Fasting - A Better Way to Eat

 Most of our health issues are tied to Eating.  We all know the old saying, "You are what you eat".  And while that is true it's also true of how/when we eat. 

Obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer, and Inflammation can be helped by simply changing How and When We Eat. 

We have heard all the nutritional advice about good foods and bad foods and the confusion around certain foods.  Eggs? Good. 

The theory around Fasting is that most American diets involve constantly eating.  Three meals per day and snacking in between.  The body is always working to digest our food. When we give our bodies a break from eating and digesting, the body works at cleaning up damaged cells, giving the kidneys, liver, and pancreas the opportunity to rest and recover. 

Instead of eating constantly we can shift our pattern to eating during an 8 hour or less window.  So, we sleep for 8 hours, eat for 8 hours, and fast or don't eat for 8 hours.  Ideally, we want to be not eating or digesting for 16 hours/day or more.  You have the flexibility to choose the 8 hour eating period but it should be consecutive hours, such as eating from 12noon - 8pm. 

Besides losing weight and increasing energy, one of the most powerful benefits is the releasing of good hormones such as Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Testosterone, and IGF-1.  These hormones may act as a Fountain of Youth for older folks. 

Do some additional research and see if Fasting is right for you. 

To your health,

Coach K

Our Italian Adventure

Keep Cool    

After being locked down for two years, we set about planning our trip to Italy to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.  Airline, car rental, hotel. Check we were good to go. 

We were going to Florence, Rome, and visit the small towns of Tuscany.  The wonderful thing about Italy and Florence, Rome, Venice, and Milan is that the cities are are easy to walk.  The trains and public transportation are excellent.  

Italy is an open air museum.  With all the wonderful museums it's just as beautiful and perhaps more enjoyable to just walk around and enjoy the incredible outdoor works of art.  From the buildings, architecture, fountains, and piazzas.  Every church is a work of art.  

But the best thing about is Italy is the people.  When you try and speak Italian they respond in English.  They are very welcoming and friendly.  Just like anything in life you find what you are looking for. 

So, after landing in Milan, we went to Avis to pick up our rental car at the airport.  The little Fiat stick shift was in slot 196.  We got our key walked to the slot, the door was open, and I jumped in the car.  I emptied my pockets including my wallet and phone in preparation of the long ride to the hotel.  

When I tried to insert the key in the ignition it did not fit. I then noticed that the car was not a Fiat but an Opel.  I started walking back to the car rental when I noticed a black Fiat in a nearby space.  I tried the key and the car started right up.  I then realized I didn't have my phone and returned to the old car to grab my phone. 

We loaded up the Fiat and began our journey from Milan to Montecatini which is a beautiful small Tuscan town 20 miles from Florence.  Montecatini is known for its salt waters and relaxing spas and visits by famous Opera composers Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini. 

We were cruising down to Tuscany on our three hour journey when I realized that I did not have my wallet.  I knew where the wallet was but did not want to turn around so when we arrived at our destination we called the car agency.  We left a message, I checked my accounts and everything was good. 

Instead of canceling my cards, we decided to keep an eye on the funds with the hope that it was safe and would be returned.  

One thing we've learned while traveling is that something is always going to happen, from jumping on the wrong train, to getting lost, to a missing reservation, to losing your wallet.  So, after emerging from my grumpy state of mind.  I settled in and kept hoping.  I would check the accounts every few days and all was good.  

After two weeks enjoying Italia, we returned to the airport.  As I approached the car rental counter I held my breath and asked if someone returned a wallet. They went to the back office and returned with an envelope.  Upon opening the envelope, there was my wallet with license, cards, and cash intact.  

I just happened to leave my personal phone in the States, and when we returned home I found a message on my phone from Christian of Finland saying he found my wallet in the rental car and returned it to the agency. 

After two weeks gallivanting around Italy, a stranger from Finland finds my wallet. Thank you Christian. 

And you will know they are Christians by their Love.

