Boo Your Wings!

Red Wings, oh, Red Wings... why do you do this to us?

Wake up!!

It is finished...

Thank God that His Son, Jesus, was willing to give Himself for us. The Cross will always be a reminder of that amazing work. Thank you Jesus. I am forever changed.

Quick Hits...

This country is out of control.

I miss our Ohio friends.

Finding a new church is no fun.

WHY DON'T WE LOVE AMERICA ANYMORE?

God is the ANSWER.Stop running from the truth.

My heart hurts.

Music calms the savage beast.

Dogs are truly mans best friend.

Get ready for the NHL Playoffs... LET'S GO RED WINGS!

I am in LOVE and it's AMAZING!

Impressing people is overrated... be yourself.

Do something you always dreamed of doing.

Be excellent to each other.

Desperate

I've been thinking about the events of this weekend and have felt compelled on more than one occasion to Blog away about all that is going on... there's a lot. Where to begin? That's the big question...

Well, back on the Big Trip across the USA, A@ron, introduced me to some people in Ohio. They were all really nice people, but I had no idea the effect that they would have on my life. God had something brewing for Cheryl and I... in Ohio!

Warning: Sidebar on Ohio follows...

Ohio... let's talk about that. I have always hated Ohio. When we went on trips outside of Michigan, we had to drive through it and it always took forever. I remember on our Senior Trip in High School that I fell asleep as we were leaving Michigan and woke up hours and hours later and said, "Where are we?"

"Still in Ohio," the driver replied and the entire class groaned.

They also have Ohio State University, notice I didn't say "THE" Ohio State University, because that really bugs Buckeyes... hence another reason to hate Ohio. I grew up watching Michigan Football and Ohio State has always been the biggest rival we have. Cheryl graduated from University of Michigan (Dearborn... it still says U of M, so shut up!) and I always wanted to go there, but let's just say I decided to go to a now defunct college (another story for another time).

I used to listen to sports talk radio back in the early days and there was this lady called, "the Fabulous Sports Babe," on WDFN and when people from Ohio called her show, she was say they were calling from, "the plumber's butt of America." I loved that... I still say it today. Then while visiting a friend in Columbus last year, I was treated like garbage by the Buckeyes as I drove through town with my Michigan plates... Don't get me started on the Police in Ohio... they're everywhere! I guess that could be a good thing unless you're up to no good...

Back to our regularly scheduled programming...

So, for the past two months now we have been heading down to Ohio for a Friday night service at the Vineyard Church of Marysville called Desperate. Cheryl and I attended a Vineyard church in Holland, Michigan back when we were first married a couple of times and talked about how much we loved it. We were warned of the evils that the Vineyard church had in it with all it's Charis-whackiness, so we were scared off... sad. Years later I see that none of those fears had any merit.

The thing that is so amazing about Desperate is that a group of us get together, pray and speak to one another about whatever God lays on our hearts to share with each other. Crazy idea, huh? We pray and more importantly, listen to hear what our Father has for us. We pray, read His Word and LISTEN to what He says... I am amazed at what happens when we do this. God speaks and reveals things to each and every one of us. Is this really how simple it is? Did God really literally mean it when His Son, Jesus said:

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me.
- John 10:27 (TNIV)

I think the obvious answer (from my experience) is YES! God really desires an intimate relationship with all of us. One where we hear His voice. When He calls us, we answer. We have grown so jaded and skeptical of how God moves. We have seen His name slapped on so many things and misused to further peoples agendas, that we are missing out on something that God intended for us to share with Him. Once again the enemy, Satan, has tricked us. I can even hear people now, "Well how do you know when it's His voice?" Well isn't it a good thing that each and everyone of us, who call Jesus our Savior and Lord, has the Holy Spirit living inside of them to help discern when He speaks? Will I miss it sometimes and screw up? Yes, but I am learning. God doesn't expect perfection, we expect it of ourselves.

Cheryl and I heard some amazing things from God this weekend. I don't want to go into them in detail at this point, but I want you all to know this. God loves each of you, you are His favorite son or daughter. He looks at you and smiles and delights in you... everything about you. He doesn't see you the way you see yourself, imperfect and messed up. You are righteous in His eyes because of His Son, Jesus.

Wow!

Take a moment and let that settle down into your very core, the deepest parts of you.

There is a song by Misty Edwards that really touches on this thought, it's very simple, but it speaks volumes if you take it to heart...

