Being a Christian, my main and really my only true goal in life is to please my Creator. I love the Lord with all of my heart. And yet I let him down so often, in so many ways. I struggle with many things, anger, hatred, lying. But I think the one that really gets out of control in my life is lust. 

The Bible says Mat. 5: 27-29 "You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not commit adultery”, But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye, even if it is your good eye, causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

This is part of what I don't understand. I am supposed to be attracted to the opposite sex, marry one and stay with them for the rest of your life. Then after the 'honeymoon' is over, the fall out begins. The youthful passion, the flirtations, the suggestive glances go away and all the busyness of life takes over and you just become two people living together. 

But that physical attraction to the opposite sex is still there and if your not 'getting any' the desires are even stronger. 

This is a vicious cycle. I love my wife so much and I don't blame her. I know I have gained a lot of weight, grown hair in places that aren't normal and complain about the aches and pains of this 'earth suit'. What she saw in me so many years ago has almost completely disappeared. And my romantic expressions have become questions like, "How 'bout tonight"? 

I know that I am a different person than I was then and she has changed too, but I still see her beauty and sensuality. She still turns me on and turns my head. I want it to be like when we were crazy kids, all over each other. I seemed to know what to do to effect her and interest her. Now I have no clue. I annoy her more than anything. 

I know this happens in many marriages,  and some people grow old like that. I saw my Grandparents like that until a new love grew in them. When my Grandma got Alzheimer’s disease, My Grandpa loved and cared for her in a new way and with a renewed spark. That's the way we should always love. Not worried about how messed up the other persons hair is or that their body has picked up a few extra pounds (in my case many). But the beauty of the other person inside and not just the outside.

Bringing me back to my main topic, Lust. The images on TV, magazines and advertisements are all perceived notions of that person. They look all glamorous and sexy, but we don't know anything about them. This is especially hard for us guys, we are so visual. But that is no excuse to sin!

Why doesn't God want us to lust. Because that thing turns our wants and desires away from Him, and His wants for us. We make that thing more important to us than him. 

The Bible says "He must increase, but I must decrease". This life is not about what I want. It is a test to see if we really love Him with everything. Not my will but yours Lord. Help me keep my eyes on you!

The more we give into our lusts, the more the Holy Spirit will lift away from us. He will not dwell in an unclean temple. But He does forgive. I just don't want to keep putting him back on the cross.  

Heb 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

And 

Romans 6:4-12 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His (Jesus’) death, certainly we also shall be [in the likeness] of [His] resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For [the death] that He died, He died to sin once for all; but [the life] that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

We must shift our focus from our selfish desire to Christ. This is so hard with all the distractions but Phillipians 4: 8 says: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

Family tree

It is so sad how quickly I forget things. I no longer have any grandparents on my side and when my wife asked me my dad's mom's maiden name I couldn't remember to save my life. I knew if I heard it I would remember. So now I want to make note somewhere to there names and what I remember about them.

My Father: Merle Jay Plotner died on March 22, 1981 of heart complications at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus. He was the pastor at Marengo and Sparta Methodist Church (parish). We had only been in Marengo for about 2 years before he passed. During that time dad became very well known. He received his doctorate degree from Asbury Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware Ohio. He was much smarter than I will ever be. He had a true passion for the Lord and for leading others to Christ. I know that my dad would have just adored my daughters and wish he could have met them here on earth. But they will meet him some day. One of my last memories of dad was when me and a friend of mine came into the house and didn't see dad's car so we didn't know he was home and I said a bad word. All I heard was "TIM, Could you please come here a minute." of course to save my hide, I denied it. But he knew what I said. Before becoming a pastor he worked at HPM in Mt. Gilead. I remember that he talked about knowing God was calling him to the ministry. As a Methodist pastor, he had to move were ever they needed him. I know he started out in Chesterhill Ohio, were I was born. The only memory I have of that place was sleeping in Kindergarten class on the little mats and I remember when a big barn burnt down just across the street from where we lived. I remember cause I asked someone what the smell was and they said it was the cows that were stuck in the barn. At the time I was grossed out, Now I'm thinking BAR-B-QUE! The next place was Cadiz, Ohio. I have some great memories of that place and some really bad ones. I remember being a little reluctant to move from there but because of being hurt by who I thought was a really close friend I was ready to move.