With Love,

Coach K 

Sermon on the Mount - Words of Jesus

 Jesus Speaks

The Sermon on the Mount

5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother[c] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[d] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell[e] of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.[f]

Lust

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.[g]

Retaliation

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[h] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[i] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Giving to the Needy

6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The Lord's Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.[j]
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,[k]
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,[l]
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.[m]

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[n] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.[o]

Do Not Be Anxious

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[p] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Judging Others

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Ask, and It Will Be Given

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

The Golden Rule

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[q] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

I Never Knew You

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Build Your House on the Rock

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

The Authority of Jesus

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

With Love,

Coach K

The Lemon Juice Health Tonic

 Lemon Juice

One of the easiest things we can do for our overall health and well being is to drink lemon juice.  Lemon water helps flush the body, cleanse the kidneys, liver, other organs.  Hot water with lemon, or tea with lemon is a great natural detoxifier. 

Another variation of the Lemon Juice Health Tonic is to add a little cayenne and Apple Cider Vinegar. A much better alternative to the sugary expensive energy drink.

To Your Health!

With Love,

Coach K

Looking Forward

The Future 

While we live in the present moment, it's always nice and motivating to have future plans.  We should always have something to look forward to, a trip, a vacation, a reunion, a dinner, a date, a graduation, a retirement, a marriage, a birth. 

Or even a new day. 

When we anticipate some future event it reminds us to be hopeful, cheerful, and full of expectation.  

We have so many wonderful things to look forward to, focus on those things.  Time does pass quickly like a river flowing down stream. 

Enjoy the moment.  The sunshine, the rain, the snow, the wind, the fresh air.  Be grateful for every breath and look forward with hope and expectation.  

Expect great things!

With Love,

Coach K

Coach Kaufmann 7: Write Down Your Goals

Goals

We all have goals and dreams that we want to accomplish and achieve.  One of the most effective strategies to bring your dreams to life is to simply write them down.  Writing it down brings it from the unconscious to the conscious. 

https://youtu.be/4MCpEZc0r6I?list=PL8fsmYo6-9nVui3XKwtZmCKf44E_WQELx

With Love,

Coach K 

Write It Down

 Goals

Write it down! So easy.  Just write it down.

I am healthy.

I am peace

 

I am love

I am goodness

I am wealthy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MCpEZc0r6I&t=16s

The Fountain of Youth

 Empowered Eating 

The number one best thing we can do for our health is to limit our eating.  

The challenge is that eating is a pleasurable experience.  Our brains have been hard wired over the ages to associate eating with survival and hence pleasure. But gone are the days of scarcity for most of us, now we can eat, eat, and eat to oftentimes excess.  

So, now not only are we eating to excess we are also eating mostly junk, empty nutrient, sugar, fat, salt filled food that not only doesn't nourish but actually harms our bodies. 

We are overweight, obese, dulled, sick, diseased, and immobilized by our food choices.  But there is hope! We can change and we can do so easily and simply.  Many of us lack the knowledge, the examples, or the teaching so we never learned what is the right food, the good food with which to nourish our bodies, our temples.  

Everything we do in life we do with our bodies.  And our bodies not only includes our physical essence, but also our minds and spirits or souls.  The mind, body, spirit connection is one and when we can start by giving it excellent nutrition.  We don't give our loving pets junk food we don't put dirty gas into our luxury vehicles, but when it comes to our majestic, divine bodies, we don't think twice about filling it with fast food and soda. 

Now that we are enlightened.  We can make better choices.  We can heal ourselves and be strong, healthy, active, energetic, and alive. 

First, we need to stop eating. We eat and snack all the time. We can go to Intermittent Eating, Smart Eating, or even better yet Empowered Eating.  With Empowered Eating we eat over a period of 8 hours during the day and for the other 16 hours we don't eat. This allows our body time to heal and regenerate.  Even more wonderfully, while our body is not spending all day digesting and processing food it is naturally releasing Human Growth Hormone or HGH, Testosterone, and IGF-1.  These natural hormones are secreted from our organs and can help restore and repair the body. 

