24 READY to come up to the big leagues. We don't have any promising prospects at all! See, my feeling is, if they don't get into the major leagues by 25? They are a career minor leaguer... Our farm system is the OLDEST in professional baseball at 27.8.
Do you guys not understand that the farm system is barren and has no ready talent to come up. Hobgood.... huge bust... Bundy... not even close to being ready, he's oft injured and never ready to go. I gave him time, but I'm running out of patience with him.
I figured some of these guys we had doing really good right now were young and poised and ready to go... Nope, some of them are going into their 30s... Does that not speak any volumes?
I continue to say, we got a lot of questions on our team and understand, our future does not seem to be very bright as Dan Duquette has already stated: WE'RE NOT SPENDING MONEY.
YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO COMPETE AND CONTEND... You have to get the right talent to help the rookies grow up.
---
Fans, if we have enough to carry the team to the postseason. That's fantastic. But anything less than the World Series after being in the ALCS means the season was a failure.
Last year wasn't luck, it was just a lot of strengths we had finally come together.
---
I also ask Adam Jones to stop being such a pathetic prick. Look man, if you say you are the leader you so claim to be then you need to start acting like it and not being so arrogant and uncaring of where this team goes.
---
Losing Markakis was a huge mistake. He was the true leader of the team and spoke when spoken to. He spoke up when he had to. He was the true captain of the team and just did his job. He was very mild-mannered.
---
Fans,
Can you please hear me out? I'm being objective and a realist. I'm not sure if this team has enough left in the tank to get to the postseason... This team is on E... There's no minor league talent ready to come up to help the team... Fans, we may have to face it... there is nothing like in the tank. I hope we have something big come down the stretch, but I don't have a lot of hope for this year or next... Dan Duquette has made it clear that not much is changing next offseason in terms of spending.
Does that not ALARM YOU!? Seriously? Does that not make you a bit fearful about the team's future? This team has no ready prospects and the future is pretty dark.
This is why we need to spend and make signings... it starts this offseason.
~ Joshua
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Sunday Sermon: Fear
Good Evening,
Today in church was a discussion and talk about fear. We all have fears, even superheroes had fears, families have fears, and even Jesus had a fear.
Fear is an incredibly common thing among all the residents of the green Earth. We all have a fear of something.
For me, it's spiders and dogs... I've always had a huge fear of spiders and believe me if I see one on our trip to Cozumel... I'm turning myself around and saying: Uh... No.
My fear of dogs began when I was 2 years old and I was bit. My friend Megan P.'s dog bit me and that hurt. Thanks Megan.
But fear is something that comes with the integrity of our lives and how we play our cards down the road. Fear is something that comes natural with our lives and we're all going to have it.
Phobias come in all shapes and sizes:
Algophobia is the fear of pain.
Bibliophobia is the fear of books.
Catagelophobia is the fear of being ridiculed.
Cynophobia is the fear of dogs.
Doxophobia is the fear of opinions.
Kopophobia is the fear of fatigue.
There's over 40,000 listed phobias. Everyone's got one. Why not make Pittsaphobia... Fear of Pittsburgans... or Ohiaphobia... Fear of Ohioans... Or how about Baltimophobia... Fear of Baltimoreans.
Some you can just make up, some of real, or... some... just don't make sense.
----
Jesus himself, probably had a fear of being alone, that's why he always had his disciples with him as they were his followers.
----
But why am I talking about fear?
Fear is something we have to deal with everyday of our lives and not only that, it's part of who we are.... there are many pieces of us we won't necessarily understand but... fear is what we have to deal with day in and day out.
---
And Jesus, I pray that we can overcome our fears... Fears are difficult... Fears are painful... We either have the fear of seeing some crazy... or seeing a pickle... doesn't matter. Fears are tough... Help us all to overcome the fears and phobias of life each day.
Amen.
~ Joshua
Today in church was a discussion and talk about fear. We all have fears, even superheroes had fears, families have fears, and even Jesus had a fear.
Fear is an incredibly common thing among all the residents of the green Earth. We all have a fear of something.
For me, it's spiders and dogs... I've always had a huge fear of spiders and believe me if I see one on our trip to Cozumel... I'm turning myself around and saying: Uh... No.
