Stories and other stuff

Out.  Done.  Finito.  Last call. Yup.  Sure it is. If you don't believe in coincidence, you're going to love this little story.  But I gotta tell you this story first: (of course!) At the end of May of last year, the postman rang my doorbell.  He had me sign for a piece of mail that contained divorce proceedings papers that Wendi filed.  Two weeks later, I opened a statement of benefits from our insurance company which told me that Wendi was pregnant.  At the end of June, I met a really nice woman in Colorado and what started as a friendship was developing into something more. In early September, I started hearing a song on the radio.  Then all hell broke loose on my blog, for those that remember that ugly time.  That pretty much put an end to my relationship.  Then my dog Bucket ran away and the people that found him called him "Max".  Well, that was the start of the little odyssey I've been on since early October. ...

I know.  So do I.  That's all I can say on the blog. Just pray for Wendi and I.  We're both really mixed up right now. Dale

ed note:  The door I talked about being closed now open was having a relationship with my youngest son.  I'm very excited about this.  Someone thought I was eluding to something else so I fixed the remark.  I don't talk a lot about my kids on my blog because they're kids.  But it's important to clarify this remark. so I'll make an exception in this case. I will never understand the journey I've been on since last September.  Perhaps when I die, I will have it explained to me but I don't know and never in this lifetime understand why God took me where He did. I made the best of the chance I had to reconcile my marriage but there is just no going back after today.  The old me would have shared every juicy detail.  The new me is happy that Wendi gave some things to God and I hope for her that she stays on that path. Wendi and my story ends this way:  And they lived happily ever after... apart. It's really funny in an ironic sort of way. ...

Praise God!  I would be totally remiss if I did not start out the blog today without giving glory to Him from whom all blessings flow.  I'm giving praise to God today for something he did in someone else's life today, not mine! That's all I have today friends.  It ain't about me today.  Something wonderful happened in Wendi's life today and I'm very happy for her!

I talked about it being a weird week all week, both on the blog and my facebook page.  I finally figured out at about 5:00 a.m. what all the weird was about. I was sleeping soundly and woke up in a start.  That little inner voice we all have told me to look at something online.  I thought the request was odd, but hey, I just go with things these days.  I looked at what I felt I was supposed to and asked some questions of someone about it all. Needless to say, it's been an interesting morning and I learned a lot about myself.  What did I learn?  I really have changed quite a bit.  Old me would have flipped out, made assumptions, accusations, and basically told someone to to quite frankly "go to hell".  I had every reason to do this, but instead, I chose to remain calm, ask some questions, and go from there.  It's funny as in ironic funny that I can see the changes in me but the person I was dealing with, for some reason, can't. For once,...

Gang, I wrote this earlier in the week.  I was going to expound on "weird" but I think that's going to wait for another day. I had a lot of time to think about this over the weekend during the fishing trip because I didn't want my friends seeing me say one thing about myself and seeing the old Coop they knew.  I have one friend who I knew would be my harshest critic and he didn't disappoint.  I had to endure a lot of him saying this and that, a small amount of ridicule in front of the other guys, and a couple of questions about my behavior. I was careful about what I said.  I slipped once when someone said something outrageous and I took the Lord's name in vain.  I wonder if my friends even noticed, but as soon as it came out of my mouth, right in the middle of a poker game (I neither won nor lost any money the two nights we played Texas hold 'em and was playing for a worthy cause if I was fortunate enough to win) I stopped and prayed for forgiveness...

It's just going to be one of those weeks. I'm warning you now, this is going to be all over the place because that's just how the week is going.   If you've been a fan of the blog for a while, you know I loves me some irony.  Yesterday was one of those "ironic" kind of days where I posted a blog about letting go of the past and spent some time revisiting my past after writing about it.  But then, that's been the theme of the week and I'm not the only one dealing with this issue. I talked to a friend of mine in Alaska yesterday.  We talked about a jet, got caught up on this and that.  I haven't talked to him in a while and it's nice that someone thought enough of me to ask me my opinion on something.  I hope I was able to help him out. That wasn't the only person from my past I talked to.  Another friend from my Air Guard days called me yesterday out of the blue.  We talked for about 15 minutes.  I've heard from or seen quite a few o...

If I could sum my week up, already, I'd have to use this phrase:  I don't know. I woke up yesterday morning with my stomach in knots.  I mean, it really hurt.  You know that feeling where you feel something is wrong.  Whatever it was, I just gave it to God and after about a half-hour went back to sleep. I wrote a blog yesterday about letting go of your past.  I thought it was pretty good but as I was driving away from the house, that little voice I've learned to trust told me to go back home and delete it so I did.  I don't know why; there wasn't anything bad in there.  I don't argue with that little voice anymore. I've pretty much accepted what I think is coming down the road.  I have faith that God can change that outcome.  I can't.  I've said and done all I can.  He knows what's best for me and He'll show me.  What I want may not be what I need.  I'm good with that.  And then: I heard a song yesterday at wo...