Jesus, here I am your favorite one
What are You thinking?
What are You feeling?
I have to know

For I am after Your heart
After Your heart
I'm after You

It's an amazing thought. We are His favorite one. We are coming before Him and begging to know more of Him. What does He think and feel? We are desperate to know and that is the way it should be. We hunger for Him and all He has to offer us. We are not only after His heart, His love, but we are men and women after His own heart. Just like David, a man after God's own heart. We can be the same. It's hard to think of yourself as His favorite, but you are the best you he ever created. You are His favorite you. I know that sounds weird, but think about it, King David says:

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
- Psalm 139: 13 - 14 (TNIV)

David knows that God made him wonderfully. He knew him as He put him together in his mother's womb. God delighted in making us, we need to delight in knowing that we are WONDERFUL in His eyes.

I know this is a lot to pour out into one Blog session, but it just came out. There is more, but I will save that for another day...

Just know this, God is speaking. He is calling us into a deeper relationship with Him. He is letting us know that He loves us and delights in us, we just need to listen.

Just like Samuel cry out:

Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.
- 1 Samuel 3:10b (TNIV)

Give it a try... you may even enjoy it.

Yellin' into a phone at Benny's

Church

The past few weeks have been stressful. There have been all sorts of attacks by the enemy and I am physically and mentally drained. All the pain and stress came to a close on Sunday...

Yesterday, my church shut it's doors... at least for a time.

Change comes often in this life. Sometimes it is hard to figure out why it happens, but we know that God has a plan. God never sets something in motion that does not further His Kingdom. How can a church closing down further His Kingdom? The answers to that are plentiful. There are churches that abuse and hurt their memebers all the time, those are the churches that should be shut down.

But then there are churches like mine. We were a small gathering of people that loved one another as far as I could see. We enjoyed one anothers company. There were problems and short comings, but there is no perfect church.

As we reflected and said good bye to Sunday mornings as we knew them yesterday, the one thing that God kept speaking to me was that this was His time. God used the people of our church to minister to one another. Life change happened. All of us could look back and see the times when God spoke or set in motion changes in us at our church.

Now, He's moving again. Where? I don't know yet. That's half the fun though, isn't it?

God's timing is so perfect. Even when it seems inconvenient, it always works out to be just what we needed. Look back at the tough times in your life. He is there. He is perfecting us. He is molding us. He is loving us.

His time is always the right time.

Audio Excitement!

Next iPod?

What will they think of next?

It looks like Apple will be unveiling some type of new and improved Video iPod soon. The iPod to the right has a 4 inch screen. The entire screen is touchpad with the controls to operate your iPod and when you watch your favorite movie or video, you just turn in sideways and watch it on the widescreen...

You gotta' love technology!

Don't Give Up!

So, God has an incredible sense of humor... Let me explain.

Just a little background here: Cheryl and I are always trying to figure out what to have for dinner. It's one of the toughest decisions we make on a daily basis. Everything is complicated by the fact that having dinner these days is cheaper than making in most cases. We can pick up a Little Ceasars Pizza for $5 and the Taco Bell or Wendy's $1 menu is always cheaper and easier than cooking. Plus, we are on the go at least 3 out of 5 weekdays, so something quick is always the way to go.

All that to say, tonight was another, "What should we eat tonight?" quandry and I had to decide all on my own. As I was headed to Taco Bell, something told me to go elsewhere.

So I decided to order some Curbside service from one of our local eateries. As I was driving through "rush hour" traffic, I was dialing through all the presets on my radio. I hit that horrible time when all the stations were playing commercials.

From my past experience in radio, I have no idea why all these stations decide to play there commercial breaks at the same time. Why not be the only station not doing that so that you attract more listeners? Anyway, I was really reaching to find some music. I was so desparate in fact that I even tuned into WMUZ.

Just a little background here - I used to work for WMUZ during my 6 year radio career. I don't want to ruin anything for you, but working for WMUZ was not what I expected when I applied to work there. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful that we live in a country where we can have freedom to have Christian Radio. But... my time there was eye opening to say the least.

So as I tuned into WMUZ, I heard talking (as usual) and started to change the station, but something stopped me. As I listened to Robin talk she mentioned something about how some people were unable to have children after years of trying. O.K. you have my attention. I was expecting it to be a commercial for a fertility clinic or a chiropractor that could make you fertile, but that was not it at all. God was about to speak to me through WMUZ... this is no small feat since I think of the station as quite a joke.

