A Cup with Jeremy

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2010-04-09T23:28:00.001-04:00

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Help Haiti Heal

2010-04-09T21:43:00.004-04:00

Here's the new logo I designed for the Help Haiti Heal campaign. HHH is a project, spearheaded by my father-in-law, that's mission is to build an orphanage for unclaimed children in Haiti. There are nearly a half a million orphans in Haiti - an alarming number considering that the size of the country is only 10,000 square miles. The need is overwhelming.... but one child's life changed can make a world of a difference in a country in dire need of hope. I am privileged to spend today and tomorrow with a few incredible men who are empassioned and burdended to launch this great endeavor. It's cool stuff. More updates to come....

Help Haiti Heal

2010-02-13T13:07:00.003-05:00

Pastor Dan Deaton, from The Branch Community Church in Parma, Ohio, traveled to Haiti immediately following the devastating earthquake that hit there on January 12, 2010. 42 years ago, he established a church in the village of Vignier, Haiti, and has been coming to the island ever since. While in Haiti, he assessed the damages to a school in Vignier that serves 400-500 Haiti children. This school was destroyed in the earthquake and will need to be rebuilt. There is also a need for a number of orphanages to be built in the village. Through Help Haiti Heal, Pastor Deaton will be working to raise funds and coordinate the rebuilding project for the school, as well as the formation of the orphanage. If you would like more information or to partner with this mission, please visit www.HelpHaitiHeal.net.

Hungry for Change: Food, Inc.

2010-01-31T10:39:00.014-05:00

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to watch the film Food, Inc. To be honest, I didn't really want to watch it, but I had heard so much good about it that it piqued my interest (plus Chipotle was promoting it... and if Chipotle likes it, I like it). Basically, the film sheds light on the "where" and "how" our food gets from farm to fork - mostly stuff that we don't think about and, frankly, probably don't even want to think about.

But its interesting stuff, nonetheless. Like the fact that McDonald's is the largest buyer of meat and potatoes in the world. Hmmmm. Makes you wonder. There are a lot of McDonald's out there. And if they are the largest purchaser of these foods, then they probably have the muscle to dictate how these foods are produced. Which they do.

It's not that McDonald's and other large food conglomerates are inherently evil, but they have been responsible for creating a system that has screwed up our thinking a little bit. For example, why is it that you can buy a cheeseburger for 99 cents, but it costs $1.19 for a bushel of brocolli? That just seems odd.

Since there is such a high demand in America for processed food, these companies have been instrumental in coming up with ways to create enough of it really, really fast. This is why most of our food contains high caloric, sugar laden ingredients, and much of the meat we buy in fast-food chains or supermarkets come from factory farms in which animals are raised genetically and under incredibly inhumane conditions. Things that shouldn't even be in food are, and things that shouldn't even be fed to cows and chickens are, because we have found a "secret" to manufacturing unhealthy and environmentally harmful solutions, cheaply and in mass-quantity, to feed our demand. Even our government subsidizes farmers to over-produce genetically-modified crops in order to use them in various forms throughout almost every product and process in America, in spite of the fact that these genetically-altered ingredients contribute to 1 in 3 Americans developing diabetes, heart diseases, and cancers.

Anyway.... I'll leave my two cents at that. I don't want to bore you with my regurgitation of the film. I would highly recommend you watch it, though. It really isn't too "Michael Moore-ish" as I might be making it out to be. The film's director, Robert Kenner, doesn't even really "attack" the current system of industrialized food production. In an interview, he said, "All we want is transparency and a good conversation about these things."

The truth is, the film simply changes the way you look at food. It may not stop you from ever buying a Big Mac, which, quite frankly, I'm sure I'll even buy one from time to time. However, it will make you more "conscious" of what you are buying and eating. Rest assure, there are solutions to the epidemic. Changing the way America eats won't change overnight. It probably won't even change over the next ten years. But gradually it could start moving in the right direction. As the film puts it, we each get a vote.... at least 3 times a day.

You can buy the film on Amazon.com for about $10. Click here for info.

Help Haiti Now!

