Fighting against the Fading Glory of Youth

God spoke these words through the prophet Isaiah: "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass." (Isaiah 40:6) WARNING: This is a great verse and I will not be doing it justice today. 
This verse has been in my mind because I just turned 26 a couple of months ago and am fast approaching the big 3-0. As I grow older, I am working more at my job and working out less. I can feel my body deteriorating. My physical prime quite possible could be behind me. I am physically experiencing the truth of Isaiah's words.

I hope to regain my Hulk-like power

But before the glory of my youth fades like the flowers of the field, I am on a mission. Many people when they hear that I used to play sports in high-school and college, will often ask me questions like, "How fast were you? How much could you bench press? Can you Dunk?" These are often the questions that people lie the most about. It seems like almost any yinzer from the WPIAL can run a 4.5 or lower in the 40 if you ask them. But I don't want to lie about these things. I want to prove them before my body completely wilts. Just the other day my friend Paul asked me, "Jay can you touch the rim." I scoffed and I said, "Paul, I can Dunk." He then wanted to see it. At that moment I became afraid. I knew that if we went now, or any time in the near future that I would fail miserably. So my mission is this. To get in good shape, to accomplish my feats of strength and athleticism, and to have them video-taped. This way, when someone asks me about something I can not only tell them but show them. After I accomplish them, I can relax and let my body go forever because I will have proof. I will never have to go out to a basketball court to prove to someone I can dunk.
And so here are my feats that I want to accomplish this summer:
Bench Press: 275 pounds
To Dunk a Basketball
40 yard dash: 4.7

I will keep you in the loop as to how I am doing and hopefully by the end of the summer I will have achieved these goals. I will fight against the fading glory of youth one last time!

Back

After weeks of inaction, I am proud to say that I am back. I needed a break.  I was not feeling very inspired or motivated to write anything and the only things keeping my blog alive were the weekly guilt trips that I received from Talby. Surely guilt is no impetus for creative writing! (Shame on you Talby) Needless to say I was not providing my fans with the best and so I decided to stop for a while. But in my time off I found fresh inspiration due to two important observations. 

One: Writing in the man-cave is a good thing because it provides a connection with a lot of my friends. Distance and time has separated many of us but this is one way to share life with them even though they are not nearby. 

Two: Writing can positively influence others. It can make someone laugh and it can also be an encouragement. My wife has gotten so many comments on her blog about how it has been an encouragement to many of her friends. I also have read some of my friends blogs like the Kaye family and have been really blessed by them. And so I have come to learn that many times what God teaches us through our everyday life experiences will end up helping and blessing someone else. God has given us meaning and a message to tell and that is the reason we create, write, sing, and preach. Many people do not believe this and go on living un-inspired lives with no message to tell the world. I was reading a book by F. Scott Fitzgerald over the break and the main character Anthony Patch, in a moment of self-reflection, said, "I feel that it being a meaningless world, why write? The very attempt to give it purpose is purposeless." And so I saw, in contrast with this character, that I do have a purpose and therefore to write is not purposeless! And with this great revelation I vowed to make a triumphant return to the Man-Cave. So don't worry Talby Tuesdays will return.  My sole focus on Talby has creeped some people out and caused other people to ask me if my blog was a joke (I can't say I blame them) so I do want to focus a lot more on all of the wonderful stuff that God is teaching me in this life and hopefully share some of that with you. That's all I got for today! Look for more posts coming your way. 

Learn to Dress Like Talby

Talby and the Green Jacket

       I write this post with a tone of celebration because the man-cave has just gone over 1000 views! Thanks to all of my followers around the world (Yes I have viewers from Alaska, France, Germany, and Japan, who are these people?) who made this accomplishment possible. I didn't really know what to write about this week, but I do know that Talby is going to the Masters this week. Golf is a really fun sport if you are playing with your friends. There is a lot of time to talk, relax, and enjoy the scenery. It really is a great way to spend a day, especially when you are with Talby. However, Talby does have an uncanny ability to make you feel inferior when you are playing golf with him. That's partially because he is surprisingly good at golf. I am a much better athlete than Talby. All you have to do is watch Talby shoot a basketball or run a football rout and you will know that God did not create Talby with a normal amount of coordination. But somehow that all changes when you get on the golf course with Talby.

