More on the I Am Poem

Well I have to tell you the I Am Poem came from a very special friend that I would do anything for. He put this on his blog and I couldn't turn down his offer. I wish his family the best in all things. My wife has requested I do another one on a different subject now that I did the most important one. Her request was not one I thought she would say, it was a very selfless request that I will have to do. As for the next I Am Poem, it will be I Am a son and a husband. Then I will do I Am a father, I Am a cyclist, I Am a friend, and I Am a Sinner and a Disciple unless someone wants me to do something different. Shoot me a comment or e-mail and let me know if you did one like I did for Rish. Here is how it all started got to: http://rishfamily.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-am-poem.html

I AM Poem

I am a child of God.
I wonder what God looks like.
I hear of great things God has done.
I see beautiful things God has created.
I want to trust more in God.
I am a child of God.

I pretend God is beside me when I pray.
I feel God continues to change my life.
I touch things God has made.
I worry for people that don't know God.
I cry tears of joy when someone accepts God.
I am a child of God.

I understand that God loves us.
I say things to God that I wouldn't say to others.
I dream of things God would like me to do.
I try to tell others about God.
I hope I can help others go to God.
I am a child of God.

Questions I've Wanted To Ask God!

Orrville Christian Church Presents:

Questions I've Wanted To Ask God!

www.AQuestionforGod.com

Begins Easter Sunday!

If YOU could ask God ONE question, what would It be?

Go to www.AQuestionforGod.com and ask today! Submit your question by Wednesday, February 27th for a chance to have your question answered at Orrville Christian Church. if your question ranks in the top 7, it will serve as a title to one of 7 messages beginning Easter Sunday, March 23rd. You've got questions? The Bible has answers.

Hope you will join us!
Orrville Christian Church / 925 north Elm Street ? Orrville, OH
330-682-3686 / www.orrvillechristian.org

Do YOU Have A Question?

Time to do something

Ok this post should have been posted in October when I stopped riding my bike. I have rode my bike a total of 50 hours since then which is about 2 hrs a week. I had a week of 15 hrs in Dec. but nothing since. Last year I didn't start riding till the end of March and my first race was the RATL. This year I will really see how much it feels like to jump on the bike and just race. I always seem to get to 210 each winter but I know how to tackle that problem. I just don't like doing it year after year.

I have really been kicking myself around, knowing how much God would like me to have my body be more of a temple for Him. I have also enjoyed helping out at the Church each weekend, watching those kids have fun and learn more about basketball.

So now it is time to get down to business in the cycling sense. This is just a hobby for me and it is fun only when you don't wreck. I do it for a better reason than fun, I do it because God has given me a gift of racing or competing. In return I try and do my best to let others know about Jesus and how much He needs to be a part of all of our lives. Plus my wife told me to get on the bike so you know I am over weight and lazy. She will win and I will get on the bike Monday for an hour and then ride hard for 15 mins on tuesday during my two hour ride in the basement. That also means I will have set a record for most time on the bike in the basement in the last two years. In the fall of 2006 I didn't ride, and all of 2007 I rode 30 mins. So in 2008 things may be a lot different, but one thing is for sure I will be lighter than any year since i started racing in 2002.

Love others more than your self

Sometimes we just have no clue. Always try to be thoughtful of others. The bible says to love others more than your self it is time we start sharing it with others more.

Nicest Prayer I Have Heard In A Long Time...

Lord, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprhension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Lord, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

If you send this to 5 others, then you have a chance to touch 5 lives.

Working for God on earth doesn't pay much......but His retirement plan is out of this world.

Pray for our soliders

Pray for Doug's safety. Had to post this picture to give a reminder to the ones that look at this blog.

Give Life With Your Words

Before you read this I just want others to know, especially christians, how much I struggle with lifting others up. Why do we hurt the ones we love the most? The bible tells us to encourage one another, please forgive me Lord for I have not been a good encourager.

I know so many people that are great encouragers and I thank all of you that help me day by day. Everyone please read this and live by it, be an encourager today. It may save someones life.


