I’m growing tired of the bad rap dads are getting today. As I was walking around Disney World a couple of weeks ago, I saw countless dads leaving rides with their kids, each one with smiles so large that it would be impossible to wipe them from their faces.  Some of the kids were high-fiving their dads, others were sitting on their shoulders and still others were running to their moms recapping their adventure.  I never saw the race, color, religion or orientation of the dads.  I only saw their devotion to their children and the investment that they were making into their kids' lives at that moment…

…at today's breakfast at Lititz Christian, Eric Lewis, the spiritual life teacher, challenged all the dads in attendance to invest in our children.  This investment not only means a financial one, but more importantly, one of love, energy and time.  Pressures at work, family finances, and disagreements with wives and/or girlfriends, can negatively impact their daily lives, which can lead to harm in their family unit.  As I looked around the social hall at the 25 or so dads who gathered with their children at 6:45 AM, I couldn’t help but reflect on how hard it is to be a dad in 2015…

…the Elementary principle at Lititz Christian is going through a hard time right now.  She is courageously battling a disease that strikes with no rhyme or reason.  Last week, the student body visited her at her house, spewing warm, happy thoughts from their hearts and into hers. Her students were giving back to her something that she gave to them over the years – time, respect and kindness...

…a year ago, before being diagnosed, she began giving back – to society. This life-long educator courageously started the wheels in motion that brought an All Pro Dad (http://www.allprodad.com) chapter to the Lititz Christian School. She understood that dads need to meet with other dads and their children in an informal, social setting that stresses the importance of being a father.  These monthly gatherings - breakfast, prayer, short devotional and give-a-ways –  take up just 45 minutes.  But at the end of them, just like at Disney World, I see kids getting high-fives from their dads when its over as well as other kids running off to school with big smiles knowing that their dad loves them…

…I love community service and throughout my life, I have tried to give back where I can.  I have been the chairman of numerous town events, volunteered at church, and lent my time to organizations in varying capacities. It is said that when a man is of working age (20-60), he only seems to want to be known by the money they made or the job titles that they held.  However, near the end of their lives, they want to be known by their families that they raised, the amount of service they gave their community or the legacy they are leaving.   It’s time that I put my experiences and relationships to work in order to make an investment into the current and next generation's  lives. It's becoming apparent to me that I must step up my public service commitment to another level. Sherry has taught me that the next generation depends on this generation to make an impact on them. And for that, I say "Thank You Sherry."

Believe.Act.Serve, like Jesus did.
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1.    Why is there such a fuss made by the media and others that if a budget isn't passed, the government will shut down?  As I write this post, local, state and federal governments around the country are shutdown due to the Memorial Day holiday.  In fact, these same governments were shut down on Saturday and Sunday as well.  Somehow, we as a society and country survived, even amidst this scheduled government shut down of three days.   

 2.    “He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”  Corinthians 1:21-22   Similarly, Ephesians 2:10 says “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand.”  Remember: God chose you. For that, you should feel important. 

 3.    The national democratic party tweeted on May 22 – “Happy Memorial Day, everyone.” Not a bad tweet until you consider that the picture attached to this tweet was of President Obama eating ice cream.

 4.    Kudos to all of those involved in the planning and construction of a Veterans Honor Park of Lancaster County (near the Lititz Public Library) that will be a “tribute to the selfless dedication of every generation of warriors in every branch of the U.S. military.”  According to C. David Kramer, Warwick Township Supervisor, “The idea is to have a vibrant, inspirational place where every visitor is reminded of the sacrifices all county veterans.” Groundbreaking is early 2016 with a project completion by Veterans Day 2017.

 5.    Marriage equality. Gender equality. Income equality. Wealth equality. If everyone was equal, what incentive would be there for anyone to improve or to strive to get better? And, just because everyone would be on equal footing, would that necessarily make them happy or make for a better society? 

 6.    While I was in the voting booth last Tuesday evening, I heard an election official laughing that party endorsed candidates only need one vote to win. To that end, why should I vote if the decision has been already made for me?  In other related party/voting news, someone told me last Wednesday that the local Republican party’s endorsed candidates had a banner election day.  Really?  They all ran unopposed.   #whyvote?