2010-01-18T00:04:00.010-05:00

Haiti has suffered a devastating blow over the past week, in which a 7.0-magnitude earthquake ripped through the small island nation, killing an estimated 150,000 people, leaving untold numbers wounded, without anywhere to go for safety or help. The aid is now trickling in, but it is still a sad, sad situation.

My in-laws, Dan and Donna Deaton, have a very intimate connection to Haiti. Having lived there as missionaries, they helped establish a local church in the town of Vignier. Over the past 40 years, they have continued to financially support the church there and have traveled back to minister on the island numerous times.

This morning, my father-in-law, Dan, will be traveling to Port-au-Prince, and on to Vignier, to help the rescue and cleanup efforts. He will also be assessing damages in order to coordinate a later return for the rebuilding process. His heart is very heavy right now for the Haiti people. The need is so great and the help is needed right now.

If your heart is compelled to aid in this effort, I would humbly ask you to donate any amount to the mission. I assure you, every penny will go to rebuilding and restoring Haiti. You can click on the following PayPal link to donate online, safely and securely (The page will say, "The Branch Community Church - Help Haiti Now"). Please note, your contribution is tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt upon donation. For those who are able to give, I thank you. And for all those who are lifting up prayers for the Haiti people, may God bless you.

I'll do anything for a free BOO-rrito!

2009-11-01T01:22:00.005-04:00

I never was really into celebrating Halloween. That is, until I heard that you can get a free burrito at Chipotle simply by wearing aluminum foil on your body on Halloween. I would probably do much more for a free Chipotle burrito, but, thankfully, all I had to do was hand-craft a super-cool burrito hat. Dona and Dalyn also shamelessly joined me in this festive, yet debatably humiliating, adventure.

These were my night-vision goggles I made. The cashier begged me for them, so I gave them to him. It was the least I could do since he was giving me 3 free burritos.

The line went clear out the door and wrapped around the shopping plaza. Insane!

Making your own aluminum foil hat, equipped with burrito chamber = $0.10
Driving 15 miles to the nearest Chipotle = $1.25
Standing in line for 35 minutes = $Annoying
Getting a free burrito - Priceless

Weston Valor Kiner

2009-09-30T21:34:00.011-04:00

On Saturday, September 26, at 8:12 p.m., my second son, Weston Valor, was born. Talk about joy unspeakable!!

Many have asked why we chose the name Weston Valor, so I thought I'd share. Aside from the fact that Dona and I just really liked the name, we chose Weston for what it expresses. Quite literally, it means Western or "the West," which, in and of itself, holds little significance to us, but, historically, the West has always symbolized new things..... new lands, new ideas, new opportunities..... waiting to be explored, revealed, and achieved. When I think of the West, I think of Christopher Columbus who sailed the ocean blue to seek out a land unknown. I think of King David who spoke often of having a "new song." I think of every great inventor who, at some point in time before their noteworthy invention, chose to be daring and adventurous.

And, of course, Valor..... this name was inspired by one of my favorite Bible characters: Gideon. Gideon was referred to by God as a "mighty man of valor." In spite of being the youngest in his family, God had purposed in Gideon to achieve more than just the ordinary. He was infused with incredible potential and an unusual capacity to lead, which Gideon did not take lightly. Gideon overcame spectacular odds and performed unbelievable feats because of his courage and willingness to trust in the Lord.

That's basically it in a nutshell..... Weston Valor was named on purpose. His untold future is still yet before him, but my prayer is that his inquisitive nature will drive him toward uncharted territories, his capacity for being uncomfortable will motivate him to go against the current, if necessary, and his life's challenges will enable him to face the unexpected with confidence and courage.

Did I mention that I just like the name, too?

Take Control & De-Clutter!

2009-09-05T09:31:00.011-04:00

Clarity
Can you articulate a clear, realistic vision of your life 5, 10, 15 years from now? Stop reading this for about 15 seconds and think about that question. Where are you headin'? Most of us have a difficult time getting a clear picture of where we are at right now in this moment, let alone where we are going. Why is this? For many of us, including myself, it's..... Clutter. Clutter is that bad, sneaky, little demon that gets in the way of a clear perspective. It also has a way of zapping our energy as we try to work around it. We hang on to old stuff we really should throw away (guilty!), we burn a candle on both ends by filling our agenda with too many goofy, unproductive activities (guilty!), and we try to navigate through a jig-saw puzzle of scattered thoughts and intentions. When you're constantly contending with this kind of clutter, you'll never get a clear perspective to truly evaluate. Don't let needless clutter obstruct your vision, steal your resources, and make you an unproductive person.