Robin had someone call in and talk about how he and his wife were unable to have children and had gone to doctors and done various things to get pregnant, to no avail. Then he just gave it to God and trusted that He knew what was right. The caller said that even though conventional methods said he and his wife were not able to have children that God had a different plan. He told Robin that he and his wife just had their 5th child this year.

Robin wrapped it all up by saying, "Don't Give Up." She repeated it over and over. God was speaking to me. In fact the day before I received a card in the mail from my mother in which she wrote, "Don't Give Up."

That phrase spoke to me on many different levels. It was not only a reassurance of a promise that I know He is going to fulfill, but it was a reminder that I must not lose hope, never give up. I have to trust in Him... "lean not on my own understanding..." just trust that He has my best interests in mind.

So all this to say, look and listen for His voice. Sometimes God even speaks through strange places like WMUZ... you never know when He has something to say.

Walking the Identity Line...

Wow!

How did I miss out on, "the Man in Black," all these years?

Thankfully, A@ron exposed me to his music on our Road Trip across America. Honestly, I wasn't sure what I thought about it at the time, but just like a lot of music I was exposed to on that trip, it grew on me.

Cheryl and I watched the movie, Walk the Line, from Netflix on Saturday. There was something about the movie that just resonated with me from the opening scene to the end of the film.

One of my realizations about why I loved, Walk the Line, so much comes down to my love for the beginnings of Rock n' Roll music. There's a purity to it. It really was new and exciting. Passion flowed through it. It may seem simple to some people, but there is just something amazing that draws you in.

After the movie, Cheryl and I started chatting about what we thought. I was emotional through the entire movie. Why is that? What is about movies like this that just move me so deeply that tears well in my eyes for 2 hours straight? Now this is going to get really deep into who I am, so if you are not up for it, stop now...

I love the underdog. I identify with them on so many levels. Johnny Cash grew up with people telling him he would never make it, that he was not worth it, a nobody. While I never heard that sort of thing from my parents as Johnny did from his father (and first wife to some extent), I did hear it from many other adults in my early years.

It's very interesting, because I was part of a conversation on Friday night where this came up as we talked about my time at my amazingly judgmental Christian school. Someone asked me, "When did you graduate?" I responded, "1990." Then the statement that killed me, "Yet, you're still talking about it."

Whoa. I mean, listen, I understand that I graduated 16 years ago and I should get over it. That is true, but my identity was formed (unfortunately) by a lot of those things that were spoken over me. I was beaten down emotionally/mentally from 2nd grade until graduation with a lot of not so nice identity traits put on me by some people who probably had no idea how it would affect me all these years later (still no excuse). But I am dealing with it right now. This is where God has taken me... maybe I missed the bus many times. Maybe God wanted to heal me of those wounds millions of times over the years, but I can't change that now. This is the time and the place where I am saying, "God, show me how YOU see me."

This "identity crisis" has been brewing for as long as I can remember and I know that God has a purpose in all this. It's amazing to me that my Friday conversation and watching Walk the Line all came together at just the right time... God's time.

God keeps speaking to me about my identity. He keeps bringing it into all aspects of my life. After watching the movie I had a long conversation with A@ron and God again brought "my identity" to the forefront. I am reminded again, "And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)" Uncomfortable conversations, movies and conversations with great friends... all of it, the good, bad and the ugly are part of His love for me.

I know that I am on my way to finding my indentity in Him... in His time.

----------------------------------------------------------------

By the way, congratulations to Reese Witherspoon on her Oscar for her work in Walk the Line! Her portrayal of June Carter-Cash was great...

I was bummed the Paul Giamatti didn't win, but Phillip Seymour Hoffman was my second choice.

The "What the ?!?" moment had to be the Oscar for best original song, "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," from the movie Hustle and Flow. At least the boys from Three 6 Mafia were excited to win... some of the recipients were not as thrilled as you would think they would be.

The Dog Whisperer

If you have not seen the man known as, "The Dog Whisperer," you are missing something amazing. My Mom told me about Cesar Millan just about the time that we got Bailey and from the way she described him, I thought he sounded like a kook.

After I watched his show on the National Geographic Channel, I was amazed. I started trying his techniques and they actually worked!

Now, if you have met Bailey, I know what you are thinking... First of all, shut up, I love that dog. Secondly, the only reason he may not be the best dog in the world yet is because of my own inconsistent behavior. He will only follow my lead.

