"Hello, anybody in there?"

Sometimes I'd just like to ask a person the simple question, "Is anybody in there?" Some folk just act like they are new to the planet. They can't put their finger in a hole or add two plus two. I mean how many times have you seen someone turn their blinker on to turn but not turn or get someone to jump your car off but then drive away only to stop, turn their engine off at a place where there few cars and no one who has any idea of how to jump them off again. "Stupid is as stupid does," right Forest. Then there are those who are "insane." You know what that is, right. An insane person is a person that does the same thing over and over getting the same result but expects to get a different result.

How bout a kid that sleeps in class everyday? Pretty insane if you think you're going to get any better grades if the kid continues to sleep. Hello is there anyone in there?

GREAT STUFF!

I'm lucky to have a bunch of friends that I never see but are always there. They remember me and I them and we send neat stuff to each other. This pearl of wisdom comes from Larry. Thank, Brother.

Five lessons of life.

1- First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: 'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?' Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 20-50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. 'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:3 0 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.. It read:'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away.. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.' Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those whoserve .

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it..'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?'he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins.'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies.. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.


5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'. Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her but he had chosen to save her anyway.

Finally, work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when no body's watching.' And above 'ALL', pray for all!

Somebody Shoot Me!

Jerry Clower is one of my favorite story tellers of all time. His wit comes directly from real life stuff. One of the most memorable stories results in a character named John being up a tree after a "coon". Another character shouts up, "knock'um out Johnnnnnnnn". John replies with a shout and scream. Again, "knock'um out Johnnnnnnnnn." Eventually it's discovered that the animal treed is not a coon but a Wildcat and the Wildcat is having its way with John. John shouts down, "shoot this thing!" To which is answered "I might hit you Johnnnnnn!" John's reply is "Well shoot up here and give one of us some relief."

Relief, please. Seems that lately I have been blessed with several situations that made me shout, "shoot up here and give one of us some relief." At the same time God has shown me through several sources that those times are the ones He gives me to make me what he wants. Just another opportunity to trust the LORD.

YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK

THE OLDER I GET THE MORE POLITICAL I BECOME. I guess a better way to say that is the older I get the more stupid stuff i do and say. Even at that being said there are some things that even I can't match.

Did You see in the news last week where the supreme Court doesn't want any crosses on Federal Property?

Crosses On Federal Property? Well duh.........

Confused?

How do you define the word "gift"? Something given to you by some one else. OK, not bad. How 'bout something special given to you by someone? Maybe, something special given to you by someone for a specific task determined by the person who gave the gift to you. Good grief! Is a gift suppose to have catches? Man, I'm confused! If there are catches with gifts then I'm going to give my son-in-law a hammer and get him to build a fence for me. That's only one catch but a good one for me.

I thought a gift was something special that you wanted that you didn't have that some one special would give you with no strings attached. I got a "thing" one time from a kid at school. I'm sure it was supposed to be special and it was because the boy gave it to me but I had no idea what it was for. Turned out to be a "deer call" like thing that most if not all hunters would love. Of course I don't hunt because it costs to much. If I did hunt I would have been excited about receiving this "deer calling" thing.

Today I had lunch with this guy that is a "minister". I find that most ministers are actually supped up Sunday school teachers. They haven't been formally trained or school related to the life of Christ or the WORD of God. "They are confused." The subject of his conversation was God giving us gifts. Of course we agreed about the Spiritual gifts although I don't think he is very knowledgeable about that but when he started saying that God had given him the gift of "teaching math" I reminded him that he had practiced his gift at my school and I thought that God was pulling a practical joke on him. His view point of gift was maybe a little off when it came to specific abilities provided by God to fulfill His will in this world. I explained that God provided all abilities to fulfill his will and that was that. We take the abilities given us and develop them to what our interests and opportunities are and fulfill God's will with that. If we get the opportunity to serve then the development of those abilities will determine how and to what degree we can do that.

Gifts?? Confusing?? YES!

Da!