Self-Awareness
The only person that can get you to where you want to be is.... YOU. Sure, you're going to need others, too, along the way. But it starts with an acute awareness - an awareness of your own personal and unusual potential and purpose. You must realize that the only driving force powerful enough to thrust you into your dreams is that force inside your heart and mind. Drain your mind of negative thoughts and laziness. Truth is, most people know exactly what they need to do to succeed, they just spend so much time thinking of reasons why they can't do them. Take ownership of your life and accept the responsibilities of what it will take to get you to where you want to go. Only YOU can do this.

Commitment
It's always easier said than done, right? In order to get control of your life, you must embrace the fact that it's going to require commitment - and not just a short-sighted, laissez faire commitment either. If you can't commit yourself to the changes you know you need to make over the next 1, 5, 10 years, chances are you're not going to accomplish anything you really want to. So don't kid yourself, if you're going to do something, commit to it - all the way to the end. If you're going to take the first step, envision yourself taking the last step, and then remove any mental barriers and obstacles that lay in between.

If you have too many irons in the fire, too much noise in the background, or too much junk in the garage (guilty, guilty, and guilty!), it's time to ease up on the accelerator, get a clear head, and start getting organized. Only when you are able to get a clear perspective can you begin to truly see yourself and get a sense of where you're going (or where you NEED to be going). So purge your mind of negative, defeatist, or unproductive thoughts. Clear your schedule if you have to. Have some alone time. Make some alone time. Whatever it takes so you can get a clear vision again and take control of your life.

Weekend of Birthdays!

2009-08-23T22:16:00.008-04:00

What a fantastic weekend! On Saturday, Dona, Dalyn, and I had the privilege of going down to Lancaster, Ohio, for Paul Bishop's 50th surprise birthday celebration. Paul and his wife, Paula, are precious people and have an absolutely POWERFUL ministry.... Love 'em to pieces.

Part of Paul's surpise was the unexpected visit from musical artist, David Huff (from David and The Giants). He played a short, little concert in honor of Paul... it was great!

I just had to get a picture with the guy.... we look like bros, don't we? (Eric Steiner, I know you're jealous... lol)

The best part of the weekend, though, was today... it was Dalyn's FOURTH birthday!! Wow. He had a rockin' birthday from beginning to end...

He got a new bike - with TRAINING WHEELS!! He couldn't even wait to get out of his pajamas to try it out.....

You didn't think he was going to get a normal pancake for breakfast, did you?

Dalyn got to bring his best buddy, Dawson, home after church. They had a blast spending the day together.

Yikes!

Quick trip to McDonald's....

They ruled the playground area....

....and the video games, too.

We ended the day with a fun-filled birthday celebration with family. Dalyn is so full of life.... and he's growing up to be an awesome little dude.

Quote of the Day

2009-08-22T09:00:00.002-04:00

Minds are like parachutes; they work best when they are open.

-Thomas Dewar

How to spot a FOOL.

2009-08-20T23:02:00.000-04:00

What determines a Fool. Simple:

They don't believe in God - Psalm 14:1
They despise wisdom - Proverbs 1:7
They hate knowlege - Proverbs 1:22,32
They slander and gossip - Proverbs 10:14,18
They do mischief - Proverbs 10:23, 11:29
They are quick with their anger and temper - Proverbs 12:15-16
They despise a father's instruction - Proverbs 15:5
They do not plan ahead, and live only for the moment - Proverbs 21:20

William James wrote, "The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind. As you think, so shall you be." (Proverbs 23:7)

Don't be a fool.

What is God calling you?

2009-08-19T22:05:00.000-04:00

God called Abraham, friend. He called Gideon, mighty man of valour. He also called Jacob, Israel. It doesn't matter what the world calls you, it only matters what your Father calls you.

10 Musts...

2009-08-18T22:55:00.000-04:00

Can't remember where this list came from, but I wanted to share. If only I could get really good at applying it every day.

