Is Global Warming True?

That is the question that many people are having these days, especially if one is in the Democrat Party in the state of Iowa. In all fairness, I should say that not all Democrats would hold to the theory of Global Warming. It is not uncommon to hear from the mouths of many church members around here "This Global Warming is something, really something." I had a man come up to me this past Sunday and those were his words. He really felt that if it wasn't for Global Warming we would be looking at minus 20 to 30 degree weather right now in Clinton, IA. And this is a man almost 90 years old believing this stuff! I beg to differ, it is a sign of the End Times. We are in the last days and the weather points to that fact. One just does not read of Global Warming in the Bible. Friends, the weather patterns are different everywhere right now and I don't care what part of the U.S.A a person lives in.

In my humble opinion, things are going to get worse and worse until Jesus comes again and that includes the weather. America in it entirety will never, never get any better. (Read Matt. 24). Come on now, why should the weather forecast and other things like that take our eyes off the good news of the gospel, the cross of Christ and the things of God in general? It shouldn't and nothing should! Don't be deceived into believing something that is not scriptural.

It appears that many Americans really have stooped to the point of worshiping aspects of creation over the creator of the universe; the God that made everything including the weather patterns. (Read Rom. 1:24,25). Do you think for a moment that the weather patterns are controlling themselves or that God is in control of them? I opt for the second choice. I think some people better stop and think what it means to say that God is sovereign. When sovereignty is spoken of in the Bible it means that God is in complete control of things in heaven and on earth and that clearly proves that He created the weather and is control of it. So much for the theory of Global Warming, that idea in thrown out the window with the baby's bathwater.

Jesus Christ is coming back a second time and the Bible says it will be like a thief in the night. He is coming when a person least expects it. Are you ready? Are your bags packed, life right? Begin placing your faith, trust in Him today and not the weather or anything of this world. Jesus Christ clearly died for the sins of the world, place your faith in Him today for the forgiveness of your sins if you have never done so. Begin living a life of victory in Him! Praise God for His Grace that Saves!

posted by Pastor R C

Thanks Ryan Hope to get out to Iowa this april.

It won't be long now

The weather is changing and it is getting warmer. I hope to be on the bike this week. Last year at this time I had 122 hrs. This year I have 22 hrs Total. I hope I can boost that number up soon. For the month of Jan I rode 18 hrs, feb 4hrs and 19 mins. I think it is great spending more time with the family right now. I am a procrastinator and weather permitting I still have time to get ready by the end of May.

On a sad note Caylin, Becky and I all went outside to play in the snow. That was so much Fun! Sad part is we are not moving up north any time soon. It was so much fun to see her hitting me with snowballs and sledding down the hill by herself.

Wednesday Orrville club rides are coming soon as well as races in april and Church softball in May. I haven't played softball in a long time. At least six years. Caylin will have a great time seeing Daddy hit the ball. Then she will tell me to run, don't forget to slide.

Speaking of sliding, I tried to go to work today. Sheet of ice so I went back into the driveway after almost falling twice.

Continued...

Bike is still downstairs! I have not rode inside yet. I know I said I would but I have been busy shoveling snow the past two days! we were reported to have anywhere from 12 to 15 inches of snow. It is so awesome! My upper body is getting a great work out.

I did ride in 12 degree weather on sat for 1hr and 34 min. I had a great time and hope to do that again Feb 24th unless the roads are clear than I could ride more.

The Lord has blessed our family so much. We are healthy and we have a house that is warm at night. Food on the table and water to drink. Thank you Lord!

The Bike is downstairs

Last night I put my Trek downstairs. Hey it's a start! Tonight I hope to get on the bike and ride it. I may even leave it downstairs for good, thanks to Tim Jackson.

My sponsored A&F bike was broke and I sent it back to Tim. He sent me another awesome Masi bike. I don't know who was more excited Caylin or me? With the bike came the important bubble wrap to protect the bike. I wonder where you buy that stuff? Caylin had a blast last night and so did we watching her or listening to her. I took a couple of pics cause she was having so much fun, it was a Kodak moment.

I met Tim Jackson at the A&F team training camp last year and he gave us those awesome bikes and his sincere opinions! The Masi bike handle perfectly last year, even at my Top speed ever. At the National Road Race Championships I hit over 68 mph. Yes I was the first one down the Mountain by far. The bike felt like I was going only 50 mph, I couldn't believe it! Tim is a great Man and I wish him and his family the best. I will put up a new post when I ride the new Masi Bike, but I don't think I will try to go as fast unless I don't realize it again which is a possibility.

