Super Sunday - My Favorite Sayings About Chocolate

30 September 2012

I keep getting thrown off by Fabulous Friday. I always seem to remember to do Fabulous Friday on a day that is not Friday. So I am changing it to Super Sunday, Magnificent Monday, Tremendous Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Terrific Thursday, Fabulous Friday or Stupendous Saturday. So here it goes...


My Favorite Sayings About Chocolate

1.  I could give up chocolate, but I'm no quitter.

2.  Save the earth! It is the only planet with chocolate.

3.  Vegetables are good for you. Chocolate comes from the cocoa bean. Beans are vegetables. Therefore, chocolate is good for you. This is indisputable proof.

4.  I was told I would feel better if I learned to finish something. Today I finished a chocolate cake and a bag of M & M's. I'm feeling better already.

5.  Dip it in chocolate; it will be fine.

Sally Had a Dream

22 September 2012

One of the honors I have had over the past year is to conduct one-on-one discipleship with Sally Henein. This year, she is the President of our Campus Ambassador community. About a year ago, Sally told me the following story about a dream that she had. After she had related this, we carefully went over each aspect to discover the truths that God was communicating to her. As Sally is prone to say, "It was awesome!"

Have you ever had a dream that blew your mind? Have you ever woken up from a dream and had no idea what it was supposed to mean? Well, I had this experience the summer of 2011. I attended a conference held at my church and the speaker was the host family I stayed with when I traveled to China in the summer of 2010. Her name is Sue Coral. Sue led a retreat called Beauty for Ashes. It was a women’s retreat that focuses on spiritual bondage and how to set ourselves free from evil lies and thoughts that hold us captive every day. The retreat was heavily focused on using Bible passages to prove that evil thoughts that come into our heads are not from God. This retreat got me thinking so much about the importance of the Bible.

I often wondered why I had not been reading the Bible more and what was holding me back. I found myself thinking of lame excuses, like I am too busy. I am too tired. I will read it later. Sometimes I would also say, “Oh I read this story before… reading it again won’t change anything." I also thought going to church and listening to the sermon was a good dose of Scripture. That was about to change.

The night I went home after Beauty for Ashes, I had a dream:

My Bible sat on this white table and it was in a maroon book covering. All of a sudden, the Bible unzipped slowly and started to float in the air. As it floated, the pages suddenly began to flip so quickly it was as if there was a fan blowing all the pages open. As I approached the Bible, it began to slowly fall to the table (like a feather falling). The Bible was gently placed on the white table open at about the middle. As I came closer to look at the Bible, I could not see anything. In a matter of seconds, there was a bright light that shined out of the Bible. It was the brightest light I had ever seen in my life. Then...I woke up.

I began to wonder what the dream meant. As Pastor Paul and I discussed it, we came to understand the following elements were essential to understanding what God was saying to me:

1. The White Table 
2. The Bible Floating 
3. The Bible's Pages Flipping 
4. The Bible Being Open 
5. The Bright Light

1. White often resembles purity. It is significant that the Bible was on the white table because God’s word is full of His pure, perfect lessons and principles. Tables are used for places of gathering. When people are gathered around a table, it is usually in a welcoming environment. God is very welcoming. A Biblical example is like the last supper. Jesus and his disciples ate around the Table. They were all in fellowship with one another. The Bible is like an invitation to fellowship with Jesus. Reading the Bible is a great time for him to communicate with you and guide you through your life. Take advantage of this free and satisfying meal. Come taste and see that the Lord is good.

2. When the Bible floated it is like it is being lifted up to Christ. God is making it clear that His Word is so important and should be a priority in our lives. The fact that it is lifted up, it is standing alone. It shows superiority. God is making it clear that my attention needs to be on the Bible.

3. The pages flipping quickly like wind represents a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In the beginning of the Bible, God created the entire world out of nothing. He did this by speaking. Speaking requires the use of air. Wind can be looked at as the breath of life. God speaks life into us through the Bible. Wind is also related to and is the Spirit of God. As the air flipped all the pages open in the bible, the rushing of the wind is communicating life. The pages of the Bible and its content are life giving.

My mom once told me: Imagine that your best friend, a family member, your boyfriend or girlfriend wrote you a letter. Would you leave it sitting on the table and never open it? NO! You would run to the letter and open it and read it beginning to end? Why? Because you love that person and want to see what they wrote to you. This is the same exact thing!

