Jim Best blog archive part I

2006-01-16T13:39:00.000-05:00

I Have A Dream....

Today the kids and I are home because of the MLK Holiday. They have had some good homework projects focussed on the life and work of MLK. I am very glad my kids are growing up learning about Dr. King and his dream.

A little over three years a go Syndie and I sat down and recorded some dreams we had of doing church in a differnt way. We have felt that God is calling us to look at and live out these dreams in some new and practical ways in 2006.

Curious what there are? Look here...

2006-01-16T11:53:00.001-05:00

Free Starbucks Coffee on Jan 19th

this link here

2006-01-16T11:45:00.000-05:00

I am not big on jumping in on every passing internet fad BUT.....

This is supposable national delurking week. It is a time for anonymous readers to let me know who they are for curiosity sake.

So if you are inclined post a comment that gives me your name, location, and maybe why you visit, or whatever information you feel would justify a comment.

Thanks

2006-01-12T14:06:00.000-05:00

It is 50 degrees and sunny! Hard to believe the calendar says January 12th.

I want to say a word about the Message Bible and Navpress who publishes it. A couple of years a go Syndie and I bought copies of the Message Re-Mix. It was the whole message Bible in a compact size that was handy to carry around. Somewhere along the way we both ended up breaking the binding on our Bibles. It did not make them unusable but not 100%. I noticed that there was a replacement gurantee on the inside page. I called the 1-800 number explained the problem, mailed in the copyright page from both Bibles and yesterday we received two brand new copies of the Message Re-mix. It nice to get replacement for free. So buy a Message Bible and give a good workout because if it breaks they replace it for free.

L'Chaim

2006-01-12T14:02:00.000-05:00

From The Quotations Of The Day Web Site

Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function.
Unknown

move to flickr

2006-01-08T15:21:00.000-05:00

move to flickr,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

I am trying to get the word out to people who have checked out my photo's before. I have moved from fotopages to flickr. Use side link to locate me.

2006-01-06T16:33:00.000-05:00

TGIF!!.....

Long busy week trying to get back into the swing of things after a week off between Christmas and New Years. I did a lot of floor resurfacing this past week as we had a week to work without the staff and students at olgc.

Emily going to a slumber party and sam is having a friend over.

Back to back Piston's games tonight and tomorrow!!

Tommorrow Syndie has promised to make Corrington pancakes and whilte syrop!!! hmn, mn, good!

JJ wants we to type U2 (there buddy)

Take time to enjoy life now!!

2006-01-04T16:51:00.000-05:00

Cold, wet, dreary, weather....

It has been a yucky weather here as of late. The dampness has been giving me some serious stiffness in my back and ankle.

Two more days before the kids go back to school. They are all ready to go back. It has been a nice break but it is time to go back.

Last night Syndie and I were able to watch another Piston's game. The won again!! The Piston's have the best record right now in the NBA.

I have a little person waiting to use the computer.

L'Chaim

2005-12-31T12:23:00.000-05:00

from quote of the day rss feed...

The price one pays for pursuing any profession or calling is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.: James Baldwin (1924 - 1987)

New Family Addition

2005-12-30T15:42:00.000-05:00

kivell xmas 05 039,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

Here is a picture of Bubbles and Nemo. Emily and Sam's new goldfish.

2005-12-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

2005 In Review.....

Family Highlights...

all three kids at same school (schweitzer elementary)
my surprise trip to California
Syndie's new job at Angela Hospice
new used van
B-day parties ay Bobby Bouncers
sledding at Wayne Memorial Highschool
JJ's drum set
Kivell family picnic at Brandier Park

Music CD Favorites

How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (U2)
X and Y (Coldplay)
Nothing Is Sound (Switchfoot)

DVD Viewing Favorites (no particular order)

National Treasure
The Notebook
Hotel Rawanda
Million Dollar Baby
Letters To Frankie

Books (no particular order)

Upsidedown Kingdom
Jesus Creed
Mere Discipleship
The Great Giveaway
In Praise of Slowness

2005-12-25T08:55:00.000-05:00

JJ's Christmas Drums!!!...

Video of JJ playing drums here

jj's xmas drum set up 005

2005-12-24T21:56:00.000-05:00

jj's xmas drum set up 005,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

were are up on xmas eve putting together jj's dream present!! merry christmas jj

love santa

xmas_fun_2005 019

2005-12-24T16:20:00.000-05:00

xmas_fun_2005 019,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

cool candel syndie received as a present from a co-worker

xmas_fun_2005 027

2005-12-24T08:31:00.000-05:00

xmas_fun_2005 027,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

Here we are getting ready to see our special show at the Fox theatre.

anyway

2005-12-24T08:11:00.000-05:00

... ...

here is a good reminder

2005-12-23T20:32:00.000-05:00

2005-12-21T15:57:00.000-05:00

1 day left....

One day left still I have some time off for X-mas with the family. Friday is going to be a cool day. Syn and I both have the day off from work, but the kids have school!! So the whole day will be like a date!! Then after school we are taking the family downtown for the Radio City Hall Christmas show at the Fox Theatre.

Saturday will be a sow day at home with the family celebrating x-mas eve.

Sunday we will celebrate x-mas with our family and then head out for Syndie's family in Chatham, Ont.

Have a great Christmas/Advent as we celebrate the coming of the King of Kings as a humble babe with the incredible message of a new life with Him.