 It is rather frustrating to be honest with you. I experienced this when I went golfing with Talby one misty morning at Grove City. Now I had heard that Talby was a pretty good golfer from Andrew but, to be honest, I really did not believe it. Andrew is awful at Golf and so I thought, "It's all relative." But as we got to the course, Talby stepped up to the tee box and ripped a drive like 300 yards right down the middle. "Hmmm... lucky shot", I thought. After hitting my second shot into the sand trap, Talby dropped a 9 iron about 10 feet from the hole. I was impressed. After chipping on and two putting I took a 6 on the hole. Talby walked up to his put and nonchalantly  sank it. While picking up his ball, Talby uttered, "Birdie" as if it was no big deal. He was not surprised at all and I was crushed. The rest of the day pretty much went that same way. Talby won decisively.
In addition to this Talby loves to ask you what club you are hitting. For example, if you are say 220 yards from the hole, Talby will ask you, "What are you hitting?" I will respond by saying, "3 iron." Talby will say something like, "Bro, Are you serious?" Confused I will ask, "Ya, what are you going to hit?" And Talby will say, "Im hitting like a 7 iron here." Talby gorilla-like strength will humiliate you on the golf-course. But that's ok. Golf is the one sport where Talby can not only compete with his friends, but actually  dominate. When it comes to golf and our group of friends, Talby owns the green jacket and he will not be passing it down anytime soon. Congrats Talby and Congrats Man-cave nation on 1,000 views. May the next 1,000 be just as sweet!

Talby Wednesday: When will my reflection show?

Well this is a hurried post because Talby called me in a panic this afternoon. He thought that because I did not get a post up yesterday, that I must be seriously ill or dead. I am neither. I alive and well, I just didn't have the computer yesterday. So in the little time that I have today I want to share some very funny pictures of Talby. While it may not seem funny at first glance... take a closer look. In these three pictures you can see the reflections. One you can clearly see is Talbot, lurking around in his gray hoody. The others are fuzzy reflections of the photographer, Jake Patton. Jake was a roommate of Talby's and has had Talby fever ever since. On a visit to Aaron's house he took pictures of pictures of Talby. And some of those pictures have two Talby's, Double the fun! So in honor of Jake's masterful artwork and photography and in praise of Talby, enjoy these photos which beautifully encapsulate this mysterious man.

The Self-Destructive Nature of Sin and Freedom from it

"Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors." Pr. 1:19
"The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cord of his sin." 5:22
"He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself." 6:32
"For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death." 8:35
"A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself." 11:17
"Whoever despises the word brings destruction on themselves." 13:13
"whoever gets sense loves his own soul.: 19:8
The book of proverbs has much to say about life. It talks at length about how the law of God should be lived out in every day life and paints vivid pictures of the lives of the wicked and the righteous. It truly is a beautiful manual for godly living. The book also highlights themes that are not as common in the rest of the Bible. Let me clarify that. I think proverbs goes into greater detail on some topics than any book in the Bible. For example I remember reading through the book and noticing that God describes the life of sin as a hatred for oneself. I always knew that sin was a hatred of God and our neighbor but within these verses I saw that rebellion against God is a rebellion against our true identity as creatures created in the image of God. If you are an unbeliever and are living a life of sin: greed, lust, drunkenness, you really hate yourself. Satan will lie to you and tell you that you are really loving your self when you indulge in sin. But the sin will bind you, enslave you, harden you, make your heart heavy with guilt, and fill you heart with anger and unrest. And as you become enslaved to your desires you will keep craving more and more of sin but you will always end up wanting more. So why do people live this way? Why don't they come to their senses and see their misery? Because Satan also blinds. He prevents sinners from seeing their true condition. Those who are ruled by Satan know nothing else but the false, counterfeit and fleeting joys that he dangles in front of them. And so he takes people who were made in the image of God, who were made to know, obey and to love God and he teaches them to hate. To hate God and to hate the image of that God which is implanted in their own life. Has there ever been a crueler master?
And has there ever been a kinder and better master than the LORD Jesus? A master who frees us from this state and brings life abundantly? Who teaches and opens the eyes of the blind, who heals, who commands us to be happy and rejoice in him? A God who teaches us to love him and in so doing love ourselves. I think a lot of people in the Christian community would scoff at that statement. Many people are uncomfortable with anything that has self-interest as a motivation for serving God. But is that not what God says, "whoever gets sense loves his own soul," and, "he who finds me finds life." In Richard Baxter's book The Reformed Pastor, he begins by explaining to pastors that in order for them to watch over the lives of others they must first watch over their own lives. "He that bade you love your neighbors as yourselves, did imply that you should love yourselves, and not hate and destroy yourselves and them."
Look, I know that this blog is silly. I have a lot of fun with it. But in a moment of seriousness, I am going to use this to challenge you to examine your own life. Are you truly happy? Do you care for and love your own soul? If you are not trusting and clinging to Christ in Faith, you are headed down a self-destructive path and there will come a time when death will permanently solidify your misery. So turn to Christ now. He is a good King and He loves his people. His death and blood can cleanse you from all of your sin if you repent and believe in him. "The Vilest offender who truly believes that moment from Jesus a pardon receives."