Though, I am glad where the Lord has brought me, I would have loved to have had dad around today. My mom, Donna Plotner, still living (Thank God) is a very strong women. She was a solid example during the time of my dad's passing. Of course there were many tears but mom knew living in a parsonage at the time that we would need to move out very soon. Like his death wasn't enough. But mom kept positive and God opened the opportunity of land by my grandparents and she put a double wide on that property. Many people helped us at that time and it restored some of my trust in my fellow man. I was also happy because it was a lot closer to a girl I liked. Nothing happened there but you know how young boys are. Later my grandparents put another double wide right next to my mom's due to health reasons it put them as close as possible to her.

My dad's parents were Frank and Mable (Whipple) Plotner. They used to live near were my mom put her double wide but they had an old house on the hill. I remember when we would go to there house they didn't really have many cool toys. They would use things like wood blocks and stones. Grandma would give us a dish with dish soap and water and a wooden spool to blow bubbles in. Though now it seems primitive but we didn't think much about it at the time. Grandpa Plotner was a double amputee due to having some disease that took his legs when he was still quite young. The man was amazing though. He still drove a car (it was all push button controls) with just one leg that was taken below his knee. He also would mow his own lawn, plant his own flowers and refinished furniture. He played a air pump organ that you would normally pump with foot pedals, but he hooked it up to a vacuum motor and could play without using the pedals. The man was a genius! Wish I could have an ounce of is ingenuity!!! I also remember going to visit them at there Cardington home on the corner of Boundry and Water Streets. We would sip Ice tea or lemonade and sing around the pump organ. One of grandpas favorite songs was "What a friend we have in Jesus". Also we would sit out on the front porch on there slider rocker and watch the weirdos in Cardington go by. Fun!

Grandma Plotner went to the elderly assisted living place on Baker St. in Mt. Gilead not long after finding out she had Alzheimer's disease. She passed away around 1994 and did get to meet my daughter Sarah before she died.

My Mom's parents I felt somewhat closer to, mostly because they were around longer. Grandpa Kunze went by Paul Kunze but his real name was Edgar Paul Kunze. Another strong man of God that was a stern but loving person. I know when my mom was young, they were very disciplinary, but as they got older much more laid back and easy going. I have so many memories of them. Especially when they had the house at Candlewood lake. We would all go out on the pontoon boat and fish off the side. Grandpa would fillet the fish when we brought them in and Grandma would cook it up for us. I also think I remember them more because of all of the family get togethers we would have.

Grandma Kunze also had Alzheimer's decease and Grandpa took such good care of her, My mom too. You could see it was a lot for Grandpa to handle. I will never forget when he passed away was 2-3 days after the 9/11/01 attack on the World Trade Center. I remember when Grandpa was getting bad and we were all there watching TV. Grandpa kept saying, "What is this world coming to?". I think it took a lot from him too. Grandma was put in the nursing home in Chesterville were she lasted a couple years after that.

Grandpa and Grandma (Francis Yoakum) Kunze used to live up by Johnsville Ohio. They had a farm up there a long time back and I remember helping on the dairy farm, playing in the barn and the smell of the silage (cow food).

I will probably add to this later but just wanted a place to store these memories.

SEE YA

Why serve God, Where is He?

Mal 3:13 - 18 says:
"You have said terrible things about me," says the Lord. "But you say, `What do you mean? How have we spoken against you?'
"You have said, `What's the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord Almighty that we are sorry for our sins?
From now on we will say, "Blessed are the arrogant." For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.' "
Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.
"They will be my people," says the Lord Almighty. "On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child.
Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."

This is also true when we say that something can't happen, like God can't save my marriage or can save a person that is lost, no matter how much of a heathen they may be. Our God is able to do anything we ask him for. But why do we get complacent and give up? Because we pray selfishly and expecting it to happen 2 minutes after we pray. If we trust the Lord, we need to be strong and have the patiences to know it will happen in his timing. I have said this to people before and they say well, if you wait long enough anything can happen. I like it... that's a good faith statement. And I am sure they mean happen on its own. But to God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. God will do what needs to be done in his timing. Some people say well why pray then, if the Lord already knows what you need then why should we have to ask. Well first because he wants us to trust him like the ultimate father. Second, he wants us to speak out what we need, many times the stuff we ask for isn't really what we need and if we are speaking it outloud maybe we will realize how rediculous it is. If what we need is for real, he knows and he will help us.... Trust him!