2005-12-18T13:52:00.000-05:00

What will happen this week?

rockette_tickets_05 003

2005-12-17T10:06:00.000-05:00

rockette_tickets_05 003,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

Today the kids opened their early Christmas presents. Tickets to go to the Fox Theatre next Friday night 12/23 to watch the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. What Fun!!

josiah's_holiday_show_05 012

2005-12-16T20:18:00.000-05:00

josiah's_holiday_show_05 012,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

here is a picture of JJ at his kindergarten holiday show

2005-12-15T14:33:00.000-05:00

Via the Weather Channel Website....

Snow...heavy at times. Temps nearly steady in the low 30s. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulating 4 to 6 inches.

Tonight: Snow this evening will taper to snow showers late. Low near 25F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulating 1 to 2 inches. Total storm accumulations 5-8 inches.

2005-12-13T19:26:00.000-05:00

Best Family photo's will be located solely at Flickr due in part to multiple raunchy banner ads.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimlbest/

family_sledding_12_05 008

2005-12-11T14:46:00.000-05:00

family_sledding_12_05 008,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

here we are enjoying the fresh snow as we sled down the "hill" at wayne high school

2005-12-09T09:40:00.000-05:00

The Snow Came!!!

Schools are closed for a snow day so I am home with the kids today.

2005-12-08T19:52:00.000-05:00

Hold On ... Here It Comes!

Currently in Westland, MI (48186)

Severe Weather Alert

	27°F
Snow Shower	Feels Like 18°F

Dew Point:	20°F
Humidity:	70%
Pressure:	30.26 inches
Wind:	From the East Northeast at 9 mph

Local Radar | Map Room

Tonight: Snow this evening will become heavy at times late. Low 22F. E winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 4 to 7 inches of snow expected.

Tomorrow: Becoming partly cloudy later with any flurries or snow showers ending by noontime. Cold. High 29F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.

sams_holiday_musical_05 001

2005-12-07T15:23:00.000-05:00

sams_holiday_musical_05 001,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

Here is a picture of Samantha getting ready to sing and groove to seasonal holiday tunes. I am very proud of you Sam.

2005-12-07T15:14:00.000-05:00

More Info via NPR Online

2005-12-07T13:54:00.000-05:00

The "scoop" on James Leonard Best

Born: January 9, 1972 in Clinton, Iowa to John and Marian Best.

I was named after my Grandfather's: James Virgil Best and Leonard Albert Perkins

Formative Years

Childhood nickmames: Red, Jimmie

Lived in Savanna, IL and Galt, CA

Attended: Carrol Christian School, Galt Christian School, Wilton Christian School

Played: soccer, volleyball, basketball

College Years

1990 moved to Chicago, IL to attend Moody Bible Institute

1992 met a pretty girl named Syndie Kivell ... 30 days later asked pretty girl to marry me ... she said yes!!

may 1993 we were maried twice 1) Evangel Community Church, Chatham, Ontario, Canada .. 2) hotel in Allen Park, MI

1994 I graduated from MBI with a B.A. in Bible and Theology

1995 Syndie graduated from MBI with B.A. in Church Music

Post-College Years

1995 moved to Grand Rapids, MI
1998 moved to Oro Grande, CA
2000 moved to Canton, MI
2003 moved to Westland, MI (bought our first house)

Kid's
Emily Christine Best, September 16th, 1995, Grand Rapids, MI
Samantha Suzanne Best, August, 29th, 1998, Victorville, CA
Josiah James Best, May 9th, 2000, Superior Twp., MI

Job's I have had-
Moon Janitorial
Gooden Paving Company
MBI Physical Plant
Wheatley Blair Inc.
Moody Church
Kool Chevrolet
Oro Grande Community Church
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and School
Canton Community Church

Favorite Foods and Drinks
Dr. Pepper, coffee, Woodchuck Cider Ale, Mike's Hard Lemonade
Altoi

2005-12-04T14:46:00.000-05:00

Second Sunday of Advent...

Today we woke up to a fresh blanket of snow. I got some exercise shoveling my walks and driveway and chaseing a snowblower around the OLGC grounds.

We had a very nice visit with my brother Nate his wife Rachael, and his kids Hannah, and Abby.

They left MI around 4:00 PM so they probably got home around 3:00 AM in NYC.

After they left we hung out at Barnes and Nobles for a coupke of hours while Syndie manned a gift wrapping table for a Angela Hospice fundraiser. B&N gave a portion of sales to Angela Hospice yesterday.

Now Syndie is a Laurel Park Mall doing a stint at the Angela Hospice Tree of Life.

Pause and Reflect and consider the meaning of Advent and the Holiday Season.

2005-12-01T14:07:00.000-05:00

World Aides Awareness Day

Please Check out this very important site sponsered by World Vision

I espcially recommend the "Aides Test" I think it will prove to be very enlightning.

L'Chaim

2005-11-29T15:53:00.000-05:00

Special Day...

Today is day full of birthdays and anniversaries.

Frank Savastano my partner in crime at OLGC ... birthday

Doug Hovey my good friend ... turning #30

Mike and Becky A'Hearn ... celebrating their wedding anniversary

Congradulations to all of you, and many more!!

2005-11-28T18:19:00.000-05:00

Big weather change....

Last week snow and ice, today it was almost 60, and know we are having a thunder storm.