I know that i tried to start this four times today because you know friday is video day, but when you get to work at 7:20 and you can't leave your office till 9:48 somethings up. I've pledged to myself to write to this TV station that has a feature called "Who's to blame?" and ask about who is to blame for a 12 years old that can't read or control his mouth. Who's to blame for the 17 years old that uses profanity every other word and drupts all his classes being suspended from school. Surely it can't be the person, whether parent or aquantance, that brings him back from being suspension tha asks the question "why you suspend him, he say he ain't done nothing." Good Grief!! Any way that's for another time.


THE FRIDAY VIDEO!!!!

WHAT'S A NAME?

What's in a name or what's a name or name, what's that?

Now I'm not real deep when it comes to knowledge but I figure that if your daddy was:
1. a carpenter you might be named Woody.
2. a baker you might be named Cupcake.
3. a banker you might be called Nicholas.
4. a fisherman you might be called Catfish.
and of course you could go on but what is a name today. Everyday I see a new name. Bentravious, Devonia, Cordiaria, A'Terio, Tomassio, Brenquale, Dehycion, Pepsi (YES I DID SAY PEPSI), and of course the ever popular, Laronian.
What ever happened to the heritage of the "NAME." William Robert Jr or Robert Earl III. You can just tell that those guys dads were famous people but how about Dehycion's dad? I knew a guy who had three sons and he named then where their initials all came out to be "KKK". No questions please and yes he was a white guy.

Seems to me it's time to set the tone for our children by giving them names that carry an air of expectancy. One that they could strive to live up to.

How about John Wayne --------- . now there's a name. I might name my next son John Wayne Walden. WOW! Sounds great. It will take a real man to live up to that name.

But how about those folk that name their kid Alexander Martin and then call him "Chi Chi." How does that happen? We named my girls after their mom, Katherine Jane and Anna Elizabeth. Of course neither are called by their mothers name. Not because there would be a mix up because their mother is called Libby. Don't ask, I don't know!

OK, what is a name? Do you look at some one and say "oh yea, you're a Richard because you look like a Richard. I can see why some people could be called Tubby or Stinky or Shadow but are those really names.

Let's put tags on names. OK, we started by naming the carpenter's son Woody. OK, does that mean that Woody has a lot of fiber to him. Not a muley person but one that was rough. Sounds good. Now what about naming folk by characteristics like Butcus. Let's say Butcus is a man of great strength. Let's name everyone with great strength Butcus. That way when you are introduced as Butcus then all know that you are a man of great strength. Now we are on to something. When we have a need for a man of great strength then we can go to the Yellow Pages and look under Butcus. When we need some one to fix the toilet we can look under Plumber. Right! Simplifies everything in life. You take on a name and live to fulfill your name's mission.

Of course you know I'm pushing you to a thought here. What about those who take on the name Christian. Maybe we should change our names to Christian Bobby, Christian Libby, Christian Katie, or Christian William. Would that give us more purpose to our lives? I think not, but it might give us more focus to what a name or tag means.

My tag is Assistant Principal Walden but I've been called the Big "W" by a lot of my kids. Both mean authority to me and a mission to help others find themselves and be better citizens. It keeps me focused.

My tag is also "Bobby Walden Christian" but I'm also known as Big Bob. Both mean the same thing to many people but the meaning doesn't come from a bunch of letters but from a life of commitment to something greater than all other names put together.

Think about what your name means for your focus and for what you are known for. It's never to late to change a name. Think about Abraham.

DAD'S GREATEST BLESSING.

Well, Henry Blackaby says in his experiencing God that there are moments that are true turning points or defining point in our life with Christ. This weekend I experience something that every father should want in the short existence in this world. You know dads want to be able to know that things for his children are OK. I mean really OK, not just OK.

Saturday, #2 daughter, her mom, and I went to see a musical drama presented by First Baptist Church Florence which just happened to be directed by my boy and which my #1 daughter was participating in by singing with the choir. The title was "Bow the Knee". Now I've seen this before several times but My boy added some stuff and it turned me out!!! What a blessing!!!! So proud of him and his.

But that's not that magical moment. That came about 15 minutes before the end. It occurred during a very moving song. Yep, brought me to the wet eye stage and I was not alone. I might as well have been alone because I had no awareness of any one but the person next to me, #2 daughter. Yep, she was crying and raising her hands in worship as many others were, I guess. I at that moment caught a feeling I've never had before. I was worshiping Christ with my daughter and she was worshiping Christ with me and nobody was expecting her to. She was worshiping because of her relationship with God and not her relationship with her dad. Then something else happened, I saw daughter # 1 in the choir. Her face was radiant and I could till that she was worshiping the same God that we were and it wasn't because either of us were worshiping but because her heart was filled with love for Christ and her voice was proclaiming His glory.

