Funny Story about Billy Graham...

A tennis coach friend of mine shared this humorous story about Billy Graham...

Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement and when his plane arrived there was a limousine there to transport him to his home. As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver.

'You know' he said, 'I am 87 years old and I have never
Driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?'

The driver said, 'No problem. Have at it.'

Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap.

The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone.

The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo then got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure. The young trooper walked up to the driver's door and when the glass was rolled down, he was surprised to see who was driving.

He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor. 'I know we are supposed to enforce the law.... but I also know that important people are given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person.'

The supervisor asked, 'Is it the governor?'

The young trooper said, 'No, he's more important than that.'

The supervisor said, 'Oh, so it's the president.'

The young trooper said, 'No, he's even more Important than that.'

After a moment,the supervisor finally asked, 'Well then, who is it?'

The young trooper said, 'I think it's Jesus, because he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur!'

Watching What I Eat

I came across this photo on Facebook and it inspired today's post about how changing to a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle totally turned my health around.  I went from a 230+ pound diabetic, high blood pressure situation to a 170-180 pound super charged athlete that has a second chance at life.

A little over two years ago I was on expensive meds that made me feel worse than the condition they were supposed to be treating.  My doctor said I could drop dead of a heart attack at any moment.  My body was always hurting due to trying to maintain an active lifestyle carrying around 75 pounds more than God intended me to have.

I would still like to shed a few more pounds, but in two years and 60 + pounds I have gone from buying XXL clothing to a lowly 'L' and sometimes I even fit into a 'M'.   I feel great and am playing the best tennis of my life in my late forties.   Praise God.

I will chronicle more of this journey in the next few weeks and months.  But for now, let me just say that by maintaining a healthy plant based nutrition plan combined with an active life style, I completely reversed my diabetes and high blood pressure.  

Being married to a loving dedicated spouse like my precious Monica sure hasn't hurt my chances of success and survival, either! (She is an amazing cook, too!)

To God be the Glory!   ~Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights...  James 1:17

10 and Under Tennis ~ Coach's Notes

Elijah would have played his first BIG tennis tournament in Houston this weekend but he had been sick all week and had to miss it.   I volunteered to help umpire and monitor some of the matches.  There was some amazing tennis talent in the 10 and under groups.    Many of the children were 7 years old like Elijah.

I asked one young competitor how old he was and he told me: "...7, but I have been playing tennis since I was 2..."    He was pretty good for seven years old.  

Over all, the10 and under tournament went very well.  There were no incidents involving parents that I observed.  And only one match I officiated ended up with a little boy crying because he lost.    That is my biggest concern with Elijah and other young people who compete 'seriously' in sports at a very young age. 

Elijah is an amazing kid.  He's already developed pretty good tennis strokes at his tender age, but I have concerns about how well he will 'compete' and interact with other kids on the field of competition.  I have never tried to be too 'pushy' a tennis parent. And I never emphasize winning but always stress the most important thing is to give 100 % effort and the winning will take care of itself.

My son is very naturally competitive, and I want him to develop a healthy respect for competition, especially displaying a keen respect for those he is competing against.

Tennis can be a great vehicle for teaching many life skills: especially how to interact with others.  It can teach the importance of honesty and integrity with regard to keeping score and making line calls.  It teaches problem solving.

I am looking forward to Elijah's next opportunity to play!

 

Watching Some Westerns Today....

 It's a wet day and looks to be a complete washout for the day.  I have a lot of work to do at home but I plan to take a break this afternoon at some point and watch a few episodes of 'The Virginian', with Elijah.   The Virginian starred James Drury and was one of my favorite television shows growing up as a kid.

I love that my son Elijah enjoys many of the same tv shows that I enjoyed as a young person because there is absolutely nothing I would want him to watch on television in this day and age.

I recently discovered that James Drury lives in the Houston area and makes many local appearances.  I would love to have him come to Columbia Lakes for an event some time.

To me, his character, 'the Virginian'  is a fantastic role model for young boys and men.  He his hard working, honest, and true.  He epitomizes the true cowboy way:

If it's not true, don't say it.
If it's not yours, don't take it.
If it's not right, don't do it.


If the world followed those three simple guidelines we would be living in a much different world than we do now.

 I long deeply for a different world and am greatly looking forward to this world passing away and the coming of a New Heaven and a New Earth.  I am looking forward to hear the sounding of a trumpet and to see my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ riding on the clouds, shining like the sun.

Until then, I will try to fill my head with good and wholesome things.   Whatsoever is true, whatsoever is honorable, whatsoever is right, whatsoever is pure, whatsoever is lovely, whatsoever is of good repute: If there is any excellence, or anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  Phil 4:8

Starting the New Year well under 200 pounds...!

Wow...  I did not make one single post in 2012.  That is disappointing.  I have really let Facebook dominate my life.   Well, 2013 will be a different story.   I want to get back to my blogging this year.

Here's to the new year:  Good bye 2012...  Hello 2013...!

We have had the wettest coldest winter I can remember in a long time.  Maybe it seems colder because I have lost so much weight and I have very little natural insulation left.   Over the past 2 years I have lost nearly 60 pounds.   I weighed in for the new year at 185.2 pounds.

It is an awesome thing to start the year under 200 pounds.  My target weight is 165 so I have about 20 pounds to go.

I'll get there...!   See you on the courts.   ~coach sam