I was 46 years old before I read the Bible.  It took me two months, but I read it cover to cover and when I was done I was left with one very important question that I still haven't answered.  Why did I wait so long? I had a conversation with one of the guys I used to work with about this.  He was lecturing me on faith and I found it interesting.  I listened intently as he went on about his faith and how he practices it and to tell you the truth, he and I were surprisingly not that far apart, which when he was done lecturing me, I pointed out to him.  I asked him but one simple question before I explained the difference between the two of us and it was this:  "Did you ever READ the Bible?" I thought it a fair question because his actions, to me, at least, lead me to believe what he would confirm:  He hadn't.  I was thinking about this today.  I wonder how many people were like me, before I accepted Christ as Savior and gave Him my life. ...

I wrote a blog on forgiveness a few months ago.  You can read it  here  and I hope you take the time to read it again if you've read it before.  I put a lot of thought into it and there are some good scripture passages about forgiveness. I'm gonna be talking about forgiveness because I'm in need of some today.  From who isn't germane to the conversation though.  I chose this particular topic because I'm in need of some forgiveness for some things I said out of hurt and anger that I truly didn't mean and I don't know if I can fix them.  I can't unsay them or I would.  I've tried to show in actions, words of encouragement, and love that I didn't mean the words.  I said them when I was hurt and wanted to hurt someone back; something I used to be very adept at. I know gang, this story is full of more holes than a swiss cheese.  It has to be that way though.  I'd love to tell the whole thing because I am truly sorrowful for the words...

My weekend is looking great!  I'm going to be with a bunch of my friends that I haven't seen in a very long time and get to do some fishing. No cell phone, no internet, just fish! I'm excited, but a little nervous about the weekend.  Some of my friends are, too.  That's OK.  I understand why. I'm just going to fish, hang out, maybe play some cards.  I might even laugh at a joke.  I'll probably step outside and have a cigarette (I'm trying, and the doctor at Hill gave me a plan to quit which I'm going to try) or two with the smokers of the group.  I plan on catching the most fish, the biggest fish, but hey, they should be used to that by now!  I plan on talking a little bit of smack, too.  I'm going to have a couple of beers over the weekend.  I might even bring my cool little coffee pot with me.  I'm going to have fun. If my friends are worried about me hanging out, they shouldn't be.  I'm still the same ol' me.  I jus...

For the past few months, I've been thinking about what I have to share with you today.  It's not something I decided overnight.  It's taken much prayer and coming to terms with a lot of the things I needed to.  I had some things I had to accept, some things I needed to fix and clean up.  I've pretty much done those things and only one little issue remains and that's my house which looks like, tonight, will be taken care of very shortly. When my house is sold (it quit being a home a year ago on Tuesday), I'm going to be looking very quickly for a new place to live.  As I started looking in Ogden for a place, I started thinking to myself about the things that hold me here.  There aren't many. Through circumstances I wish I could change, I don't have a good relationship with my kids.  I managed to mess up the best thing that ever happened to me and no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to find the right way to get it back.  Staying here isn...

Today, I'm going to talk about talking about my faith.  I did this a little bit on Friday and well, because it's Sunday, and because I want to, I'm going to do it again.  But not in a preachy way. I have to talk about my faith.  If you follow this  link , and read the article, you'll understand why.    Over 78% of America identifies themselves as Christians (I read this in a study).  That means 7.8 of every ten of my American readers (the blog is international!  No Joke!) should be in absolute agreement with me and basically doing the same thing if you're a Christian, too.  But I do understand why it makes people uncomfortable.  People like me used to make ME uncomfortable and I try to remember that.  I have a different perspective on why that was, too.  Maybe if I wasn't doing things I shouldn't have been, I wouldn't have been so uncomfortable about it. I think, too, that while a lot of us have our beliefs, we're uncomfort...

Hi Gang!  Happy Saturday from Lark Circle.  It's been an interesting day on the ol' farm and I feel the need to share with you a couple of things from my Facebook page: This from just about two hours ago (it's just after 1:00 pm): Prayer Request When it comes to faith, an unsure step is better than having both feet stuck in the mud. And this, which I woke up to: "I'm Proud To Be Christian" by Aaron Chavez I.M: Psalm 84: 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. And this little  link  to a favorite song of mine. The big announcement is coming, either Monday or Tuesday.  Stand by for news! *update #1 The word of the day is cupcake.

Dear friends and readers of Coop's Blog, I often talk about my faith and I know it's at times made me seem, well, a little too extreme.  Even I recognize this and for the last couple of days this has been weighing heavy on my mind for reasons I'd rather not discuss.  But today, I found  this  (if you read this after today, look on their website for Friday's devotional) which I think will help you understand me a little bit better. I heard today on the radio a lady describe new Christians like puppy dogs and I guess I have been but I'm also smart enough to know to some that's a turn off.  Maybe by sharing this article with you, you'll understand why I've been so excited to talk about this. At least I hope so. I have some huge news I want to share with you later on next week.  I'm very happy about it (has nothing to do with Wendi for a change).  I just need to finish up the details and then I'll be able to share it with you. Until then, I...