God wrote the Bible, a personal letter or note, for me and you. We shouldn’t put this letter that God wrote to us personally, aside and “read it later.” This is an important message that we need to desire and develop a hunger for. As I read through the Bible, I develop a sense of peace and love. During the fall semester last year (2011), my house was broken into. After that, my housemates and I read the Bible together before we went to sleep. It brought comfort to us. We knew that there was a greater being out there watching over us, and protecting us.

4. The Bible was open, but I was not able to see what it was opened to. I was not supposed to. Then I would have thought that this place in the Bible was to be special to me. Instead, it was a different message. It is all important. It is all for me.

5. When Jesus is in us, we are light. Sometimes we are dim, because we are busy covering our up our lives. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and the knowledge and wisdom the Bible provides, we will be the light in a dark room. People will see our loving hearts and the fire we have for Christ. Christ will shine through us. The Scripture provides us with direction.

The more you feed on God’s word, the more direction you have. Jesus will guide you in the right direction, whether it is how to deal with a friend, the loss of a loved one, our purpose on earth. As you engage youself more and more into the word, Jesus will reveal himself more to you.

I must admit, I immensely enjoyed working with Sally through this. Her hunger to know God better and listen to His voice is an inspiration to us. Sally has continued in her example. She has not just heard God, but she acts on it. To God Be the Glory!

Pops at Two

16 September 2012

Last week, my grandson, Eric Xavier Decker turned two. Sometimes, I wonder if it is me that has turned two. I guess, in a way, I have.

There is a certain delight about becoming a grandparent that I suppose only other grandparents get. Our role is so unique and special. I have understood this, in part, because of the great relationship I had with my grandmother. She was my special confidante and fellow conspirator, always glad to pull one over on my parents.

These last two years have been intense since Elizabeth and Xavy have been under our roof for most of the time. So, we have yet to feel that empty nest thing. Instead, our daily experience has been fingerprints on the doors, toys on the floor, cupboards unpacked, cereal thrown, climbs into the refrigerator, and crying in the middle of the night. Of course, we have been loving every minute of it and have no regrets whatsoever.

Elizabeth and Xavy have moved out now into an apartment nearby, and though we still see them a lot (for which I am grateful), there is still a sadness I feel. My morning greeting of "Hey Pops!" won't be quite as regular as it was. Time is marching on and the new stages in our lives keep coming upon us.

What I truly hope is that I will never lose an appreciation of the privilege it is to be "Pops" and how grateful I am to the Lord that he has graced me with such a role.

Fabulous Friday - My Five Favorite Posts on Facebook during August

14 September 2012

My 5 Favorite Posts on Facebook during August


1.  We had a neighbor that was not to with it. He said that our dog Jake was chasing someone on a bike. That was silly. Jake did not even own a bike.

2.  I'm planning to retire and live off my savings. What I'll do the second day, I have no idea.

3.  You make the beds, you do the dishes, and six months later you have to start all over again.

4.  An invisible man married an invisible woman. I hear their children are nothing to look at...

5.  I used to be a people person, but people ruined that for me.

Fabulous Friday - Films I Don't Mind Seeing Over and Over Again

7 September 2012

Films I Don't Mind Seeing Over and Over Again


1. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

Jim Caviezel is brilliant! And you can't help but weigh the cost of revenge...


2. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Very hard to improve on Errol Flynn and his band of merry men.


3. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

You just have to keep rooting that Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman will pull it together.  My favorite line: "These mashed potatoes are so creamy."


4. Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

This offbeat comedy never fails to make me smile. Ryan Gosling is terrific.


5. The Two Towers (2002)

The scene of Gandalf arriving at Helm's Deep when all seems lost always brings cries of joy from me.

Legacy: James Albert Decker (13)

The following article appeared in Saints Alive, the quarterly newsletter of the Lima Christian School

The legacy of former LCS Principal Jim Decker, faithful servant-leader

by Rachel E. Dewey, LCS Class of 1993

    

“Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant” was the title of the memorial service program celebrating the life and legacy of Jim Decker, principal of LCS from 1983-’91. Despite his short stature, Mr. Decker left a giant impact that many in the LCS family will remember. He died peacefully at his Batavia home on June 21, at age 84.

Mr. Decker served in the U.S. Army, married his high school crush, Marilyn Knapp, in 1957, and worked as an insurance underwriter and bricklayer for many years before returning to college at age 40. He then became a vocational teacher of masonry (bricklaying) at BOCES, guidance counselor, and eventually, director of the Lester B. Forman Center (later renamed Fairport/Monroe I BOCES) before coming to LCS. Under Mike Maloney, then-assistant LBC pastor, and principal from 1980-’83, LCS had transitioned from an ACE (directed, personal study) school to a more traditional K-12 institution. Hired to succeed Pastor Maloney, Mr. Decker continued to move LCS forward in faith.