GodSpeed

Shewwww...

Wow I am going to be busy till Easter! I may not get to race till the weekend after Easter. I think that is what I did the very first year I started racing. My first race was a cat 3/4 race at malabar farms. Tym Tyler put that race on. We had like 70 racers in our group and only 7 in the cat 1/2 field. Things sure have changed since then...Not! By the way that day it was snowing, I think it was March 31st or something like that. Any way I plan on getting on the bike again after taking off for 2 months, well I only have in 42 hours in the last 2 months. I have 3 hrs in the last 3 weeks all on one day that I mentioned on the other post.

So it's been 5 months since I was going to start losing weight. I have been doing good with my my family goal. I have been going to Church a lot more and almost every Sunday. Caylin Loves going to Church! Becky and I also do. I have read at least one book almost two books since then. Also I have had Bible study with families from the Church. We have a great time, but there is always food. Big problem for me, but that's ok. I just told one of my friends from Church I want to play softball again. He said our minister is thinking about it too. So I will have a very full year even without cycling.

God has become the priority in my life again and I am so much happier! I will have more time to ride when the weather gets nice, so then I can take Caylin with me. I still think there is a chance for me to be ready by the end of May but we will see. I have not rode my bike inside yet, but I plan on it real soon. I can't wait to race this year, it will be a miracle even if I finish!

Just got my awesome uniforms from Team GodSpeed! They are sweet!!! Yellow has and will always be my color! Thanks to Team GodSpeed, they are busy, busy, busy. They have a lot of things planned for 2007. I pray that God gives us the energy we need to get all the work done.

Almost forgot I saw on A&F's website Timmy won his first race! Great job Timmy! Also Harper and Hekman won as well! I can't wait to see them race this year!

Team GodSpeed

I had a great time yesterday with Team GodSpeed members. They(we) have so much going on for our youth. You can tell so much work goes into helping others. I am so blessed to be a part of something great and wonderful. Thanks for the welcome Team GodSpeed. Thanks to all that sent me in the direction I needed to be. Most of all thank you Lord for the people you have placed in my life!

"The Tea Cup"

There was a couple who used to go England to shop in a beautiful antique store. This trip was to celebrate their25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked,"May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful."As the lady handed it to them, the tea cup spoke."You don't understand," it said, "I have not always been a tea cup.

There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'Don't do that. I don't like it! Let me alone,' but he only smiled, and gently said,'Not yet!'"Then. WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it! I'm getting so dizzy!I'm going to be sick!', I screamed But the master only nodded and said, quietly, 'Not yet.'"He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then....then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door.'Help! Get me out of here!'

I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet.'"When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute,the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. 'Oh,that felt so good! Ah, this is much better,' I thought.But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh,please; stop it, stop it!!' I cried. He only shook his head and said. 'Not yet!'"Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up."Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering, What's he going to do to me next?

An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.' And I did."I said, ' That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful I'm beautiful!'"Quietly he spoke: 'I want you to remember, then,'he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'dhave dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn'tdone that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you area finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you.'"

God knows what He's doing in each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we maybe made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will. So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this:Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down, and have a little talk withthe Potter.

God has a plan for each of our lives, and it may not be the plan we desire at the time. God will help us get through the ruff times you can count on it! Trials are meant to happen in our lives. Think about it if life was easy would you do what you wanted or what God wants you to do. God gives us choices and we have a choice to do the right or wrong thing. Hopefully your choices are pleasing to God!

Television Commercials

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results: scroll down.

God is like.. BAYER ASPIRIN He works miracles.
God is like... a FORD He's got a better idea.
God is like... COKE He's the real thing.
God is like... HALLMARK CARDS He cares enough to send His very best.
God is like... TIDE He gets the stains out that others leave behind.
God is like... GENERAL ELECTRIC He brings good things to life.
God is like... SEARS He has everything.
God is like... ALKA-SELTZERTry him, you'll like Him
God is like... SCOTCH TAPE You can't see him, but you know He's there.
God is like... DELTA He's ready when you are.
God is like... ALLSTATE You're in good hands with Him.
God is like... VO-5 Hair Spray He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is like... DIAL SOAP Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?
God is like.... the U.S. POST OFFICE Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.

I thought these were fun to read, but I sure wouldn't ask my class to watch TV!

