Philly

The Phillies won the World Series last night in an odd game lasting 3 innings and played in freezing conditions. I was hoping Tampa would pull one more win out of the hat just so I could watch a little more baseball. I normally don't like any team from Philadelphia but Hamels, Utley, Rollins and Howard are guys that are fun to watch play so I was glad they won. A little baseball redemption for Brad Lidge too.
_________________________________________________________________________________

I wonder where the college football game of the week will be. Oh yeah, that would be in Lubbock, Texas. I was really close to going to Tech for college but changed my mind pretty late in the process and ended up attending Abilene Christian. Saturday night it will be the #1 Horns against the #7 Red Raiders. Good stuff. I'm wondering what the betting line is on the over/under. Hook 'em Horns.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Where is Clint Longley when you need him? Brad Johnson is going to start again and Brooks who? might end up playing. Rumor has it the Mavs season is starting also.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Today is the district meet for our cross country teams. The high school girls team has been ranked #1 in the state most of the season and the boys have been sitting at #6. The meets this year have been amazing. Over 2,200 runners were at one of the Decatur meets and I think it's probably been close to that at a couple of other meets we went to. Run Eagles!

End of the Song

Here's the final verses of Mountain of God by Third Day:

As I travel on the road
That You have led me down
You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
That You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again

Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from
And the things I've left behind
But of all I've had, what I possessed
Nothing can quite compare
With what's in front of me
With what's in front of me

I get tired on the journey and I have taken wrong turns. It sounds so simple to say that when realizing the hurt and pain some of those turns have taken but what has happened, has happened. Learn from the past and live for what's in front of you. What I was and did, what you were and did yesterday can be so much difference from what you and I can be today and tomorrow and the next day. It's the beauty of the journey...the difficulty scaling the mountain while seeing and knowing the majesty of the summit. I want to see the summit, to stand atop the mountain of God.

I know our collective journey will be filled with inspiring peaks and dark valleys. It will be filled with the beauty God puts around us and with rocks to climb over and holes to climb out of that satan will try to put in our way. Our Savior hung on a cross, suffering, bleeding and dying. The valley of darkness he traveled is something most of us, maybe all of us will never know but our Savior also walked out of a tomb, alive, changed from death to life. The end of His journey was to live again but in a new way, a better way than I can even imagine. The beauty of my journey is that through the mercy and grace of my God, the end of my journey will be to live again. To live with Him. To share in His glory, to revel in His love.

The Journey continued

I was telling a friend the other day how my first trip to Brazil changed my heart in so many ways and put me on a new journey with God that has opened my eyes to things I really didn't see or understand before. I wish I had the words to describe what I have experienced the past 2+ years but I don't. I have experienced a closeness to God I've never known. I've experienced spiritual highs that are literally breathtaking. Along the way, I've also experienced spiritual lows that have crumpled me to my knees in tears.

While driving home last night, I listened to a song that I have heard many times but never really heard. I've listened to it many times, maybe even sung the words but last night I heard the words through my heart, not my head. Below is part of The Mountain of God by Third Day.

Thought that I was all alone
Broken and afraid
But You were there with me
You were there with me

And I didn't even know
That I had lost my way
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

'Til You opened up my eyes
I never knew
That I couldn't ever make it
Without You

Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God.

Those of you who know me well know I think that Heaven on earth resides in South Fork, Colorado. It's the most beautiful, most peaceful place I know. To get there, I have to go through the San Luis Valley and drive up some steep mountain roads. It's taxing for cars to drive up it at times but the time it takes, the effort to get there brings me to the most wonderful place I know. It's all I have right now to compare with the valleys I will travel through to get to the mountain of God but I do know that as hard as they may be and the pain they may bring, the trip will be nothing compared to the beauty and peace and joy and glory of reaching the destination God has prepared for me.

The Journey

A faithful reader (I always wanted to say that) asked about the new picture on the blog. It was taken as our bus rolled through the countryside of Brazil on our journey to a retreat site on our trip this summer. After spending a few days in the city filled with high rise buildings and crowds of people, it was a beautiful view of peace and serenity.

I spent the weekend on a similar journey. I had the good fortune of going to Camp Deer Run with our youth group to study and talk about the theme for this year - The Journey. It was a great experience and one that I will probably have several posts about over the next few days and weeks.