 7.    “Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group, a tribute to our combined effort.” – Walt Disney

 8.    Remember 15 years ago, 1999, when…

·      Gas was $1.26 a gallon
·      Cast Away, Meet the Parents, Erin Brockovich & Gladiator were in the movie theaters
·      America On-Line and Time Warner merged
·      51 million people watched the first-season finale of “Survivor”
·      A first class mail postage stamp cost 34 cents
·      Kathie Lee Gifford leaves the show “Regis & Kathie Lee”
·      USS Cole is badly damaged and many sailors were killed by two suicide bombers
·      Federal debt was $5.6 billion
·      St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl and the Yankees won the World Series

 9.    I believe people should exercise their civic duty and vote. Occasionally, I will enter into light-hearted discussions with people who do not go to the polls.  However, stories like this one takes things a little far, don’t ‘ya think:  An Arizona woman was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison for running over her husband because he didn’t vote for Mitt Romney in 2012. In fact, he chose not to vote, which upset her even more. He suffered a broken pelvis and other serious injuries when his wife chased him around a parking lot, eventually pinning him to a light pole and then under her car.  Not surprisingly, the couple is now divorced.

 10.  Some light-hearted jokes for the day:

a.    What do you call a show full of lions?  The "Mane" event.
b.    What do mice do at home?  "Mouse" Work
c.    Why did the chicken cross the basketball court? He heard the referee calling “fowl”.
d.    Why don’t cows have any money?  Because the farmers "milk them dry".

Kindness & Courage continues later this week. Have a great week everyone. 

 
Believe.Act.Serve, like Jesus did.
Reedy is (getting ready)
#Team Tim

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A great stress reliever for me is cutting the grass at my house. This past Monday evening, I wanted to escape reality for while, so therefore, I donned my headphones, climbed aboard my John Deere tractor, and begin cascading around my property, shaving our lawn to a height of 4 inches.  As I continued my escape, I kept noticing the western sky blackening as time moved on throughout the evening. From late spring to early fall, it is inevitable that storms will crop up.  With one eye on the impending storm, I continued on my journey, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the darkening sky. As the skies began to open, I sought shelter in the house and waited for it to blow over so that I could continue the job at hand…

…storms come in and out of our lives during our lifetime. Storms can be in the form of financial hardships, health issues, the loss of a family member, speaking in public, a big test in school, an unplanned pregnancy, or a disagreement with a close friend.  The magnitude of these storms depends on the person facing them.  For instance, speaking in public for someone might equate to a passing shower, but to someone else, getting in front of a podium is equal to a tornado…

… Recently, a friend of mine went through a storm. Currently, a strong, Christian woman at my children’s school is going through a storm that equals a tornado.  And, should I decide to run for public office, many storms from showers to hail will hit me during the campaign. Several years ago, I was privileged to hear then Penn State Asst. Football Coach Larry Johnson, Sr., speak at a local banquet.  His 14-minute speech was entitled, “Top Ten Things for the Soul.”  Being a person that reads a ton and soaks up information like a sponge, I recorded his ten points into my iPhone. These same points that Coach Johnson so eloquently said to those in attendance also apply to facing and weathering storms. So, to my friend, the woman at my girls’ school, to me, and to you my faithful readers of this blog, here are those ten points.  Write them down.  Print them out.  Use them to “get through the storms in your life” so that the sun will shine again and keep shining. 

·      Faith – have some sort of belief system

·      Love – always show and have love for your family not matter what happens

·      Work – strive to be the best in your craft or chosen profession

·      Passion – believe passionately in something: passion is what moves you

·      Present – deal with things today and in the present: don’t live in the past

·      Humility – be humble: you will be exalted

·      Be an Example – set an example: always give back to the next generation and serve others

·      Gifts – you are born with special gifts that only God gave you: use those gifts (even during a storm) to help others

·      Adversity – handle hardship and difficulty with grace, not blaming anyone or making excuses

·      Brand – what do you stand for? What is your legacy?


Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me...To me, there are three things everyone should do every day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think -- spend some time time in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears. If you laugh, think and cry, that's a heck of a day.”   Coach Jim Valvano.


Believe.Act.Serve, like Jesus did.
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Since we were at Walt Disney World last week, I thought I would use this week's "Tuesday's with Tim" to give you, the reader, our family's top ten moments experienced at the most magical place on Earth...so strap in, here we go...