My fear of dogs began when I was 2 years old and I was bit. My friend Megan P.'s dog bit me and that hurt. Thanks Megan.
But fear is something that comes with the integrity of our lives and how we play our cards down the road. Fear is something that comes natural with our lives and we're all going to have it.
Phobias come in all shapes and sizes:
Algophobia is the fear of pain.
Bibliophobia is the fear of books.
Catagelophobia is the fear of being ridiculed.
Cynophobia is the fear of dogs.
Doxophobia is the fear of opinions.
Kopophobia is the fear of fatigue.
There's over 40,000 listed phobias. Everyone's got one. Why not make Pittsaphobia... Fear of Pittsburgans... or Ohiaphobia... Fear of Ohioans... Or how about Baltimophobia... Fear of Baltimoreans.
Some you can just make up, some of real, or... some... just don't make sense.
----
Jesus himself, probably had a fear of being alone, that's why he always had his disciples with him as they were his followers.
----
But why am I talking about fear?
Fear is something we have to deal with everyday of our lives and not only that, it's part of who we are.... there are many pieces of us we won't necessarily understand but... fear is what we have to deal with day in and day out.
---
And Jesus, I pray that we can overcome our fears... Fears are difficult... Fears are painful... We either have the fear of seeing some crazy... or seeing a pickle... doesn't matter. Fears are tough... Help us all to overcome the fears and phobias of life each day.
Amen.
~ Joshua
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
End of movie theatres as we know it
Hello all,
Recently, we've seen 3 movie theatre shootings and a question lingering: Is this the end of movie theatres as well know it?
I'm thinking it may just be...
With the advent and dawn of REDBOX, NETFLIX, AMAZON PRIME, and other movie services and with the constant rises in movie ticket and food prices to keep up with profits... I think the decline of the movie theatre is officially here.
Attendance at movie theatres has declined steadily since the advent of movie streaming services. According to some sources, movie theatre attendance is down 20%. People are just not getting up to go to movies anymore nowadays.
January and February are the worst times for new releases due to people not having the money to even go.
People are also afraid of going due to the continued number of shootings going on in theatres. We saw the most major massacre in Colorado with the Century 16 shooting with James E. Holmes.
---
I personally believe this is the proverbial end for movie theatres.
~ Joshua
Recently, we've seen 3 movie theatre shootings and a question lingering: Is this the end of movie theatres as well know it?
I'm thinking it may just be...
With the advent and dawn of REDBOX, NETFLIX, AMAZON PRIME, and other movie services and with the constant rises in movie ticket and food prices to keep up with profits... I think the decline of the movie theatre is officially here.
Attendance at movie theatres has declined steadily since the advent of movie streaming services. According to some sources, movie theatre attendance is down 20%. People are just not getting up to go to movies anymore nowadays.
January and February are the worst times for new releases due to people not having the money to even go.
People are also afraid of going due to the continued number of shootings going on in theatres. We saw the most major massacre in Colorado with the Century 16 shooting with James E. Holmes.
---
I personally believe this is the proverbial end for movie theatres.
~ Joshua
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
From an angry O's fan: Dear Dan...
Dear Dan Duquette,
I've been an Orioles fan since birth and have just about had it with you NOT signing anyone in the offseason and IMPROVING the team. I saw other teams spend big money to sign talent and improve their teams. We again, stood pat at free agency, and signed a shortstop who's doing nothing but committing errors and hitting into double plays. I, as a fan, demand an explanation as to WHY you are not signing anyone.
Our talent in the minor leagues is nowhere near ready. Hunter Harvey is still probably a good 2 to 3 years away, Bundy is showing some signs of regression, our hitters are pretty lackluster at best... Do we have ANY developing and ready made rookies to bring up to the minor leagues? The answer to that is NO.
Did the Blue Jays President and CEO title distract you this season from signing anyone? I think it did. All these free agents and international talent could've been signed. Yasmany Tomas and Rusney Castillo are still in their respective minor league systems with NO PLACE TO PUT THEM.... You could've signed them! YOU HAD MONEY...