Time Is Ticking Away

I have a bunch of stuff on my mind. The great thing is I forget a lot of it. Well that can be bad or good.

Not much to report for my so called diet. I will try a little harder now since races start in a couple of weeks. Last year I had 60 hrs riding time in, this year I have 21 hrs. I feel so much better about those numbers. Also I am at the same weight as last year, which is good. I have been doing better on my diet the last 2 weeks and I already feel better about it.

A really great friend of mine had a very serious surgery this past week. He will be in some major pain for two more weeks. I pray that the Lord heals him and that he will have great health the rest of his life.

This weekend I hope to become a Member of Team GodSpeed and I can't wait to meet all the members.

Caylin, Becky and I made frosty the snowman in our back yard, it was 19 outside with a wind chill of 4. We had so much fun! It took me awhile to make frosty but we used some water to compact the snow together instead of a magic hat.

I also rode my bike with some great guys Sat, 16 of us braved the weather. It was 37 that morning and we rode for 3 hrs. I ended up puking 2 hrs after the ride, and we rode slow the whole ride. My legs felt great the whole ride until the last 30 min. I am out of shape more than I ever have been this time of year. That ride was my only ride in 7 days so I will try to get some more hrs in starting in Feb. or March.

Father you are wonderful in every way. You have given me so much! Thank you Lord for your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for my Health, Family and Friends. Father I pray that you become the food and water I need to survive each day of my life. I pray that I focus constantly on You. AMEN.

You call yourself a Christian?

I don't watch TV that much, but the other night I watched a show of how the mothers switch. The one mother was a so called Christian and the other mother was a Satan worshiper or close enough.

This was a very sad show! Sick, but very sad. Any way they go to each others houses and try to teach them the way things could be better. Both ended up changing there ways and the Satan people went to church and the so called christian mother let her kids got outside the house unsupervised.

We all do things that are not right to others. No one is perfect! Jesus is a free gift. Why don't people take the gift of ever lasting life? I know some of the reasons why but not all. Is that why people turn to prayer when they are on there death bed? How about when people are really happy with the way they are living now. They may ask themselves why should I change now I have it all.

All these things are making me ill! My heart goes out to people who have No Clue. The best thing to do if you see, hear or make every day contact with these people, is to pray for them. It is always great to pray for others.

My struggle is the way I eat and the things I say to others. Sometimes sorry is to late so I ask for prayer to say the right things. The way I eat! I think that says it all. I would be 300 pounds if I didn't ride. I want to lose weight but I lose momentum. I do good for about 6 weeks and go back to eating bad for 4 months. It is something I have to work with everyday and sometimes I just eat not even thinking about what this will do in the long run.

God has put the right people in my life. I think I would be sitting on the couch at 350 pounds or even dead if it weren't for family and friends.

That's where I will finish up with this one. You need others to help you from being that so called Christian or the Satan worshiper. People are in ruts every day so help each other out!

Hours Spent on the Bike

Boy this year I rode more than ever, by far. Only thing I can say about that is, I sure am glad that year is over. If I didn't work 40 hrs a week or have a wife and kid, then I would spend my life on a bike. Just like Forrest Gump did, I kept on riding and riding and riding. People would ask me why you ride so much? I would say" I felt like riding".

Well my life is better than that. I have the Best Wife and Daughter. I have a good job, with more positives than negatives. So my life is great and we are Blessed by God everyday! If only I could put more hrs in than George Hincapie put in when he was 12 I may just get better at cycling.

So with that said back to cycling, my Dad has giving me too much in life and continues to do that to this day. He said something about getting me a light cause he is getting a new one. I could ride any time at night or morning. I would rather ride in the early morning with no traffic in the dark than ride with traffic. That is how I got a lot of hrs in this past year. I rode before Becky and Caylin woke up. Also I rode after they went to bed. So when I think of when I rode it really didn't take that much time away from family. But the traveling time did. I only spent 443.5 hrs on the bike last year. That is the most time by 22 hrs I have spent on the bike in the last 5 years. I actually spent less than that because I count by bank hrs. For example if I ride 2 hrs and 16 mins that would count as 2.5 hrs. So I bet my total hrs was something like 400 hrs for the year but at least I have a number in the area. This year I am counting mins each day just to see how much I ride.

So I hope to see higher numbers in the future than this past year but I am getting older and my life is changing. I still have major aches and pains since labor day weekend. I am pretty sure it is all due to arthritis.

