Thoughts to Ponder

Today I was standing in Nikko's Restruant and paying my bill when the cashier asked me a question. She simply asked "How are you doing today sir?" and my response was "Better than I deserved!" She then had a very perplexed look on her face and stated "WOW....what is it you deserve?" I think she thought maybe I should be in jail, or maybe I am lucky to not be living out in the bitter cold on the streets, and the list can go on and on. Well my response was simply "I deserve HELL!" I left her there to ponder on that word. I probably should have elaborated more but, the fact of the matter is that is actually exactly what I deserve. As we head into this Christmas Season may we never forget the Birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus came into this world as God/Man and lived and ministered for 33 years living the ultimate perfect life before being crucified on the cruel and rugged cross for my sins. Jesus payed the price for my sins and saved me from the bottomless pit of eternal HELL so that I can be a part of his family, and live in his kingdom of eternity in Heaven. The Bible states clearly "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" Romans 3:23 also it states in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave is only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but, have everlasting life." So the choice is yours...Do you want to believe and accept the free gift of eternal life that we absolutely don't deserve? Or do you want to take what you actually deserve and spend eternity in a lake of fire known as "HELL". I now leave you with this thought to ponder? "How are you doing today?"

To God Be The Glory~

Brian Cooper

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Went to a party Mom...

I went to a party,
And remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom,
so I had a sprite instead.

I felt proud of myself,
The way you said I would,
that I didn't drink and drive,
though some friends said I should.

I made a healthy choice,
And your advice to me was right.
The party finally ended,
and the kids drove out of sight.

I got into my car,
Sure to get home in one piece.
I never knew what was coming, Mom,
something I expected least. < BR>
Now I'm lying on the pavement,
And I hear the policeman say,
the kid that caused this wreck was drunk,
Mom, his voice seems far away.

My own blood's all around me,
As I try hard not to cry.
I can hear the paramedic say,
this girl is going to die.

I'm sure the guy had no idea,
While he was flying high.
Because he chose to drink and drive,
now I would have to die.

So why do people do it, Mom
Knowing that it ruins lives?
And now the pain is cutting me,
like a hundred stabbing knives.

Tell sister not to be afraid, Mom
Tell daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven,
put ' Mommy's Girl' on my grave.

Someone should have taught him,
That it's wrong to drink and drive.
Maybe if his parents had,
I'd still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter,
Mom I'm getting really scared
These are my final moments,
and I'm so unprepared.

I wish that you could hold me Mom,
As I lie here and die.
I wish that I could say, 'I love you, Mom!'
So I love you and goodbye.

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) IS HOPING TO GET 5,000
SIGNATURES ON THIS, THEN PASS IT ON TO SIGN.

God Bulletin Boards

Ann Arbor Road Trip

This past weekend I took a road trip to Ann Arbor with my Mom and we had a wonderful weekend. We left on Friday and went to Ann Arbor and had lunch with my Uncle Garry at the Earl Sandwich Shop. Then we did a little shopping before we headed to Adrian to spend the evening with my Aunt and Uncle and their family. We went to the Adrian High School Football game and watched them beat Fowlerville and we had our first opportunity to watch my cousin play the snare drum in the band. Afterwards the drumline did a great act right front and center which was totally spectacular. On Saturday we headed to Ann Arbor for the ultimate show at the BIG HOUSE. The game against Minnesota was great even though we sat in, rain, sunshine, and cold wind all in one game. The final score was Michigan 34 and Minnesota 10. Michigan retained "The Little Brown Jug". Now we are just 3 games out from a chance at winning the Big Ten Title. This will be a weekend I will always remember. I had much fun Mom. Thanks for going even though you were under the weather. You really are a trooper !

The Lord's Return?

Last week one night my Wife, Bryce, and Myself were standing out in our front yard looking up into the sky at the beautiful sky and the big puffy white clouds after my Mom called me and told me about them. These were not your usual big clouds because, the outside lining of the clouds were brilliant with light so I took a few pictures. My wife made a neat statement saying "I bet these are the kind of clouds that the Lord's going to return in." Then Bryce added "Mom, is the Lord going to return right now?" It was cute to see his curiosity as we were talking about the clouds and the Lord. It helped us keep it in perspective that the Lords return in imminent meaning he can return at any time. It maybe morn, noon, or night..... It maybe today, tomorrow, or years from now. We just don't know but, the Bible does promise that the Lord will return. The question is will "YOU" be ready?

Halloween Hangman

Thought for the Day ! ! !

Whatever your cross,
Whatever your pain,
There will always be sunshine,
After the rain ....
Perhaps you may stumble,
Perhaps even fall,
But God's always ready,
To answer your call ...
He knows every heartache,
Sees every tear,
A word from His lips,
Can calm every fear ...
Your sorrows may linger,
Throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish,
Dawn's' early light ...
The Savior is waiting,
Somewhere above,
To give you His grace,
And send you His love ..
Whatever your cross,
Whatever your pain,
'God always sends rainbows ....
After the rain ... '

Speeding

I GOT STOPPED FOR SPEEDING THE OTHER DAY.

I THOUGHT I COULD TALK MY WAY OUT OF IT UNTIL

THE COP LOOKED AT MY DOG IN THE BACK SEAT.

Don't Drink and Drive ! ! !

What you're about to see may be shocking. I had to think for a moment if I actually wanted to show these pictures because, they are pretty graphic. Although I know alot of people who drink and drive and it seems they don't always understand the consequences that can come with it. Here below is a story of a beautiful girl named Jacqueline who's life was turned upside down and her beauty was shattered all because of one fool who thought drinking and driving was cool. Now I wonder how cool he thinks it is as you will see a picture of him below. Please take the time to pass this blog site along to your friends and family so they too can read about what can happen when you DRINK and DRIVE.