#10 - Being Sticky, Sweaty and Banged Up. Ducking out of the hot, humid Florida weather and into air conditioned gift shops and shows became an art form and a necessity; getting a huge blister on my left pinky toe (I was in agony); Tina getting a nice size brush burn on her back when riding a 120 foot water slide; having Grace and Gabbie pull the safety bar too far down on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - did I mention that it was very tight, in ah, a certain area of my body?  And, when we returned to the station, the bar did not automatically release, which prolonged the pain --- #walkingfunny.

#09 - Rides. Having all seven of us (me, Tina, Hannah, Andrew, Grace, Gabbie & my father-in-law) go from zero to 60 MPH in 2.6 seconds when riding on "Rock 'N Roll Rollercoaster" at Hollywood Studios.  Other fantastic rides we all rode together included "Space Mountain", "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad", "Toy Story Midway Mania", "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train" and Gabbie's favorite, the "Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover"; everyone but Gabbie tackling Summit Plummet at the Blizzard Beach Water Park. This 12 story slide sent us down 360 feet at more than 55 MPH in just 6 seconds.   Gabbie did ride the second tallest slide at Blizzard Beach (proud of her).

#08 - People. A Liverpool, England server at Epcot telling me, "I love this country. I'm living the dream.";  Celebrating Norway Constitution Day on May 17th with Kim from Oslo in the Norway pavilion at Epcot; Talking to Jim, Princess Aurora's 'bodyguard' - proof that no matter what you do, you can show everyone that you love your job, and Jim did just that; talking to "Mark the bus driver" on the way back from Hollywood Studios - another person who loves his job; getting to spend some time at dinner with a former colleague of mine who is a dear friend -- it was great that she was able to finally meet the family; good to see lots of dads helping their wives with their children #nomorestrollersforme; also good to see men giving up their seats on the transportation buses when they were full #chivalryisnotquitedead

#07 - Shows. Having Andrew play a starring role as a knight in "Enchanted Tales with Belle. Supporting roles were played by Gabbie (Maurice) and Grace (Funny Picture Frame); the "Festival of the Lion King" at Animal Kingdom is a must see; the acrobatic team at the China pavilion at Epcot were phenomenal; "Monsters Inc Laugh Floor" at the Magic Kingdom is always a crowd favorite; 

#06 - Food and more food.  The Carnitas at La Hacienda de San Angel - Mexico (Epcot); the Ribeye steak Le Cellier - Canada (Epcot); the Apple Blossom dessert at the Port Orleans Riverside food court; Fish & Chips - United Kingdom (Epcot); Ham & Cheese Baguette - France (Epcot); Bratwurst - Germany (Epcot); Beignets from The French Quarter resort.

#05 - Frozen. Singing many songs from the movie Frozen, including Let It Go at the Frozen Sing-A-Long as snow fell from the ceiling of the theater; dodging strollers and families as Hannah and I rushed to see Anna and Elsa as Magic Kingdom opened; seeing Frozen gifts at virtually every gift shop we entered into; #letitgo

#04 - Princesses and Characters. Having an extended visit with Peter Pan and the family, despite his handlers saying otherwise; me meeting Princess Merida; getting to meet my favorite princess, Aurora; having the family meet Mickey, Minnie, Mary Poppins, Tinker Bell, Ariel, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Cinderella, Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, Green Army Man, Belle, Chip & Dale, The Fairy Godmother, The Ugly Step-Sisters & Step-Mother, Alice, and Rapunzel. 

#03 - Did I Just Say That? - During "Turtle Talk with Crush" at Epcot, Grace asked Crush, the sea turtle from the movie Finding Nemo, what kind of food he eats. After he answered, Crush then asked Grace what kind food is her favorite, to which she responded, "sea food" -- laughter ensued from the audience, while fear and astonishment enveloped Crush - he was speechless; a mouse, who was dancing in the electric parade, came up to Andrew to give him a high-five and then pulled his hand away at the last moment, to which Andrew replied, "rats!"; Hannah began talking Italian to a store clerk at the Italian pavilion only to have the clerk respond in English and then walk away; #denied

#02 - $18.95 - This is the amount that Hannah had to pay for new Mickey Mouse flip flops at the Space Mountain gift shop because, as she was getting into the car for the ride, she got her sandal caught between the track and the deck, causing it to fall down into the abyss.  Did I mention that this happened within 15 minutes upon entering the Magic Kingdom on our first day of vacation? 

