For the Class of 2019...

Hello everyone...time for another edition of Keil's Comments.

As we enter into this season where some of us remember our High School graduations while our kids are walking across the stage themselves, I'm bringing to mind a post I wrote 4 years ago in the sense of if I were called upon to give an address to some graduating class somewhere (which would be akin to winning the Powerball or whatever).

Here's what I would say...

To the graduating class of 2019:

Well, kids...you did it!!! Beginning as far back as probably Head Start or Pre-K, fourteen to fifteen years of determination, sacrifice, and hard work have gotten you to where you sit today...with your closest friends in your caps and gowns, waiting for that moment when you walk across this stage, grab your folder, the prompt to change your tassel and be called officially a graduate.  Congratulations!!!

As you close one chapter of your life and start writing the next chapter, whether it be continuing your education at the university of your choice, or serving our country in the armed forces or immediately going into the work force, let me pass along some thoughts to remember.

First and foremost, remember who the Ultimate Boss is.  Proverbs 3:5,6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him (one translation says "in everything you do Put God First...") and He will direct your paths." Make God your top priority and everything else will fall into place.

Secondly...listen to people you can trust.  People like your parents, your grandparents, your Pastor, the elders in the church.  Psalm 1:1,2 (HCSB) "How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers.  Instead, his delight is in the Lord's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night."

Lastly, while you are striving to succeed in whatever you do from this point forward, it is OK to have some fun every now and again.  I'm reminded of a classic movie quote -- "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."  Maintain a work/fun balance...just don't let one overrun the other too much.

Again, congratulations on making it to this point in your journey.  Keep your eyes on what's ahead, don't look back and most importantly...Put God First!

Weekend Recap...

Hello everyone and welcome to another Keil's Comments blog.  Let's get to it...

This past weekend was an awesome one. It started Thursday night when Sharon and I along with our friends Matthew and Madeline went to see Avengers: Endgame.  I will avoid to give any spoilers but I will say that it runs the gamut of emotions. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cheer, your jaw will drop but all in all, it's a great movie!!!

Then as you might have seen by the pictures and videos I posted, I went to Falls Creek (which is a Baptist-owned camp and conference facility in Southern Oklahoma down around Davis) with a few other guys from my church to a men's retreat. It had been my first time in nearly 18 years to be there...and it was awesome! When you hear men sing at the top of their lungs "Oh praise the Name of the Lord our God, Oh praise His Name Forevermore..." it just gets to you. The speakers were tremendous. Former Sooner Tommie Harris knocked his speech out of the park.

Again, if you saw the video I posted, I did a 5K that Saturday morning.  Since Falls Creek sits in the middle of the Arbuckle Mountains, there were definitely a lot of inclines and declines but I took them in stride. After I got done, I hurried and ate a little bit of breakfast (more on that later) and got showered before I started the breakout sessions. I was running late so I didn't get a chance to go to one of the breakout sessions I wanted to go to but the one I did was awesome. It was the session where I got to hear from former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden (his dad Bobby was sitting in the first session before he had to go get ready to speak in the main session that morning). Both Coaches Bowden are great gentlemen and legends. The pics I took with them was done between the first and second session. I can see why the person who is the head of the BGCO Men's Ministry, another former Sooner Bubba Burcham invited them (not just because of the football aspect).

Overall, the retreat was a great experience and I've already called my shot to go back next year.

That's about it for now...