I am really glad that the Oriole players are questioning the commitment to winning. Yes we were close to getting to the World Series last year but ran into a very good KC team who outplayed us with their D and hitting... But in order to get to that next stage... You have to make IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TEAM. I don't see Everth Cabrera as an upgrade... I see him as a serious downgrade.
Loads of money to spend and not a dime was spent. I believe the fans are going to start questioning our commitment to winning if nothing is done in the offseason... You can take that to the bank... I'm a very upset fan and tired of seeing the same thing in the offseason: NOTHING DONE...
Personally, I believe it's time to send some players to contenders and start growing our minor league system more with better talent. Start gutting the team and having a fire sale.
RAISING PAYROLL does not mean you improved the team, that just means you are paying more money to players.
Letting Markakis and Cruz go was the worst idea ever. Markakis is still mashing the ball and Cruz has 15 homeruns already. Boy did we lose defense, power, and LEADERSHIP. Markakis is a very quiet leader... Jones is too cocky as a leader...
I want to see some changes next offseason... a lot of changes...
Sunday, May 10, 2015
The sermon about glue
A sermon on Glue:
GLUE: A hard, impure, protein gelatin that is an adhesive or bonding agent.
Useful for pretty much everything.
--
Why are we talking about glue? Because glue is a bond... a bond that is tight... a tightness keeps it together. Sure glue will wear off and make things fall apart if not properly sealed but you can easily fix that.
--
Thursday was a night that put a lot of things in perspective for me and why it is time to fix fences and make them stronger than ever.
Thursday was a wake-up call that sounded an alarm to me. It also made me realize that I was harming myself as well in more ways than ever.
Thursday was a divine example of why animosity must stop and why family is more important than ever in this time of worry and fear.
Thursday was a time for me to be that bond that held things together and I mercifully succeeded.
Saturday was a day of healing and atonement for past failures and mistakes.
Saturday was a day to end the past.
Saturday was a day to end the war.
Saturday was a day to normalize things and guess what. I did just that.
Family is the most important thing on this planet and no one is perfect. But someone in the family has got to rise up and say: I'm taking matters into my own hands and being the bigger person. I can honestly say, I've become the glue.
Glue is a bond that hold things together. An model of something can be broken but fixed with something. A broken chair can be fixed with glue. But I realized more and more that I was becoming that.
I also realized that I am forming tighter bonds with my fiance's family. I was accepted almost instantly.
---
I found out that Kaylyn, one of my friends from high school, and also working at my place of business is getting married on the same day as me.
Her and I made a pact that we were going to send each other good luck messages on the night before our respective wedding. Kaylyn loved the idea.
That's glue right there.
Liz and I have a strong bond between us and its gotten even better in the short period that I've talked to her. It proved to me that I am normalizing things and fixing the problem
That's glue right there.
Building better relations... It takes work but if you can be THAT glue that holds the bond together, you did yourself a huge favor.
---
Today was the start of that new glue and bond. I hope that you can find it in your hearts to be the bigger person, mend fences, restart relations, and be the glue that hold things together.
---
Some food for thought: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
Christ strengthens us through prayer and his word. Jesus was definitely a family man. His disciples were his family along with his mother Mary and father Joseph. He was a very strong bond that held the team together.
He was the reason that his disciples stayed noble to him through his words, parables, sermons, and miracles.
---
Remember, glue is a bond, be that bond, fix the relations, mend the fences, and begin anew as it is time.
I did it... Can you.
---
And now may the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus, amen.
---
God bless you,
Joshua
Friday, April 10, 2015
I'm a O's fan but a realist
Hello,
Baseball season is in full swing and once again, the O's failed to sign anyone to bring mystique, intrigue, and fun to this team. It was evident in spring training when we went 11-18 and hit a paltry .229 as a team. Cabrera wasn't really a signing, that was a band aid.
As an O's fan, I've seen 3 Division Titles, 14 straight losing seasons, and 2 AL East Championships.
