When we meet the minds of others, we can better understand one another. Today, meet the mind of Gautama Buddha, also known as Siddhārtha Gautama, Shakyamuni, or simply the Buddha, person on whose teachings Buddhism was founded.
“No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” – Buddha
Carlton W. Blackburn, age 89, of Cornelia, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2015 in Southaven, Mississippi.
Bonnie Mae Littleton Dodgins, age 87 of Demorest, Georgia passed away Saturday, July 11, 2015 at a private care facility following an extended illness.
Lewis McDonald, age 76, of Alto, Georgia passed away on Friday, July 10, 2015 following a sudden illness.
Edwin Thom Mayes, age 84, of Demorest passed away Friday, July 10, 2015 at Habersham Home.
I once gave a writing assignment to a group of students instructing them to create an essay explaining which day of the week they would choose to be. Of course as you can imagine, Friday and Saturday were top picks – Sunday a very close second. No one wanted to be Monday. The outcome prompted me to assign yet another essay as to why no one wanted to be Monday. The returns were quite interesting and thought-provoking. Realistically, depending on how you view your calendar, Monday is the start of a new week, a fresh chance to “get it right,” an avenue of hope and restoration; but, who in their right minds views Monday in that manner? Monday is daunting. It takes the fun out of the weekend. Monday starts problems that we work to resolve until Friday rolls around again. And that feeling of contentment from time spent with family and friends at church or ballparks or gardening is suddenly gone for returning to work or school and having to start it all over again.
Oh I wouldn’t want to be Monday – the bearer of bad news; the instigator of problems and issues; and the ultimate party-pooper. Last week I ran into a friend who was having a really bad Tuesday. She said to me, “I guess Tuesday is the new Monday, huh?” There is even argument as to which day should start the week – Sunday or Monday. Maybe people feel if Sunday started the week, it would take a bit of pressure off Monday. I’m a Monday starts the week kind of girl just because I like to end the week on the Sabbath Day as I believe God did with rest. Whatever category you fall into, your Monday is just like anyone elses’ – despised, dreaded, and even feared.
There is a lady I know. If we could seriously classify people as days of the week, she would be a “Monday.” I cannot get, “How are you?” out of my mouth that she does not begin with all the woes of the world, her neighbors, her church, her own body, the list goes on and on. Her favorite line is “If Satan would just leave us alone…” Usually, when I have finished my conversation with her, my frozen veggies have melted and the entire line at the check-out counter of the grocery store is eyeing me so happy I got stuck talking to her and not them.
So, what day of the week are you?
In my younger days I would categorize myself as a Saturday – full of fun, adventure, relaxed, easy-going; now I see myself as more of a Wednesday – an optimistic, encouraging, middle of the road, “we’re going to make it” kind of person. What about you?
I used to work for an attorney who would open the office doors on Monday mornings and with arms raised high would declare, “Mr. Monday…I’m gonna kick your behind.” I’ve come to believe the initial manner in which we tackle our every day lives actually influences the outcome. If we look at our problems, like we look at Monday, we set the tone and often the prediction of failure. But if we can become Fridays, believers of good things to come; resonators declaring that the week has been tough but I survived and I’m moving forward; and an encourager of hope that greater things are yet to come – oh, we could turn problems into solutions; despair into hope; and depression into joy.
Mondays do come in our lives and in the lives of those around us – sometimes they last long into Tuesday – but never doubt that God isn’t just as much a part of our Mondays as He is our Fridays. We just have to recognize His presence in every aspect of our lives.
2 Chronicles 20:17 “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”
Choose to be an instrument of hope – not an obstacle of despair. Choose to be a Friday not a Monday to those around you.
When we meet the minds of others, we can better understand one another. Today, meet the mind of William Shakespeare, English poet, playwright, and actor. Considered to be the greatest dramatist of all time.
“Love looks not with the eyes but with the heart. Therefore, is winged Cupid painted blind.” – William Shakespeare.
Psalm 86:4,”Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.”
Whatever you are facing today, know you can trust God. He hears your cry. He knows your need. He will bring joy to you, even in your darkest hours.
All around me I see people in trouble; people in pain; people sick; people with heartache. I’m sure you know many as well. Maybe you are one of those people. God wants to hear the prayers of His people. He wants to give grace and mercy. He wants to deliver you.