#01 - World's Worst Husband - So, how many husbands, when they are making airline reservations, use their wife's wrong last name? No one?  That's what I thought.  Not me.  I purchased my wife's plane ticket and for some unknown reason, I used her maiden name and not her married name. Of course, she discovered this "oversight" 6 hours before we left for the airport.  To make matters worse, I asked her if she had any picture ID showing her maiden name.  Since this is a family post, I'll not tell you what she responded. The TSA agent allowed her to pass through security only after she provided our marriage certificate and her social security card that showed her maiden name.  #I'llneverdothatagain


Believe.Act.Serve, like Jesus did.


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Courage and Kindness resumes later this week. 

1. I thought about starting off this post by telling you a joke about manure. But after thinking about it for a while, I’m not going to tell you, because it stinks.

2. I’ve been reading lately that proponents of gay marriage want the dialogue to change to marriage equality. Marriage equality redefines marriage to mean that two consenting adults, regardless of gender, who love each other, can marry. If that logic runs true, then shouldn’t marriage equality extend to allowing three or more consenting adults, first cousins or even two couples joining together be married? After all, they are in love and who says people in love can’t marry? Once society begins to redefine anything, that definition will continue to morph as time advances.

3. Are you smarter than a 4th grader? – Janice bought her mother a bunch of 2 flowers. Two of the flowers are daisies. One half of the remaining flowers are tulips. How many of the flowers are tulips? (answer below)

4. “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”

Proverbs 5: 8 … “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” Proverbs 8: 3

5. Did you ever stop and think about how many times you “trust” in a day’s time? While driving, you trust that the cars on the other side of the road will not cross the center line and hit you. You also trust the chef/cook at your favorite restaurant that he/she will not put a foreign substance in your food. You trust that the convenience store fills the underground tanks with gasoline and not water. You trust that your husband and/or wife will return home after a day of work. You trust that your heart will keep beating. You trust that your legs will work. You trust the pilot flying the plane. You trust…

6. My top five favorite flavors of ice cream (5-1): chocolate almond, moose tracks, vanilla, butter pecan, and chocolate chip.

7. Thanks to everyone who has prayed, emailed, texted and called about my mom. She remains in rehab at United Zion Home in Lititz. She has progressed to the point where she can walk with little assistance to and from the dining hall and rehab. Her left arm still remains a stumbling block for her, but she is a fighter. Our prayer is that she will be able to attend my son Andrew’s graduation on June 09.

8. My top five summer foods (5-1):: watermelon, veggies on the grill, corn on the cob, grilled chicken and burgers grilled to perfection.

9. Answer to ‘Are you smarter than a 4th grader?’: 5 tulips.

10. Like me or not, when I decide to do something, I dive in 100%. This quote from Walt Disney sums up me and also it sums up what I will do if I am ever elected to serve the public: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

Courage and Kindness is taking a week off and will resume on May 2 .

Have a great week everyone.

Reedy is (getting ready)

#Team Tim

Four years ago, I found myself on a treadmill.  The stress test was ordered due to my high blood pressure and related issues.  I’ll be honest – having a stress test in my 40s scared me.  I was scared enough that I changed my diet and started walking in an effort to lose weight.  Although my doctor, my wife and others told me what I needed to do, the decision to get myself healthier fell on my then, 220 pound shoulders. My first step on my road to lower blood pressure was to educate myself on how to eat healthier, how to exercise and how to be courageous in resisting the temptations of slipping back into bad habits. After losing close to 25 pounds (I have since gained 5 back), I am happy to say that my blood pressure is under control and close to being normal… 

…life in Baltimore seems to be getting back to normal after a week of civil unrest.  I’ll leave it up to others to debate the reasons for the looting, demonstrations, destruction of properties and hatred toward the police.  What you will find, after listening to these debates, is that its always someone else’s fault.  The blame game is all you will hear.  And, after the blame game runs its course, everyone and their brother will have a solution.  These solutions will range from more money for housing, more education dollars are needed, less government intrusion, a change in leadership, less racism, putting the other political party in charge, or more laws…

…no one but myself was able to make me get healthier.  Did I need a law to tell me to stop drinking sodas laced with sugar?  No.  My first step to recovery was taking responsibility that my poor diet and other factors caused my health issues.  I had to come to the realization that I made myself overweight. It wasn’t because of a television ad or other sexy marketing telling me why I should drink soda in order to have fun.  No, it was me and me alone.  In order to get better, I had to do without some things that I enjoyed.  But, through the pain, came the reward...