But I also see in the last 2 seasons, we have not really committed ourselves to thinking in the long-term. Whereas, I'm very happy this team didn't give up the farm, I'm also realizing that the talent we have in the farm system is not even CLOSE to major-league ready. Our drafts have been so poor in recent memory (Rowell, Hobgood, just to name a few) that we've tended to pick up washed up talent or players that just fizzle out in a few years. The MLB draft is very hard to pick great players by but still we have no developed talent.
I question the commitment myself as do the players.
As a fan, I want to be WOWED by the season's signings in the offseason saying: "Hey this just may be our year. This team made some big moves and... it just may be OUR YEAR"
Instead this year: I was not excited for opening day in Tampa Bay. I saw the same exact team from last year minus Markakis and Cruz. I saw nothing that made me excited.
The 6-2 win the team had on Opening Day was basically chump change because the team always seems to get a W on Opening Day, it's been a long time since this team lost on an opening day.
I'm very critical of Peter Angelos and his meddling ways. There was lots of great free agent talent out there we could've used to upgrade the team, instead, he commits nothing.
If you are going to have a consistent winning base and get the fans to return, YOU HAVE TO PUT A GOOD PRODUCT ON THE FIELD!!!! Fans pay good money for a good product to see teams win a championship. The team made over $100 million last year and we can't spend a dime!? Come on!
As a fan of the team, the goal is to buy the players, make the product better, and bring the fans back. The fans have been coming back but seeing this, the fans are going to start thinking twice about going to games because the O's don't have a long term commitment to many players.
Raising payroll doesn't mean you made a signing, it just means you spent money on the existing team. Hardy, Davis, and Jones had EVERY RIGHT to question the commitment of the franchise. They want to be a winning team.
As one who wants to work in radio. I'm told I am not critical enough. Well guess what, this was extreme criticism.
I'm very critical of the owner of the franchise who's only care in the world is to make money and not put a franchise out there for winning.
He reminds me of Hugh Culverhouse, who ran the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for several years and he was criticized for being a cheapskate. He blackballed Doug Williams, a quarterback who would win a Super Bowl with the Redskins, by giving him a $400,000 contract when he asked for $600,000. His idea of a good product was watching his team win just a meager 30% of their games while he owned the team with 14 consecutive LOSING SEASONS which included a 0-26 beginning. He believed that his business should be profitable and which it should but you also need to remind yourself that hey, the fans want to win, so I am committed to putting a great product on the field.
The O's have not done that since 2005 (When we spent over $150 million in free agents). We managed a playoff bid in '12 and '14 but seeing what I am seeing now, I'm not seeing a long-term commitment to winning.
This team could've signed some moves that brought an upgrade or two to this franchise and made sure the fans were happy.
Fans are not happy right now, I for one am NOT a happy fan because this team did not greenlight spending. We lost players left and right and made no moves.
So I say this:
If the O's are committed to winning... You go out there, you find the talent, you spend the money, you bring them here. When you bring the player here, it brings the mystique, intrigue, and hope of a great season. You want to park the fans in the seats and get them excited for a great season.
I don't see an AL East Championship. I see a 4th place finish.
Sorry, but that's being a realist and that's being critical. You wanted me to be critical. Guess what, I just was.
Baseball season is in full swing and once again, the O's failed to sign anyone to bring mystique, intrigue, and fun to this team. It was evident in spring training when we went 11-18 and hit a paltry .229 as a team. Cabrera wasn't really a signing, that was a band aid.
As an O's fan, I've seen 3 Division Titles, 14 straight losing seasons, and 2 AL East Championships.
But I also see in the last 2 seasons, we have not really committed ourselves to thinking in the long-term. Whereas, I'm very happy this team didn't give up the farm, I'm also realizing that the talent we have in the farm system is not even CLOSE to major-league ready. Our drafts have been so poor in recent memory (Rowell, Hobgood, just to name a few) that we've tended to pick up washed up talent or players that just fizzle out in a few years. The MLB draft is very hard to pick great players by but still we have no developed talent.
I question the commitment myself as do the players.
As a fan, I want to be WOWED by the season's signings in the offseason saying: "Hey this just may be our year. This team made some big moves and... it just may be OUR YEAR"
Instead this year: I was not excited for opening day in Tampa Bay. I saw the same exact team from last year minus Markakis and Cruz. I saw nothing that made me excited.