He Speaks: An Exclusive Talby Interview

Talby Tuesday's so far has been all about other people writing about Talby. I have decided that this was not fair and wanted to give Talby a chance to use his own words and tell all of man cave nation what he is really about. So without further adieu i present to you the first ever man cave interview with Talby. (Note:This is not word for word because I could not write fast enough)

Jay: What is your full name?
Aaron: Aaron Kyle Talbot
J: Were you born and raised in Pittsburgh?
A: Yes... Well Bethel Park, but I guess you could say Pittsburgh
J: What important lessons did you learn from your parents growing up?
A: My Dad taught me to pick my battles when it comes to women?
J: What does that mean?
A: Well Jay, I think he was saying that there are some things that are worth fighting for but there are other things in life that are not as important. If you disagree with your woman on something that is not worth fighting for you can compromise and let it slide.
J: Ah, Interesting. What about your mother?
A: Oh she was always a big supporter of the rule, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I notice an excitement in Talby's voice as he goes on to say, Oh don't forget about Grandma Miller, she always used to say, "there is more than one way to skin cat."
J: Elaborate Please
A: Well she was just saying that you need to be creative in life. You don't always need to use conventional wisdom. You can be free to create.
J: Ahhh, I see. Well, let's take a trip down memory lane here and re-visit your high school days.
A:Ok sounds good brew
J: Tell me about your football playing days... well first, when did you start playing football?
A: When I was a freshmen. Actually momma Tal was worried that her boy would get hurt. I didn't come in till after camp freshmen year and everyone hated me because I didn't have to go through camp.
J: So were you always awesome at football
A: Well.... I didn't know what I was doing at first. I didn't understand principles, techniques, you know the x's and o's of football. So my football coach ended up just lining me up at defensive end and told me to just go get the ball. And I did. I was pretty good at it. All the technique stuff came later but I had the raw talent.
J: Did you always wear a cowboy collar?
A: No I started wearing one my Sophomore year because my neck snapped back and I wore one to protect my neck.
J: Did you like how it made you look huge?
A: Well i was the only one on the team to wear one so I kinda stood out. I liked anything that made my noticeable to all of the girls who would be watching.
J: Speaking of girls, did you date much in High School?
A: I did. I had many. I would say 5 or 6. I mean I wasn't a serial dater or anything but I had my fair share of dates.
J: Tell me about your first kiss
A: Great Story! So it was 10th grade and my best friend was dating this girl and over time I got to meet her cousin. THe four of us would always hang out together. Winterbreak was here and, like all Bethel Park Kids, we went to the hotspot...... Bladerunners. We skated to slow songs like Savage Garden and KC and Jo-Jo and faster ones as well. During the fast ones Talby (He used the third person here) would weave in and out and do crazy tricks. But after a slow skate, when everyone was leaving the ice at the end of the night I went in to give this girl a kiss. She turned away and I was crushed. But then she asked me if I was trying to kiss her and I said Yes. She then put one on me and Talby was a shocked that she put a little tongue action with it. (He used 3rd person again)
J: Ok.... So tell me about the most Romantic thing you have done for a woman
A: Well Jay that really a tough thing to say. You know every girl is different and so I kind of change things according to their needs. Every situation is different so I can't say that there is one thing that stands out.
J: OK, back to High School, How much did you bench then?
A: I think my PR was 325
J: Impressive. What was your favorite High School Football memory?
A: I would probably have to say that it was my JR. year when we beat Baldwin in the playoffs. It was Halloween night and it was a mud-fest. It was raining and we had on our all orange uniforms. We looked like Pumpkins on Halloween! We ended up beating them in 3 overtimes. We won on a boot-left play.