Sometimes it can be hard to know if He really understands or hears our prayers; especially, when deliverance is needed quickly. Today, believe your answer is coming. Pray for joy and peace. Ask for favor and mercy. When we put our trust in God, He delivers. You can count on Him.
When we meet the minds of others, we can better understand one another. Today, meet the mind of Warren Buffet, investor, philanthropist, and businessman.
“Honesty is a very expensive gift. Do not expect it from cheap people. ” – Warren Buffet.
When we meet the minds of others, we can better understand one another. Today, meet the mind of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident, and key founding member of the Confessing Church.
“A god who let us prove his existence would be an idol.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Edwin Thom Mayes, age 84, of Demorest passed away Friday, July 10, 2015 at Habersham Home.
Demorest, GA – Piedmont College Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Peeples has announced the hiring of Tim Dunton as the new Head Coach of Men’s Lacrosse for the Lions. Dunton comes to Piedmont following a successful 13-year career as the Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts becoming the second Head Coach in the history of the Lions lacrosse program replacing Pete Manderano, the program’s coach for the first four years of existence.
“We are very excited about Tim Dunton joining the Athletic Department at Piedmont College and taking on the leadership of our men’s lacrosse program,” said Peeples of the newly added coach. “Tim brings 13 years of successful head coaching experience to our program, but more importantly, he is a great fit for Piedmont College.
“Piedmont is a special place that attracts tremendous young people and Tim will impact the young men in our men’s lacrosse program in more ways than being their lacrosse coach,” Peeples continued. “He will be a builder of successful men that will graduate and be tremendous alumni. I am looking forward to supporting Tim as he builds on the early success that Pete Manderano had starting our program.”
Dunton takes over a Piedmont team fresh off a semifinal appearance in the Inaugural Southeast Independent Lacrosse Championship (SEILC) this past season. The Lions also graduated its first-ever senior class as the program moves into its fifth year of competition during the 2015-16 academic year, the first in the Dunton era for the Green and Gold.
“I want to thank Dr. Mellichamp, Dr. Misner, Dr. Rettig, Coach Peeples and the entire selection committee at Piedmont for the opportunity to take the reigns of the Lions Men’s Lacrosse program,” said Dunton of his new position. “From the moment I first spoke with Coach Peeples, I could feel the enthusiasm for athletics that Piedmont has. It is no coincidence that the programs at Piedmont are successful. I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with the young men that are a part of this team.
“After visiting campus, I was very impressed with the athletic facilities and the vision that the college has for growth. The entire staff that I met with has been extremely welcoming throughout this entire process and I’m looking forward to working along side of them. I am extremely excited about getting under way at Piedmont. I can’t wait to get into the office and work with Coach Gantz trying to build this program into a consistent winner!”
Dunton continued, thanking his previous colleagues, “I’d also like to thank Lasell College for the 13 great years that I enjoyed there. Kristy Walter hired me as a young coach recently out of college and taking that chance on me is something that I will forever be grateful for. I’m also thankful for the countless friends that I’ve coached along side with and the great young men that I had a chance to coach at Lasell.”
Just prior to accepting his new role at Piedmont, Dunton led Lasell College to a 9-7 overall record in 2015 including a 5-3 record in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). The Lasers earned a postseason win with a 21-8 victory over Rivier in the GNAC Quarterfinals before falling to Emmanuel (MA) in the Semifinals, the eventual GNAC champ.
Dunton should bring a defensive fire to the Lions in Demorest as his team ranked nationally in several NCAA Division III categories including a top ten spot in caused turnovers. The Lasers were 7th in the country with 12.5 caused turnovers per game and also ranked 11th in the country in ground balls per game as well.
Along with his defensive success, Lasell showed balance this past season ranking in the top-40 in the nation in both scoring offense and scoring defense while ranking 26th in scoring margin outscoring opponents by almost five goals per contest in 2015. The Lasers possessed the most efficient attack in the GNAC during 2015 scoring 12.38 goals per game while also ranking 2nd in total goals (198 in 16 games), 2nd in assists (123), and 3rd in goals against average (7.66) while topping the league in man-up scoring percentage (34.9).