So all you puppy people out there who find yourselves frustrated with annoying dog behaviors... give Cesar Millan a shot and watch his techniques work on your favorite furry friend.

Microsoft iPod...

I couldn't resist posting this one... enjoy your new Bill Gates designed iPod.

CLICK HERE

You're welcome...

And We're Back!

As I read thru the Blogs of my friends, I realized it was time. Time to update the world on what is up with Scotty. As readied myself to type, I heard on of the few funny things Jimmy Fallon ever said... "And we're back!"

Fallon screamed out this little ditty in his best, "Morning Radio Show," voice and it really made me chuckle. Mostly I enjoyed it from my time in the Radio Biz, but like most SNL Sketches, it lasted way too long... as most SNL Sketches do. The other amazing thing about this sketch is that Fallon didn't laugh his way through the entire thing.

So all that said, "Aaaaaaannnnnnndddd, I'm Baaaaaack!"

What's been going on? Well, I just turned 34 years old. No big thing. I still consider myself young, so as long as I keep thinking that way in my mind, I AM young.

February has been filled with church stuff. Tons of planning, tons of stress. Lots going on there. Don't know how I feel about everything in that regard, but I am ready for a break. I actually had an amazing recharge weekend in Marysville, Ohio. Yes, Ohio. Thanks a lot A@ron! Anyway, I will definitely be going again. Cheryl and I felt like family among all the Buckeyes. Dave and Kelly let us stay with them and we loved it. We had the best time. I get excited just thinking about heading down there again... Needless to say, this was one of the best Birthday weekends I have ever had.

While we were gone, Mom and Dad watched Bailey Boy. He was no trouble for the most part... except when he went out on the ice of the pool cover and fell in!!! Thank goodness my Dad saved his little pupy life. Speaking of Mom and Dad, they have joined the ranks of the one and only Mac families that I work to convert one at a time. Dad was reluctant, but I think he is enjoying the beauty of his Mac more and more everyday.

I want to take some time now to talk a little about a good friend of mine, Todd Bolton. I have new found respect for this guy. This year during the Winter Olympics, I have been recording Cross Country Skiing events for Todd. He has done quite a few Cross Country events himself this season. Let me just put it this way, it is no wonder that Todd is in such great shape... CC Skiing takes a lot of hard work. Not sure Todd will get me to record cycling events this summer (his other passion) but I really admire his dedication to his sports.

The other thing that has been taking up a lot of my time lately is Guitar. Yes, I am learning. I love it. Last night in fact I got a crash course in Theory from Bryan. He, Josh and myself had a two hour jam and learn session at Josh's place. A@ron has also played a big part in teaching me as well. Who knows, in a few months I may be good enough to play while leading worship at church!

So there's the update. Hope it was all you were waiting for.

More to come.

Not N'Sync

Every year something very strange happens to me. During the Holiday Season and all the way after the Super Bowl my life is not on its normal track. Things are a bit out of whack for me.

I'm not saying this is a horrible thing, but it makes me feel a bit off. I tend to feel like this time from December through the end of February really is event driven. There is all the Christmas parties and all the holiday craziness that goes along with that. Then we have the New Year. New hopes and dreams. Recovering from the last month of family and friends and then... the Super Bowl!

This year that was especially grand due to its location in the Motor City, but for me it is always a good time to hang out with friends, scream at the TV, laugh at commercials and stuff my face with too much food. This year was no different.

To add to the madness, Cheryl took vacation this year. It was great! I loved spending all that time just hanging with her. We had a good time.

Then a momentous occasion comes along every year at the end of February, known as MY BIRTHDAY!! So for me the party never stops until March. Let's really wrap our minds around this... I am in party mode from the end of November (Cheryl's Birthday & Thanksgiving) until March. That is three full months!

Maybe out of whack is the wrong way to look at it. This is just how I am, how I live life. The reality is I love my life and the people in it. There is nothing wrong with enjoying that is there?

I didn't think so.

By the way, when Spring shows up in Michigan, the party starts again!

Super Bowl XL

I couldn't resist. It's only miles away from me and honestly how often does this happen?

Cheryl and I hopped in the car and headed Downtown. It wasn't too bad down there either. As long as you know where you are headed, Detroit and the citizens and civil servants are directing you where to go for the most part.

