#714 - Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

#713 - Paul Dietzel Quote

"You can learn more character on the two yard line than you can anywhere in life."

-Paul Dietzel
Former Coach, South Carolina Football

#712 - Cus D'Amato Quote

"A fighter has to know fear."

-Cus D'Amato
Boxing Trainer

# 711 - Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8

#710 - Never give up

Never give up. 

 Almost nothing works out the first time it is attempted.  Just because what you are doing does not seem to be working does not mean it won't work.  It just means that it might not work the way you are doing it.  Step back, think about what you could do different and try again. 

 Keep trying. 

 Never give up.

-Love Dad

#709 - Sam Houston Quote

Knowledge is the food of genius, and my son, let no opportunity escape you to treasure up knowledge.

-Sam Houston, 1st President of Texas

#708 - Sad

It's ok to be sad and blue, it's part of being human.  There will be times when you'll need a good cry, it's fine and it's not the time to hold back or try to be tough, it's the time to let go and let it out.  You won't be over your sadness, but you'll feel better afterwards.

-Love Dad

#707 - Sunsets

Take a moment to stop and take in the sunset.

-Love Dad

#706 - Wash your hands

Did you know that money, doorknobs, public toilets, and phones carry millions of disgusting bacteria?  

Don't forget to wash your hands.

-Love Dad

#705 - Talk to me

You can tell me anything, anytime.

-Love Dad

#704 - Own It

You will make mistakes and when you do, own them.  You'll probably still get in trouble, but you're more likely to get in less trouble by owning it than denying it.  Don't blame your mistakes or poor choices on someone else, no one likes someone who can't step up and own their actions.

- Love Dad

#703 - Billie Jean King Quote

"Champions keep playing until they get it right."

-Billie Jean King
Tennis Professional

#702 - Stay Positive

Focus on the positive and use it.

Reflect on your gains and build on your strenghts.

Let go of your failures.

Excerpt from: appleseeds.org

#701 - Organized Religion

Organized religion is a mess.  This does not however diminish your need for God.

-Excerpt from: Brutally Honest

#700 - That Feeling

Listen to that feeling that says "This isn't quite right."

-Love Dad

#699 - Smile

Don't sabotage the family portrait...smile like you mean it.

-Love Dad

#698 - Kiss Goodnight

Always kiss your wife or husband goodnight before falling asleep.

-Love Dad

# 697 - 1 Corinthians 16:13

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

#696 - Mike Ditka Quote

"You have to be tough."

-Mike Ditka
Former Coach, Chicago Bears

#695 - Dave Bristol Quote

"Boys, baseball is a game where you gotta have fun. You do that winning."

-Dave Bristol
Former Manager, Cincinnati Reds

#694 - Paslms 145:8

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

Paslms 145:8

#693 - Isaiah 40:29

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29

#692 - 2 Corinthians 5:7

We live by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7

#691 Casey Stengel Quote

"The secret to managing is to keep the five guys who hate you from the five guys who are undecided."

-Casey Stengel
Former Manager, NY Yankees

#690 - Lunch

If you live in the same general area, take the time to take your siblings out to lunch every once in a while.  Life is never that busy.

-Love Dad

#689 - Hold Hands

Hold hands on a regular basis.

-Love Dad

#688 - Button Fly

Button fly is far superior to zipper.

-Love Dad

#687 - Pursuit of Happiness

The Constitution says that we are all entitled to the pursuit of happiness.  If you can't find it, then strive for the absence of misery.

-Love Dad

#686 - What's Right

Never be afraid to stand up for what's right.

-Love Dad

#685 - The Last Shot

Be the one who wants to take the last shot and don't be afraid of the moment.

-Love Dad

#684 - The Ref

There's no benefit to getting angry at the ref.  He or she is only human and will make mistakes or miss calls.  It won't help your team any if you get mad at the Ref because then they'll have it out for you.  Just let the calls go, focus on the game, and keep playing.

-Love Dad

#683 - The Zone

Learn how to get into the zone.  I can't teach you this.  You'll have to figure out what works best, and what motivates you.

-Love Dad

#682 - Public Seating

Sit where you can see who comes in the door in a restaurant or public place.  Never sit with your back to the door.

-Love Dad

#681 - Dad

I'll never tire of being your Dad.

-Love Dad

#680 - Home

Home is not about where we live, but rather who you love.

-Love Dad

#679 - Disagree

When you find yourself disagreeing with someone, you still need to respect them.

-Love Dad

#678 - God Laughs

We make plans...and God laughs.

-Love Dad

#677 - Check

When on a date and the check is delivered to your table, there will be a slight awkward pause, what happens next will help you determine if he's a gentleman or not.

-Love Dad

#676 - Fake

Don't kid yourself, people will know when your smile is not genuine.

-Love Dad

#675 - Dress Size

Turner & Jaxson - You should know her dress size, you shouldn't have to ask.

-Love Dad

#674 - Chuck Noll Quote

"Good things happen to those who hustle."

