Best Brewed Octoberfest ... Milwaukee Brewers!

The 26 year drought is over for the Brewers organization and it's fans. As the game ended on Sunday with a Brewers 3-1 win over the Cubs, fans stuck around at Miller Park to watch the NY Mets lose, which assured the NL Wild Card spot for Milwaukee.

Many emotional ups and downs of this season have helped get the Brewers to this point, but definitely the most notable of those was the acquisition of CC Sabathia. How awesome is this man? Not only should he collect this year's Cy Young, making him a back to back award winner, but his off the field character is better than his on the field performance.

• What player takes out a newspaper ad to thank his fans? CC
• Who takes the ball every chance he's got? CC
• Who plays for the love of the game and his teammates, regardless of money? CC

It took a team though to win and that is one thing you can tell CC recognizing. Braun, Weeks, Hardy, Cameron, Kendall, Hart, Fielder, a deep bull pen and everyone else stepped up at the right time. Now lets go into The City of Brotherly Love and tear it up!

Thanks Dub, your a true role model and someone we all look up to!

Fear

Given the recent debacle on Wall Street, and the topic of fear being raised in the political debates currently, I think it safe to say fear is prevalent in today's society. We label these fears when they reach an uncomfortable level, calling them phobias. There are thousands of phobias that exist, and its even more ridiculous to think that there are twice as many drugs out on the market to address those fears. So, why are there so many fears and where do they stem from? Or more importantly how do we cure a fear? and what is the result of fear?

We first need to understand the components of fear:

1. Subjective (what is in our mind...thoughts)
2. Physiological (i.e. physical and chemical processes you feel...anxiety)

Let's look at the first two questions, why so many and where do they stem from? Throughout time we have always been advancing. This is not a bad thing, but it has created more distractions. It is our innate ability to adapt to the changes that come into our life, which of course prompts thought or ideas. Whether it's a positive or negative thought we begin to associate feelings with those thoughts, and a fear can then be acknowledged by us. (Example1 - The earliest UFO report to record was in 1947, shortly after that we made it our mission to land on the moon, which was successfully accomplished in 1969. This is a great accomplishment, but eventually some creative ideas morphed into a fear. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a sci-fi flick as much as the next guy, I am only saying this new found knowledge or idea eventually could spur a fear). This is the point though that humans need to control their thoughts and not let one crazy idea run their life. So how do we control or cure this, and what is the result of fear?

How do we cure them? The easy answer in today's society would be drugs, but since I don't believe in supporting that route I'll tell you a far more rewarding route. It is through God, Jesus Christ your savior that you will ultimately cure this fear. It he who said: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."(Isaiah 43:1). You need to change your mind set and understand that he gave his life for you, which means turning over everything to him...anxiety and stress included. Easier said than done...I know, I am a human and sinner as well.

So, what is the result of fears controlling your life? Worry, anxiety, stress, billions of dollars spent on drugs to help you cope, an early untimely death, but most painful is that you are not sharing it with God.

This topic was due in large part to Rev. Dr. Ferguson addressing fears experienced in our lives and how to cope with each of them we experience on a daily basis

Aged to Perfection

Thrity-one years ago today marks the day of my birth into this big exciting world. Thank you mom and dad!

DNC + RNC = "Change"

Upon the conclusion of last nights Republican Convention and last weeks Democratic Convention the message seemed to echo "change" across the board. Obama stated it some 15 times in his speech, and McCain referred to it 10 times as well. If we dig deeper into that statement from them are they only referring to "change" on the top issues...
•Afghanistan •Energy •Health Care •Immigration •Iran •Iraq •Taxes
...or all the issues!

Certain issues are going to strike different chords with each of us, and many will follow the crowd simply because it is easy to do. Sad I know, but yes it's true. My wish for you would be to educate yourself about these candidates beyond the negative emails in circulation, or the attacking commercials aired, and of course the media bias's. So here are a few sites that help address the issues (always considering the source):

•CNN
•Washington Post
•NY Times
•Vote Smart
•website:2 Decide

And if you really want to get specific about all the issues, check out each candidate individually; McCain,Palin,Obama, and Biden.

Voting is a right, an individual right at which you (yes, you alone) arrive at your decision in a small voting booth somewhere in America all by yourself. Think about how amazing that is...that's America people!