We jumped on the People Mover, which sounds like it may jump off the track at any moment, from Cadillac Center down to the Ren Cen. There we were able to walk around and see all the "Stars," whom are calling the Motor City home this week.

My first job was to head to the NFL Network and snap a few shots of Rich Eisen (far right) for Chris. Chris, the lighting made snapping a good shot tough, but there he is with Boomer (center) from the Bengals and CBS along with Terrell Davis (left) from the Denver Broncos.

As we traveled around the loop, known as "Radio Row," we came upon the NFL on Sirius Satellite Radio. Shannon Sharpe from the Broncos and Ravens was preparing for a special guest, Chris Carter, Hall of Fame receiver from the Minnesota Vikings and HBO's, Inside the NFL. Not to be mean - and I can say this - Carter was not in game shape and was definitely enjoying all the free snacks before the show. All the pics I took of him were him eating and this was the least non-flattering picture of the bunch.
The biggest thrill for me was seeing Dan Patrick. He's old school ESPN. One of the originals on ESPN's, Sportscenter. Dan was doing his show, The Dan Patrick Show, on ESPN Radio. You could actually get close enough to see him. Like I said, it was pretty cool seeing him. The guy knows sports.

ESPN was the main attraction as you walked into the Ren Cen, but nothing cool was going on. On top of that, they had this huge tent covering everything up. It was really tough to get a good shot of what was going on in there. Ron Jaworski, former Eagles QB and now an analyst for the NFL on ESPN was the best shot I could get. He is also co-owner of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League with none other than Mr. Jon Bon Jovi... he wasn't there, but if he was it would have been my goal to sing, Livin' On a Prayer, as loud as possible. I'm sure he would have enjoyed that.

From the Home of Super Bowl XL, Detroit, Michigan, GO STEELERS!!

Detroit

I wish I had written this, but it's worth a read. We all say we want to leave, but there is something about this place that makes it home.

The Sporting Blog

Detroit Sports thoughts:

1) Love the Marinelli hire by Matt Millen and here's why...

- The guy is going to kick some major arse and that is exactly what these malcontents known as the Detroit Lions need
- Unlike most of the Lion's coaches over the years, this guy is adored by many and praised by his previous players
- He didn't promise anything about the playoffs or wins and losses, just hard work and hard hitting in the trenches (O-Line and D-Line)
- Eventhough he was didn't commit, I think he will give Joey a chance (he loves character, so he should love Joey)

2) Very happy to see the Steelers in the Super Bowl. It will be even better if they win it. It was also nice to see Jerome Bettis, "The Bus," talking about how "great" the city of Detroit is. Thanks Jerome.

3) Not much to complain about with my real true love in sports, the Red Wings. BUT... Robert Lang is lame. The guy looks like he is skating in slush. He takes penalties all the time. I just don't see the fascination with this guy. Everybody talks him up, but he just exists on this team. Stevie would be better off getting his minutes.

4) 33 Wins and 5 Losses... The Pistons rule!

Confession

Forgive me Bloggers. It has been 11 days since my last Blogging.

I guess the thing is, I've not had a lot to talk about lately. There are a few things that normally I would just put out there and share about the deep inner secrets of who I am, but it just doesn't seem like the right time.

There have even been some ideas for Blogs recently. At church last Sunday, we were talking about the new amazingly controversial show, The Book of Daniel, on NBC. I was mere moments away from waxing eloquent about my thoughts on this new show and all the hub-bub it has created, but even that has not led me to Blog.

What is this Blog avoidance that has overtaken me? I am finding that I am not the only one who has been silent though. Many of my fellow Bloggees have either been as uninspired to write as I have been or just too darn busy.

Life is about ebbs and flows. Sometimes you can't stop yourself from doing things and other times it is a struggle. Even the things you love to do can become a task if you are not careful. I guess we all need to allow for times when we just might not have anything to say...

So until the next Blogging inspiration hits, you will have to accept this little confession.

God Bless.

It's Finally Over.

After a season of hopes dashed, the Lions season comes to an end... with a loss. How appropriate.

The losing is over for now. The men in Honolulu Blue and Silver get to pack up and leave Detroit to enjoy themselves until it all starts over again next year. But this next season may not be just like all the others. Too much has happened this year. Too many bad situations to just forget it all and jump back on the band wagon... at least I hope so.