Well why does God let bad things happen. God does not stop life from happening, the world is set in motion, not to say he couldn't intervene but that's another reason why we should pray. We don't know what all he intends for us and what we think is right may not be. I am going through a situation with my job that I know I am not the best fit for this position. But I keep doing my very best and if it is not enough, God will help me. In due time he will get me into the right position. But I have to be flexable and willing to change... God help me!!

I keep seeing people around me that have nothing to do with God and the keep prospering. Yet why do God's people struggle and have to suffer with so much stuff? I believe the struggle is helping us grow and learn and be strong. And our reward is not here on this earth, our reward is not temperal... it is eternal!!

Plus Psalm 73 says :

A psalm of Asaph.

Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. (Amen brother!)
For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
They seem to live such a painless life; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
They aren't troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else.
They wear pride like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty.
These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
"Does God realize what is going on?" they ask. "Is the Most High even aware of what is happening?"
Look at these arrogant people- enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong?
All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
If I had really spoken this way, I would have been a traitor to your people.
So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked.
Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
In an instant they are destroyed, swept away by terrors.
Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When you arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life.
Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen.
I was so foolish and ignorant- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand.
You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.


Psalm 91: 1 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Mat 6: 6 - But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

Seek his face and not his hand! Who he is and not what he can do for you....... He will reveal himself to you!

Throw the bums out!

I, for now, am probably alone in this fight, although I think like minded people are starting to come on board. But I am so ready to have a revolution. To get rid of every congressman, senator and, oh yeah, especially the president. These people make me sick. Every word out of there mouths are lies. It becomes shocking when they tell the truth. 

 

You know, you can hate George W. Bush all you want. Call him a simpleton and say he can't put two words together to form a sentence. But when that man said something you knew it was truly the way he felt and was convicted... I would take that over the sniveling, spineless, alarmist worrywarts we have in politics now. I am truly concerned that Obamamania is going to really screw up this awesome nation. 

 

I know though that we (believers) have a big God we can trust in. He will never let us down. Just remember that Job, Joseph, Shadrak, Mishak and Abendigo all had to go all the way through the hardship to get to were God wanted them. Sometimes it got too hot for some to be able to take it, but God always will help us through. Just when it looked the worst for these people, is when their breakthrough started happening. 

 

I work at a job that is just so stressful. But I know there will be other opportunities that God will send my way. It is my responsibility to keep trusting him no matter what circumstances come my way. He is still worthy of all praise. 

 

Christians, please keep praying for the people in control of how they spend our money, that they will have wisdom and not waste it!

THE WEATHER

Really, 3 degrees, that’s what the temp was last night where we live. You know, I have a hard time with my back and knees when it gets to less than 40 degrees, but 3? Wow.. Also, my last post was about global warming......... RIGHT!!! I wished. I mean, most people who believe that stuff are looking for a cause, something to believe in, that is their god. And the bible talks about the natural disasters that will happen in the last days. Like anyone is really going to stop what God already has said is going to happen. But people are so educated in the worldly things they can't see the things of God. Many of them say they are Christians, but deny the power of God.

Sorry, I got a little off of my original topic, the weather. I do agree that every once in a while it is kinda pretty in the winter, but also kinda bland. I mean, brown and white, that’s all you get. I do love spring, summer and fall. Even though I usually have horrible allergies, but I would rather suffer a little with allergies. Where as in the winter I usually get sinus infections and have to keep putting spray in my nose. Also in the my favorite 3 seasons, I love to go for walks, jogging and used to go bicycling. Of course in the winter we are stuck inside. I absolutely hate that. I know I am complaining a lot, but just telling the truth.

