Funkyjimmer's Blog

Monday, June 23, 2008

A BIG DECISION REACHED

After much prayer, consideration and counsel from godly, trusted people the past several months, I have made the big decision: TO RETIRE FROM MY FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT AT THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP. I have informed all the proper people at work. I’ve asked that my retirement be effective at the end of the day August 31st, 2008.

I had thought I would like to be employed at Principal for 20 years. That would have occurred March 14, 2009. But the situation at work has changed so much that I am ready to join the ranks of the retired. The detailed reasons behind this decision are best left for personal conversations. For this Post suffice it to say that I have great peace about this decision and I am excited about the future.

The plan is that I will do a lot of what I want to do, which includes volunteering in various ways at my church and reading. For extra income I plan to work part time for our local funeral home, Flanner and Buchanan.

There are several details yet to be finalized but it seems to be a “green light” for me to retire, effective September 01, 2008.

There will be future posts as this all develops. Prayers are solicited and appreciated!

posted by jim 11:13 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

SPORTS LEGENDS DINNER

What a wonderful evening my daughter Anita and I had tonight. We were privileged to attend the first annual "SPORTS LEGENDS DINNER". The purpose was to honor -- and raise money for -- a great servant of the Lord, Lucious Newsom. The money raised will go for a shelter for battered women and their children.

Lucious came to Indianapolis from Tennessee some 20+ years ago and began his ministry of feeding the poor in the poorest section of Indianapolis. For years he distributed food from a vacant lot, or from a warehouse in bad weather. He has also established other distribution centers to feed the poor. Thanks to God's people and state and community leaders, a house has been built for this purpose. It is called, "The Lord's Pantry". And Lucious doesn't just do this one or two times a year. He does this seven days a week, year after year. He says we eat each day and so should the poor.

Lucious was a retired baptist minister when he came to Indianapolis and begain his ministry. He has since converted to Catholicism. We think he is 93 years old. Even he doesn't seem to know exactly how old he is. The age varies depending on when you ask! Lucious' story is awesome and moving and I'm not able to tell it all here. I've only known Lucious a little over 8 years. Lucious' influence has been trememdous. Young people who have been introduced to Lucious and his ministry have had their lives dramatically changed.

Anita and I had the privilege of having a nice personal chat with our Govenor, Mitch Daniels. He is a very down-to-earth, personable man. He had on blue jeans and an Indiana State Fair shirt. He had just come from helping victims of the flood in southern Indiana. I was able to talk with him about how serving at the Lord's Pantry had changed the lives of so many.

I was also able to thank Indianapolis Colts' coach Tony Dungy for his Christian witness to so many. He truly is a great Christian guy. Later during the formal program Colts President, Bill Polian, told how Tony's Christian witness had changed his life and how he no longer uses bad language and has a different world view.

There were four speakers. They didn't make speeches, they just talked from their hearts. And it was WONDERFUL! The speakers were Congressman Mike Pence (a really great Christian with a tremendous testimony in and out of Congress); Coach Tony Dungy, Colts President Bill Polian, and fromer Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and unsuccessful vice presidental candidate, Jack Kemp. Mr. Kemp was also a San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills football player.

A number of Colts players were present also: Jim Sorgi, Marlin Jackson, Kelvin Hayden, Jeff George, among others. Coach Dungy said they started their vacation last Thursday. He said that if they hadn't started their vacation all 53 players would have been present.

The evening's Master of Ceremonies was my friend, Leo Stenz. Leo was also the chairman of this event. He did a magnificant job putting this all together with a lot of good help. They put it together in about 10 days or 2 weeks! A lot of notable greater Indianapolis dignitaries, radio personalities and other communty leaders were present.

I'll be anxious to learn how much money was raised for the Lord's Pantry and the battered women's shelter. There is so much more we experienced tonight. I can't relate it all here. I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to experience a very special evening in my life.

posted by jim 10:56 PM 0 comments

Monday, June 02, 2008

FULL BLOOM

My rhododendron bushes (pictured to the right) are now in full bloom and seem to get more beautiful blooms each day. A dear friend confirmed that these are, indeed, rhododeron bushes. He lives in an area where they are plentiful. They are not so often found in my part of the country.

My lone peony bush, which every year until now, has had only one bloom per year, now is loaded with beautiful blooms. The second picture is one of the blooms. It is wonderful to see so many blooms on the bush this year.

Last Friday night we had a horrific storm. Lots of tornadoes and high winds. Much damage was suffered by many in our area. Many are still without electric power. One of my daughters was without power for a couple of days.

I was sure the storm would destroy my flowers--the bushes pictured to the right and my iris. But I had no damage here. Everything survived and just a few small limbs in the yard.

Now I'm waiting for my cannas in the back yard to grow up and bloom. I'll have some pictures of them later this summer.

Jim

posted by jim 7:27 PM 0 comments