How you think is everything.
Always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment.
Decide upon your true dreams and goals.
Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.
Take action.
Goals are nothing without action. Don't be afraid to get started. Just do it.
Never stop learning.
Go back to school or read books. Get training and acquire skills.
Be persistent and work hard.
Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up.
Learn to analyze details.
Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.
Focus on your time and money.
Don't let other people or things distract you.
Don't be afraid to innovate; be different.
Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.
Deal and communicate with people effectively.
No person is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others.
Be honest and dependable; take responsibility.
Otherwise, numbers 1-9 won't matter.

The Lord's Prayer.... as taught to me by Dr. Gerry Jeffers

2009-08-17T22:06:00.003-04:00

Matthew 6:9-13 & Luke 11:1-4

Teach Us To Pray

1. Our Father which art in Heaven....

Realize who God is - Your Father
Realize that your Father in Heaven knows all about You

2. Hallowed by Thy Name....

Hallowed means above everything - Put God above relationships, sports, hobbies, money, school, etc.

3. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done

Submit your will to God

4. Give us this day our daily bread....

You can't worry about your past or your future, you must focus on recieving your Daily Bread right now

5. Forgive us our debts AS we forgive our debtors....

God will forgive us if we forgive each other - so hard as it may seem, FORGIVE!
God wants to forgive you! He loves you!

6. Lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil....

Pray for God's grace and mercy to help you

7. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, the Glory....

Everything I have is yours, my relationship, my future, my job, my friends, my family, my education, MY LIFE

8. Amen.

So be it... I claim the Spirit, the Blood, the Grace, and the Power of God.

Hero or Celebrity?

2009-08-08T01:40:00.002-04:00

Mark Johnston preaches on the thought "I would rather be a hero than a celebrity." I am convicted to the core....

Quote of the Day

2009-08-05T11:57:00.000-04:00

I'm prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward.

-David Livingston

Where are the Fathers?

2009-08-04T15:22:00.002-04:00

In America, 1 out of every 3 children live without their father (http://www.fatherhood.org/father_factor.asp). This is a devastating statistic, and one that has been moving in the wrong direction for far too long. According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, kids with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use and criminal activity than children who have uninvolved or absent fathers.

Why then do so many fathers today fail to grasp the import of their role? Why are so many opting out of their God-given responsibility? Why are so many dads casting a blind eye to their neglect and laxness, oblivious to the painful and long-term consequences of their delinquency? Why? Why? Why?

We have a dilemma in America right now. Too many men do not know how to be men. Too many fathers do not know how to be fathers. Understand, this is not a self-righteous statement to elevate my own manhood or esteem my own fathering abilities. I, too, have great opportunities for improvement! My point is simply this.... it is becoming a traumatic rarity these days that children are given the fair and deserved chance to succeed because of a father who is present and engaged in their life.

Psalms 82:3 instructs us to "defend the cause of the weak and fatherless." (NIV) My heart's cry is that more men in our laissez-faire society would stand up and start being MEN. I understand that some children lose their fathers because of death and not always due to neglect, abandonment, or indifference. For those children who have lost their father due to death, we (us other fathers) should defend their cause and fill in the gap in their life. And for those children who have been robbed from their father because of delinquency, we should, likewise, bear the responsibility of their predicament in our hearts and actions. If you don't stand up for them, then who will? Our children need mentors. They need consistency. They need attention. They need stability. A generation - or at least one third of a generation - depends on it.

If you have a moment, take a listen to a song written by T.D. Jakes and sung by Israel Houghton that begs the question, "Where are the fathers?.... The responsible ones.... Where are the fathers? Have they helped to raise their sons?.... " (click here to listen). It is a great song... powerful.

Fathers, be blessed! I know how hard it can be sometimes. I lift you up in prayer. Please lift me up, as well.

Quote of the Day

2009-08-03T00:55:00.001-04:00

Only dead fish go with the flow.

