Have you ever wondered why you make decisions a certain way. I mean, like when you have a choice to take that next beer and head down the path that you know leads to being driven home by a friend, but instead you choose to limit yourself and head home under your own power. Or maybe someone says something that pisses you off, and you consider for a moment, bopping them one, but instead you think better of it and let it slide, this time. Or maybe you are like me, and you get bored and head out to the internet to look for some entertainment, which leads to places where it is better for me not to go, but then I think about what I am doing, and turn away. Why do we make those decision, sometime one way and sometimes the other. Well, I would contend that more often than not, we make decisions based on a voice we listen to in our head. You know the one I mean, the one that says "ok, he didn't really mean that, I will let it go this time", or perhaps instead we listen to the voice that says "that blankety blank deserves this, and I am going to give it to him". I am sure you can guess where I am going with this, God is the forgiving voice, and we know where that other voice comes from. But the point I want to make, is that if we have a relationship with God, then we really do get to make the decision. The decision to do or say or look where God would have me look, or to, well you get the idea. I will confess, that I am still struggling with this, and I don't always make the right decision, but when I remember to ask for help from the One who supplies all the power I need if I will only ask, then I am able to overcome the temptation, the anger, or the boredom, or whatever situation I find myself in. Praise God from whom all power comes, and praise God I have the power to ask for help, and I can have confidence that He will supply all my needs.

Tom Zimmer
Chaplain, New Life Riders (CMA)
Chaplain, UCOA

Debbie and I went to Randy and Paula’s Surprise 40th Anniversary party this evening. It was supposed to be a surprise to Paula, and as I understand it Randy actually managed to surprise Paula. That has got to be a first! I think they must have been negative one years old when they got married, they look so young!

Of course Debbie and I had to play the spoon and fork game again. Debbie was the fork, I was the spoon.

As usual, click any picture for a larger version.

By the way, if you would like to receive emails when I post new entries to this blog, you can click the “Follow” button (word) at the top left of this page, next to the search box, and above my title “TOMZ ZIMMER”. You will be given the opportunity to sign up to follow my blog. Please be careful NOT to click the “Report Abuse” button right next to it. Thanks!

We had out chapter run this evening, starting with dinner at Rudy’s BBQ over near 183 and Duval, then we ran over to Amy’s Ice Cream Parlor for some wonderful ice cream. We ate it outside, and even the skeeters loved it and us too of course. Actually the mosquitoes weren’t toooo.. bad. But the ice cream made up for them. Then it was spoon games, which Debbie and Don clearly won. And finally stone cow games to see who could look the silliest. I think Debbie took that prize. Oh, yes, nice sunset too.

Debbie and I went to the Summer Sizzle today, at C-Hunts in north Austin. We had a great time. They don’t call it sizzle for nothing, the weather lived up to its name. Entry include a great BBQ chicken dinner with all the fixin’s. Also had a silent auction, and real auction with Bandido Doug doing the calling and Escondido Paul helping encourage the crowd. Music was great, provided by Young Generation. All this to help raise money for our local charity J. W. Rock, which provides Christmas food baskets and toys to the most needy families in the Austin area. We work with St. Vincent DePaul to find the families that we help. In all, I am sure we raised over $1000 for J. W. Rock. Well done!