First we have a picture of my nephew Connor Churchs team after a hard fought game.His mom tells me he is having best season yet.Connor by the way will be celebrating his birthday soon in March.He will be 12.

The second picture is of his younger brother Graedon scoring a big goal in a game 7 situation.He is 10 I think..(sorry boys uncle mal is getting old).Please notice these boys classy uniforms.When I was there age our uniforms were heavy woolen things with nothing but a big yellow "E" sewn on the front.Geeez i AM old.

Differing Perspectives on Death
For the entire existence of mankind, we have struggled with the question, "What happens after death?" Our answer to this dilemma has great implications for our life here on earth. Although many avoid the issue, we must sooner or later address the question. There are many competing answers to this question.
Atheists believe that at death one ceases to exist. There is no afterlife or eternal soul that continues in eternity. All there is to look forward to is our inevitable death, the future death of mankind, and the universe. It is in the face of this future that the atheist must seek to find meaning and purpose for his own existence.
The Eastern and New Age religions that hold to a pantheistic worldview teach that one goes through an endless cycle of reincarnation until the cycle is broken and the person becomes one with the divine. What form a person becomes in the next life depends on the quality of life lived in the previous life. When one unites with the divine, he ceases to exist as an individual, but becomes part of the divine life force, like a drop of water returning to the ocean.
Those who hold to the animistic or tribal religions believe that after death the human soul remains on the earth or travels to join the departed spirits of the ancestors in the underworld, also called the realm of the shadows. For eternity they wander in darkness, experiencing neither joy nor sorrow. Some of the spirits of the deceased may be called upon to aid or torment those on earth.
Islam teaches that at the end of history, God will judge the works of all men. Those whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds will enter into paradise. The rest will be consigned to hell. The Koran teaches that in paradise men will be drinking wine and entertained by heavenly maidens and that they may take several of these maidens for their wives.
Most worldviews must accept their belief in the afterlife on untested faith, but the Christian hope is sure for two reasons; the resurrection of Christ and the testimony of God's Word. The Bible gives us the true view of what happens after death. However, many Christians have a misunderstanding of the afterlife. Some believe that they become one of the angels, others believe they go into a state of "soul sleep," while others believe they will be floating on clouds playing harps. It is up to us to examine some popular misconceptions of what lies beyond the grave and perceive what the Bible teaches.
Christians can be assured that death is not something to be feared. Instead, at death we arrive home in heaven. To live means we exist in a foreign country. Death has lost its sting and now is a victory through the resurrection of Jesus our Lord.

Well it has been almost a month since our last blog.There never seems to be enough time to sit down and enter any news lately.Not too much is happening around here.Denise is working very hard although she did take a weeks worth of vacation recently and I have to say it was a most relaxing and enjoyable time for both of us.Much needed indeed.Darylene got her first semester results back from Fresno State and as per usual she received straight A's.Seems she is just continuing on from high school.We received a letter here at home from President Wealty of Fresno State congratulating here on a 4.0 grade point average.
I am still continuing my own personal diet although i did lighten up a bit during the holidays and enjoyed some good food.We purchased an exercise bike recently which both Denise and I have started using.It has been exactly one year since I started this diet and I have lost approx 110 pounds.However my doctor says I still need to lose more.I think I need to exercise more now rather than crash diet.Sensible dieting and exercising are where my priorities should lie now.Diabetes and high blood pressure are basically borderline now and if I continue to control weight and food intake then all should be well.
One other thing ,If all goes well we will probably go to Canada for vacation this year.BC and Alberta perhaps.If not then there are many other options for us.Disneyland again,but for a longer time.Universal could be included.Also we have considered touring the Grand Canyon,Arizona etc as well.We shall see.