J: Speaking of 3 overtime games, How did it feel to lose to me when I was a Senior at Upper St. Clair, and you were a Sophmore at BP
A: Well you know it was tough Jay. All i remember about that game was that it was really cold.
J: Did you ever think then that your one of your best bros was on the other sideline?
A: No. No I didn't. But God always has amazing things in plan. Who would have thought that crosstown rivals would one day become friends?
J: True, True. Before I move on from High School, I have to ask you about your participation in the musical. What was that like?
A: Sure. When I was a senior I was known mainly as the jock of the school. But what many people did not know was that I was a musical person. I sang in our choir and our choir director was always begging me to be in the Musical. But as you know Jay being a football player requires a lot of time in the weight room so i never had time for musicals. But after my senior year I had the time so I decided to go for it. I played the part of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast.
J: You know some people when they hear this, probably think that this tarnishes your manly/jock image. What do you say to them?
A: I know that there are some out there who would consider revoking my man card, if you will, but i would say that it actually made me more manly. I knew who I was and was not afraid to take on something knew and foreign to me. I was up for the challenge.
J: Very well, let's move on to college. Why Grove City?
A: Well I went there every year for a conference and I swore that I would never go there! But then I met Coach Smith and everything changed. I fell in love with the football program and he showed a lot of interest in me as a player so I decided to go there.
J: Give me three words to describe Coach Smith
A: Effort, Enthusiasm, and Effort
J:What is your favorite GCC football memory?
A: There are so many but the first one that comes to mind is when we were playing St. Vincent. Bro Dido threw a TD to number 10 and I hoisted Dido into the air in celebration. It was a timeless moment, eternal.
J:What is your favorite thing to do with the bro's
A: Euchre. With beverages. Especially if a certain bro is partaking of the beverages as well.
J: Who is the best Euchre player?
A: I am. Wait no. I take it back. Say Chris because he is the master of re-nigging.
J: 5 words to describe yourself
A: (After a very long pause) Rugged, classy (when necessary), thoughtful, Witty (I'm witty), Good-sport.
J: So after graduating Grove City, you went on to become a youth pastor. Tell me what the most satisfying thing about being a Youth Pastor is.
A: Well I would say it is the realization that I can't do anything without the LORD's help. That means both personally and professionally. And also that God can take all of my mistakes and all of the crazy things that I've done in life and still use me. He can still use me in a very powerful way to impact the lives of today's youth and draw them closer to Christ.
J: Let's look ahead a little bit. What are you most looking forward to in the future?
A: I would probably say re-uniting with the bros for gweedo's wedding. And also I have been working a lot on my post up game so probably competing and defeating some of the bros in basketball.
Talby goes on to Laugh uncontrollably for about 1 minute
J: What's so funny
A: My answer I'm just thinking about it. You're laughing too!
J: No, I'm laughing at you laughing. It's really not funny at all. You think you are hilarious, don't you?
A: Yes, this is true.
J: What advice do you have for the youth who are trying to become men worthy of imitation?
A: Well first I would say that you need to become a godly man. You need to walk with God. Godly men are the only ones worth imitating. Also I would say that it is ok to be aggressive, to be a man, to fight for something, to walk with a purpose, to wear your emotions on your sleeve. You know being a godly man is not just sitting in the pews with your hands folded. It's about getting up and doing something about it. It's about fighting. The world wants men to be cute, but I don't think that's what God wants.
J: Nice! Finally what has been your favorite Talby Tuesday so far
A: I dunno, there are so many good ones. I would probably have to say the first one. It was like the beginning of an era. It has become a legendary post.
Thus ends the words of Talby I hope you enjoy his words! Happy Tuesday and have a great week!