Give Life With Your Words
by Jon Walker



Words kill, words give life; they?re either poison or fruit ? you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)


You have the power to kill or give life.


Yes, you, gentle reader ? a follower of Christ ? are capable of murder, and so am I. We can speak death with our words, or we can speak life.


Perhaps you?ve been on the other side of the killing kind of messages: ?You?re not smart enough. You?re not thin enough. You?re not fast enough. You?re not good enough. A real Christian wouldn?t think such a thing.?


In a world where people are beat up and put down, God gives you superhero power to punch through the negativity. You speak life to others when you say: ?You matter to me. I like you just the way you are. You?re human, anyone could think that. Your life counts. You were created for a purpose. God loves you, and you?re incredibly valuable to him.?


Your words may be the only encouraging thing some people hear in a day, or a week, or a month. You ? yes, you ? can become the voice of God?s grace in the lives of others, supporting, loving, helping, and encouraging with the words that flow from your mouth. (Romans 14:19b)


In the New Testament, the word ?encouragement? often means ?to come alongside.? We?re to come alongside one another, ?building each other up,? just as the Holy Encourager comes alongside us to teach us and remind us of the way of Jesus. (John 14:26)


We become encouragers when we stop looking down and start looking up (Colossians 3:2) ? the need and opportunity for encouragement is everywhere. ?Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us,? (Romans 15:2a MSG) and this ?will build them up.? (Romans 15:2b NLT)


So, how about it? Will you become today a consistent source of encouragement to those around you? It?s a choice on your part. You can lift a person?s spirit, change the atmosphere of your office, or lighten the burden of someone in your small group. The Bible says we should ?look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.? (1 Thessalonians 5:15b MSG)


What does this mean?


? Commit to encouragement ? Make a choice to build up the people around you. Fill your conversations with phrases like: ?I believe in you,? ?I?m grateful for you,? ?I see God using you,? ?I appreciate you,? and ?I?m glad you?re in my life.? The Bible says we should ?encourage one another and build each other up.? (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)


? Value others ? An encourager works hard at bringing the best out in others. Value people by understanding they are valuable to God. He encourages you in spite of the failings in your past; he believes in you in spite of those annoying, little things you excuse in yourself but criticize in others. J (Quite honestly, this thought compels me to give grace to others.)


? Be encouraged ? Encourage yourself, for ?there is good news of great joy for all people, and his name is Christ the Lord.? (Luke 2:8-10)

I'm In OCC

I Love our Church! The family is growing and I'm In OCC. John had got us started with a motto, I'm In OCC. From what I can remember a year ago we were to sign a board that said I will do my best to do this and that or anything to help our church family and community out. Well I haven't done much but I am improving in some ways. I pray that I will be more focused on what God wants me to do. I have been so out of focuse for a long time and continue to be but I try hard for Him everyday. Some days I just wish I could start over just like Groundhogs Day, the movie.

One thing that keeps me on track is the people I surround myself with. I can't do it with out them. God puts people in our lives so that we can stay strong and focused. John Mulpas had shared with us some facts about Redwoods.

The root system of the redwood tree is surprisingly shallow, especially given the great height the mature tree attains. There is no tap root and the other roots may reach no deeper than 6-12 feet. The major roots are about 1 inch in diameter, and they typically spread 50 to 80 feet. One way in which the trees are able to remain upright for millennia is by growing close together with other redwood trees, intermingling root systems. In the picture below a number of redwoods crowd together in a typical grove. Go to this link to see it;

http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Redwood/Redwood2.html

So just like Redwoods we need to stay close to each others lives so we can work together to stay strong. Just like in cycling also if you have 3 teammates against one opponent the team should have a big advantage.

LUKE 10:27;

The expert 1 answered, “Love 2 the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, 3 and love your neighbor as yourself.” 4

The Sneeze

THE SNEEZE

They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the
already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost .. as grown up as they felt.

Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears.

This class would NOT pray during the commencements----not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.

The principal and several students were careful to stay within the
guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and
challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.