-Chuck Noll
Former Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers

#673 - Offer to Help

If you offer to help, don't quit until the job is done.

-Love Dad

#672 - Kiss Before Work

Always make sure you kiss your spouse before you leave for work.

Turner & Jaxson - I read a study once that said that men who kissed their wives before leaving for work were less likely to get into an auto accident than men who would just leave.  Stay safe and put this one into practice; besides even if the study isn't true some extra kissing of your wife on a daily basis can't hurt.

-Love Dad

#671 - Your Time

Make sure to take time for yourself.  You may not get it until 10pm, but make sure you get it.  After commute time, company time, dinner time, and quality time, your own personal time is the last defense against total annihilation of the self.

-Love Dad

#670 - Fair

Never expect life to be fair.  Life isn't fair.  You'll be doing good for yourself if the only meaning fair has to you is something you pay when you get on a bus or take a taxi (i.e. fare).

-Love Dad

#669 - Excerpt from Epic, The Story God is Telling by John Eldredge

"Satan came into the Garden and whispered to Adam and Eve - and in them, to all of us - "You can not trust the heart of God...he's holding out on you...you've got to take matters under your control."  He sowed the seed of mistrust in our hearts; he tempted us to seize control.  It's the same lie he is using in your life today, by the way: "Trusting God is way too risky.  You're far too vulnerable.  Rewrite the Story.  Give yourself a better part.  Arrange for your own happiness.  Disregard him."  The Evil One lied to us about where true life was found...and we believed him."

(Epic, The Story God is Telling - John Eldredge)

#668 - Earl Blaik Quote

"Good fellows are a dime a dozen, but an aggressive leader is priceless."

-Earl Blaik
Former Head Coach, Army Football

#667 - Weakness

It's ok to use your opponents weakness to your advantage.

-Love Dad

#666 - Baby Girl

You'll always be my baby girl.

-Love Dad

#665 - Go BIG

GO BIG.  

Even if it means failing big...especially then.

-Love dad

#664 - Birds

Take time to feed the birds.

-Love Dad

#663 - Sit in the Rain

Take time to sit on the porch when it's raining.

-Love Dad

#662 - Overdressed?

You can never overdress.  Don't stress about it.

-Love Dad

#661 - Finish

Finish what you've started.

-Love Dad

#660 - Hank Stram Quote

"It's only a game when you win. When you lose, it's hell."

-Hank Stram
Former Coach, KC Cheifs

#659 - Trust Your Gut

If you have an iffy feeling about something (an outing with friends, a particualr boy, etc.) trust your gut.  Your instincts will keep you safe.

-Love Dad

#658 - Devices

Turn off the electronic devises sometimes.  There is real life going on right in front of you; don't let it pass you by and don't miss out on discovering what the world is all about.

-Love Dad

#657 - Get the Door

A man gets the door.  
Without hesitation.

-Love Dad

#656 - Learn Fast

Being a fast learner will get you far in life so pay attention.

-Love Dad

#655 - John Wooden Quote

"The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team."

-John Wooden, former coach UCLA Bruins

#654 - Know It All

I don't know it all, and when I think I do I find out how little I really do know.

-Love Dad

#653 - Johnny Bench Quote

"Slumps are like a soft bed. they're easy to get into and hard to get out of."

-Johnny Bench
Former Catcher, Cincinnati Reds

#652 - How to Stay Safe in a Parking Garage

How to Stay Safe in a Parking Garage

1) Park next to the nearest lit spot. Even parking next to a little of light is better then no light at all.

2) Avoid parking next to a van. This is a predator's hideout of choice.







3) While in the car, write down on a piece of paper the spot of where you've parked. This way, you won't have to spend all day wandering around the parking garage, wondering where your car is. Try to memorize where you've parked.

4) Lock your car doors and windows thoroughly.



5) Keep easy weapons such as pepper spray or other easy self defense tools. If you feel unsafe in the parking garage put one of your self defense items in your purse of jacket pocket, where you can quickly get to it if needed. Immediately exit your car. Do not spend time in your car fumbling through your purse.


6) Walk confidently. Stand straight, and look around your surroundings. Avoid looking meek or unaware, as this will increase your risk of getting mugged or abducted. Do not stop or look back until you have safely reached the store. Walk briskly, but don't run.

7) Do not spend a lot of time in the parking garage.

8) On returning to your vehicle, walk confidently. If you have shopping bags in your hand, walk very briskly, but again, don't run. Once you have loaded your bags in your car, quickly, immediately get into your car and drive out of the parking garage.




