October 29, 2020 Update

It has been awhile since I spent time to write in my blog. In fact it has been six years that I had a major medical set back. In September of 2024 I was at the graveside service of a cousin, Jayson Withers. He was a third cousin, but we are all family regardless of how many times over we are related, Jayson was a cousin on my mom’s side, and had been involved in a “not-so-good-atmosphere. He had been in jail and it was at the facility he had become involved in some rather “not-so-good” situations. It was at the correctional facility that his life was taken by a correctional officer. The funeral service was very somber and a wake up call for some.
It was at the graveside service where cousin Jayson was laid to rest, that I passed out and fainted. Rushed to Salem Hospital I was in ICU for six days, and to this day do not remember it.

I was released from the hospital and spent some time in a care center where I received physical therapy, then released to my home.

Move ahead by a few months, and the doctors concluded and agreed I had a stroke! Boy, that was one big shock to me. I was in good physical condition, at least I thought I was! I had lost nearly 40 pounds, went to the gym (yes, you read that correctly) three to four times a week, went on Weight Watchers, and basically learned how to eat healthy. My doctor wanted me to lose some weight about this same time, as I had a high cholesterol level. Dr. Vanderburgh said “do what ever is going to work for you, I would like to see you lose 35-45 pounds. Well, I hesitated as far as what I was going to do. I did not want to go to a gym and work out. I did not want to take up running, on and on. But, you know I did and I really did like doing it. I joined a gym and made an effort to go at lease two times a week. I loved it! And I became a runner, something I never thought I would be doing. I even took part in several 5 and 10k marathons through my church (Salem Alliance Church). It was fun and beginning to be a new way of life for this kid. I dropped about 40 pounds, and continued to exercise, run, and eat healthy.

September 2014 and I am at the graveside service of my cousin Jayson. I faint, passed out, rushed to Salem Hospital ICU. The diagnosis: Parkinson’s. What? I was a healthy guy and really enjoying life. God had a way of slowing me down and getting me on track with life.

It was at this time of my life that I virtually put on hold, the many activities I was involved in at my church, and life in general. Broadway shows and concerts in Portland, Worship team at Salem Alliance Church, Pursuits Desk at Salem Alliance, Community Group involvement, and a host of other activities……all came to a grinding halt for Dale Rex Shafer.

It has been very hard for me these past six years. Life has taken me to places I never thought or wanted to be a part of. I wanted to slip back into my volunteer world at church. But, I soon realized it just wasn’t going to happen, so I sit on the sideline not able to serve as I once did. This was nad has been very difficult for me to accept. My body has a way of keeping me from getting involved in the many activities again. My body just does not allow me to do all I once did. I pray each day that God will provide a cure for Parkinson’s. That is my hope, my dream. and my wish that a cure be found.

Overall, I am okay with this major change in my life. I don’t like it but I live with it,

Pray for me and that a cure be found for Parkinson’s.

Thank you everyone for your prayers, words of encouragement nad hope.

Be BLESSED to be a BLESSING!

Dale Rex Shafer

Life of a Concert Dude

Keeping with the “dude” theme, I see it is time to blog again.

Ringo Starr 2014 Concert in Bend, OR. Photo from The Bend Bulletin.

This past week I had one of those “once-in-a-lifetime-experiences” that I would do all over. I became a “Concert Dude”. I am speaking of the Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band concert in Bend, OR. Nearly 8,000 fans (an older crowd I may add) filled the Les Schwab Amphitheater for two non-stop hours (no intermission!) for a trip back to an era of pop culture and music. Oh, it just so happened to have been headlined by the legendary Ringo Starr. At 74 years I must say Ringo looks pretty good. How many stars, current or past, at the age of 74, can claim the title of legend? Not many. Ringo is a legend. Ringo was in his element both on drums and center stage on vocals and the audience loved him and the music!

The concert was a blend of many songs done by the Beatles (“Yellow Submarine” – YES!), several written by Ringo himself, and a mix of songs from Santana and Toto, plus other classics from the 70’s and 80’s. The band members included the following musicians: Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Ringo Starr, Todd Rundgren, Gregg Bisonette, Richard Page, and Warren Ham.

The weather Thursday night was perfect for the concert, set along the edge of the Deschutes River and across from the Old Mill District. Blue sky, warm desert sun shining down on the concert-goers and entire Bend area – I loved it!

Often we are able to attend a concert/performance, gathering, event that is an experience we will only have once in our lifetime. This was one of those. If you know me well, and/or follow me on Facebook, you’re well aware of my thirst and love of music. The past few years I have attended many concerts, musicals and performances … folks, this was the frosting on the cake, one I will always remember.

The 50’s saw Elvis change rock-and-roll music. The 60’s saw the Beatles change pop music. I’ve heard several artists say if it hadn’t been for Elvis or the Beatles, they probably wouldn’t have made it in the industry, due to their introduction of their style of music.

The photo in this blog post was taken by The Bend Bulletin, the local newspaper. WOW! This is what it looked like! Cameras were not allowed inside the venue so this is second best for photos!

Below is a “quiz” that I’m posting as a challenge to all Beatle fans. As folks were entering the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend, OR, this “A Most Unusual Beatles Quiz” was being distributed. How many can you answer correctly? I will post answers later in the week.

 

1. How many Beatles albums have been sold?
2. What was the most recent year the Beatles were ranked the #1 seller?
3. What is Ringo Starr’s real name?
4. When did John Lennon start singing publically?
5. Where did Paul McCartney and John Lennon meet?
6. At the height of their fame in 1965, all four Beatles professed to be what?
7. In 1966, which Beatle proudly proclaimed, “We’re more popular than Jesus.”
8. In 1967 the Beatles sang a song entitled, “When I’m 64.” Which two did not make it to the age of 64?
9. Which Beatle said, “Everyone always talks about a good thing coming to an end, as if life was over … the game isn’t over yet. Everyone talks in terms of the last record or the last Beatles concert … but, God willing, there are another 40 years of productivity to go.”