Thanks Brian L. Cooper









This is Jacqueline Saburido on September 19, 1999.












This is her and her Father, 1998.











This is her on Vacation in Venezuela.







Birthday party as a child.








At a party with friends.






The car in which Jacqueline traveled. She was hit by another car that was driven by a 17-year old male student on his way home after drinking a couple of hard packs with his friends. This was in December 1999.





After the accident Jacqueline has needed over 40 operations.






Jacqueline was caught in the burning car and her body was heavily burnt during around 45 seconds.







With her Father, 2000.






Getting treatment.







Three months after accident.







Without a left eyelid Jacquie needs eye drops to keep her vision.






Now 20 year old, he cannot forgive himself for driving drunk on that night three years ago.He's aware of devastating Jacqueline Saburidos life.








Not everyone who gets hit with a car dies. This picture was taken 4 years after the accident and the doctors are still working on Jacqueline, whose body was covered with 60% severe burnings.

Soccer

Starting this week on Saturday September 8th, 2007 Bryce will be starting his Soccer Season at the Soccer Complex on Drake Rd located directly behind Calvary Bible Church. All games will be @ 9am Rain or Shine. We would like to extend a personal invitation to each and everyone of you to come support Bryce. So load up your lawn chairs and blankets and come watch this little guy. Games shouldn't last any longer than 45 minutes. We hope to see you there. I have enclosed all the game days and pictures above.

Schedule

Saturday September 8th @ 9am

Saturday September 15th @ 9am

Saturday September 22nd @ 9am

Saturday September 29th @ 9am

Saturday October 6th @ 9am

Saturday October 13th @ 9 am

School Time Is Here

Well today as Bryce's parents we seen him off to his first day of Kindergarten. It was a happy and yet a sad day. We are happy to see him make another step of achievement and on the other hand a little sad to see our baby boy grow up so fast. We are proud of our son and know he has a bright and sun shining future ahead of him. May the Lord help Bryce take his education seriously and also be an enjoyable to to make new friends and be active in extra curricular activities. When you see Bryce next make sure you ask him how things are going in Kindergarten I know he will be excited to share his thoughts with you. Good Luck Bryce ...... Momma and Poppa are so proud of you!

Sam " I AM" McGuffie

Sam McGuffie and Daryl Stonum






Michigan Wolverine Football fans, it's time to get excited, very excited. Sam McGuffie of Cyprus Texas has announced he will be attending U of M in the Fall of '08. He is referred to as the number one all-purpose back by rivals.com. He chose Michigan despite being highly recruited around the country, by schools such as USC, Notre Dame and Florida. Watch the video and you'll see this kid's ridiculous speed. Granted his open field run reminds me a bit of Bobby Boucher, but this kid is no water boy.

These videos alone make me very confident in the future of Michigan's football program. I have no doubts that Mallet and McGuffie will be the next Hart and Henne, probably even better. I guess the best football players are grown in Texas, and we've been doing some great recruiting there. His breakout runs are like the runs after eating too much chili, frequent and explosive. I think these videos speak for themselves, and I for one am very excited about the future. Did I forget to mention he's WHITE? I can't think of one starting white RB in the NFL, so hopefully when all is said and done, this guy will be there.

Unlike Michael Hart, I don't think the open field touchdown will be a problem for this kid. He scored 44 touchdowns and rushed for over 3,000 years in his junior year last year, in one of the toughest leagues.

Mrs. Stewart and Mary Lou Schlough

Once again we are talking about Vacation Bible School and today I have pictured above to lovely ladies who were big contributors in making our VBS 2007 a success. Mrs. Stewart (left) was one of the Primary teachers and she is absolutely great with these younger kids. If you knew Mrs. Stewart you would know that she is a very helpful person and goes out of her way to help anybody and everybody. Mrs. Stewart is very good with the younger kids and does a great job coming down to their level and adapting to their needs. Mary Lou Schlough(right) did one of the task that I know the kids most appreciate. She was in charge of preparing the snack time and making sure every kid had a drink and a snack for the evening during the craft time. Mary Lou Schlough was very patient with the kids and did a good job at keeping track that no student got missed. She was also willing to help out when ever the need arose and was always ready on the spur of the moment. One thing that really sticks out is Mary Lou Schlough always had a contagious smile on her face. It was heart warming to see her each night ready to help and equipped with a SMILE. May God Bless these two wonderful ladies for their time and dedication to our Vacation Bible School 2007.

Oshtemo Fun Days

Last Saturday we went to the Oshtemo Fun Days over at Flesher Field Park on 9th St here in Oshtemo,MI. We had a great time visiting the many booths that were set up from various different businesses from the surrounding community and Greater Kalamazoo area. Bryce and I took a ride in the High Rise Bucket on the Fire Truck and Bryce got to check out the many different Fire Trucks that were there. He also got to try on some the Fire Fighter gear. Bryce had alot of fun going on most of the inflatable rides and did extremely well competing on the obstacle course beating alot of the bigger kids to the finish line. It was a beautiful day for an event such as this and we can't wait to come back next year. Maybe we will try the Hot Air Balloon Ride next year.

Dominiquee Stewart

Just as I promised I am going to continue to post about our Vacation Bible School each time I make a blog post. Tonight I would like to tell you about a wonderful young lady by the name of Dominiquee Stewart who was considered our "P.R." person for the week of Vacation Bible School. Dominiquee took many.....many.....many pictures. To be exact she took all of the pictures at Vacation Bible School which consisted of nearly 1000 or more pictures. She also helped with class time as you can see in the picture above. Dominiquee was a person you could always count on to pitch in and get the job done. Many thanks goes out to this lovely young lady as she wants to do what is honoring and pleasing unto the Lord.