- Sarah Palin

Upcoming Kiner Addition

2009-07-22T17:05:00.005-04:00

Here is a 3-D ultrasound of the newest upcoming addition to the Kiner family. Dona and I were overjoyed this past Monday when we received a positive report from the doctor. Since the beginning of Dona's pregnancy, we have had a number of scares regarding the baby's development (detached placenta, enlarged kidneys, Down's Syndrome, infection, surgeries, etcetra, etcetra). But Monday's report showed that everything is now NORMAL and HEALTHY! With 10 more weeks to go before this little baby boy pops into the world, I am just thanking God for His encouragement and His faithfulness!

Quote of the Day

2009-07-11T10:35:00.001-04:00

Those things that hurt, instruct.

- Benjamin Franklin

Liberty!

2009-07-05T18:29:00.004-04:00

On this Independence weekend, I am moved with such gratefulness for the men and women in uniform who have paid the price for my freedom, my family's freedom, and this country's freedom. I am even moreso reminded and moved as I think about the freedom and deliverance that my soul has been given, because of the price that Jesus Christ paid for me on the cross of Calvary.

2 Corinthians 3:17 says, "...where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." It is because of Christ and the power of His Spirit that I have liberty. And this liberty has applied to every facet of my life, whether it be in my family, my work, my finances, you name it. It is because of His Spirit that I have enjoyed the innumerable blessings of freedom.

Consider that, since 1776, America has had to keep fighting for its freedom. Unfortunately, America did not receive eternal liberation simply because a group of our forefathers penned a fancy declaration letter. Many, many wars have been fought, and many lives sacrificed, since that day to reinforce and reestablish the independence of our country. Equally, I am reminded this weekend that every time my freedom is challenged or in risk of compromise, whether it be with my pocketbook, my relationships, or my soul, I am in need of God's spirit in my life. Anytime I feel the chains of bondage or the shackles of unrest creeping in, I am reminded that I am in need of a renewing, a refilling, of God's presence and dominion in my world.

I would hate to live in a country that lacks the freedoms I know and appreciate. Just the same, I don't want to ever settle for anything less for my body, mind, and soul. Thank God for freedom! Thank God for liberty!

Brain Inventory

2009-07-01T22:44:00.003-04:00

Completely random, but these were some of the thoughts that ran through my head today.

Do not be non-chalant about anything.
Pay attention to the details.
Smile. A lot.
Wake up early.
Lighten up.
Work hard. Very hard.
I am a genius.
Don't ever, ever quit.
Eat lunch.
Be honest. Integrity matters.
Call my wife.
Chipotle burrito.
Do not be intimidated by anything.
Conquer.
Defeat is not an option.
Squeeze out creativity.
Push for greatness.
Believe.
Pay attention to your breathing.
Don't be afraid to make a phone call.
Solutions.
Execution.
Bottom line.
Exercise.
Fireworks.
Making tons of money.
Giving tons of money away.
Eric Steiner.
Facebook.
Grace.
Holy Ghost.
Nothin is impossible.
Dry clean my pants.
Carry breath mints with you always.
Renewing my vows.
Put-in-Bay.
Tired. Get sleep.
Live large. Extra large.
Inner joy.
Clarity.
Church tonight.
Chipotle burrito.
Be an example. It's worth a thousand words.
Opportunity.
Dalyn.
Don't be a jerk.
Corn.
Text Aaron for coffee.
Proverbs 28:25.
Be different, but not too different.
Napkins are for writing on.
Go the extra mile(s).
Put this list on my blog.
I should not text while I'm driving.
My wife is spectacular.
Do not slouch in public.
Laugh.
Appreciate.
Relax.
High blood pressure.
I can't wait to meet my new son.
My car stinks.
Febreeze.
Mark Pogue watches soap operas.
Be an asset.
Light up the room.
Jehovah Java.
Online odds & ends dishware store. Brilliant!
Finish church website.
Efficiency.
Redeem the time.
This is therapeutic.
Pray before meals.
Crummy weather.
People want to be good.
Vacation.
Fat vs. Skinny
Manners.
City Council. I can do it.
Dream the extraordinary, then take one step toward it.
Chipotle burrito.
Lick aluminum foil.

America: A Frog in a Kettle?

2009-06-15T23:54:00.003-04:00

Amazon's Kindle2

2009-06-01T20:56:00.003-04:00

This is cool... I want it.

Quote of the Day

2009-02-24T22:54:00.001-05:00

Whatever the person you wish you were, start being today.