The 6-2 win the team had on Opening Day was basically chump change because the team always seems to get a W on Opening Day, it's been a long time since this team lost on an opening day.
I'm very critical of Peter Angelos and his meddling ways. There was lots of great free agent talent out there we could've used to upgrade the team, instead, he commits nothing.
If you are going to have a consistent winning base and get the fans to return, YOU HAVE TO PUT A GOOD PRODUCT ON THE FIELD!!!! Fans pay good money for a good product to see teams win a championship. The team made over $100 million last year and we can't spend a dime!? Come on!
As a fan of the team, the goal is to buy the players, make the product better, and bring the fans back. The fans have been coming back but seeing this, the fans are going to start thinking twice about going to games because the O's don't have a long term commitment to many players.
Raising payroll doesn't mean you made a signing, it just means you spent money on the existing team. Hardy, Davis, and Jones had EVERY RIGHT to question the commitment of the franchise. They want to be a winning team.
As one who wants to work in radio. I'm told I am not critical enough. Well guess what, this was extreme criticism.
I'm very critical of the owner of the franchise who's only care in the world is to make money and not put a franchise out there for winning.
He reminds me of Hugh Culverhouse, who ran the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for several years and he was criticized for being a cheapskate. He blackballed Doug Williams, a quarterback who would win a Super Bowl with the Redskins, by giving him a $400,000 contract when he asked for $600,000. His idea of a good product was watching his team win just a meager 30% of their games while he owned the team with 14 consecutive LOSING SEASONS which included a 0-26 beginning. He believed that his business should be profitable and which it should but you also need to remind yourself that hey, the fans want to win, so I am committed to putting a great product on the field.
The O's have not done that since 2005 (When we spent over $150 million in free agents). We managed a playoff bid in '12 and '14 but seeing what I am seeing now, I'm not seeing a long-term commitment to winning.
This team could've signed some moves that brought an upgrade or two to this franchise and made sure the fans were happy.
Fans are not happy right now, I for one am NOT a happy fan because this team did not greenlight spending. We lost players left and right and made no moves.
So I say this:
If the O's are committed to winning... You go out there, you find the talent, you spend the money, you bring them here. When you bring the player here, it brings the mystique, intrigue, and hope of a great season. You want to park the fans in the seats and get them excited for a great season.
I don't see an AL East Championship. I see a 4th place finish.
Sorry, but that's being a realist and that's being critical. You wanted me to be critical. Guess what, I just was.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Were you there?
Hello,
On this Good Friday, we remember Jesus's death and his passion. We remember how he gave up his life to save ours and we pray for his church.
Yesterday, 147 members of a Christian church were murdered because they believed in Jesus. Murdered just because they believed in Jesus. Where have we gone wrong? What did we do that deserves our execution?
Christ was obedient to death and he gave up his life for our sins and transgressions.
And yet today, just saying you're a Christian earns you scorn, rebuke... Many things involving Easter or Christmas have been torn down because ACLU whines, complains, and gets their way... Yet... nothing is said about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Jewish Holidays, and Muslim Holidays... Because according to the ACLU, they are not religions, they are more CULTURES.
Christianity isn't a culture? Oh, we're just a religion... We just believe the man who created this Earth and the galaxies among us.
You haven't really been hearing a lot of stories about the Christian Crusades... You've been hearing more about the Christian Cleansing from muslim-dominated nations by ISIL. ISIL has claimed the lives of more than 6.8 million Christians.
Sure Christians aren't perfect, but I never hear a word about us making a crusade against Muslim-dominated countries and Judaism. No way, we are attempting to coexist.
In the last 250 years, according to many sources, over 203 million Christians have been killed or executed for their beliefs. Why? What did we do.
---
Take Pilate for example... He was trying to save Jesus from Capital Punishment but he had to give in what the chief priests wanted him to do.
However, his wife said: "HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS RIGHTEOUS MAN!"
He probably felt really bad that he even put him to death because he just didn't listen to that little voice in his head saying: "Hey, don't do it."
---
Today, we mark the death of our Lord and Savior...
Let us mourn his death and be joyful of his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
---
Thank you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)