No cell phones and no iPods and I think a lot of the kids really liked it that way. There were moments of peace and serenity, TAWG (time alone with God), group study and active games. The most incredible part though was hearing some of these young people really open up and be very honest in talking about their lives and what they need to change. It was both beautiful and challenging to hear someone so young be so real about who they are and where they have got off course in their walk with God.

Thanks to Jacob for letting me be a part of the journey. I am closer to God today for being a part of it.

The Price is Right

Anybody staying up with me and watching baseball? If so, you might have seen David Price throw a few innings for the Rays. Price was pitching for Vanderbilt last year, he's thrown in 5 big league games prior to the playoffs and he came in to close Game 7 against the Red Sox and closed the game last night to tie the World Series 1-1. This kid is lights out. A lefty throwing 95 and some wicked sliders and he's a cool operator on the mound. Overall #1 pick last year in the draft. Wow.
________________________________________________________________________________

The current economic situation and the "bailout" have really had me thinking about a lot of different things. Yesterday, I was thinking about all the folks who used to say AIDS was God's punishment for homosexuality. I wonder if they are getting ready to start screaming that the financial crisis is God's punishment to a country who lives in excess and is quickly drifting from His word. Now, I didn't agree with the idea that AIDS was God's punishment any more than I believe lung cancer is God's punishment to smokers and I don't believe that God flipped a switch on our economy either. Actions have consequences...that's it...and sometimes it brings some pain. I've been there and I bet you have too. The good thing about the pain is that it often drives us to get healed and that often sends people running back to God. I know it has in my life.

America is a nation of stuff. Many of us have lots and lots of stuff (physical, emotional and spiritual) and sometimes the stuff has to be stripped away to realize that all we need is a very, very, very close relationship with God.

I don't think God is driving this country's problems but I do see it as an opportunity for people to get rid of their stuff, maybe even experience a painful crisis for it to happen, and return to a much simpler existence with God as the most important thing they have. I don't know...just thinking.

Indicted

I got another Muslim-bashing email yesterday titled "Can Muslims Be Good Americans" and then it went on to list issues of why Muslims cannot be good Americans. Wow. The two things that got to me in the email was another reference to America as a "Christian nation" and shots at Obama for taking his Congressional oath using the Quron. On to my soapbox...again...

First, Keith Ellison from Minnesota was the first Muslim elected to Congress, not Obama. From a report I read, the official swearing-in process for Congress does not have anyone placing their hand on a Bible or anything else. Some people elect to have unofficial pictures made afterwards that show them with a Bible or some other book and Ellison did in fact have his picture made with a Quron in his hands. It is also reported that the Quron he had was first owned by Thomas Jefferson. Now we all know what a scoundrel Jefferson was don't we?

Second, America is NOT a Christian nation. It is a nation filled with a lot of Christian churches and a lot of people who profess to be Christians. Look at the movies we see, the TV shows, the clothes people wear, the ads in magazines and billboards proving that sex sells and tell me we are a Christian nation. If we were, I don't think those shows and ads would exist. I don't think drug and alcohol abuse would be a problem if we were a Christian nation. What we all have to quit doing is projecting the idea of Christian on our nation and start living it in each and everyone of our lives. God does not call us as a nation, he calls you and me as individuals to be Christ-like. Imagine if everyone lived like Christ.

Colin Powell talked about a soldier in the US Army who died recently from an explosion in Iraq. He was a Muslim and wanted to be in the Army since he was 10. He's buried in Arlington National Cemetary and his Muslim parents are proud of him and his service to this country. Muslims can't be good Americans? I know some Christians who aren't always good Americans.

I'm ranting because I've grown disillusioned with politics. I'm ranting because I've disappointed myself in the way I have thought and talked and treated people who had different views than me. I'm ranting because the bar for what is right and good and honorable and admirable continues to slip further and further down. I'm ranting because too often we are projecting our Christian duty onto our political leaders and church leaders instead of taking up the cross and following Christ. I'm guilty.

Here's to the hope that as our nation slips further and further into crises of many kinds, we will respond with Christ-likeness. It will not happen in my life as easily as I can write about it but I hope everyday you and I are one step closer to walking in Christ's footprints.