Last week while I was off for Thanksgiving vacation I was able to do a few projects around the house. I was able to re-anchor our towel rod that my son used as a chin up bar. I replaced the corroded stainless steel pipe on our tub/shower spout. I put up a new digital thermostat for our furnace, and I also put a new set of spark plug wires on my pickup truck. It was nice to have my dad around to make sure I was on the right track. The old saying goes, "Two heads are better than one" but both of us put together were not able to fix the seepage coming from the base of our kitchen faucet. So I will have to budget to purchase a new fixture from anywhere but Northside Hardware. I have stopped shopping there for awhile since they accused me of trying to the store by returning a used sink cartridge.

Everyone in the family was back into there old routines today. I had to be up at 4:15, kids had to be at school, and Syndie back to work at Angela Hospice. After school the kids and I had to hustle to gather up our yard leave and get them to the curb so the city public works can pick them up tomorrow.

I also want to publicly thank my Mother and Father in-law. They gave us two great gifts this past Saturday. They gave us a full day of kid care so that Syndie and I could go out and eat, shop, and enjoy ourselves, for a WHOLE day!!! We finished up our Christmas shopping, we out for breakfast, perused Boarders Bookstore, and went to our friend Doug's 30th surprise party at B.D.'s Mongolian Grill. Then after we came home, we got an early Christmas present from Mom and Dad. .... A 19 piece, stainless steel, Wolfgang Puck pots and pan set. We had been hoping to use some gift money to purchase the set ... but now we have it. Thanks Mom and Dad.

Take time to enjoy life now!

2005-11-27T15:43:00.000-05:00

Sad and Happy...

Our family had a nice Thanksgiving but we got word this past Thursday night that our dear friend Becky A'Hearns mother passed away. She had been ill but it was not expected that she would pass away over the holiday. Our love and prayer go out to Mike, Becky, and Kimberly as they have traveled back to Buffalo, NY to make funeral arrangements.

Last night was a great surprise 30th birthday party for Doulas Hovey. We had a great celebration at B.D.'s Mongolian BBQ in Novi. We gave him a card with a bright silver sticker that said, "It's my birthday ... wanna spank me?!"

Tomorrow we all go back to work and school.

L'Chaim

2005-11-22T19:39:00.000-05:00

thanksgiving vacation has officially started....

I only worked a 1/2 day today so that I could go with Sam's class to a field trip to the petting farm. It was a nice place but very cold today. pics of the tip are on foto blog. u can use the link to the right to find it.

Took a nice nap and have been doing some cleaning. My mom and dad and sister should arrive in an hour or so from Charleston, Il. They will be speding a few days with us to celebrate Thanksgiving.

take time to enjoy life now!

2005-11-18T14:28:00.000-05:00

yikes...

The marquee in Plymouth at 4:50 this morning said the temperature was 25.

2005-11-17T20:31:00.000-05:00

more from matthew kelly...

Priorities

One of the strange and false ideas that are propagated in the modern world is that an important and successful person is always busy. Another of those strange ideas is that material success is the measure of greatness. Many people judge others, and are judged themselves, by how busy they are and how much money they earn. The results is that many rush around in a frenzy, dressed in designer label clothes, trying to give the appearane that they are busy and earning lots of money --after all, these are signs of success!

The cost of living such a lifestyle is the loss of the necessary consistency and rhythm in our lives. The cost of this type of sucess is often the loss or failure to find one's very self- our truest and deepest desires, talents, dreams, needs, and the necessary pursuit of these. Sadly, with our focus fixed so firmly on these others, less important, almost inconsequential things, many of us are completely unaware of what we have lost or are missing.

We need to dedicate ourselves to ur development as a person- body, heart, mind, and soul. There is nothing more important in life. I know it, you know it, but we let things we do get in the way. We get carried away with doing. We become human doings. Life is about being and becoming. We must remind ourselves continually that there is nothing more important than development as human beings.

p.155 The Rhythm of Life

2005-11-17T20:02:00.000-05:00

yikes!.....

the fall weather is officially gone. today it was in the 30's with snow flurries. my favorite season has functionally drawn to a close.

2005-11-13T16:31:00.000-05:00

Help for Spy-ware and Mal-ware....

Ran into to somebody today that needed help with their computer in regard to spy-ware. What is share below has been gleaned from PC Mag and the Free Press Tech Collumnist, Mike Weland.

Hi Adrian,

Sorry that your computer is infected. Here are the best resources out there at this point in time. I have used all of them personally. They are also all free!

Hope they help get you computer back up and running.

Jim 8-)

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Once you get rid of all the spyware you need to install a good firewall like Zone Alarm.
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en&lid=nav_za

2005-11-12T21:55:00.000-05:00

Matthew Kelly, author of the Rhythm of Life ... web site

below is an exerpt from his chapter "The Meaning of Life"

Our modern culture proclaims with all of its force: what you do and what you have are the most important things. This is a lie. It is adeception thathas led whole generations down the well-trodden path toward lives of quiet desperation. But it is a lie that is reinforced with such regularity that we have grown to believe it, at least subconciously, and have shaped our lives around it. ... Who you become is infinately more important than what you do or have.

2005-11-12T21:52:00.000-05:00

the road not taken...

this seems to capture some of my own sentiment and emerging philosophy of LIFE

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

More of this Robert Frost poem here

2005-11-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Fall Day....

