School is back in session and I am taking a fantastic class "Biblical Discipleship" It is an excellent class on how to Be a disciple, make a disciple and change the world.

Today our professor told us we all need to be FATTER...

Faithful
Available
Thankful
Teachable
Enthusiastic
Respectful

It is really something we should strive to become.

Life has gotten me down lately. I am normally a very positive person. I don't let my physical disability get me down but the last two weeks or so I can't help it. It has gotten to the point where I can't lift a glass of Coke to my mouth, I can't grip the remote (which if you know me is terrible) and besides classes, I am mostly homebound. My arms are too weak to drive any distance of substance so I am stuck at home, studying or resting. I have been physically exhausted and sleep most of the day away.

Be Quiet Dave!!! I gotta tell myself. I get in these moods and nobody wants to hear it. Plus, my fingers are worn out so I can't type much more. I am sorry I have been slow to post but now you see why, I will try to add more.

So, to all my friends here, Love is sent out and Katy, CALL YOUR DAD sometime.

Dave

Hello friends,

It is currently 11:30pm. I went to bed at 10:20, no sleep, I keep testing my eyelids for leaks but can't fall asleep. I have never been able to fall asleep without something on in the background, beit the tv, my i-pod, something has to relax me to sleep. Maybe it's that my precious daughter is moving in with us and arrives in 20 hours, maybe its the work with my ministry, who knows what it is that is keeping me awake but this is unusual. My legs are aching and that is part of it but there is something else and I can't figure it out.

My ex-wife (whom will be known from hereon out as my "FRIEND" told me in an email that I am terribly late in my blogging. Since I got someone to beg, here ya go Jen.

I am psyched that my daughter is moving in. We aren't sure how long yet, could be a month, could be a year, could be until she marries (Many years from now) who knows, we are playing it by ear. Her room is ready for her. We are ready, I think. I am having a prayer group meeting in the afternoon tomorrow to say some prayers that we can all get along and that it goes smoothly, as well as we will be praying for her mother, who will miss her very much. I welcome you all to pray with us.

Well, Maybe if I go watch some Leno, that would do the trick, until next time...

May God Bless and Keep you,

Wheelin Rev.

Hello friends,
Sorry I haven't blogged in a few days. Things are hectic as I get my ministry going.

I have done some daytime swimming the last few days as our AZ temps hit 100 for the summer. As fun as it is, I have noticed a considderable number of bee's. They are attracted to our pool and since I am disabled, getting out in a hurry is not easy to do. I manage. Tonight we did our first night swim. When my wife (Laura) got home from work we took a dip. It was great. The temp outside is mid 90's and the pool temp is 85. After floating around for 45 min or so, time to get out and have ice cream.

So, anyway, back to the ministry. It is going well, we meet on Tuesday nights from 6-8. Small group so far but I am sure it will grow. This also gives me an chance to minister to our neighbors in the house across the street. They are Christian but since she has fibromyalgia and can't walk well, and he has a bad back, they don't make it to church regularly. I have convinced them to come to my group next Tuesday and they said they would. I will let you know if they come.

8 days until my daughter moves in. We have her room ready for her and are very excited about her coming. Nervous naturaly but happy. I hope we get along and she learns how we live is according to Christ's will. She comes from a good Christian home and I know she will do great. I hope my energy holds out. I have many plans for her, getting her drivers license, helping her get a job, and her education. Life is about to start spinning at an alarming rate. Pray for me that I can keep up.

Until next time, May God be with You and Bless You.

Wheelin Rev.

Several years ago I decided to change the way I speak. I stopped swearing. I don't swear. Under some circumstances, it is difficult to hold my tongue but I am successful in not swearing. It began with my decision to not take the Lords Name in Vain. I was also able to change the way friends and family speak. My father used to use the Lord's name in vain quite often. Since I told him it bothered me he hasn't said it (at least around me) in quite a while. I am proud of myself for that, and for not using such language myself. I made a deal with my wife, friends and family, I keep a $20.00 bill in my wallet, if anyone I know hears me utter a swear word, they get the $20. This has been in my wallet for 5 years, 3 months, and 20 days.

1) Another thing I don't understand or care for in the English language is slang. Why use it? why not try to speak intelligently. Slang is not necessary. Example: "I am gonna kick your butt" really? funny since I am in a wheelchair and that would be physically impossible.

2) One of my biggest pet peeves is using extra words in language. Call me silly but when someone adds words to a sentence, it bugs me. Example: "I am so dang tired of this" why not say " I am so tired of this" what is the purpose of adding "dang" It is annoying to me.

3) Yelling. I don't yell. EVER. I feel unless you are in physical danger, such as a car is going to hit you, or the house is on fire, there is no need to raise your voice. I don't yell, I can't remember when I last yelled.

4) There are hurtful words in our language, as well as all others. Since I don't speak any other language, I will focus on english. Many of the words are too awful to use here so I won't. It disturbs me that so many words are so common place. the "N" word, how degrading. How rude, how sad that it is still used. there are many words that disturb me, but one of the worst is "Hate" I don't hate anything or anyone. I heard someone say they hated peas. Why hate them? why not just say you don't care for them? Hate is something Christ preached about many times. The world would be a better place if people used that other four letter word: LOVE. I dislike many things, and many people, but I don't Hate anyone or anything, including the disease I have. If I can say that, wouldn't you like to try? Let us all try to live by the wonderful scripture: John 13:34

May the Peace of God be with you and keep you.

Dave

When you are young, your parents and family guide you and teach you. They teach you their morals, political beliefs, spiritual beliefs and try to teach what to do in life to be a good person. My parents were this way as I am sure yours were.

Being from a conservative family, it was my goal as a teenager to defy my parents at every turn. I pierced my left ear when I was 16, I married at 19. I voted democrat the first time I could (1988) and although I tried college, I quickly dropped out. I never challenged religion. I was always a Christian. I explored Judaism, and later in life I joined the Mormon church. It took me 11 years to realize that the Mormon church is not Christian, I left that faith and was born again. I think that when they told me I would be a priest in the mormon faith that tempted me as I was always a spiritual person. I always felt a call to do God's work. I am very thankful that God gave me those chances to learn of other faiths and He knew that would strengthen me in my true path to be a minister.

One night when I was 33 I took my parents to dinner and confessed to them that all the times when I was young that they tried to teach me right from wrong, they were right. Now, as a parent of a 16 year old I hope that she "gets it" sooner than I did.

It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized I believed more in the conservative Republican views than the left. As a card holding republican now, I feel at ease with my political affiliation, sure, G.W doesn't always do what is right, and he might not be the brightest president but he has morals I can respect. but I digress, this isn't a political blog, it is religious.

I have had more experiences in my 37 years than many have had. I don't regret many because I feel they have helped me grow and a person.

Life is full of choices. Life gives you many paths to travel down in life. I pray often that I can guide my daughter on the right path to take, many times it is not the most comfortable or popular, which is difficult to do. May God give me the strength to help teach her how to be a successful person in life. Her mother provided her a great foundation and I am thankful for that.

This post was kind of hodge-podge and scattered, I will try to make them more focused in the future.

May God Bless and Keep you and your family.

Philippians 4:13