Howard Stern

No, I'm not a fan and don't listen to his show but over the weekend a dad from my son's baseball team told me about a segment Stern did where he sent a "reporter" to Harlem to ask people whether they would vote for Obama or McCain. The trick was, they attributed Republican ideas to Obama. For instance, they asked people if they were voting for Obama because he was pro-life or because he would keep the military in Iraq (different people were OK with both) or they asked if they like Sarah Palin as Obama's running mate (they did). I'm not quite sure if these people were voting for Obama because of race or media frenzy but either way it's a bad reason to vote someone to the office of President.
______________________________________________________________________________

I wonder if people who talk in sign language ever say something in a way that comes across as rude. I'm guilty of saying things in a way I wish I wouldn't and hear other people do it at times. I never feel good about it afterwards and wish I would have kept my mouth shut and I bet some of you may have felt that way. I would probably be better off if God had made me mute but I know that wasn't His will for me. Instead, I need to watch what I say so that I show Christ in my words and actions. I just wish I was better at it. I remember the song Angry Words that we used to sing in church and wish I did a better job of living it. Angry words, oh let them never, from the tongue unbridled slip. I pray today that the words from my mouth will come from the love God has shown me instead of my selfish emotions.

It Could Be Worse...

You could be a Detroit Lions fan. What's up with the Cowboys? Are the radio talking-heads paying them to provide fodder for the airwaves? Will Wade survive the week? the season? Does T.O. still play here? Why isn't he complaining? Is Romo not as tough as Favre? Has the Cowboys defense been kidnapped and replaced with high school players? Wow.
___________________________________________________________________________________

The next time you smell moth balls, just remember it's better than smelling a skunk. We had one invade our garage last week and got the animal control officer to come get it. Instead of capturing it and risk the possibility of spraying in the garage, he made a path for the skunk to leave on his own and chased it out with moth balls. Our garage doesn't smell lemony-fresh but it doesn't have skunk scent and I'm thankful for that.

What amazed me was that the skunk never sprayed the animal control guy even though the officer was very close to the skunk moving stuff around him and making lots of noise. I asked why and the officer said "he's not scared enough to spray." I said, "I am."
___________________________________________________________________________________

Who's #1. Oh yeah, that would be Texas. Another dominating effort Saturday although I would have liked to have seen a better 2nd half but Missouri is no slouch team. Okie State next weekend and I won't be able to watch it. Egads.
___________________________________________________________________________________

Last night's lesson included a story about some bad folks wanting to run Elisha out of town. Part of their shouting included calling him baldy and Elisha called on God who sent two bears after the crowd injuring 42 of them (I'm not doing the story justice in my brief description) and it reminded my of 8th grade. We had a coach who was going bald on wasn't happy about it. A 9th grader kept calling him baldy and then threw a couple of small pebbles at the back of the coach's head trying to hit his bald spot. The coach was carrying a wiffle ball bat in his hand and proceeded to give the kid a beating. Kid shows up at school the next day with a black eye and bruises on his arm...and his dad. Dad marches child into coaches office then coaches, kid and dad come into the locker room. Kid has to apologize to coach in front of everyone. Later, we ask kid what happened when he got home and found out his dad told him that is what will happen to him when he picks on someone he shouldn't pick on.

Do you think that would happen today?

It's much safer to be nice to people than taunt them.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Colin Powell is supporting Obama. Oh my.

Waiting

Do you like to wait? I don't. I'll drive out of the way to find a path to where I'm going so I don't have to sit still for a construction zone. I don't like to wait. When I'm in line at Wal-Mart or McDonald's, I keep watching the other lines hoping to see one that is moving faster that I can slip into. I don't like to wait. I use email rather than call people because I can ask what I want to ask and move on to the next task instead of sitting on the phone on hold or waiting for a call back to ask what I could easily ask by email. I don't like to wait. Waiting raises my blood pressure and temper. Waiting frustrates me and at times I let my frustration turn to anger.

It's silly and sad. The saddest part to me is I get this way with God sometimes. I get tired of waiting, frustrated and then angry. I'm trying to learn to change my ways, trying to remind myself that my time of waiting is a great time to pray. I'm wondering if God doesn't do that to me - allow me to wait so I can spend some time with Him.

I'm working on looking at waiting in a new way and working on processing time waiting differently than I've done it in the past. I want to make it an opportunity instead of a burden, especially I use it to spend time with God. Maybe it's the time He wants with me. Maybe, just maybe, I'll use it for good and not bad.

One Gone, One Coming

Pacman is gone but the other Roy Williams is coming. The Cowboys are falling apart but I'm glad to see the Roy from UT coming to play for the Cowboys.
________________________________________________________________________________

I got an email today about 800-GOOG411, Google's new information service. It's free too. Check it out when you need to dial information. There's a video on the Google site that tells you a bit more about it. It can send you a text with the info you need and a map if your phone has an Internet connection. Cool stuff.
________________________________________________________________________________

Here's an email I got the other day too that helped me.