It was an absolutely beautiful day today. You could be plenty warm wearing short sleeves outside this afternoon. We enjoyed sleeping inn for a change. The kids did not really pressure us to rise until around 8:00. Although with my new schedule it would not be to difficult to call anything after 4:15 sleeping in.

We put away our outdoor patio furniture until next spring and then Syndie and I did a super deep clean on our living room. Wall washing, moving all the furniture to get behind, wash floor under through rug, wash window treatments, etc. It looks really great and I think it will be better if we started doing it on a semi-anual basis.

Today we have also been working the set up, tear down, and hosting of the Plymouth Symphony at OLGC. It makes for four round trips between Syndie and I but the extra $$ will be nice with us starting to think about Christmas presents purchases.

We also let the kids call Grandma and Grandpa Best and take atvantage of our new unlimited long distance that comes with the new Comcast Digital Voice package that was installed earlier this week. We are all very excited about their coming to Michigan from Illinois to celebrate Thanksgiving with us.

Tomorrow we are meeting with Relevant at the Internet Cafe in Canton.

I am hoping to post a few exerpts from the book I am reading called, Rhythm of Life, by Matthew Kelly.

L'Chaim

2005-11-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

windy day....

It has be a blustery afternoon. Thy (weather people) predicted winds as high as 50 mph. So far it has not been that bad. We will have to see.

I am absolutely shocked that the city of detroit re-elected Kilpatrick for mayor. I would definately not have voted for him. Character does not mean much any more to most people. I'm glad I am not most people. I want to put a high priority on instilling character in the lives of my three kids.

Tonight we will finally get our new phone system hooked with Comcast. We will see how it works out. It is supposed to be a hybrid VO/IP that is supposes to have all the quality of a regualar phone line plus tons of extra features. I am most jazed about unlimited long distance in the USA and $.05 to Canada.

well it's time to go pick up JJ from school.

L'Chaim

2005-11-07T18:19:00.000-05:00

thank god it's monday... :)

new week. tonight we have three parent teacher conferences at the elementry school. good report cards for all the kids.

2005-11-03T20:16:00.000-05:00

I am taking a break from b-ball to rest my sore toe and catch up on my sleep. I just finished outting the kids to bed and I really enjoy the time I get to spend with them as we wind down for them to go to sleep. I find that I get to have special little moments that I would not be able to find with them during other parts of the day. I also had a wedding appoint ment this evening to go over the last minute details for the ceremony I am officiating on Nov 19 at the Embassy Suited in Livonia. It is a great couple to work with and everything is falling into place smoothly. I hear a cup of decaf calling my name. I must go and answer.

L'Chaim

2005-11-02T21:13:00.000-05:00

Piston's Home Opener...

Watching a great basketball game as the Piston's lead the Sixer's by 10 at the half. Hopefully they will start the season with a win at home.

Reading a good book at the recommendation of Syndie. It is called, Tuesdays With Maurie. It is written by Detroit Free Press columnist, Mitch Album. I hope to finish it off tomorrow so we can watch the DVD based on the book that just came from Netflix. The book is a timeless classic on what are the most important things in life. I can tell allready that it will be a book that I will read more than once.

When I am finished I hope to start a book called, Rhthym of Life, by Matthew Kelly.

The weather has been great the last couple of days and it has been warm enough to wear short sleeves in the afternoon.

take time to live life now!

2005-10-27T22:46:00.000-05:00

Alive and Kicking......

Lot going on. I have spent a lot of time in Dr's offices this week. Tuesday I went to a dermatologist to have a mole burnt off my face with liquid nitrogen, and then today I went to my pcp to have her check out a possible broken bone in my foot sustained last week playing basketball. She sent me for x-rays but nothing difinitive at this point.

We are also enjoying the new to us van we purchased from the dealership in grand rapids that I used to work at back 95-98. We have now a 2002 Chevy Venture ext. Very Nice

Tomorrow we are going to family fun night at the kids school.

Next week starting on Tuesday I am going to be working 5-1 to help cover some staffing changes over the next couple of months.

take time to enjoy life now!

2005-10-22T14:07:00.000-05:00

Time In Canada......

We are in Canada for the wedding of Syndie's cousin. Syndie is singing in the wedding. Last night we came into town for a rehearsal. Been hanging around today doing this and that. Wedding is in an hour. Followed by a an extended "Canadian" reception. Tomorrow more face time with extended family.

L' Chaim

2005-10-16T12:54:00.000-05:00

Help Me Out!.....

I am trying to simplify my life a bit and am looking to sell a laptop computer. I thought I would try the friends and family network before I try Ebay. So here are the specs.

Compaq 2199us Mobile AMD Athalon XP-M Processor 2800+Notebook

* Quantispeed architecture operates at 2.13 ghz * 15" XGA display * 512 MB DDR memory * 40 GB harddrive * DVD/CD-RW combo drive * ATI Mobility Radeon 4X AGP graphics * 7.3 lbs

I am starting my bidding process at $500.00 US. Sale goes to the highest bidder who will pay bid plus shipping costs.
Payment will Pay Pal

Anyone who is interested please contact me at jimlbest{at}comcast{dot}net

** $25.00 fee paid for documented referral that leads to a sale.

2005-10-16T10:25:00.000-05:00

I have been doing a lot of thinking about healthy living in a wholistic manner nd came across this interesting read.

see online article below............