I won't even think twice about racing this year, I just don't know when I will start. I am sure it will be to early just like every year.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!! Today has changed my life forever! I wish I would have taken pics of all the happy kids and parents today.

Before I say any more I will tell you what I am soooo Happy about.

Last night my Wife, Caylin and I helped load 400 or more bikes into 2 28 foot trailers. Well Caylin was there to test out the tricycles and I got some riding time in on a few BMX bikes. Becky helped bring the bikes to the dock doors with the others, while I got dirty stuffing bikes in the semi trailers. I had a great time helping Elves and More NEO, I hope they want my help next year? Most of the workers for Elves & More race bikes. So we had a great time talking about racing too. Stark Velo racers sure are awesome! Also 3 other guys came together to make Elves & More NEO what it is today. Thanks to Brian, Tim and Jim.

When I woke up today I knew it was going to be a great day! I know God looked at us and smiled today. I think God was happy with what we all did today. As we all prayed together before we headed out to surprise little kids. We all knew we were going to have a blessing at some point today.

This started out like a big Road race event. We had 5 or 6 cop cars stop traffic for us every where we went. Sort of like the Pres. has going to any event. We were in a bus and we had the semi trailor in front of us and Santa in a cop car behind us. The noise from the cop cars woke everyone up this morning. So much fun!!!

On the way to our stops we would share stories of what we witnessed and kids faces when they saw us. How some kids broke down and cried in front of us. It brings tears to my eyes seeing how happy it makes someone with a small gift. The gifts we all gave today will make a difference! It may not change the world but it sure has made A big difference in someones life today.

Mine!

Elves & More NEO

Please Check out Elves & More NEO. I spent all day Saturday with some great people putting together bikes for children that can't afford anything for Christmas. I had a great time working with others and I still have sore muscles.
I was very happy to be a part of something great!
Thanks to all that made Elves & More NEO possible.
Jeremy Grimm
www.elvesandmoreneo.org

I LOVE YA

A very close friend sent this to me and I LOVE THEM for sending it to me. I don't have any one that I know of that has personally came up to me and said they don't like me because..... such and such. I do know that I am not perfect but right now I can honestly say that I Love everyone that I have ever come in contact with. I had one friend that I had battles with in high school and we are still friends to this day. I have not seen him in a long time but I know that we are cool. Sometimes I joke around and things get turned around real quick but I am easy to get a long with and am here if you need to talk, until God decides it is my time.

I LOVE YA

One morning you will never wake up. Do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do.

And just in case GOD calls me home before I see you again.......

I LOVE YA!!!

My Prayer

Father you are so strong and miraculous. You are the Creator of everything. You can do all Things. Father you are a Mountain Mover!

Father forgive me for my sins Lord. I have sins that I am not proud of Lord... Just take all of my sins. Carry them for me Lord... Forgive me Now...

LORD I thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for all of us that accept your Son Jesus Christ into our lives. So that we may be forgiven through Jesus Christ as long as we take Him as our LORD and Savior. I thank you Lord that you are always with us even when we think you aren't. I thank you for listening to my prayer and forgiving me. Thank you for my life that I have. Thank you for the blessings of all I can do.

Lord please be with me, help me to focus more on you LORD. I pray that you help me to lose at least 17 more pounds in the next 3 months LORD if it be your will. Please Lord give me your strength at this time Lord. I pray Lord that others come to know you as I do, a Loving, Forgiving God that will always be with us. Even in times like these when I am struggling to do your will. I pray all these things in your name... Amen.

What I feel is the Right Choice

"Ok before you read this I have to say that I am not a Pro Racer. As a matter of my opinion I should be a cat 3 due to me being 200 pounds. The USCF should have a Crit and Road license. I however have been blessed by God to beat some of the best Pro racers. If it be The LORD'S will I hope to be ready by the end of May for my first NRC event in a Team GodSpeed uniform. I just Thank The LORD and Team GodSpeed for this chance in my life to do more than one thing I love to do. The next 3 sentences are from Team GodSpeed, this is on Team GodSpeed's website."