What is Community? Ty

This afternoon I attended a meeting/gathering of Community Group leaders from Salem Alliance Church. It served as a platform for defining what community is, a time of meeting the new Pastor’s of Community Groups, and being challenged with how our groups can impact the community. Pastor Steve Fowler gave us some incredible information and things to take back to our respective community groups. One thing that remains with me is community groups serve as a platform for discipleship, which in turn leads to disciple makers.

We were reminded of three things about discipleship that is like what Jesus did: 1) Passion for spirituality; 2) Radical community; and 3) Missional zeal. We were challenged to focus on these three items and how they can help grow our community groups.

As we concluded the session we were challenged to “articulate a cause”, find a cause or project that our community groups can use as their “missional service opportunity”. This could be a short-term project lasting three months, or something lasting perhaps a year or more. We were given some suggestions when selecting a cause or service opportunity that include 1) Who is the group; 2) what are the time requirements; 3)  what are the talents and passions within the community groups; and 4) what are the unique spiritual gifts within the community group.

As Salem Alliance Church continues to impact the community and the great Salem area, community groups will play a pivotal role in this process! I’m excited to be able to take this great new back to my group, Legacy Community Group, and see how God uses us for discipleship and outreach into the community!

Stay tuned for updates in the months to come!

Dale, the “Community Dude”

Winding Down

It’s been a week now that I arrived home from Vail and that means back to the real world called life, work, etc. The week in Vail was beyond my expectations. The speakers shared with us at each meal session, and I must say they spoke directly to me where I was at in life right now. God’s promise is He is there all the time for us, we need to call on Him when we can’t handle the stuff going on in our lives.

The speaker at our closing session used Psalms 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” Then he took it and removed the last word. This is what it looked like:

• Be still and know that I am
• Be still and know that I
• Be still and know that
• Be still and know
• Be still and
• Be still
• Be

We were then asked to spend a few moments by ourselves and complete each line with a word or phrase. Wow – it sure made me think about the “stuff” going on in my life! Try this little exercise and see how God is speaking to you.

The week in Vail was like a bit of heaven. Nestled in the Vail Mountains one quickly realized the power of God’s creation. Not only the majestic mountains but the beautiful scenery and quietness. My hotel room was a ground level creek side room with a walk-out patio, leading down to Gore Creek. The quietness and of beauty of this area confirms God’s creation. The photo to the left is a view from my room at Vail Cascade Resort and Spa.

This Thursday was “icing on the cake” you may say, when I was able to attend a concert of The Manhattan Transfer. I’ve been a fan for 30+ years (the group has been together for 40 years) and now had the opportunity to see and hear them live! Wow, two hours of pure Manhattan Transfer, accompanied only by piano. The Transfer did a blend of their old and new songs, and was two hours of pure fun and inspiration!

I do hope they plan a return to the Northwest in the near future! At least I can get their latest albums and enjoy their music until they return to the Northwest!

God is Good … and there is Hope!

Dale

Colorado Dude

Keeping with the “dude” theme with my blog, I will post the comings and goings in Colorado right now. Early flight from PDX to DEN, smooth and early arrival! Way to go United Airlines. That allowed me to take the 11:15 shuttle up to Vail. I know I dozed off and napped on the way up to Vail. I did manage to catch the beautiful scenery – in awe God’s creation! The resort is beautiful and my room is wonderful. I’ve posted a photo of the view from my patio.

Tomorrow morning I plan to head down to the village/downtown area and see what awaits! Then I’ll move into my role as moderator of the CMCA Facebook and Twitter pages. Stay tuned for posts!

Enjoying time away in the Colorado Rockies!

Dale – aka Colorado Dude

Life of a Gym Dude

Well now, if you have followed me on Facebook, you know I have been going to a gym for several years now. This is something I never, ever thought I would be doing — from a kid who did not like PE classes (if I was able to get out of PE I found a way) to a guy who looks forward to working out, I’m now ready for the next level of fitness. The past couple of months I have been meeting with my personal trainer at Body Renew Fitness in Salem to monitor body fat (BMI checks). Since December it has dropped by 3 points! I am pleased and my personal trainer is pleased. Trevor is very encouraging and positive, and wants to see me succeed with my goals. Next week comes a big new challenge: Work outs with free weights, core exercises, and some fat-burning and muscle-building workouts. Goal: 30 minutes, two to three times per week, working up to 45 minutes per session and four days a week. Right now I’m at that plateau one reaches when they lose weight. With this new workout plan in place I should be able to firm up the core area in a faster time period.

I continue to attend my weekly Weight Watchers meeting at work. Having an at-work meeting is ideal and gives me an accountability. Do I miss the weekly weigh-ins? No, I need only weigh in once a month, and that happens next week, which so happens to be my hour session with my trainer on the free weights and bench.

God is so good and keeps me on the straight and narrow when it comes to taking care of our bodies. Our bodies are His temples, and we are to take care of our body. I’m hoping to live a long and healthy life beyond my retirement years (when ever that happens). Just this last year my doctor took me off of cholesterol-reducing medication that I had been on for over ten years. I attribute that to loosing over 30 pounds over the past three years, working out regularly, and eating healthy. I think the reward came when I realized my slacks and jeans were all of a sudden “too big”.

BUT … the accomplishment I am most proud of was running my first 5K last summer. I trained daily for it and come race day I was ready! I wasn’t concerned about my time but the fact I ran AND finished a 5K! God is SO good. I have already made plans to run at lease one 5K this spring or summer. Check my Facebook page and/or this blog for details!

From the Gym Dude

Dale