The speeches were nice, but they were routine..... until the final
speech received a standing ovation.

A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still
and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened.

All 92 students, every single e one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!!!!

The student on stage... simply looked at the audience and said, "GOD
BLESS YOU, each and everyone of you!" And he walked off stage...

The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a
unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the
court's approval.

Isn't this a wonderful story? Pass it on to all your friends.........and GOD
BLESS YOU!!!! This is a true story; it happened at the University of
Maryland !

The U

THE U IN JESUS
Before U were thought of or time had begun, God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true, You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

"Go into the world and tell them it's true That I love them all - Just like I love U."

It all depends now on what U will do, He'd like them to know, But it all starts with U.

Saturday at Upward

Upward basketball was hopping Saturday with lots of kids playing and lots of parents and grandparents coming in and out of the church. So many kids were having fun even if they lost there game. The boys played the boys and the girls played the girls. They are all matched according to height and computer generated cheat sheets. So teams are pretty evenly matched. They have wrist bands that are the same color as there opponent so when there is no fast break they set up a defense accordingly. They play a total of 6 periods at 6 mins a period. Both sides of the gym are played on from 8 am to 4 pm. They keep score for the older kids but not for the younger kids. I think the ages are for 6 year olds to 12 year old kids. The kids are called through a tunnel of one of those flashing bright lights inside the tunnel. Pretty awesome for young kids getting to do this. During halftime there is someone to keep the parents entertained. I filled in for a close friend going into surgery today. I read my testimony off a piece of paper. The first time I was a little nervous but the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th time went better. I never get nervous in sports I guess it will get better the more I do it. Any way here is what I wrote the night before and it took me a long time to put it onto paper so I was up till midnight.

Hi, my name is Jeremy Grimm. Orrville has been my home for 31 years. My Mom and Dad would be the first to tell you I am a good kid. Well, my story is a little different.

For starters I have never ate too many vegetables or eaten a bunch of fruit. I have always been a milk drinker, a pizza inhaler, and after a bicycle race there is nothing better than a Coke Cola Classic. I started bicycle racing at the age of 6 and raced against the world’s best cyclists such as George Hincapie. He is the only teammate of Lance Armstrong’s 7 Tour De France victories.

I pursued other sports and stopped bicycle racing at the age of 12. I used to ride my bike back and forth to football practice. It was 7 miles each way.

God has given us all different abilities and I feel sports have been the best of all the abilities he has given me. God has blessed me with Professional baseball invites, state champion titles in cycling, top 5 national awards in cycling. He has also given me the ability to win long drive competitions in golf. Pitch no hitters, hit the baseball over 450 more than once, score touchdowns and many other things.

But these are just things to me. Sure you feel good about winning a big event in front of thousands of people, but none of that matters to God. What matters is your relationship with God. I have had a very hard time focusing on God, especially in high school. Looking back on high school He blessed me with a high school diploma that took 3 years because I missed 180 days of school due to Lyme disease. I would always ask God why am I so sick.

This disease took 27 doctors and 4 years to diagnose. I had sharp stabbing pains throughout my whole body. Sometimes the pain was so intense that I would pass out. I would also wake up in the middle of the night by my heart pounding out of my chest. You could actually see it. My migraine headaches were basically 10 times worse than a normal migraine headaches. I had chronic nose bleeds and sleeping problems. I could lay in bed for 24 hours and still not have enough sleep. It was like you wanted to sleep forever and you never got any restful sleep.


After football games and baseball games I remember not being able to get out of bed for 2 days because my body would hurt just to move an inch. I also remember getting slapped across the face by a nurse because she thought it would make me move in the ER.

God had worked through others everyday to let me know that I was loved and that there was a plan in my life. I thank the Lord for my family, church family and friends for helping me to live for him.


Things did get better after a year and a half of worse symptoms during treatment. I always thought well this is it I am going to die today. God had other plans for my life. I have never been so happy since then. I have been healthy for 13 years now. I have a wonderful and supportive wife of almost 11 years and we have a 3 year old daughter that brings a smile to our face everyday. In the past 7 years I have focused more on God and what He wants me to do. Since then I have lost 100 pounds and have gone back to cycling.

