Dave's Weekly Rant
my take on current events, or just miscellaneous ramblings
Jan 7th 2010
Keeping things in perspective
Wow, 2010! Still seems funny even writing that. And I have not posted a rant since the fall.
I guess I have not had that much to rant about, but being as we are going into a new year and it has
been so long, I thought I should rant today.
At this time of year, we typically do some self examination. We ask ourselves how we are doing with life,
our goals, etc.
It has been just about 2 years now since I started this website, so I am especially thinking about that,too.
I've been thinking about the future direction of the site, the forum, my writing, where my lifting is going, what
new things I will try and much more. I have taken in so much info on training from so many places over the past
year, that sometimes it gets overwhelming figuring out what to incorporate into my routine, talk about on the
forum, write about in my Examiner.com column and in future books.
One thing is starting to become ever clearer to me, however. That is that it is too easy to get caught up in the
physical side of life and neglect the more important spiritual side of it.
While I love training, attending contests, talking & writing about lifting and physical strength, at the end of the day
no matter how hard we train, how well we eat or what supplements we take, we are slowly heading towards
another facet of our existence ( sometimes not so slowly).
I am speaking of eternity. I just read the book "90 minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper, which really puts things in
perspective. Don actually died and went to Heaven after being in a horrible car accident. I say that in a matter of fact
way because I truly believe that he did, and that I will too someday. Maybe tomorrow, maybe 50 years from now, but
in relation to eternity, a mere sliver either way.
If you don't have that conviction and belief about your eternal destiny, perhaps this is something you should be taking
a long, hard look at. I suggest you read Don's book. Don has a website with that and other books and resources, his
testimony and more. Check it out:
http://www.donpiperministries.com/media.aspOct 28th
Yet again,
the weekly rant has been neglected for a month,sorry.
Well, what else could I talk about this week but the fightin' Phils!!
In the World series yet again, and tonight ( weather permitting) the whole thing gets started.
With the strong hitting from both teams, this should be one heck of a series. The Phils could
make history with a repeat this time around.
And then there's the other Philly/NY rivalry on Sunday, when our Eagles play the recently cooled
down Giants. This will be a reality check for Mcnabb & co. after the poor teams we've played in
the last 2 weeks ( one of which beat us).
For my next rant I'll either be bragging or crying..... stay tuned.
Sep 25th
OK, so the weekly rant is becoming more of a monthly rant. I've been busy making new cyber friends,
working on book projects, the forum and stuff around the house, not to mention that pesky 9-5 thing
that keeps a roof over my head.
Looking forward to getting out in the tree stand next Saturday for archery buck opener. I still have not
shot the crossbow yet this season, but it requires a lot less practice than a regular bow, thankfully!
Celebrating my grandaughter's 2nd birthday tomorrow at my stepdaughter Lexi's. Boy, I feel old!
I've been training for the WNPF Worlds on Oct 17th near AC,New Jersey. So far,so good.
It looks like I will make weight for getting back ine 198 class for this one, short of really going on a binge
over the next couple of weeks. Keep me in your prayers that I stay healthy and put in a good performance
there, please.
Aug 26th
Moving into Fall
Well,
September is almost upon us!
Back to school for the kids( & some adults),Football season begins,baseball
starts getting geared up for the playoffs, hunting season gets underway,
and the weather starts to change for the cooler side.
I love the Fall, with the trees changing colors, the chill in the air, the dog
days of summer saying goodbye.
It's also a time when outdoor sports & exercise enthusiasts & wannabe's
start to move indoors. Folks tend to re-focus on getting in shape and get more
serious about diets and joining gyms,etc.
I am here to support you in your fitness & weightloss endeavors of all kinds,
so please drop in at the forum and ask questions, share your triumphs,
send us your training logs & videos, or talk about your favorite sports teams.
August 12th
The healthcare package
Well, I am glad to hear the public outcry against the Obama healthcare plan
as laid out. I think we need reform, not a total restructuring of what we have.
Inevitably, change will be coming, and I think it's in all of our best interests to
get & stay as healthy as possible, so that we can avoid being stuck in
"the system". An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure on
this issue. If you are overweight, lets get on the ball and shed that fat &
muscle up a bit. Easier said than done, I know, but it will go a long way
towards improving overall health, and is a great place to start.