OK, this is where the moment comes in... get ready. I realized that I was standing in the wet eye stage worshiping the God of all creation and my girls were OK. They were OK because of their relationships with Christ the risen savior. THEY WERE OK! AND WOULD BE OK FOR EVER!!

Every dad should be able to have that moment in their life, you know to know that his children are OK. I'm not going any where so I'll take care of them as long as I'm able, but their mom and I know they will always have the LORD God to take care of them.

WOW! WHAT A FEELING. WOW!

Government payments?

Where does all the money come from and who gets it? I must confess that I have not gotten any of it, but I'll be glad to accept a modest check for $1.8 million.

Check out what Limbaugh says:

I think the vast differences in compensation between victims of the September11 casualty and those who die serving our country in Uniform are profound. No one is really talking about it either, because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11. Well, I can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the entitlement mentality of this country. If you lost a family member in the September 11 attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.? If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable. Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt.Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough.? Their deaths were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.? Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their families know the dangers. (Actually, soldiers are put in harms way by politicians and commanding officers.) We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well. You see where this is going, don't you? Folks, this is part and parcel of over 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad. Every time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing? Make sense? However, our own US Congress voted themselves a raise. Many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month. And most are now equal to being millionaires plus.. They do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system. If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, they may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed them in harm's way receives a pension of$15,000 per month.

I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting..

Hummmmmmmmm hit the nail on the head.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!

Remember in the old west when the snake oil salesman would come to town saling his "Snake Oil" that cured everything and revived the old? No, I didn't live in the old west but I remember the stories on the TV that would have one of the snake oil wagons with the sign on the side that stated how miraculous curing the medicine was. Most of the time it ended up that the snake oil was something with alcohol in it that made you fill better whether you were or not. Even "Aunt B" on Andy Griffith show got a little tipsy after taking the miraculous cure.

Snake Oils are all around us. Take the wonderful mechanics best friend "WD40."

Check this out.

WD-40. ('Water Displacement #40') The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the 40th formulation, thus WD-40. Here are some other uses:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing.

2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.

3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.

5. Keeps flies off cows.

6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.

7. Removes lipstick stains.

8. Loosens stubborn zippers.

9. Untangles jewelry chains.

10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.

11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

12. Keeps ceramic/Terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.

14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.

17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.

18. It removes black scuff marks from t he kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for

those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the

finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just

remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.

19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!Use WD-40!

20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.

21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.

22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.

23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.

24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.

25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well asvinyl bumpers.

26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.

28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.

29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.

30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

31. Removes splattered grease on stove.

32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.

33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).

35. Removes all traces of duct tape.

36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'

38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.

40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch..

41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.

42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!

43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

WD-40! Who'd thought it.

Good reason to be thankful, Good reason to say thank you.

It Could Happen!

I'm the kind of guy that will believe almost anything, just cause. You kinda have to prove that it couldn't happen or doesn't exist for me to accept that it couldn't happen or doesn't exist.

Take Bigfoot. Now there's a good one. Now I studed Historical Geology in college and know some about Cryptozoology. I can really see a "Bigfoot" like creature being out there, but my boy, Ross, just laughs when I talk about the new evidence found in Canada or in Washington state or in TEXAS! The boy just laughs at the mention of the big footed old guy. But if he were walking through the woods and caught a whiff of a creature and happened along one that was 8 foot tall, he'd probably "brown" his "draws."

There is always that possibility of the imagined being the factual.

How about ghosts and haunted stuff? YOU BELEIVE IN GHOSTS? I do. Ever sense I saw one when I was very young. I'm grateful for the "power of the blanket" existing to keep the ghosts away. I thought I saw this guy looking over the books one night in the condo where we lived in for a year while our house was being built. Strange connection? It turned out that the x-husband of an old girl friend and good friend had lived there. I said "lived" because he ended his life there. OH MY GOD!