…in order for people to achieve the reward of a financially healthier and safer society, people must first examine themselves and come to the conclusion that, instead of looking to others or the government or a political party to help them out of poverty or out of a rough neighborhood.  Look inward, instead of outward. 

·      Individuals must possess the desire to get better

·      Individuals must have the willingness to pick themselves up

·      Individuals must want to get educated and truly digest what they learned 

·      Individuals must be courageous and take responsibility for past actions

·      Individuals must practice kindness toward others

·      Individuals must stop blaming someone else for their ills

·      Individuals must realize that they have the power of changing society when they band together to do what is right

·      Individuals must be willing to take on leadership roles and say some things that aren’t politically correct or popular

·      Individuals must not listen to those in charge who have lead them astray

·      Individuals must be truthful 

Like the political parties, organizations, movements, and community groups of today, everyone talks a good game, but no one wants to face the reality that INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY must PRECEDE any ACTIONS taken.  It doesn’t start with them. It all starts with you. There is an old saying that speaks volumes to me:  physician heal thy self.  You were born for a reason at this moment.  At this time.  In this country.  You are reading this blog post for a reason.  You matter.  You can begin the winds of change and restoration.

And when you get scared about facing some harsh truths or standing against the status quo, keeping reading this verse to gain strength and to receive comfort: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

BELIEVE.ACT.SERVE, like JESUS did.
Reedy is (getting) Ready
#Team Tim

1.     May is national hamburger month; therefore, to celebrate this blessed occasion, some trivia about the burger: 

·      Americans collectively eat 50 billion burgers per year
·      White Castle is the oldest burger chain in the county – started in 1921
·      Burgers account for 40% of all sandwiches sold
·      Louis Lassen of Louis Lunch Sandwich shop in New Haven, CT is credited as the creator of the hamburger as we know it today
·      The hamburger hall of fame is located in Seymour, Wisconsin

2.     “I think I’ll go for a walk outside now, the summer sun’s calling my name. I just can’t stay inside all day, gotta get out, get me some of those rays…”  Name this song title and artist (answer below) based on these lyrics.

3.     Pastor Saeed Abedini is marking his 35th birthday in an Iranian jail.  Detained because of his Christian faith, his wife says that Iran would release him if he denies Christ.  In a recent letter home, Pastor Abedini says he is crying out to God for America’s revival. Imagine being in prison and praying for a country's revival and not your release.

 4.    My top 5 choices for President (1-4): Rand, Walker, Marco, Ted.  Carly for VP?

5.   American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), commonly known as the stimulus, appropriated over $1.8 Billion to the city of Baltimore, including $467.1 million to invest in education and $26.5 million for crime prevention.  According to Recovery.gov, this spending created 290 jobs in the fourth quarter in 2013.

 6.   “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22

7.    Floyd Mayweather, Jr. won the big fight on Saturday.  He celebrated by taking his entourage to a local strip club after the fight --- along with $250,000 in cash that he had stuffed in a duffel bag.  No word if his personal attendant joined in on the fun – one of the jobs that his attendant has is to carry Floyd’s hand sanitizer.  On second thought, the attendant probably went along.

8.    Best quote I’ve heard to date regarding religious liberty was from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, “The United States did not create religious liberty.  Religious liberty created the United States.”

9.    Answer:  "It's a Sunshine Day" – Performed by the Brady Bunch Kids on the January 26, 1973 episode called Amateur Night.

10.  In a new 5 year report about the millennial generation, after salary & benefits, what matters most to them when looking for a job is the company’s work culture and their involvement with causes.  This generation of 20 and early 30-somethings want to volunteer together and feel connected through a shared passion for their company’s cause work, ideally through initiatives that help their surrounding community.

Have a wonderful week everyone. 
Kindness & Courageous continues later this week.

 Believe. Act. Serve, the way He did.
#Reedy is (getting) Ready