The Ultimate Simple Health Plan

How to use nature as your personal trainer and preventive doctor

by Janet Luhrs

Not long ago, I noticed that my blood pressure was getting elevated, so I went to a traditional doctor, who prescribed high blood pressure pills.

Before filling the prescription, though, I remembered something important: why not revisit the Seventh-Day Adventist 7 Rules of Natural Health, and see if I couldn't lower my pressure without the pills?

I'm not an Adventist, and you don't need to be, either. But I have taken many of their health classes and read stacks of their books. Theirs is the absolute most straightforward, no-nonsense, simple, and inexpensive way to stay healthy and vibrant that I have ever come across. No fad diets, supplements or other "latest studies" mumbo-jumbo to wade through; just basic rules for using nature as your doctor. For years, I practiced their methods and then fell away.

I made an appointment with my local Adventist clinic. The medical doctor there charged me $35, checked my vital signs, and simply reminded me to follow the rules, giving me a chart to make it easier. No surprise that two weeks later my pressure was back to normal and I was feeling great. While the Adventist method is not the only answer for every medical condition, it is my number one recommendation for general health, and for helping to prevent many lifestyle or degenerative diseases. Male Adventists have an 8.9-year longer average life expectancy than does the general population, while female members have a 7.5-year longer average life expectancy. Adventists have a lower incidence of breast, prostate, pancreatic, bladder, and ovarian cancer than does the general population. And Adventists do not believe that "aches and pains" are an inevitable part of the aging process, nor do they believe that senility or deterioration of mental faculties are inevitable. This is because they figured out the scheme early: live according to the natural laws, and you will be rewarded with health.

The Seven Rules of Natural Health

Rule 1. Pure air. Get outside every day, rain or shine, for fresh air. Learn to breathe deeply to take oxygen way into your body. Incorporate this step into your daily life: walk instead of driving to the store or go for a walk with a friend instead of meeting for coffee. Keep your bedroom windows open.

Rule 2. Sunlight. Exposing your face to sunlight for just 15 minutes will give you more than your daily requirement of 400 units of Vitamin D. Vitamin D ensures straight and strong bones with the proper proportions of calcium and phosphorus.

Rule 3. Temperance. Don't indulge in any one thing. Temperance, or balance, is a main theme of simplicity: eat in moderation, exercise in moderation, and rest in moderation. Remember the rule: moderation in what is good for you and abstinence from the things that are not good.

Rule 4. Rest. Your body and mind need rest in order to function. Get plenty of rest each night and take at least one day a week to devote to restful pursuits. If you don't have rest built into your life with religion, do it without religion. Everybody needs a break from all kinds of work, paid and unpaid. This is the day for families to go hiking or to relax around the house.

Your digestive system also needs to rest. Your system needs about five hours to digest food completely. The Adventists do not advocate eating between meals because the digestive system never has a chance to rest. The theory is that all systems and organs, whether you see them or not, need rest. In between meals you can drink all the water and herbal tea you want. After five hours, eat a huge dinner. Fill yourself with hearty, natural food and enjoy.

You want to rest not only your internal organs, but your whole body as well. You need at least eight hours of sleep.

When you get up, eat a huge breakfast, don't eat again for at least five hours, eat a huge dinner, then have a light snack in the evening.

Rule 5. Exercise. Exercising in fresh air takes poisons and wastes out of the body. Fresh air from exercising fills cells with oxygen. Stretch outside every morning and find an enjoyable form of exercise that fits naturally in your day, such as bicycling or walking to work, meeting a friend for a regular walk or run, and so on. Jethro Kloss, the author of the age-old bible on natural living titled Back to Eden, faithfully went outside every morning, summer and winter (weather permitting) to do a certain number of jumping jacks. Afterward he would go into the kitchen for a glass of fresh orange or grapefruit juice. He began every day with fresh air, brisk exercise, and a nutritious drink.

Rule 6. Water. Water is free or inexpensive, so use it liberally. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water between meals to help purge your system. Drink the water 30 minutes to 1 hour before or 1 hour after meals to prevent dilution of stomach acids, which help proper digestion.

Use water not only to keep your body clean, but as a tonic as well. Do this by taking a regular, warm shower and then, at the end, turning up the cold water. This wakes up your cells and keeps them functioning.

Water is also a perfect, natural cure-all for many ailments. When used by a doctor, it is called hydrotherapy. Here is an example of hydrotherapy in action. The next time you have a headache, keep the lid on your aspirin bottle. Headaches are caused by blood vessels swelling in your head. The pressure is what causes the pain. Put your feet in a bucket of the hottest water you can tolerate; this will cause a reflex reaction that causes the blood vessels in the head to narrow. Add a cold compress to the head, to aid the blood to flow to the extremeties and away from the head. The hot foot bath compresses the vessels and the cold pack on the head sends the blood away. Hot draws the blood to it, and cold sends blood away—a reflexive relationship.

Rule 7. Nutrition. We are only as healthy as what we put into our bodies. According to current medical information, most of the degenerative diseases that plague modern America—heart problems, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and stroke—are primarily the result of improper diet. All cells and tissues in our bodies are formed by the food we eat. The best way to take care of our bodies is also the simplest and most inexpensive: Eat food the way it comes out of the ground, with nothing added and nothing removed. These foods are grains, fruits, seeds, legumes, nuts, and vegetables. Eat a variety of these food groups every week. Eat two servings of raw vegetable salad and two more servings of raw or cooked green or yellow vegetables daily. Eat cooked beans or peas three times a week, sweet potatoes or squash twice weekly, and a member of the cabbage family (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale) three times a week. Try to make breakfast your heaviest meal, your midday meal the second heaviest, and supper the lightest.