Well, how about rising from the dead!!?? Well, I guess you kinda have to take it on faith, right. You know that Jesus thing. I'm not so sure that you have to take it just on faith. How bout this? Who has the body? Somebody, show me the body. If you want to stop Christianity in it's tracks or make it to Letterman, just produce the body of Jesus. Who's got the body? Either there was a body or somebody is using it, namely Christ Jesus. NO DOUBTS THAT CHRIST DIED, BUT WHO'S GOT THE BODY? He must be alive if no one can produce His body.

It could happen. It did happen.

How about this for proof of those Twightlight Zone moments you hear about.

I'm with Moulder. THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE.

RUNAWAY THOUGHTS

Inspiration comes from perspiration. Boy, that's pretty good! I just came up with that and because I can't remember if somebody else said it I'm going to claim it. Although after reading it a few times I don't really understand it. I've found that there are lots of things that sound good but really don't make sense to me. I'm sure they do to others but to me, naaaaaaaaaaaa.

It's Friday and time for another list. OK, and a video too.

Stuff I have thought or maybe said today.

A list by ME.

1. GLORY TO GOD.

2. Does she not realize that she has on her PJ's in public...

3. Boy, you're stupid.

4. I'm hungry, again.

5. Please, find another job.

6. Get him out of here!

7. Mam, I'm at the point in my life I choose who I spend my time with. Good Day.

8. Man, I'm hungry.

9. You have no common sense!

10. I don't care who your mother is!

11.After meeting your mother, I see the reason you are like you are.

12.I want one of those energy drinks.

13. I gotta get some new underwear.

14 Cheese cake!!!

15. Is it Friday?

16. Did I put all this stuff on my desk?

17. Seat up straight!

18. I don't care.

19. I want to go to the Caymans.

20. Where did that dog come from.

21. You're absolutely nuts!

22. Who let this dog in?

23. What's for lunch?

24. I don't have any idea?

25. I'm a what?

26. I should retire.

27. William, William, William

28. Whip who's ass?

29. Where do you think you are?

30. How long have you felt this way about your teachers?

31. Yes.

32. Get this dog out of here!!!

33. Jesus take the wheel. PLEASE!

34. I don't know anything about a meeting...

35. Is today Friday?

36. Man slaughter!?!?!

37. Could she get any more rings on her body.

38. How did she get all that inside that?

39. Ever think about getting a job.

40. Then who does she live with?

Sorry, I could go on for a long time and for those few readers that I have I'll stop. So much for the thoughts and random statements of an assistant Principal at an alternative school.

Now Friday The Video, You've probably seen these guys but it's likely that I would end up in this group when I retire. Check it out.

OOPS APRIL FOOLS!?!

I love jokes. Love 'em love 'em love 'em! I love to laugh. Love it love it love it! Laugh at you. Laugh at me! Yep me. My folks use to tell me that I was a kid that pretty much just made it as a kid because I entertained myself. I've done lots of stupid things. College was a big time for practical jokes on friends. Most folk were afraid to pull something on me because they knew my talent for "pay back." Once the Track guys at State filled my car with newspaper. When i got to my car and saw it II realized that the entire dorm was leaning out their windows to give "it" to me. I just walked up like nothing was wrong and opened the door got in and drove away. About half way out of the parking lot I stopped and got out to take a bow. IT WAS GREAT! I gave them an "A" for originality and yes we did it to several other friends.

Well, you know how I have been about videos and list lately so here's a great practical joke video. Let me warn you... go "PEE" now, just in case.

SOMEBODY HELP ME!

Throughout history, people have invented various acents of civilization that guinely were just another means of torture for the individual civilian. A challenge to make or break us.

Let's consider the "neck tie." Who would and why would he invented such a thing. What purpose does it serve next to separating the rich from the poor on sunday? Why couldn't neck ties be something for the female members of society like the pantie hose, you know a status symbol. Instead, men are tortured and given the curse of the neck tie. Just think, if we had not had neck ties we wouldn't have the term neck tie party which meant the end to many a man's wayward efforts. think of the economic impact if we didn't have neck ties. The things get pricey. $20.00 bucks is a cheap tie now days. Of course eI have a few tricks to beat that. Go to the trift shops, like Salvation Army, and pick up some that aren't to bad for $2.00 each or evan better, have your son-in-law give you some of his.