I am blessed to race at the professional level and am so thankful for sponsorship. This has given me an opportunity to witness to thousands of people at a time. In doing so, it is just a miracle I am here, but also is a miracle that I train less than half of what most pro’s do and I weigh 40 pounds heavier than most as well.

The lighter you are without losing power is where you need to be. About 6 % body fat. I would have to say my lowest body fat has been 12% which is no where close. I have my struggles everyday, eating junk food is my main one. I gain 30 pounds every winter due to poor eating habits. It is an addiction and I am not proud of it. I pray that God will help me to overcome my sinful eating and that I can serve Him better.

What I try and do everyday now is to be a witness for Him and I have seen Him work miracles. That is what God wants us to do. He wants us to grow a relationship with Him and tell others how much He loves us, even when we struggle.

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35

Praying for those Like Tom Brady

http://www.founders.org/blog/2007/12/tom-brady-your-questions-have-answers.html


After reading this I pray we (you and me) spend more time with God and reading what His word has to say. If you would like a Bible let me know I will be glad to give you one.

Happy New Year!

This year has been really great so far. My eye has stayed the same and we are all healthy. I am starting to ride a little more which is also good. I rode a total of 430 hrs last year and plan to do a lot more this year.

I am off work 30 mins earlier every day so you can add that by a bunch. I also took some more time riding to work this morning. 45 mins more every morning would be great too. The scale has not been my friend but hope that will come down with riding. I would like to be under 187 this year. Last year I was 192 most of the year but in August I was 187 the whole month. If I really stay focused on eating right and riding to work everyday I will have no problem getting below 180. I try every year and last year was the best so I think I am on to something if I stay focused, big key.

Caylin has been growing so fast, she is the best! She was out on her bike yesterday and I hope I can get home to ride with her today. Becky has been enjoying her time at home with Caylin everyday and does everything. I come home and may do the dishes, (that is just one of the things I should be doing more) and enjoy spending time with the girls.

Church has been going great and we are in the book of Mark. John has been doing a great job keeping us sharp. He creates new challenges for us each day and or weeks. It has been a blessing since his moving to Orrville.

I have so many prayer concerns for lots of friends. I pray for them daily and pray that God will heal them and use them to glorify God. Some have moved on and others are still here fighting the illnesses. I pray for all of those in need.

My first race is coming up to soon. I won't be as ready as I thought I was going to be. I lose focus more than anyone I know. God has been so good to me and I am so blessed for His son Jesus, His Birth, Death, and Resurrection. No one can live without Him, No One!

Merry Christmas

Praise The Lord! I know what is wrong with my eye and if it gets worse I can have surgery done to it. Tiny Cataract in my left eye so it is just some vision loss that I can handle. Sometimes I still have dizzy spells and headaches but am very happy that we found out the problem. It only took 2 months instead of 4 years so that is a major plus.

Here with family in fairborn and we opened up presents this morning. Kids had a blast so we will be playing all day. My brother is engaged and I have never seen him this happy. Thank you Lord for all of our blessings.

The Result

Thanks for the prayers and emails and comments. Doctor told me I had a water cleft in my left eye. This was better for him to tell me, instead of Cataracts because he doesn't want to repair an eye that has slight damage at my age. More to come when I have time to post... Thanks again

Upward and Onward

Upward Basketball is going on at our church. This is for young kids who just want to have a great time playing basketball. My mom was in charge of finding prayer partners for 100 days of prayer for Upward Basketball. Overall we have 110 people praying for Upward but could be more. I pray about Upward everyday and hope that everything goes great for the kids. It is all about having fun, not how good you can be. Don't get me wrong, you strive to be the best but be good sportsman and help all others to have fun as well.