Tips:

• If you aren't comfortable with going out to your car alone, ask a store for a clerk to escort you out to your vehicle. Many stores don't have escort clerks nowadays, but some do. It's worth a try.
• Remember, do not stop for a person that appears to be in trouble. This is a prank that predators use to lure women. It is woman's nature to be friendly and help, but do so only at certain times. Right now, don't. Just ignore the man, and walk out to your vehicle. Don't stop for anything if it means protecting your safety and the safety of others.
• If you get the uncomfortable feeling that someone is following you, then trust your heart. You might be correct. Immediately run to your car if you feel followed, and drive out. Don't go home if you think that somebody is following, especially if you live alone. Instead, consider staying at a place where there are other people present, such as a friend's home, or a hotel.
• Get a concealed carry permit and take your gun with you as an alternative to pepper spray.

Source: wikihow.com

#651 - Excerpt from Epic, The Story God is Telling by John Eldredge

"Rescuing the human heart is the hardest mission in the world.  The dilemma of the Story is this: we don't know if we want to be rescued.  We are so enamored with our small stories and our false gods, we are so bound up in our addictions and our self-centeredness and take-if-for-granted unbelief that we don't even know how to cry out for help.  And the Evil One has no intention of letting his captives walk away scott-free.  He seduces us, deceives us, assaults us - whatever it takes to keep us in darkness."  

Epic, The Story God is Telling - John Eldredge

#650 - Friends

Your friends can get you in more trouble in one day than you can get yourself into in a lifetime....choose wisely.

-Love Dad

#649 - Just Like Every Other Guy

Hailey - 

Throughout life you're going to meet men who say things like "I'm not like every other guy."  If you happen across a man like this, kick him in the nuts and walk away.

-Love Dad

#648 - Robert Lansdorp Quote

"The better you become, the more people will try to find something wrong with you."

-Robert Lansdorp
Professional Tennis Coach

#647 - Measuring

Measure twice, cut once.

-Love Dad

#646 - Don't mess up a good opportunity

Screw it up the first time and you'll never have to do it again...because you won't be asked to.

-Love Dad

#645 - People

You can't change people no matter how much you might want to.

-Love Dad

#644 - Handshake

When meeting someone for the first time, always look them in the eyes and give them a good, firm, handshake.

-Love Dad

#643 - Make Up

Hailey - 
Make up is like jewlery - you don't need it every day.  Some days you'll need a little, some days you'll need a lot...but you will never need it to be beautiful.

-Love Dad

#642 - Wait for it

Always let people getting off the elevator, train, bus, or subway go first; then you can board.

-Love Dad

#641 - Dating

Hailey - Never date a man who doesn't open the door for you, doesn't say "bless you" when you sneeze, doesn't offer you his jacket when you are cold, or is rude to waiters and waitresses (and not in that particular order).  There's more to this list but that's what I have for now.

Turner and Jaxson - Take note of the list above.  Don't be that guy, and don't let Hailey date that guy either.  I'm counting on you.

-Love Dad

#640 - Murray Warmath Quote

"There is no virtue like winning and no sin worse than losing."

-Murray Warmath
Former Coach, Minnesota Football

#639 - Tom Landry Quote

"If you are prepared, then you will be confident and you will do the job. Emotion gets in the way of performance."

-Tom Landry
Former Coach, Dallas Cowboys

#638 - Rest

It's ok to disappear sometimes to rest and recharge.

-Love Dad

#637 - Cookie Dough

A few small bites of cookie dough won't kill you...eating a whole bowl full will make you feel sick though.

-Love Dad

#636 - Excerpt from The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason

"My wife's body is brighter and more fascinating than a flower, shier than any animal, and more breathtaking than a thousand sunsets. To me her body is the most awesome thing in creation. Trying to look at her, just trying to take in her wild, glorious beauty...I catch a glimpse of what it means that men and women have been made in the image of God." (Mike Mason, The Mystery of Marriage)

This is how I feel when I look at your Mom.

Turner and Jaxson: Find a woman that makes you feel this way and never let her go.

Hailey: Find a man that can truly see your beauty and expresses it to you no matter what you might see in the mirror.

-Love Dad

#635 - A Good Book

Staying up late to read a good book is never time wasted.

-Love Dad

#634 - Marriage

Marriage is an act of courage, commitment and sacrifice.  It's also the most fun you'll ever have with your best friend.  

-Love Dad

#633 - Happiness

I'm more interested in your growth than your happiness.

-Love Dad

#632 - Don't Hold Back

The only thing holding you back from making a difference in the world will be yourself.

-Love Dad

#631 - John F. Kennedy Quote

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any fried, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty."

-John F. Kennedy

#630 - Jack Dempsey Quote

"A champion is one who gets up when he can't see."

-Jack Dempsey
Former Heavyweight Prize Fighter

#629 - Brave

You are the most brave when you're the most scared and keep going anyway.

-Love Dad

#628 - Strong Men & Women

Strong men aren't intimidated by strong women.

-Love Dad

#627 - Be Yourself (again)

Not everyone is going to like you - just be yourself.

-Love Dad

#626 - Be Yourself

You can't control what others think of you - just be yourself.

-Love Dad

#625 - Robert Zuppke Quote

"Never let hope elude you. That is life's biggest fumble."

-Robert Zuppke

Former Coach, Illinois Football