To Mr. Jessie Langsdorf, forget you man. Nobody needed your invention, the neck tie. Good grief! Somebody shoot me and save me from the dreadful neck tie.

TIM TEBOW

Finishing StrongA true story shared by Tim Tebow at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes annual dinner on Thursday, February 12, 2008. And, a follow up story shared by Urban Meyer!During the 2008 NCAA Football Season the National Championship University of Florida football team faced many challenges. Everyone remembers the passionate speech quarterback Tim Tebow delivered after the mid-season 1 point loss to Mississippi . The team morphed into a better, more cohesive and stronger unit. The theme for the team became FINISH STRONG!

During the 4th Quarter of the SEC Championship game, facing the #1 Ranked Alabama Crimson Tide without star running back/receiver Percy Harvin and behind on the scoreboard, Tim Tebow and the Florida offensive team rallied on the sidelines and passionately committed to FINISH STRONG as they went out and scored the winning touchdown in dominating fashion. They FINISHED STRONG!

During the 4th Quarter of the National Championship game, facing the #1 Ranked Oklahoma Sooners and the most dominant high powered offense in the history of college football, the defensive team…special team…and the Tebow led offensive team rallied on the sideline and passionately committed to FINISH STRONG as they went out and shut down the Oklahoma offense and then scored the winning touchdown to secure the win. Once again…they FINISHED STRONG!

Tim Tebow spoke about those games and compared them to the game of life. We face many opportunities to make good decisions and to passionately pursue many different goals in life. Most of us pursue them passionately and many of us successfully achieve those goals. But when we don’t achieve those goals…are you able to say that you FINISHED STRONG?

In life, as we move toward our destination, are you going to feel good about your answers to the following questions that ultimately are waiting for you: Did you do enough? Did you do too little? Did you finish strong?

The guy who wears number 15 and accessorizes with a ‘red cape’ finished his testimonial after dinner with the following story:A day or so before the national championship game God touched his heart with a message…Tim needed to change the message on his black eye liner that he wears when he is playing. All year he had a reference to Phillipians 4:13 on the eye liner which represented the following: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. He talked to four or five others about switching the message and everyone except his parents told him not to do it because they had been so successful all year with the Phillipians 4:13. His parents, Pam and Bob Tebow, supported the change and Tim knew it was the right thing to do. He played the championship game with John 3:16 on the eye liner which represents the following: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We all know the outcome of the game, but the phone call that Tim received a couple of days later when he was back in Gainesville was nothing short of unbelievable. Tim answered his cell phone and it was the P.R. guy for the UF Football game. He said, “You set a record.” Tim wondered what kind of record was he talking about. “In the 24 hour period from the start of the championship game, JOHN 3:16 was Googled…93 MILLION times! No other topic had ever been Googled that many times in a 24 hour period of time.”

Follow up story from Urban Meyer, Coach of the 2008 National Champion University Florida football team:As Coach Meyer was introduced next, he looked out at the 400 attendees and said, “How do you follow that?” as he referred to Tim’s testimonial. Coach Meyer then shared a few stories and then introduced his last story with the following introduction: We all hear about the incredible family Tim is a part of. With everything going on in the world, you just know there is no way Pam and Bob Tebow can be as perfect as they are made out to be. I am here to tell you I witnessed the most amazing conversation which is the truest testimonial to how incredibly good the Tebows truly are. A few days after the championship game I sat at a table in the back of the Ballyhoo restaurant with Tim, Pam and Bob Tebow. It was just the four of us and I listened in amazement as Tim’s future about moving to the next level of football was decided. Unbelievably, the NFL was never once mentioned. Tim’s dad started the conversation by saying that Brett Farve spoke about his faith and no one ever listened. Here was a future Hall of Fame quarterback and no one heard his message. Tim then said… ”I can think of 93 million reasons why I would want to stay in school and play my senior year at the University of Florida .” That’s how the decision was made. Which platform would provide Tim with the best opportunity to share the word of God? As you now know, playing his senior year for the University of Florida would be that choice. And, is there any doubt about Tim’s passionate commitment to FINISH STRONG?