I feel alone in this whole ordeal. My wife and two girls seem to love the winter, but I am the one that has to shovel the driveway (although my girls did help the other day, thank you very much!) drive 45 miles to work and keep the cars running during this time. What do they have to do? Nothing, just look out the window and take in the winter wonderland. I also don't understand when they have a snow day and are at home and when I come in there is a sink full of dishes and laundry to be done and general messes everywhere. What do you do all day if you are stuck inside of the house? ah, television! I feel like taking the tube and throwing it into the trash sometimes! But I guess I am out numbered. I enjoy tv also but come on not all day......

I just don't understand people that love this weather, how do you breathe? Doesn’t it hurt your bones or am I just a mess? more sickness in the winter, accidents on the road, people falling on the ice..... I could go on and on! But all because of the white stuff on the brown trees or the ice glistening in the sun. Not enough for me to want to stay in this mess!

But again I am out voted! I know this sounds so selfish. But I believe we were made to live in warmer climates, at least some of us! So sorry if I am a little more grumpy in the winter please understand and approach with caution!

Global Warming, Really!?

I know this topic sets some people off and they are very passionate about it. I often wonder why. In searching deeper and looking at the real reason, you would have to look at the agenda. Their agenda is control. If they can get enough people to believe that the earth is “sick”, as AlGore puts it, the more people will be sold on the idea that everyone has to buy electric cars, low energy light bulbs and solar panels for every house. Now, I’m not against these things, but I don’t want someone telling me or anyone else that we have to buy them so we can ‘save the world’. Are we so arrogant to believe that we can do anything to change what God has intended for us. Instead of what we consume physically, we should pay more attention to what we consume spiritually. I believe we are bringing the end of all things quicker when we reject what God wants for us.(Rom. 13:4) In doing so we are denying His spirit, or resisting the spirit 1 Thes. 5:19. Yes, God wishes that all come to the knowledge of the truth and that no one should perish 2 Peter 3:9. The Bible also explains how time is shortening as we near the end Mat.24:22 We are in a time when good is considered evil and evil good. Where musicians glorify everything including homosexuality, rape and using drugs. But nearly every commercial and news report is touting the urgency to go ‘green’. We should be more concerned with morality or the lack of it.. We as Christians need to stand up and speak the truth in love. We need to show people how ridiculous the thought of global warming is. I’m not saying there aren’t warming and cooling periods on the earth. I mean more than just seasonal changes, It has been proven approximately 25-30 years ago that there was a cooling concern, then a swing back to warming and now we seem to be swinging back to cooling. The earth has done this since there has been recorded history. But people have such a short memory that all they see is what is happening now. Although these are the same people that have enough faith to believe that the earth and universe were created by accident but not enough faith to believe it was by an intelligent designer.

When people are so consumed in there own wants and desires they start feeling somewhat guilty and feel like they need to help fellow man by saving the environment. This is their distorted version of a conscience. But if they look around at God's creation and the evidence of his existence then surrender their lives to him the scales will lift from there eyes. They will be able to recognize their sin and repent, turn away from wrong instead of just trying to do more good than bad. That will save no one!

I am so tired of seeing how God, the bible and convictions are being removed from our schools, homes and even many churches, let alone politics. (see my next blog 'separation of church/state) When most politicians say "God bless you", they are saying it for their benefit not truly meaning it, or believing it. How do I know this? Look at their lives and see how they are living. Hey, I know, we all make mistakes and mess up, but we as Christians need to have our focus on eternity and not what advancements we can make here. Again, don't misunderstand, I am not saying advancements and better jobs or promotions are bad, we should always do our best. But, we shouldn't make that our focus.

I am seeing more and more the signs of the end times. (Yes, I'm one of those people who really believe what the Bible says!) One day soon I believe God will crack the sky open and come down with a shout and draw his people to him. Black, white, American, Asian, new Christians and veterans of the faith alike, he does not discriminate. The only thing he discriminates against is SIN!

If you are not ready, get ready! Call on the Lord... Those who call upon the Lord will be saved! Trust in him with everything. Read his word and apply it to your life. Repent from sin, turn away from anything you may think is not of God!

The Lord loves you enough to have delayed his return this long, don't make him wait any longer, for no one knows the day or hour of his return!

God bless!

Happiness? What/Where is it?