I know one man who has had enough. One of my best friends, Chris, will not be watching the Lions again next year. During the season we talk each week about the ups and the downs of the Lions. Mostly downs, but we break it down and play Monday Morning Quarterback... it's a lot of fun. Next year that is over. You see, Chris lives in Las Vegas, so he subscribed to the NFL Ticket through DirecTV to see the Lions. This horrendous season has helped him wise up and realize that paying to see the Lions is not worth it. Can you blame him?

I get to watch the Lions for free and sometimes I feel like I am paying to watch them. I don't pay with money, I pay with pain. Pain that comes from feeling devoted to this franchise that is in so much disarray that fans would rather come to the games to make fun of the team rather than cheer for them.

Truly, I just wish people would stop coming to the games. I empathize with the players on that somewhat. If you're not there to support the team, move on. The problem is, in this town we are dying for the Lions to win. At this point, we would be happy with a Wayne Fontes season or two, eventhough he was a bigger buffoon then Morningwheg. This town needs a winner at Ford Field!

As I watched the game yesterday, my brother, Matt, asked, "Why do you even watch these guys?" I'll tell you what I told him... I watch because there is that chance that someday this team will win. When they do, all the struggle and turmoil that I watched and sometimes felt them go through will make the winning that much sweeter. I reminded him of what it felt like when we watched the Red Wings continue to lose ever year and then how sweet it was to see them lift the Stanley Cup. Either my stupidity or hope tells me to keep watching, so next season I will be back rooting for the Detroit Lions to make it to Super XLI with their MVP QB, Joey Harrington.

It could happen... a guy can dream can't he?

Ezer Kenegdo

I have a flair for the dramatic. Most people like me do... not saying that I like it or even plan it, but I can make something out of nothing very quickly.

The past month or so has been a real down time for me. Not depression, but true joy and contentment has escaped me. I have had my up and down days. My eyes have not been on the prize and I have allowed the Enemy to creep back into some of the places he has worked his magic in the past. Of course I have felt like a failure, thinking, "Here we go again."

The New Year always brings with it an examination of the past year and a look forward to the upcoming year. Maybe this year I will learn to play guitar or speak Gaelic. Those are fun to think about. Dreaming about what you might be able to accomplish in 2006 and beyond.

Where things get messy for me is thinking about what needs to be fixed. I can fall down a pit of despair rather quickly when I think of all my faults. The word I used this evening was, "hopeless." As I write it I cringe. As I said though, a flair for the dramatic.

To add insult to injury, I am very stubborn. I dig in even when I know I am wrong. So you add the dramatics and the stubborness and a terrible mixture takes place.

You see, my ever-loving wife, Cheryl, does her best to help me through these times of illogical thought by being logical. Even as I hear and agree with her logical thoughts in my head, I dig in with my stubborness and stay in my pit of despair knowing I am wrong. What is wrong with me?!?

Cheryl stands alongside me and tries to "love" me out of the pit. She never gives up. No matter how much I dig in, she looks at me and sees the man she loves, not this dufus who whips himself into a frenzy.

I read something in Cheryl's favorite book, Captivating, tonight that helped me understand something amazing about her. I always wonder what allows her to stick with me through these "episodes," and I think that the book sheds some light on it.

In Genesis 2:18, it says, "It is not good for the man to be alone, I shall make him a [ezer kenegdo]." The Hebrew scholar, Robert Alter translates ezer kenegdo "sustainer beside him."

The author of Captivating goes on to explain:

The word ezer is used only twenty other places in the Old Testament. And in every other instance the person being described is God Himself, when you need Him to come through for you desperately...

Most of the contexts are life and death, by the way, and God is your only hope. Your ezer. If He is not there beside you... you are dead. A better translation therefore of ezer would be "lifesaver." Kenegdo menas alongside, or opposite to, a counterpart.

You need an ezer when your life is in constant danger...

...He (God) does not want to be an option in our lives. He does not want to be an appendage, a tagalong. Neither does any woman. God is essential. He wants us to need him - desperately. Eve is essential. She has an irreplacable role to play. And so you'll see that women are endowed with fierce devotion, an ability to suffer great hardships, a vision to make the world a better place.

Fierce devotion. Ability to suffer great hardships. Vision to make the world a better place. That is my darling wife. She really is my lifesaver. She'll never leave my side.

The amazing thing is that I learned to love God more tonight. God showed Himself to me through my ezer kenegdo, "lifesaver alongside me," Cheryl.

I need Him desperately. Forgetting that is what leads to the drama.