We see all the advertisements for Testosterone supplements and HGH supplements, and Deer Antler IGF-1 performance enhancers.  Who needs them!

All we need to do to turn on on natural hormones is to change our eating habits.  If we can just get out of our own way, and eat for 8 hours, abstain for 8 hours, and then sleep for 8 hours we can transform ourselves and be the healthiest version possible. We eliminate medications and their toxic side affects, save thousands of dollars, and yes even turn back the clock and live a pain free vibrant life. 

To Your Health!

With Love,

Coach K

https://youtu.be/A6Dkt7zyImk

Dr. Martin Luther King - Philadelphia Freedom

 Dr. MLK

Dr. Martin Luther King another Freedom Fighter forged in the Cradle of Liberty. Dr. King attended Chester, PA Crozer Theological Seminary and lived in Maple Shade, NJ while attending school. See the picture below. He spoke to 10,000 folks in the streets of West Philadelphia. Dr. MLK a Philly guy. Who new. Another Philadelphia Freedom fighter. Let Freedom Ring!

https://news.temple.edu/2021-01-14/phil...

Go Owls!

With Love,

Coach K

The Declaration of Independence - Cradle of Liberty

 The Birthing of Nation

Philadelphia, PA.  On June 11, 1776 Congress appoints a committee to draft a declaration of independence.  Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston comprise the committee. The group led by John Adams, realizes that Thomas Jefferson is the best writer and John Adams urges Jefferson to write the first draft.  The draft is revised mainly by Adams and Franklin.  The draft is given to Congress on June 28, 1776 for approval.  

Over the course of 17 days, Thomas Jefferson pens the Declaration of Independence from a room in Philadelphia and creates one of the greatest documents known to mankind.  A document that will change the course of human history and reverberate through time. 

The power of these words have reverberated through the generations and across the world for the past 246 years. We should all come to know this document and the words that ring out. 

The very freedom and lives we enjoy today all started from the mind and pen of Thomas Jefferson forged in the Cradle of Liberty. 

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Faith Family Freedom

 God

With God all things are possible. When we start with this premise we are filled with the Holy Spirit and can do great things. We have to remember that we are made in the image of God. When we live from our divine selves we focus on the important things like love, kindness, family, service, charity, and compassion.  We distance ourselves from the material world that drives consumption and selfishness.

We are consumed by God's love.  We must remember that we create our own reality.  When we tune into the negative news and fill ourselves with low energy we pollute our minds, bodies, and spirits and feel the immediate effects of low performance.  We know when we are connected to God and filled with the Holy Spirit life seems to glide along effortlessly.  When we are disconnected we seem to struggle.  We can choose to live from our higher selves. We must remember that every moment, every day, every breath is a blessing from God and live from that knowing.  There is a better way and it all starts with God and our faith. 

Family

We have seen the continued dissolution of the great American family.  We as humans are inherently selfish and part of that is innate where we are driven by self preservation. And while the days of running from the dinosaurs are over, human selfishness persists. Selfishness like any other human trait has some benefits.  We can be selfish for love, health, goodness, and even our time.  But when we make the conscious choice to bring another life into the world, when we Choose to have children, our selfishness must be subdued.  Our favorite song especially men, must go from "Me, Me, Me" to "Thee, Thee, Thee." 

A very difficult concept and transition to make especially for younger parents.  We must realize that we are responsible for this new life, our new divine creation. This blessed child needs our utmost commitment, love, and support, it is our honor and duty to love and nurture the child. Everything else is secondary.  That is the beauty of the family.  The Mother and the Father working together to create a loving, nurturing, supportive environment that lets the children, the parents, and the family grow and thrive.  There is no tradeoff in our well being versus the child although that may appear to be the case when changing diapers, dealing with crankiness, or paying college tuitions.  