I work for a really good company that keeps hiring even during the employment struggles that are happening now. So I am thankful for my job, but I am really struggling every day to get up and go to work. I'm not sure if it's because I am a data tech coordinator, which means glorified customer service rep and the job is so stressful, or if it is because I have been doing customer service type jobs for almost 20 years now. I am a christian, but this job has made me have an angst for people. I know, not a very Christ like quality.... I do still have compassion for many people, Like that little old person who is really trying to get into today's technology but has never touched a computer before. Then they buy a computer and wireless card and all the accessories to go with it. Then they call me to help set it up.... yeah, you know that's gonna be about a 2 hour call. But what I really can't stand are the executives that call you and think they know more about the service that we sold them than we do. It may not even be the customer service thing that I am hating. I wouldn't mind it so much, I think, If at the end of the day I could like go to a beach and it be 75 degrees out and just veg for a while before going home and going though the routine. But even if not that, if I had a place in my house that didn't have a TV and could have some mood music(jazz) and dim lighting and maybe a trickling of water, like a fountain or something, I don't know. I love my family and all, but I don't think they understand what I go through everyday. I know, almost everyone says that about their jobs, but it is really getting old!

How do people do it, Love there jobs and still make money? I mean, I've always said it, If someone would pay me to be a beach bum, that would be awesome. But haven't seen that one in the paper lately. I know I made some really stupid mistakes when I was younger that I am still paying for today. The biggest one I'm sure was: because of my dad, a Methodist pastor, passing away, I had a FULL ride at a four year college scholarship. I started it, but only got about two semesters in when someone told me about a job at a large telecom company. I thought, why have a degree in 4 years when I can have a great job now. DUMB! Now I am stuck in this type of a job. I know, I know, always look at the positive right? And I do appreciate the job security. But I need a job I can be passionate about, or own my own business. But in this economy and with the tax and spend liberals about to take over the White House, congress and senate, I don't think it is good timing.

I have really been praying about this a lot lately and I believe God keeps taking me back to the people in the Bible like Paul. That man was persecuted, tortured, jailed, ship wretched and left for dead. And he never gave up. I know, he was face to face with the Son of the Living God.. but, that's still a lot of stuff to go through. I also see God saying I am on my own personal mission at my work and in the places I go to every day. I too have seen God, well at least the awesome things he has done. I have no doubt who God is and where he is. I feel his spirit living in me every day. I know I am a big baby, but tears are welling up right now as I type this because I feel his very presence every time I think of Him or praise his name or sing about Him. No one can take away my experience or tell me what I feel is just gas or something. Or that it is just a physical reaction to something that I have created in my own head. I Know what I know is truth! I trust in my God. I know he will help me. I also know it will be in his perfect time, not in mine. God has a great plan for me. Yes, I hope it is near a tropical climate, but if it is in Greenland, I will go there to. And if it is in my back yard, I will stay here and do what I am doing with a song of praise in my breaking heart.

My wife is a saint. She always has to put up with my complaints about the job, the climate, my aching bones and back and on and on and on.... She has finally said that when our children who are now 12 and 17 go out on their own, we can move to a better climate. But my kids want grandparents close for their kids too. I need to not be so selfish and do the right thing for them. I need to make my focus Heaven and not Florida. Heaven will be so much better and more permanent. My hope and happiness is in the Lord and what he has for me. I place my trust in Him!

Thank you God!

My baby!?

I am the father of a 17 year old daughter as of today. This may seem like no big deal to most people but to me it seems like just yesterday I was holding this being in one arm and admiring her tiny lips, her sparkling eyes and her miniature fingers. I know 17 years is a long time, but it goes so fast. I am also freaking out that in a couple of years she will probably be out on her own and doing her own thing. My hope and prayer is that we have instilled the godly values that she will need to do the right things and make the best decisions in all situations. She has already impressed me in how she handles herself and how she cares about everyone around her. My children go to a Christian school and I always wondered if we were sheltering them too much. But I know she has seen enough in my and my wife’s extended families and other friends that she is learning about what goes on out there. I pray also that she doesn't do what I had to do. That was sink to my lowest depth before I was able to surrender to the Lord. I know she is much smarter and has a much better relationship with God than I did at her age.