In the process of guiding LCS to become a registered New York State high school, Mr. Decker hired and trained additional staff and teachers and made great strides building the curriculum. As an administrator, he was skilled at leading multiple events, sometimes several within the same time period, said LCS staffers who worked in his “early years.” With additional duties enrolling students, delegating, teaching, and serving as counselor, Mr. Decker labored long to strengthen and build LCS into one of the area’s finest Christian schools. 

Students and staff enjoyed his unique sense of humor and cheery disposition, and he earned the respect of many for his dedicated service, humility, and passion for his Savior, Jesus Christ. This was particularly evident in his 9th and 10th grade Bible classes, where he often taught from one of his favorite books, A.W. Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy. He also drew upon illustrations from his bricklaying days when describing the “plumb line” of God’s word in the Book of Amos, and enjoyed teaching the meanings of the many names and attributes of God.

Mr. Decker told his family he’d found his “dream job” at LCS, and he challenged students in his Bible classes to be sure they left LCS with “a set of ‘unchangeables’ in your back pocket,” Biblical standards which they would never compromise.

In a Facebook post noting the blessing of people who speak grace, truth and love into one’s life, Class of ’97 alum Beth Bouchard cited an “unforgettable” Chapel message when Mr. Decker told students, “Dear ones, do you know it’s all right to fail?” 

Students and staff looked up to him as an exceptional role model who lived out his faith and trusted in Christ for all things. With thanks for a legacy of servant leadership, the LCS family congratulates Mr. Decker on his “promotion” to Glory.

He leaves behind his wife, Marilyn; son Paul and daughter-in-love Dondra; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His family requests that contributions in his memory be made to the LCS Scholarship Fund. Letters to his wife and family may be sent to the home of Paul Decker, 191 N. Linden St., Williamsville, NY 14221.

(A heart-felt thank you to those who contributed to the information that formed the basis of this article: Beth Bouchard, Paul Decker, Ralph Dewey, Mike Maloney, and various staff and members LCS, LBC, and the Batavia Christian & Missionary Alliance Church.)

Dear Mr. Martzloff

1 September 2012

This letter is in response to a recent local news story regarding the firing of Al Monaco, the Williamsville South basketball coach.

Dear Mr. Martzloff,

Like many in the Williamsville district, I was stunned to hear the news about the firing of Al Monaco. It is now 6 days later, and my unease regarding the situation has only grown.

It was not so long ago, I was the parent of Williamsville South athletes. I know the emotions many a parent feels when their child is not being given a fair shake or is being underused. I know what it feels like to see an underclassmen unseat your child. It is hard to swallow. I even know what it is to hear your child criticized unfairly.

Do you know what I did about it? Nothing. And I continue to be glad that I said nothing.

It was not so long ago, I was the travel coach for those same athletes. I experienced the unsolvable expectations of both the league and the parents. The league expects me to win and the parents expect the same as long as I use their child as much as every other player.

I loved coaching. I hated coaching. Maybe you feel that way about being a superintendent right now.

And as I look back, I wish that some of the parents of the children I coached had followed my pattern and said less rather than more. They never helped. Their complaints never made anything better for their children or the team. Never.

I did learn this about coaching. You played the kids together that worked the best together. I sometimes left a very good player on the bench because they did not make the other players better when they were competing. We don't get that as a parent, but we do as a coach.

It was not so long ago, I was in leadership at several non-profits. I know what it is to hear the complaints. I know what it is to see the evidence pile up. I even know the threatening of lawsuits. And I know what it is to come to a decision, only to find out afterwards that the decision was a "stinker" and you were manipulated. I should have known better, but in the end, I got it wrong. I was wrong.

My children had Al Monaco as a teacher. Each one expressed a deep appreciation for the man. He was a great communicator and teacher.

This is the disconnect that many feel. If he is a bully as a coach, then why is he still teaching? If his conduct is unbecoming of an adult around teens, then he should not be in the school at all. In my humble opinion, he either belongs around students or he does not.

But those that know Al Monaco, know that he does belong. Is he a perfect man, teacher, or coach? No, not by a long shot. In the end, though, most are glad that he has been a part of their lives.

It is sad to me that a few are stealing that privilege of the many to come.