Team GodSpeed has come to an agreement with Jeremy Grimm to race for Team GodSpeed for the 2007 year.
Jeremy is a seasoned Cat 1 pro cyclist who most recently raced for Abercrombie and Fitch Cycling Team.
Jeremy describes his decision to race for Team GodSpeed :
"As I typed in http://www.teamgodspeed.org/ my heart was pounding and my eyes were open as big as they could be. It was the same feeling you get when you know you’re getting or going to do something great. You still have chills talking about it after it has happened. For example; when I got my first road bike at the age of six. Spending time with family you only get to see once a year. Getting baptized at the age of 12. Watching a DC Talk concert with thousands of other kids your age. Getting my first car, a green Dodge Omni with manual transmission, I wish I still had it today. The first time I saw Becky. Our Wedding Day, seeing her in the wedding dress and the feeling of no one else in the church but us. Any day without Lyme Disease. The day our daughter Caylin was born. Giving something to someone that you know they will like. Friends that do something for you that you could never do. I can now add Team GodSpeed to the list of things I am excited about.
Times like these are things we will never forget. I am excited to meet everyone on Team GodSpeed just as I was before and after I met Russ. My decision was made with ease just by reading what Team GodSpeed does for others on the website. I pray that the Lord will guide me in what He wants me to do for Team GodSpeed and I pray the same for you."
GodSpeed,
JC

New Start cont. # 1

Today has been a lazy day for me. I have done nothing all day but eat. I feel stuffed and most of it has been from eating to much of the cookies Becky made. Hope I can work hard tonight or this coming week. It will be very hard to ride the bike this week.

On the bright side Caylin has had a great day thus far. Daddy's home she said to me as I got her out of bed today. Then she said Church, I had to tell her she couldn't go cause she would get the other kids sick. She and my wife have had a cold for two weeks now. They both have gone through tissue boxes and I have been blessed not to get anything yet.

Looking foward to next year but don't want to rush it. I will be on a new Team come Jan 1st. Team Godspeed, www.teamgodspeed.org I hope to be introduced to the Team soon. I had a great year with A&F and am happy to see they are moving in a positive direction for a Pro Team. I will miss the guys but will see them next year at some point in time.

New Start update, I have lost some weight and have been reading books. Something I haven't done in years. Getting better at a lot of things but have a long way to go before I get to my goals.

Father... You are great... You are wonderful... You can do all things.

Father forgive me for my sins Lord... I am quick to fail, but with a true and faithful heart to you Lord. Sometimes I make mistakes and don't think about them at that time. Father forgive me for my sins.

I thank you Lord for all the blessings you have provided. I thank you for my health and ability to do what I enjoy doing.

Lord I pray that I get up and start using all the abilities you have given me and use them to glorify you Lord. Amen...

Prayer with Thanks

Lord you are my Rock! You are my everything. You move Mountains! You are totally Awesome!

I come to you and ask for forgiveness of my sins. You know my sins and you know that I need you to help lift those from my shoulders and out of my mind. Forgive me for I am a sinner! Father it is through your son Jesus that we have forgiveness of our sins.

I thank you Lord for listening to my cry for your help. Without you I am nothing. I feel your presence in my life now Lord, and I thank you. I thank you for my Wife. I thank you for Caylin. Thank you for my Family. Thank you for my friends. Thank you for my trials. Thank you for my Freedom. Thank you for my health. Thank you for the miracles you have created in my life. Thank you for my job. Thank you for all the materialistic things. Thank you for food. Thank you for water.

I pray for you to control my thoughts and actions. I pray that you will mold me to become a better Christian. I pray that you protect My family and friends. I pray that you will protect me. I pray that you will help those come to know you as I do. I pray in all these things unto your will Lord. Amen.

This is definitely a good demonstration to be able to see how Christ died for us.

DON'T LEAVE IT ON THE DESK

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him."How many push-ups can you do?"Steve said, "I do about 200 every night""200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time.""Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson."Well, I can try," said Steve."Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it?I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it."Dr. Christianson said, "Good. I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind.

"Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room.When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra! A fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked,"Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"Cynthia said, "Yes."Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups! so that Cynthia can have a donut?""Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push ups for every person before they got their donut.Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push ups?"Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then.

"Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push ups.Scott said, "Hey, I said I didn't want one"Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it."And he put a donut on Scott's desk.Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down.

You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"Sternly, Jenny said, "No."Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room.

The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it. Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want."And Dr. Christianson went on.A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO, don't come in Stay out!"Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come.

"Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push ups for him?"Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said give me a donut.""Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten push ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down. Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity.

By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular.

Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push ups for Linda.

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.

When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book.Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups.I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.""Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice! of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever.

Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, THE PRICE has been paid."

"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

Happy Fall To You

From one pumpkin to another!!!!!!!

A woman was asked by a coworker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"

The coworker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin."

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.

Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."