Time 2 Escape Daily for Sunday, Jan 1, 2012 ~ SPECIAL EDITION

I know, I said this yesterday:

I hope that your expectations weren't overly magnified by using the word "Daily" in the title of these latest posts. The truth is, in the case of this blog, "Daily" is not equivalent to "every day." I'm going to do my best to keep this blog active by posting as often as possible, but I guarantee that I'll be taking Sundays off, and maybe another day during the week.

Guaranteeing that I would take Sundays off was a mistake. I should have said, "I'll usually take Sundays off, but there will be occasions when there are some great new stories or columns that I really want to share with you."

Clearly, as you will see, this is one of those days, especially considering that today is the first day of a new year, and is a significant holiday that leans toward dealing with our desire to enjoy a better year than the previous one. And you will find out that this Special Edition of the Time 2 Escape "Daily" will help to point you in the right direction.

Of course, there was another reason that I wanted to do this special edition today. It has always been my feeling that when a previous year ends on a good note, it is likely that the new year will start out on the same good note. What I saw happen yesterday was a great way to end a year and give us hope for a bright future in the new year. It was all about perseverance. It is looking like the new year, 2012, will be a time to keep persisting through all challenges or obstacles.

And, I wanted to gloat a little about the great victory the Hawkeye men's basketball team had yesterday against the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison....

Well, anyway, the three stories/columns along with the video blog that I have included here need to be read. You will find that they are all pieces of the bigger puzzle that all seem to fit together.


Happy New Year!  I'm NOT just sayin' ...

*     *     *     *

The News Stories:
Hawkeyes Post 'Statement Win'
Iowa downs 11th-ranked Wisconsin, 72-65, in Madison
From HawkeyeSports.com ~ Dec. 31, 2011

MADISON, Wis. -- Freshman Aaron White scored 18 points and senior Bryce Cartwright finished with 17 points to lead the University of Iowa men's basketball team to a statement, 72-65, road victory at No. 11 Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon in the Kohl Center.

Iowa's win snapped Wisconsin's 23 game home winning streak against non-ranked opponents. It was the Badgers' second loss in in 61 games (59-2) during the Bo Ryan era against non-ranked conference teams, and it was Iowa's first road win since 2006, a 70-67 victory at No. 21 Indiana.

"Anytime you beat the 11th-ranked team on the road, it's a statement victory for where your kids are mentally," said UI head coach Fran McCaffery. "You're seeing this team grow up, and you saw a team play with maturity. Six weeks ago they weren't playing with that level of maturity."

*     *     *     *

Columnists and Their Commentaries:
Moving from success to significance ~ By Chuck Norris
From WND ~ December 30, 2011 at 11:06 am Eastern

Happy new year, Chuck! Do you have any New Year's resolutions? Any you'd recommend to others? – "Seeking Self-Improvement" in Seattle

CHUCK NORRIS

With the induction of the new year, many of us are resolving to better our lives in 2012. That's fantastic! I encourage resolutions, whether you make them now or at any other time of the year.

My New Year's challenge, however, is that you think in terms of not only success but also significance.

Ken Blanchard, leadership guru and co-author of "The One Minute Manager," said: "Many people measure their success by wealth, recognition, power and status. There's nothing wrong with those, but if that's all you're focused on, you're missing the boat. ... Using your time and talent to serve others – that's when truly meaningful success can come your way."

The power of resolve ~ By Greg Laurie
From WND ~ December 30, 2011 at 1:41 pm Eastern

Press on for what God has for you. That is what Paul was doing: "With hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal. ..." The original language of this verse includes the word agonizo, from which we get our English word "agony." This reminds us that our lives are a walk of faith. There are challenges, difficulties and obstacles that we will face. As the expression goes, "No pain, no gain." Paul was straining to move forward.

By the way, these words were not given to a spiritually elite group of Christians. They were not given to pastors or only to those who are called in the ministry. They are given to every follower of Jesus Christ. Every believer is called to press on.

*     *     *     *

From the Blogs:
 
Validation ~ By John Kubicek
From The Cross Tribe Network - Sunday, October 4, 2009

*     *     *     *

Don't be afraid!

WE the PEOPLE

are the MOB
ONE NATION UNDER GOD

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
johnny2k's Tea Party Gear