I Sent This To Over 200 People This A.m. Proud To Share With All Of You Too!!!!

I want to start this by apologizing to all of my friends and family that I have let down over the past 5-7 years, I should have been a better example.

I quit drinking and smoking this month. I have been thinking something was missing in my life for quite sometime and I realized last night it is my relationship with God. I am only telling you all this because you are my best friends and family. I hope you will support my decisions and not shy away from me. I am going to try my best (I know it won't be easy) to clean up everything in my life. Where I go, some of the people I associate with, the things I say/do, and most importantly where I turn for help and advice. It start TODAY and I'm going to get back in Church this Sunday, I'm going to start focusing on what is most important to me. I have always felt this way and over the last 5-7 years I have ignored the feelings of guilt, the convictions, and the signs that I need to clean up my life. I love my friends and hope I am not someone they would shy away from due to my choices to better my life. I do NOT see any of you as a reason or excuse as to why I have been putting it off.

It's time for me to not only grow up, but to go forward, and I feel deep down in my soul that I cannot do that without God back as the #1 priority in my life. I will still be the same ole' cool Chiefy you have come to know and love, but facts are facts, I'm going to be that person without all the negative factors pulling me down. I hope you all are truly happy for me, this is what I have wanted for a LOOOOONG time. You don't have to worry about me preaching to you, that is not why I would do all this, it's for me and my future. Love you all and you are my boys (and girls)...Please do not take offense if you ask me to do something or go somewhere and I say, "No thanks." I have to be strong and it's really embarrasing and I'm super ashamed as to how my life is turning out. I have potential that's endless and it might be a little hard at first to make this step, but I have to surround myself with positive and re-inforcing things to help me strive for this.

The first step is putting your foot down in your own life. That's what I've decided to do! I woke up this morning after praying all night and I feel GREAT! Hope you all have a great weekend, and I might be seeing a few of you for the Jermaine Taylor fight after my crappie tournament tomorrow. =)

BOOMER SOONER! Go Hogs!:D

Congradulations Minnowman. I know what you are going through. I was able to quit drinking over 30 years ago and it is by far the best thing I ever did. Now if I could just quit the cigarettes.

Don't know you minnowman but I do want to congratulate you on your moving forward. Your true friends will hang in there and not try to make you revert back. Have you noticed some wait till the bitter end before calling on God, and they never get to experience HIS happiness and load lifting abilities? Enjoy yourself. Ferdi aka Fred:)

Don't live for today----Live for eternity!! I'm happy for you and pray the Lord will guide you from now on!

Skipper



IBNFSHN; I'm with you on these dern cigarettes!

Good for you MM!

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Originally Posted by IBNFSHN

Congradulations Minnowman. I know what you are going through. I was able to quit drinking over 30 years ago and it is by far the best thing I ever did. Now if I could just quit the cigarettes.

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Thanks! Appreciate that! Here's the deal...if you really want to quit, go to the doc and have him perscribe you some CHANTIX, it really works...you are supposed to take it for 6 weeks, I took it for 7 days and discontinued taking it b/c I have NO desire to smk anymore, it's amazing, really works, on pill in the morning, and one in the evening! www.chantix.com (read up on it, great stuff)

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Originally Posted by Ferdi

Don't know you minnowman but I do want to congratulate you on your moving forward. Your true friends will hang in there and not try to make you revert back. Have you noticed some wait till the bitter end before calling on God, and they never get to experience HIS happiness and load lifting abilities? Enjoy yourself. Ferdi aka Fred:)

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Thanks Fred. Sadly, you are right. I was once in Youth Ministry so it's been a real struggle knowing how far I slipped away from God...thanks for the encouragement/support. God Bless. Caleb (aka - minnowman)

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Originally Posted by Mo'nBack

Don't live for today----Live for eternity!! I'm happy for you and pray the Lord will guide you from now on!

Skipper



IBNFSHN; I'm with you on these dern cigarettes!

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Thanks Mo, and yeah.....check out the post I left IBNFSHN....about perscription CHANTIX, it really works....amazing stuff! You have to want to quit before you can try though.....;-) MM

Good luck to you MM. you are making a big step in the right direction.IT will help you with your health with all the changes. Just wished i could give up cigs and snuff. but I guess it will happen when I'm ready.

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Originally Posted by J.T. Crappie Guide

Good for you MM!

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Thanks Buddy! Maybe the fish will start jumping in my boat now? haha, kidding. MM

This seems to be a growing club. I too strayed while being angry at God for close to 20 years for the illness and final passing of my first wife. One day about 7 years ago, I concluded that if I was mad at God, I still beleaved in him. This was a turning point in my life. I still have so many unaswered questions as to why my wife had to suffer and die; but, I have found much peace and many belessings since I have been seeking God's will. I have learned that man will judge us by how we react to our problems, but our reward after salvation will grow when we learn how to use our problems for His glory.
By the way...after 13 years I still want to smoke. I don't know if it ever goes away. Not drinking was easy, it started hurting too bad.
DP

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Originally Posted by grubby

Good luck to you MM. you are making a big step in the right direction.IT will help you with your health with all the changes. Just wished i could give up cigs and snuff. but I guess it will happen when I'm ready.