In his time with Lasell, Dunton led his team to conference tournament appearances in nine seasons across two league affiliations with one of those campaigns resulting in a championship game appearance, that coming during the 2011 season. In a 2008 postseason run, Dunton’s team earned the first-ever postseason victory by a Lasell athletic program as his Lasers defeated Plymouth State 10-5 before falling to his alma mater, Endicott College, in the ECAC title game.
Prior to Lasell’s current GNAC era, Dunton helped guide his team to postseason appearances in the ECAC during the 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008 seasons during an 8-year affiliation with the Pilgrim League. Dunton’s postseason showings included four in the ECAC and five in the GNAC including a run to the title game in 2011, the first year of affiliation in the GNAC for Lasell.
Since moving Lasell to the GNAC as a founding league member, Dunton’s Lasers have dominated going 36-7 in five seasons since the league’s inception. In all five of those seasons, Dunton’s teams have posted winning records and most recently finished in the league’s top four this past year.
Overall, Dunton mentored 44 All-Conference selections during his 13 years with Lasell as the program’s head coach including three Rookies of the Year, two Players of the Year, and four All-New England honorees. Named Coach of the Year in 2005, Dunton owned a 107-98 record in his time with Lasell earning his 100th career victory just this past season against Centenary (LA) on March 15, 2015.
Dunton’s 107 career wins has him just outside the top 40 in the country on the NCAA Division III Winningest Active Coaches list. Named as the Head Coach of the Lasers’ lacrosse program just prior to the start of the 2003 season, Dunton owns a 65-37 mark in conference play over his 13-year career as well.
Success was not limited to the field for Dunton who also served in several administrative capacities at Lasell including his time as a representative for the Pilgrim League on the USILA (United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association) Top 20 panel. Dunton also served as a representative on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee gaining invaluable knowledge of the selection process for the NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse National Tournament.
In his 4th year on staff at Lasell, Dunton was named Assistant Director of Athletics, a post the coach would serve in for the next nine years before elevating to Associate Director of Athletics in 2014. In his administrative work, Dunton oversaw equipment and facility operation, assisted with contest management, managed travel for the department, and served as a member of development committees.
Spending his collegiate playing days at Endicott College in the late ’90s, Dunton was a four-year letter winner for the successful program which is coming off its 8th CCC (Commonwealth Coast Conference) title and 5th NCAA National Tournament appearance after the 2015 season. In Dunton’s time at Endicott, the Gulls went an impressive 42-19 earning double-digit win totals in each of his four seasons with the team.
After his first three seasons saw the Gulls compete as a Division III Independent, Dunton’s final season at Endicott saw the Gulls usher in a new era as a new member of the CCC going 6-2 in league competition making an appearance in the Quarterfinals of the league’s championship tournament.
During his time with the Gulls where he was named a captain in his senior season, Dunton was a four-year letter winner and earned All-Conference accolades during his twilight campaign in 2000. In that same season, the midfielder participated in the NEILA East-West Senior All-Star Game as well capping a fine four-year career for the Gulls.
A native of Billerica, Massachusetts, Dunton graduated in 2000 from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts with his Bachelor of Science in Communications with a concentration in Media Production. Dunton went on to earn his Master of Science in Sports Administration with a concentration in Sports Leadership from Lasell.
Dunton will be relocating from his hometown to the Peach State along with his family: wife, Karen, daughter, Madison and son, Logan.
“I would like to congratulate Tim Dunton in the Piedmont College athletic department and community on the hiring of an outstanding and respected men’s lacrosse coach but even more importantly a true gentleman in every facet. It has been a pleasure and a reward to see the growth of Tim Dunton first hand as a player, assistant coach and a well accomplished head coach. I could not think of a better person to build the Piedmont men’s lacrosse program. The values, work ethic and loyalty that coach Dunton displays as a mentor, coach and family man will reflect in his everyday interactions with the Piedmont student athletes and community. Although New England is losing a very fine coach and man in Coach Dunton our loss in New England is Piedmonts gratifying gain! I wish Coach Dunton, his family and Piedmont all the success and happiness in years to come.”
Sean Quirk, Endicott College
Associate Athletic Director