If you'd like to read our whole magazine, click here to subscribe today!

Got a question about a healthy lifestyle? To ask a question you must either login by clicking here or subscribe now by clicking here.

Dr. Scribner is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician from the Washougal, WA area. He has an interest in using lifestyle methods to treat disease. He graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1986. He then trained in an Internal Medicine residency in Southern California affiliated with Loma Linda University Medical Center and other hospitals. After his residency, he worked in California and Washington, and has been in private practice since 2000, with a special interest in a natural approach to the treatment and prevention of disease.

2005-10-11T19:10:00.000-05:00

Pre-season B-Ball In the house....

The whole family is watching the Pistons play the Bulls on FSN. The game is in Grand Rapids where we used to live for three years.

It is nice that the whole family enjoys watching basketball.

It looks to be a great season.

Deeetroit Basketball!!!

2005-10-09T08:14:00.000-05:00

Life is not measured by the
breaths we take,
but by the moments that
take our breath away.
Anonymous

There are many things in LIFE
that will catch your eye,
but only a few
will catch your HEART
pursue those....
Unknown

2005-10-08T20:05:00.000-05:00

Sad state of affairs.....

U of M looses to Golden Gophers and gives up "Little Brown Jug"

2005-10-07T14:52:00.000-05:00

Cool Autumn weather has arrived. Two days ago it was in the 80's today it is in the 50's.

2005-10-06T15:39:00.000-05:00

Be Still and listen up...

Here are encouraging words from Mark Palmer who is battling liver cancer in Columbus, Ohio.

I guess what I really want to say is just this: be hopeul. Don't stop fighting. On some level this thing is bigger than all of us. It's not about having a wife die of cancer at 26, and then 2 years later getting the same terminal illness. It's not about me and how I fight this disease or how our little family walks through it. The bigger picture is the battle against sickness and death that we all face because we live in a broken world. But it's even more about the Kingdom that has broken in and offers us a chance at relief from that disease. It offers health and victory where before there was none. There is hope in the midst of hopelessness. Death is not where we lose; the onset of hopelessness is the great defeater. So allow hope to rise up within you. And when it seems that hopefulness is the least appropriate response in this situation, let it rise up even more. Whisper your hope when you lie down at night; scream your hope when you wake in the morning. Live your hope as if it is the one and only thing that sustains you in this ravaged world. You will not be disappointed.

2005-10-04T13:48:00.000-05:00

Back to working 5-1 for a while. Right now I feel ok but I might fade fast if I sit still for to long.

2005-10-01T13:03:00.000-05:00

Oh, Yah!! Two Years In A Row....

Hail To The Victors...

stats @ CBS Sportsline here

2005-10-01T12:58:00.000-05:00

Beautififul Fall Day..............

The family took a trip to Spicer's Orchard in Fenton, MI. We had a perfect day for fall weather. We picked apples, went for a hay ride, played in their kid's play area, watched them make cider, and we ate fresh doughnuts and cider. We also bought some straw, corn, and pumpkins to decorate our front porch.

Lots of family fun!!!

2005-09-30T14:57:00.000-05:00

fast week...

This week seemed to fly by! I gues that had something to do with my modified work and sleep schedule. Tuesday through Thursday I was working 5-1 to help cover some things at work. Which meant that I had to get up at about 4:15. I was trying to be in bed by 9:00 on those nights but it was hard to make that early of a modification.

Tomorrow is the BIG between U of M and MSU. It's all for bragging rights around here.

It is also hard to believe that is is going to be the first day of October tomorrow.

2005-09-27T18:33:00.000-05:00

Today started early! I got up at 4:00 am so that I could be in to work at 5:00. So I am going to go to bed extra early as well.

Loving Fall

2005-09-24T13:58:00.000-05:00

Uneventful trip downtown to renew Syndie's green card. We had an 11:00 apointment but was called until 11:50. I guess the appointment is a ballpark estimate. So once her new card comes in the mail she will be good to go for another 10 years. Thanks to our friend Chris we were able to skirt the road closure problems with his surefire shortcuts. Now it is time to catch up on our family chores like napping, laundry, mowing, etc.

L'Chaim

2005-09-23T14:53:00.000-05:00

Weekend!!!

Yeah, it is the weekend! Time to relax kick back and wind down. Although I don't know how relaxing it will be to go downtown Detroit tomorrow morning to renew Syndie's Resident Alien status. This is something she has to do every ten years. We will try and make the best of it.

L'Chaim

2005-09-22T14:57:00.000-05:00

Fall Is Officially Here....

Fall is my favorite time/season of the year. We have already been enjoying some Fall like weather earlier this week. After dinner we brew a pot of decaf and sit out on are front porch and watch the kids play and feel the cool breeze. We have to take atvantage of as many of these types of autumn evenings while they last. Other reasons I like Fall: vibrant color, Football, Woodchuck Cider, cool but comfortable temps, and the fact that I get to share this special favorite season with Syndie.

Take time to enjoy life today no matter what kind of Fall weather you have!

2005-09-16T15:11:00.000-05:00

Happy 10th Birthday Emily Christine Best!!!

2005-09-14T13:47:00.000-05:00

Sick Kid part two....