In the years I have been cycling I have tried to do this but I am not perfect. One time in St. Albans I was so happy I won I couldn't help but to scream for joy,.... more than once. I gave God all the glory for helping me to win over two major teams of more than 3 riders on each team. Four of those 7 riders trying to beat me have been pros. Also I did the same thing at Miamisburg but we had the same numbers, two against two.

So why do we do these things and get caught up in all the emotion? Satan wants us to destroy others and make sure we pound each other into the ground. God wants us all to have fun and enjoy each others talents and work together. I have found out over the years that I have had
pure joy when I have worked just as equal as other riders and ended up beating the odds, instead of having joy in the moment and wishing I wouldn't have done them.

I share everything with my family they support me and love me as do I. They get to hear all the real stuff that goes on in cycling such as being spit on because I am not wanted in their group. I also remember a time when someone caused a wreck and I couldn't believe all that had happend, so I let the gentleman know. I have never felt so bad about doing that in my entire life, it wasn't even his whole fault.

In the end you get rewards for what took place from the same team members of the rider that spit on you saying "how great you did" or "I really respect you for riding against all 11 of us and beating the odds" things like this are said because God wants you to here them or receive them. God has given me so much and I thank Him for all of these things. Surprises are the best of all. Even when the rider that spits on you says after all that has happend wants you to race with them next year and you already turned them down without knowing.Thank you Jesus!

GodSpeed

MRI

MRI came back normal. Thanks for the Prayers.

Days to pray

Thanks to everyone that has sent me e-mails or posted comments. Prayers always helps no matter the outcome. Well I have two appointments coming so pray for these days and times. But first continue to pray for my family to have a peace of mind, and for whatever it is causing loss of my peripheral vision as well.

The date for the MRI is Dec. 10th at 3:20pm. My Neuro-Ophthalmology Doctors appointment is Dec.18th at 1:00pm. Pray that I will be focused on God and not the problem durning the next few weeks. More importantly I am having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit, so I pray I can do that today and from here on out. Time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to focus more on loving one another.

Thanks everyone Love ya,
JC

Flu Over?

Well Becky, Caylin, and I have all had the flu. I pray we are all done for the rest of this year and next. Still pray that we all stay puke free and that we get back to normal soon.

Today I had an eye exam and they ran a test that I knew I didn't pass before the result. Now maybe we can get the MRI done and if they find something in the MRI I could have someone go over it with me before the end of next week.

Pray that it will be something they can fix and pray for my family not to worry.

Thanks again,
Jeremy

Flu...Week

This is one week that doesn't fly by as everyone with children knows. Poor mommy, one day Caylin had puked 10 times and then the next day was better other than her tummy had a boo boo on it. I puked one time and my ribs hurt so bad it felt worse than wrecking my bike.



Bike what is that? I rode 3:30 hrs Sunday after a week of not riding at all. Haven't got on the bike since. I went up to 200 pounds so I guess it is time to start getting serious, I just hope I follow through with it. I got a great start with the flu though. I dropped 8 pounds of water weight in one day and still don't feel like eating, well I do but I won't. i don't want to rush it, plus maybe it is time I start enjoying food and not inhaling it. Yep if you ever saw me eat you would get sick too. At least I don't eat 2 pounds of liver at one sitting in the lunch room at work, yes I have seen someone actually do this and he heated up some corn to top it all off.



That reminded me of the movie the great outdoors with good ole John Candy eating the ole 96er I think it was. I just remember that guy with the white streak in his hair saying he got struck by lightning 6....6.....6...6...6.times" wow that's alot"..6....6...6..6....6...... "66 times". Have to watch that movie again some time.

Thanks to all for the prayer concerns. I have had a better week other than the flu. My eyesite is the best it has been but not even close to 100%. The improtant thing is I have not felt dizzy or I haven't had any headaches or numbness in my hands. Praise God for everything. I will try realy hard to eat better and hope that this problem will just go away and never come back. I will keep you posted.

In all things praise God and you and others around you will be blessed. It can be very hard to do this when you are not focused on Him but when you are trying hard to be focused on Him you will receive extra strength. I am speaking from experience. God is Good all the time, don't know how people can live without Him.