July 31st
The Forum
Well, more & more readers are coming to the forum lately, but not many
are making posts. I understand that there are lots of forums out there
with more members to bounce things off of. Why participate here?
Firstly,all are welcome, regardless of faith or lack thereof, type of exercise
one is into, or whether you are a novice or a seasoned fitness buff or athlete.
Want to promote yourself or your business? Knock yourself out, as long as it
is nothing offensive, degrading or insulting.
Please refrain from profanity and flaming other posters. You can do that at
other forums if you choose. Got what you think is a dumb question?
Ask anyway, I will not make you feel stupid or let anyone else post that way.
So far, I have not removed any posts or kicked anyone out as there has been
no need. That's the way I hope it will stay. I think dissenting opinions can be
voiced respectfully, and insults are not the way to go.
I try to add new sub forum ideas and content for all to enjoy on a regular
basis. Please give your feedback, ideas, tell me what you'd like to see.
I am hoping folks will come here without fear of being verbally beat up over
their beliefs or opinions or lack of fitness or nutrition wisdom. It should be a
place where rookies feel welcomed and mentored by those who are more well
versed, rather than insulted by them.
Thanks in advance for your participation.
July 23rd
Well, once again I find myself behind with the WR. It's been a busy couple
of weeks.
I returned last night from a 4 day,3 night camping/canoe trip on the upper
Delaware river. What a beautiful area it is up above the water gap. We
saw bald eagles & other cool wildlife, and enjoyed spectacular scenery for
our trip of about 34 miles total. The fishing left a bit to be desired, but we
had fun around the campfires, watching the little boys enjoy themselves
with "manly" activities their mothers probably would frown on, and telling
stories,jokes,etc.
Lots of rowing, setting up & tearing down camp daily and sleeping in a
sleeping bag in a cramped tent has once again reminded me to thank
God daily for all the little things we all take for granted every day;
easy transportation, shelter, toilets & other modern conveniences.
I also am thankful that God allowed a window of no rain on Tuesday in
order for us to set up camp & get a nice fire started before the rains
returned. The timing was no less than miraculous!
Home away from home!
July 9th
Folks, a gentleman on another forum really ripped into me about mywebsite and
it's many short comings. After the initial flush of anger,I decided to try and
look at things from his perspective.
Sometimes people who share my faith and/or understand my vision can tend
to shy away from saying anything negative.
That is not always good. In light of the negative comments,I havemade a lot
of changes to try and improve things. This will always be a work in progress,
and I will always seek to improve things.
Please feel free to email me with your comments, and be honest,
please! I look forward to your constructive criticisms, or let me know what
you would like to see that is not here already,Thanks
July 1st
As we prepare to celebrate Independance day in our great country,
I wish to honor all of our military personel and leaders. Keep them
in your prayers daily. Keep our leaders in your prayers daily. Lets
keep God on our money, in our public buildings, in our thoughts and
remember he reigns supreme over ours and every government.
If you did not read the rant from 2 weeks ago,please do. Let's not
let this country go down the tubes.
Let's fight to keep it strong!
June 15th
I'll let this youtube video speak for me here:
Are we a Judeo-Christian nation?
May 27th I let this study say it all this week:
Men with big muscles cut cancer risk by 40 per cent
Men with stronger muscles from regular weight training are up to 40 per cent less likely to die from cancer than men who do not pump iron, according to new research.
Last Updated: 10:38AM BST 24 May 2009
The findings, by an international team of researchers, suggest muscular strength is as important as staying slim and eating healthily when it comes to protecting the body against deadly tumours.
The scientists who came up with the findings are recommending men weight train at least twice a week, exercising muscle groups in both the upper and lower body.
In recent years, experts have recommended a healthy diet and lifestyle - including regular aerobic exercise such as jogging or cycling to reduce the risks of the disease.
But the latest study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, suggests it may be just as important to build up muscle strength.
A team of experts, led by scientists from Sweden's Karolinska Institute, tracked the lifestyles of 8,677 men aged between 20 and 82 for more than two decades.
Each volunteer had regular medical check ups that included tests of their muscular strength.
Between 1980 and 2003, researchers monitored how many developed cancer and subsequently died from it.
The results showed men who regularly worked out with weights and had the highest muscle strength were between 30 and 40 per cent less likely to lose their life to a deadly tumour.
Even among volunteers who had excess tummy fat or a high body mass index, regular weight training seemed to have a protective effect.