Emily has strep throat we found out last night and the urgent care physician says that her tonsils will need to be removed as well in the near future. She is being a great kid eaven though she does not feel well. Now we are praying that none of us catches it form her.

2005-09-12T07:55:00.000-05:00

Sick Kid...

I am home today taking care of my sick daughter Emily. Poor kid is running a temp and wanting to throw up. Yuk! I am glad that I am the caregiver and not the one who is sick.

2005-09-09T15:15:00.000-05:00

Friday again....

Whirlwind week this week. Two nights this week we had functions at the kids school for curriculim night. which is where we meet the teacher and get the big picture of what they will be learning for the year. Syndie and I are happy with all of the kids teachers.

Tonight I am off to a wedding rehearsal and the wedding tomorrow evening.

College and Pro Football are in full swing!!

More Later.

2005-09-04T13:09:00.000-05:00

2005-09-04T07:34:00.000-05:00

Michigan Turns Back Northern Illinois in Season Opener !!!

M Go Blue Photo Gallery here

2005-09-02T15:22:00.000-05:00

Syndie sitting happily at her new workspace at Angela Hospice at the Vollunteer Coordinator!!

2005-09-02T15:00:00.000-05:00

Syndie's First Week of Work....

In an hour or so Syndie's first week of work will be over with. She has come home everyday excited about what she has been learning in here training/orientation. Syndie is going to fit in very well at Agela Hospice. The kids and I went and had a personal tour and lunch with mom at her new work. It is a very clean, very beautiful grounds/office.

Tonight I am doing a camp out in the backyard with JJ and two other friends from school.

pics will be up on my foto blog of Syndie's work asap

take time to enjoy life NOW...

2005-08-27T06:34:00.000-05:00

Happy 7th Birthday Samantha Suzanne Best!!!

2005-08-24T17:25:00.000-05:00

Day Off Tomorrow....

Tomorrow I am taking a vacation day from work to see my kids off to there first day of school. I am also planning on doing some putzing around in the garage trying to set up my tool bench area. The kids lunches are packed, clothes layed out, backpacks ready, all set to go. The only other time I think they have this my anticipation is on Christmas Eve. Well time to go and tidy up.

Savor all aspects of your life today!!

2005-08-23T18:01:00.000-05:00

We have had two fall like days here in MI. The high temp for the last couple has been 75. A nice refreshing change to the sweltering high heat high huminidty days a couple of weeks a go. JJ had his Kindergarten picnic at Schweitzer Elementary. Thursday is the first day of school for the kids. I am taking a vacation day on Thursday so that I can be a part of the first day festivities. I am doing another wedding this Saturday in Hartland. This is the first wedding that I have done where I have had to wear casual dress.

Take time to enjoy life now! L ' Chaim

2005-08-19T18:56:00.000-05:00

I just got home from a nice extended drive from East Lansing. I was officating a wedding rehearsal at the MSU Botanical Gardens. Nice location for a wedding. I drive back over tomorrow afternoon to do the ceremony at 4:00.

I'm glad it is the weekend! Work was very busy this past week. Several loads of textbooks came in for the new school year on top of everyting else that was slated for complition this week. One more week of the refurbishing routine because OLGC school starts back up on the 29th. My kids first day back is the 25th!!

Tomorrow my Grandma Perkins is turning 102!! (see pic above)

2005-08-16T20:13:00.000-05:00

nice weekend....

This past weekend we had a nice visit with Syndie's Aunt Sharon and son Joey. There were visiting from Durham, North Carolina. Syndie and Sharon were able to do lots of talking and take some extended walks around the neighborhood. The kids all loved the trip to mini golf and go carts on Saturday night and mom and dad liked the trip to Marconi Grill on Sunday best.

This is Syndie's last week for Music on the Go!! One more day on Thursday!

Take time to enjoy life now!

2005-08-11T14:33:00.000-05:00

Well it is official!!!......

Syndie received a call this morning to officially offer her the FT job at Angela Hospice. She accepted and will start work on August 29th. More info about the Agela Hospice can be found at their website.

Thank you for praying with us.

L'Chaim

2005-08-10T15:28:00.000-05:00

good job interview for syndie....

syndie had a good 2nd job interview at Angela Hospice. At the end of the interview she was unofficially offered the position. They still had one more interview to do. Hopefully by tomorrow we will have an "official" offer and all the details.

Thanks for praying with us.

L'Chaim

2005-08-08T14:51:00.000-05:00

Piston's Schedule Realeased For Upcoming Season!!

Free Press Highlights

Official Schedule

Iceberg

2005-08-06T14:57:00.000-05:00

Iceberg,
originally uploaded by jimmy_best.

This fits very well with a recent article I wrote with Syndie regarding being verse doing at http://beingsporadic.blogspot.com

2005-08-06T14:52:00.000-05:00

I just discovered that my Comcast ISP includes a free subscription to Rhapspdy radio. I am currently litening to the Celtic station. Very Nice!! This will be a nice feature for when I am at the computer.

2005-08-06T13:01:00.000-05:00

taking it easy....

slow relaxing day around the house today. I tried taking a nap but could not fall asleep. I am working a late night wedding party (go in at midnight) to get some extra $$.

Last night we went out a drive in movie with the Harper family.(there treat!) We saw the new Disney movie Sky High. I had not been to a drive in for about 12 years.

Well I am going and try and do some reading while my 5 yr old is still napping.