Some people say, you should not put your child in a Christian school because it is one sided and what if they never learn about the other options out there. I guess if I didn't know for sure that Jesus is Lord, I might worry about that. But why would I want to teach them any less than the unmistakable truth? God has confirmed his awesome sovereignty to me over and over again. All I have to do now is think about where I was and what I came through and know it took an omnipotent Creator to work out this mess!

She has done so many great things, she was in a pagent, danced in many competitions and writes for the school newspaper. Out of everything, what impresses me the most is her passion for justice and expression of compassion and forgiveness. She truly has numerous Christ like atributes. There is nothing greater than this!!!

Thank you God for this special gift!

Buckeyes 2008-2009

Well, that's it, we almost pulled out an upset against Texas. I could go on about how horrible the calls were and missed tackles and poor assignments and not reading plays. But if you go back to the beginning of the season and remember some of the struggles, we actually had a great year. More importantly than winning every game, I saw some great things not just on the field. I think the leadership has been very upstanding.

It makes me think about one day while driving to work I was trying to think of a really good gift to give my daughter's softball coach. Then it happened, on the radio they said the Jim Tressel was going to be at Lifeway Christian Bookstore. I was just about to pass the exit for Lifeway and the lightbulb came on. I could call in and get the day off and go to the store and get his autograph and give the book to her coach. The day was available, got it off and went to the store. A lady was walking up to the building so I stopped and asked her when the book signing was starting. She said the tickets would be handed out at 9:00am then the signing would start at 3pm sharp. And without a ticket you couldn't get a 'signed' book. So I sat in my car and waited, while waiting I thought to myself, 'hey, I've been wondering what to get for the school auction that my daughters' school would have in November, I think I just killed two birds with one stone.' So I waited in the car accross the street and took a little nap. Around 8:30 am, I went up to the front of the store and already there were about 8-10 people in line. Oh well, I grabbed my folding chair and plopped my butt down. It was kind of interesting, I started a conversation with the guy in line in front of me and he said he was a Michigan fan. Of course, everyone started giving him a hard time, just in fun. He said his wife is a Buckeye fan but he was there for a close friend's birthday gift. Not long after a couple sat down behind me and of course I included them in the ribbing of the Michigander. But while talking to them I found out they lived just a short distance from where I live and when I got home and talked to my wife about it she said she new him from a business meeting. Thought that was cool!

So when I got in I ended up being #15 which I wasn't sure how, but I guess some of the people in the store took the first few spots. So got my ticket and had almost five hours to wait till the BIG SIGNING! So, I walked around the Polaris mall, I mean walked around it. In other words outside the mall, all the way on the outside of the mall service road. I figured it was at least 1-2 miles of walking. I went inside the 'air conditioned' mall to cool off some. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle. Then went to the Lifeway store and they had it roped off and we were to get into a line by number. I was in there by 2:15p just to be safe and I was glad I got there early, Tressel got there at about 2:45. I didn't have a camera but of course had my cell phone. Being a PDA, the friends I had made in line were a little coy about taking a picture with it. I agreed to take a picture with their camera of them if they would take one for me. They agreed and hence both got a pretty good pic of 'the man'. I also shook Tressel's hand and said I really appreciated all he has done for the Ohio State image. He reluctantly thanked me and signed the books and I was on my way.

The next day was my daughter's last game of the season and I got the book wrapped and ready so that at the end of the game I could give it to the coach. I decided to let my daughter give it to him. When he opened it, his jaw dropped and I think I saw a little tear in his eye. It was an awesome scene...

Then jump to Novemeber at the School auction, the book there sold for $65. I paid about $12. That was a pretty good investment. I wasn't out though, I went ahead and bought a third one while I was at the store for Muah......

The book is called 'The winners manual for life'. It speaks of much more than winning ball games but how to handle life issues. It is a good suggestion of how to have a good attitude, faith, and focus on the posiblilities. I believe it has had a good effect on many of the players. For example 3 of the most valuable players Robisky, Larenitous and Pryor started wearing the black eye paint but at the end of the season they were putting scripture in the face paint. The first time I saw this I was just elated... Also, this year there wern't as many players arrested for stupid stuff. And the overall attitude is much better. That is so much more important than always winning.

Thanks Tress!