In a report on their findings the researchers stressed keeping a healthy weight was still crucial for avoiding premature death.
But they added: "In the light of these results, it is equally important t to maintain healthy muscular strength levels.
"It's possible to reduce cancer mortality rates in men by promoting resistance training involving the major muscle groups at least two days a week."
A spokesman for Cancer Research UK said resistance exercise might have some benefit but it was more important to regularly do some cardiac exercise.
Health information officer Jessica Harris said: "There's no need to become a body builder. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week that leaves you warm and slightly out of breath can have a positive effect."
May 19th
Harvest Softball & Hockey Teams
Harvest Hockey plays every Sunday night.
Softball plays 1 or 2 times per week. I actually plaid Softball on Monday
night. We lost and I tweaked both of my hamstrings... but it was fun.
I will try to get schedules for both teams and post here ASAP.
May 14th
Well, we had our first Sunday at the new building on the 10th, Mother's Day.
It was awesome!
We all worked very hard to get things ready for this service on short notice... kudos to all those who put in their time during the past week or two.
Anyone interested in joining the Harvest Powerlifting team, Please email me. There are meets coming soon!
Email me @ daveyarnell144Christianiron.com
May 1st
New Church Building
Well, I posted on the news page about Harvest getting into a real church building as of May 10th
This is going to be a welcome change! No more lengthy tear down and setup for the stage every week.
The new location is at Broad & 6th streets in Quakertown, and the church offices will be located
there also. Lots of work for us all getting things squared away in the next 9 days, but we thank God
for making this building available, right on time, as is often his way. Our rent at Strayer was about to
double in June.
If you do not have a home church and you live in the area, please drop by on Mother's day at 10:15
for our first service!
April24th
Post retreat rant
Well, we had a great time of fellowship and fun.
I caught my first largemouth of the season, saw
my first PA black bear up close, played paint ball,
and made new friends.
We watched lots of movie clips, had camp bonfires
every night, and shared our spiritual journeys with
each other. We cried and we laughed and I think we
all came away with renewed zeal and more prepared
to do battle against the forces of eveil around us.
Harvest is stoking the flames again tonight with a bonfire
at Pastor Geoff's. Looking forward to it!
April 16th
Men's Retreat
Well, after work today I am heading over to MT Gilead in the poconos for another
"Wild at Heart" men's retreat. I'm looking forward to getting recharged spiritually as well as having some fun with my friends from Harvest. I also hope to meet some new friends there.
John Eldredge is an excellent author, and has written several books including the wild at heart book and field manual. John encourages Christian men to be real men, not pansies or "Mr Rogers" types
( no offense to mr Rogers meant).
We are engaged in spiritual warfare against the world, the flesh and the devil, so please keep us all in your prayers this weekend and going forward!
Thanks!
April 10th Good Friday
Well, happy Easter to all, first off. This is about the most important Christian holiday.
Let's remember it's real meaning is not about candy, baskets and getting dressed up, but rather the resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
On another subject, I have started a new forum using a YUKU board, as I simply did not like the old one.
Unfortunately, those who posted and signed up( registered) to the old board will have to re-register with
YUKU.
I am sorry for this inconvenience, but please don't let it stop you from participating on the new board.
Please don't hesitate to ask anything, and keep in mind, there are no "stupid questions".
April 2nd 09
Well, it's been a couple of weeks since my last rant.
What's on my mind this week? Well, I'm excited about the
new Harvest Community Fellowship Powerlifting Team that
is now in the process of coming together.
Our church has a hockey team, woman's basketball team, and has fielded men's and women's softball teams last year.
Being the avid powerlifting fan and competitor, I thought I'd invite some of my Harvest friends that I know are lifters to join this new team.
The standard question I get from potential team members is:
How much do I have to lift??
My answer is: whatever you do is fine. We all have to start somewhere.
This is about cammaraderie, fun, and training motivation. I have been to lots of meets, and I can assure you that novice lifters get rooted on and encouraged regardless of the amount of weight they are hefting.
Competition can be fun, and we are not looking to set world records here as a team.
If you like to lift and have ever remotely considered this kind of thing, please contact me.
I can offer training tips, hands on help, or you can train completely on your own and join us for competitions.
We plan on trying our first team meet in June,Lord willing,
so it's time to start training if your interested!
March 13th For any of you young people using or considering steroids, a must read