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Thanks Grubby! When you are ready, hit me up, I will give you a few tips...I used to dip and smoke both at the same time! Thanks again! MM

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Originally Posted by DRPEPPER

This seems to be a growing club. I too strayed while being angry at God for close to 20 years for the illness and final passing of my first wife. One day about 7 years ago, I concluded that if I was mad at God, I still beleaved in him. This was a turning point in my life. I still have so many unaswered questions as to why my wife had to suffer and die; but, I have found much peace and many belessings since I have been seeking God's will. I have learned that man will judge us by how we react to our problems, but our reward after salvation will grow when we learn how to use our problems for His glory.
By the way...after 13 years I still want to smoke. I don't know if it ever goes away. Not drinking was easy, it started hurting too bad.
DP

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DP, I am joyed to hear that you leaned on God again after that trying thing you had to endure. I'm sorry to hear that and I'm happy to hear that you still have your faith! Keep on Keepin' On brother.....MM :)

Far out MM. Now, I really want to meet you. I was hoping to be able to tell you about just exactly what you said while we were fishing tomorrow. Now, you have gone and done it for me. See you tonight. And, them Beaver Lake Crappie better look out.

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Originally Posted by flyflinger

Far out MM. Now, I really want to meet you. I was hoping to be able to tell you about just exactly what you said while we were fishing tomorrow. Now, you have gone and done it for me. See you tonight. And, them Beaver Lake Crappie better look out.

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Sorry to save your breathe, but I figure you might need it with nearly 40 years on me :eek: Only joking, I do like to poke a little fun b/c I am minnowman still, no matter how much God blesses me I will always feel the need to remind my fishing buddies that they smell bad! Naaaaahhhh, I'm super excited to meet you too, and I hope we can post a big WIN on here! MM :D (see you this evening for dinner)

Hang in there MM. I quit smoking and dipping the week before those cowards flew the planes into the towers. May God bless you and keep you strong.

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Originally Posted by creekslick

Hang in there MM. I quit smoking and dipping the week before those cowards flew the planes into the towers. May God bless you and keep you strong.

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Thanks Creekslick! Isn't it funny how much you are tried and tested (by Satan) whenever you try and better yourself? He's the REAL coward! Glad to hear you quit, it's been not very long for me, and I already feel more healthy!

MM

Great news MM. I don't get a chance to post here a lot, but I do check in now and then. All of us can be hard-headed at times, but when God steps in and we realize that He's in control, we wonder why we didn't listen sooner! You will find that there are still plenty of fishing and hunting trips that can be made with Christian friends. May God bless you richly in your new commitment.

Don't know you sir and am new to this site.

All I can say after asking Jesus Christ into my life it all fell into place.

For what it's worth I am 59 yrs old, retired LAPD cop and have seen it all.

Jesus is not just the way, he is the only way.

God Bless

JohnS

Minnowman, I just read your post this morning and let me tell you that it has made my day! Hearing about someone accepting Christ is the best news I could have heard this morning. :D I am truly happy for you! :D


(We can still disagree on college football though!) :eek: :D LOL

May GOD Bless you and your family,Minnowman

Congratulations Minnowman, I wish you the best.

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Originally Posted by Polebender

You will find that there are still plenty of fishing and hunting trips that can be made with Christian friends. May God bless you richly in your new commitment.

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Polebender, AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH...i am looking forward for many fishing/hunting trips with my brothers. The church I am joining (CrossPointeNWA) has a men's fishing group believe it or not! AWESOME!!! Thanks again, all this positive support sure is great my friends, sure is GREAT!


MM

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Originally Posted by JOHNS

Don't know you sir and am new to this site.

All I can say after asking Jesus Christ into my life it all fell into place.

For what it's worth I am 59 yrs old, retired LAPD cop and have seen it all.

Jesus is not just the way, he is the only way.

God Bless

JohnS

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I agree John! Thanks brother in Christ! MM

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Originally Posted by shadow

Minnowman, I just read your post this morning and let me tell you that it has made my day! Hearing about someone accepting Christ is the best news I could have heard this morning. :D I am truly happy for you! :D


(We can still disagree on college football though!) :eek: :D LOL

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Thanks Shadow, this downpouring of positive messages and phone calls from my fishing brothers has been excellent. Just to clarify, I accepted Christ when I was 7 but for the past 5-7 years, I've been led astray....lookout Devil! I'MMMMM BACK! hehe. Thanks again, MM

minnowman, I did the same thing 7 years ago! God has Blessed me and my lifes sure alot better! You can do anything if you really want to with his help!!CONGRATS and will keep you in my Prayers!!

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Originally Posted by DENNIS BOWERS

minnowman, I did the same thing 7 years ago! God has Blessed me and my lifes sure alot better! You can do anything if you really want to with his help!!CONGRATS and will keep you in my Prayers!!

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Thanks Dennis! Appreicate that, can't say I would disagree either, I'm hoping with his help I can go places I've wanted to go and do things I've wanted to do...being a happier person is already evident in my life after 1 short week! ;-) Thanks again, MM.