As a parent, there is nothing more satisfying in life that helping raise loving, kind, self sufficient, productive, faithful children.  You can posses every material goodie the world has to offer but if you family falls and your children struggle what have you gained.  If you love them and care for them when they are very young, they will be loving and caring as they grow and become parents themselves.  We lead by example.  And for the most part, the apple does not fall far from the tree. 

And yes, we know that parenting is not easy at times, but time passes quickly and before you know it they will be grown and out of the house and you will long for the days when you could just hold them in your arms.  We don't have to be perfect parents but we do have to teach them well, be a good example, and mostly just be there for them. Being a Mom or Dad is the toughest and best job you will ever LOVE. 

We need to move away from the broken family.  Dad's not happy, Mom's not happy.  Dad and Mom are not in love anymore and the family dissolves.  Fiddlesticks!!! Your happiness has nothing to do with it! You chose to bring children into the world so you have a higher commitment than your happiness! Let that sink in.  I'm happy one day unhappy the next.  I'm in love today out of love tomorrow.  That's called disfunction and really a disconnect from the Holy Spirit.  We are too much in the material world and singing the Me song. Marriage and parenting are hard work.  Work at it overcome the challenges there is gold at the end of the rainbow.  

We are deluding ourselves if we think that we can raise wonderful children with broken families.  Yes, some children will thrive but we know that children flourish in a two parent family.  And that means Mom and Dad figure it out and work together.  Breaking up the family has become too easy too convenient.  There is no government program or social intervention that can fill the void of fatherless, motherless, or broken families.  We must meet the challenge by changing course.  Do the right thing stay together and raise your family.  Keep your EGO in check and adopt a Service mentality.  EGO stands for Edge God Out.  Pray and ask God for guidance and adopt the simple philosophy of how may I serve today. 

Freedom

America was founded on the basis of freedom and liberty.  The early settlers left England to pursue spiritual freedom in America.  America has become history's greatest nation in the short time period of ~250 years.  Think about the incredible accomplishments our nation has produced.  We have lifted more people around the world out of poverty, we have protected the world from despots and tyrants.  We have created a system of self government that has given us the freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness on our own terms. 

Has the country stumbled in the past, of course.  That is called the Human Condition.  If humans are involved, there are going to be mistakes and yes big mistakes.  But we pick ourselves up, make improvements, and move on.  Think of what the nation has survived in it's short life span, The American Revolution, The Civil War, World Wars I and II,  and Civil Rights.  We have seen many great upheavals in the birthing of a nation, but throughout the challenges we persevere, we overcome, and moved forward to greater accomplishment. 

America's tremendous accomplishment and success is no accident.  Founded as One Nation under God and from Thomas Jefferson's transcendent Declaration of Independence, "We are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights among them Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.  Our Declaration of Independence announces our right to self government, and severing our formal ties with King George of England, references God on numerous occasions.  The Declaration ends with these words:

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Hence, our nation the great experiment America was born right here in the Cradle of Liberty Philadelphia. Philadelphia one of the seven ancient churches  of the bible from modern day Turkey.  And a Greek word meaning Brotherly Love. 

While we have had many missteps along the way, our good far outweighs the bad.  And we must honor the sacrifices of the Patriots that have gone before us.  When we look around us in today's modern world you can see the faces and spirits of the men and women that left their farms and families and froze to death at Valley Forge. And the 18 year old boys that are buried throughout Europe and on the beaches of Normandy to preserve Freedom. And the Civil War when families fought one another and died in the fields of Gettysburg to confirm that all men are created equal, to hold together the nation, and to continue with this wonderful, blessed, experiment in Freedom and Liberty called America. 

We have a duty to Teach Our Children well and preserve the legacy of our great nation. Every generation is called to service called to sacrifice.  Perhaps ours is the renewal of our Faith, the great American family and our way of life starting with Freedom and Liberty. 

Let Freedom Ring! God Bless America. 

Faith. Family. Freedom.

With Love,

Coach K