L'Chaim... To Life!

2005-08-05T18:41:00.000-05:00

Good News!

Syndie just got a call from Angela Hospice and her second interview is next Wednesday at 2:30.

Take Time To Enjoy Life Now...

2005-08-03T19:31:00.000-05:00

August Allready?!...

Where has the summer gone? It hard for me to believe that it is August already. The kids go back to school on the 25th of this month. JJ received a card in the mail from his kindergarten teacher, which he was very excited about. He will have the same teacher that Sam did which is what we were hoping for.

Syndie finally had a job interview after three months of applying everywhere it seems. She had a interview yesterday at the Angela Hospice to be a volunteer coordinator. Looks very promising and it is nice and close(12 min up Newburgh Rd) good schedule (8:30-5:30) and work environment that is helping make the worls a better place. She was told that they would call her at the end of the week to schedule a second interview. Please continue to pray.

I just spoke on the phone with my girls who are still at Gram and Papa's in Canada. They will be coming home on Friday morning. It has been nice to have some one on one time with JJ but it will also be nice for us all to be back to gether.

Tomorrow JJ and I both have to go to the Doctor's for physicals. JJ is at 8:30 am and I am going after work at 3:30.

Take time to enjoy LIFE today!

2005-07-30T19:17:00.000-05:00

Lazy Day......

Nice mild day today, compared to what we have been having weather wise the last couple of weeks. Spent the day mostly just putzing around the house. Did some light cleaning and watched some TV with the kids. I was alble to do a little writing as well. We had an awesome dinner! Syndie made my favorite marinaide and we grilled some steaks. Tomorrow the girls leave to spend a week with there Gram and Papa in Canada. Well I am going to go and do some reading.

L'Chaim

2005-07-26T20:25:00.000-05:00

Another hot sticky day here. I was soaked at work with my own perspiration. I just got done watching the movie, "The Pacifer", with all of my kids. It inspired them to go to bed doing martial arts stunts like the plot hero, Vin Diesel.

L'Chaim

2005-07-21T20:09:00.000-05:00

I just came back from the splash park at Heritage Park in Canton. Heather Hovey and her sons (Paxton and Parker) invited us to go with them. It was a lot of fun for the kids to run through the sprinklers and various contraptions for getting wet.

It has been very hot and muggy here in Metro-D the last few days.

I have been moon lighting on a new blog that is the co- brainchild of my great friend in California, Rob Lane. aka sacmission

the new site we have co-created is- Test Plot

2005-07-14T19:23:00.000-05:00

Job Hunting Blues

My wife Syndie has been looking for a new FT job for the last month and a half but has not found anything as of yet. Please pray with us as she continues to look for a job that will compliment my 7-3 work schedule.

L'Chaim

2005-07-12T21:05:00.000-05:00

Behind the wheel...

I have just got back from picking up my girls in Anderson, IN after an extended weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Best in Charleston, IL. With summer construction I had 8+ hours in the van to sing, listen to music, talk, etc with the kids. I have found that I really enjoy traveling/road trips eaven with kids. I have many memories as a young boy(age 5) traveling with my Dad with the important job of making sure he did fall asleep at the wheel. I was good at it and had lots of fun. I hope my kids have fun too, only I do not have the same propensity as my Dad to nod off behind the wheel.

2005-07-11T20:46:00.000-05:00

Piston's Have New Team Logo's For 2005/2006

view new logo's here

2005-07-11T16:22:00.000-05:00

Root's.......................

Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done. (Colossians 2:7 NLT)

This verse means a lot more to me today after spending several hours yesterday cutting down a tree and trying to dig out the root system. The roots were the toughest part of the job and there is actually still a lot more to do. The roots were various sizes and lengths which provided a solid anchor for the former tree. In a similar way in my life I need to rember that there is no on size fits all method of following Christ in todays world. There will be a lot of variety and size. I just need to make sure the focus is allways on attaching myself to Jesus.

L'Chaim

2005-07-08T20:56:00.000-05:00

Short Work Week...

Wow this week went by fast. I was playing catch up all week long as I was recovering from the jet lag of my awesome time in California. I was an incredible time for me to see old friends, take in the sights and sounds, and rejuvenate my mind, body and spirit. I just posted pic's of my California camping trip on my foto blog.

This weekend Em and Sam are in Illinois with Grandma and Grandpa. Syndie is away on a little get away with her mom and sisiter, so JJ and I are having some manly time together. We rented some movies, played indoor hockey, sword fighting, and we just built a tent to camp in the family room because of the rain.

Tomorrow we will go to the park or botanical garden if the weather permits.

Enjoy Life To The Fullest.

2005-07-05T19:41:00.000-05:00

cruising

2005-07-05T15:21:00.000-05:00

the three amigoe's re-united in california this past weekend

2005-07-04T18:08:00.000-05:00

2005-07-04T15:28:00.000-05:00

2005-07-03T20:01:00.000-05:00

2005-07-03T15:47:00.000-05:00

I'm Having The Time Of My Life!!......

Thank you so much Syndie for sending me out here to Nor-Cal for this trip.

We just got back from an overnight camping trip in the El Dorodo National Forest at Cat Creek. We had a great camp site right next to the Molkalamee River. Now we are back for a brief pit stop and heading to San Francisco.

Loving Life

2005-07-02T11:19:00.000-05:00

2005-07-01T14:55:00.000-05:00