If you've been watching the news over the past three weeks, you've seen quite the drama unfold.  I think it's hard for us as Americans, by and large, to appreciate the historical significance of the events in this part of the world.  We have the right to protest here, to voice our dissent for our Government, and whether or not we do, the opportunity to change our elected officials. In the region, it's uncommon for the people to have such a force on their governments that it effects change. Often, resistance of the people is met with force.  We saw it in China, we saw it in Iran. Uprisings against the government were quelled with force.  I hope that doesn't happen in Egypt as the news reports of the day seem to indicate the military is getting ready to "peacefully" assume responsibility for the government. I personally never think putting the military in charge of civilians is a good idea.  To me, when you put someone who's used to having orders fol...

editorial note:  I have Wendi's permission to share this with you.  I added just a line or two after she read it.   I touched on this yesterday because, well, for a little bit, I was kind of afraid of what the future holds for me.  But that was yesterday. I often talk about what God does in my life and today's yet another example of this.  Yesterday I was fairly certain that my future was going to be one where Wendi wasn't a part of my life and I was a bit afraid of what life would hold for me and the spirit of God touched my heart sometime last night, in of all places, while I was working inside a fuel tank on an airplane. I have nothing to fear because of God's promise contained in Jeremiah.  He knows the plans He has for me, and in that little bit of wisdom, there is a great deal of comfort. I began to realize that whatever God has in store for me, it's going to be pretty good.  As I walked out of the hangar at lunch, it was with a bit of co...

Today's post is short and it ain't for you.  It's for Wendi and Wendi only.  When she read it, she'll know to look in the drafts for quite honestly is the best blog post I've ever written. If she wants to share it with you, then she can.  It's about her.  When you write about what you're passionate about, the words come freely.  They're not forced or contrived.  They just happen.  Today's blog you won't be reading (at least right now) is one of those.  It started off as one thing and wound up going in a completely different direction. That friends is what's happening in my world today.  I wanna share because it's important, but this time, not without the wife wanting to share this message with you, too.

Sometimes you can hope for the best, want to do the right things for the right reasons, and still have things not go your way.  It's just life.  I spent most of my morning coming to terms with the end of my relationship with Wendi and wondering where I go from here. Wendi and I both agree that the house has to go.  I just can't afford it on my own and we're aggressively looking for a buyer.  I realize too that because of the situation I put myself in that bankruptcy is looking more and more like a reality.  I just can't take care of everything by myself.  It's tough coming to terms with that. It's scary coming to terms with that.  I was looking today on craigslist for an apartment or a small house to rent.  With the way my credit is, finding a decent place is going to be next to impossible in the world we live in today.  If it were just me, I'd probably be OK but I have the dog to think about, too and I don't know what's going to happen t...

Times are tough.  People are hurting.  They're not strangers or 'other people'.  They are our neighbors and our friends.  Please don't forget that when you're looking at what's happening around the world, there are people in our own lives, our own communities that are hurting. What can you do?  What can you give?  Whose prayer will God use you to answer today?

OK, so I'm looking at changing careers, or at least turning my little hobby into something I can use to augment my income.  I like to write, so I'm looking for some topic suggestions to write about.  I'm about out of stories I can tell. The topic should require your storyteller to: do some research into the topic (please nothing X rated), be socially relevant, and allow for discussion.  If you leave a topic suggestion, you need to leave a way for me to contact you because I'm going to use you as part of the story (can change names, will maintain confidentiality). It's your turn to be the story, gang... or at least suggest the story.

I had to change a plane reservation today.  The storm is causing havoc and I had to change planes in Chicago.  The airline decided I could do this online and they wouldn't charge me extra because of the circumstances. No big deal, or so I thought.  I did try to call the airline and their recording basically told me, all our agents are busy.  Don't call, go online.  So I did. The first time I tried to change the flight, the computer wanted an extra $400 to change the tickets.  Nope.  I had to cancel my boarding passes for the flight I already had so I had to re-do boarding passes.  I decided to try it one more time, but accidentally clicked on the wrong date.  I could slip my flight a day and still be where I'm going on the days I wanted to be there and my boss was kind enough to allow me to change days off.  I was grateful for that.  Unfortunately... I didn't catch my boo-boo until I'd already used my free change my flight cha...

My pastor and I had a talk about some of the things going on in my life and I made a comment to him using this verse from the Bible to make my point.  It's from Luke 9:23 (NIV)  Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. My pastor being the wise man he is asked me what my interpretation of the verse was and suggested we talk about it sometime.  I kind of took from his question that I might want to gain a better understanding of what the verse meant versus what I thought it meant.  It wasn't maybe a week or two later, I received an e-mail which explained the verse and made me have a different understanding of it than I had.  You can look at the explanation of the verse  here. The thing I realized is that I don't have the understanding of scripture that I want to have so I started doing a little research on the matter.  I came across an article online the other day (can...