When your hut's on fire
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?" Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Daze of Confusion

What's up with the Cowboys? It looks like the season is going down the tubes on a fast train. Romo hurt his pinky. Pacman may be on the way out. Even the punter has a broken foot. Ouch. Should we start waving goodbye to Wade and getting used to saying Head Coach Garrett?
_______________________________________________________________________________

So our government is going to prop up our financial institutions. I wonder if all the people who hate government sponsored medical care are going to hate government sponsored banks and businesses.

Can we have our cake and eat it to? It seems to me we either need to be prepared to live through the pain of a free market system or accept some role of government in more areas of our lives.

I'm beginning to think recent economic events are the big corner our country is turning to a very different future than what I've known growing up. I'm not saying it's good or bad - I just don't understand it well enough - but I think it will certainly be changing in big ways.
________________________________________________________________________________

Did everyone see that the Longhorns are ranked #1? I'll enjoy it this week while wondering how long it will last.
________________________________________________________________________________

Did you hear about the small-school Colorado college football player who broke his finger and would have to sit out the rest of the season so he opted to have his finger amputated so he could still play? Yow.
________________________________________________________________________________

Missions contribution update - now over $56,000. Incredible!

What a Weekend

Yesterday was an incredible day at church. It was Missions Sunday and among other things we did, we had a special offering for our missions work. We set a goal of $30,000 which was based on a number of needs our current missionaries had sent us. When we set the goal, we didn't anticipate the economic environment we have been exposed to the last few weeks. I still had hopes we would reach our goal but was also preparing myself for the fact that many people are probably more nervous than usual. I had worked on a speech in case we didn't reach the goal that would still be encouraging. When the money was counted, we had received over $54,000 from our church. WOW! I was blown away. As I reflected on the day, 3 thoughts kept running through my mind.

First, what an incredibly faithful group of Christians. The people gave everything from coins to big checks because of their faith and desire to send the gospel to the world. I'm blessed to worship with them.

Second, as a member of the missions committee, I'm humbled by the faith the church places in each of us to use the money in ways that will glorify God.

Third, when I doubt and prepare my speeches, I wonder if God is sitting in heaven shaking His head and chuckling at me while He prepares to remind me who is really in charge. Yesterday was another 2X4 moment for me (this is what I call God's pain-free method of hitting me in the head with a 2X4 showing me that I really don't know much).
______________________________________________________________________________

Who's #1 now? I really thought Texas would struggle against Zero U but it turned in to a great game. Based on what has happened with the other #1 teams this year, I'm not sure it's a good place to be right now but it's always good to beat the Sooners.

Now I'll starting fretting about Missouri.
______________________________________________________________________________

My girl survived the Assault on Eagle Summit. The coach set up a killer course and our Decatur teams did well against the big schools.
______________________________________________________________________________

God is in control. I hope to remember that better this week than I did last week.

Texas - 0U

Saturday is THE football game of the season - Texas and Zero University. Zero is ranked #1 and Texas comes in at #5. My son keeps asking if I have tickets like they will magically appear but I'll have to catch it on TV. I haven't seen Texas play this year but it sounds like 0U is rolling. I just hope the zeroes have a USC moment or maybe I should say I hope Texas has an Oregon State moment. Hook 'em Horns.
___________________________________________________________________________________

I mentioned Chris Tomlin yesterday. I'm usually listening to something a little louder and harder-driving music from Audio Adrenaline, Seventh Day Slumber, Decypher Down and other Christian rock bands but the lyrics to Tomlin's songs are awesome.
___________________________________________________________________________________

I'm glad it's Friday. It has been one of those weeks that's good to have wrapped up and over with. Not that anything bad has happened but just one where I'm ready for it to be Saturday for some reason.
___________________________________________________________________________________

I've got to figure out PowerPoint before Sunday. I don't use it enough to remember how to do everything I want to so I have to call on people to help me. My daughter is usually first up and she'll be getting some questions tonight and tomorrow. Thank goodness for kids!

Have a great weekend and know that God loves you.

Thursday Nothings

I have nothing today or I have a lot but can't get it focused to write.

Pacman is in trouble again.

I'm interested in seeing the Ernie Davis story that comes out to theaters this Friday.

Chris Tomlin sings some powerful songs. I haven't been a big fan of his in the past because I like my music a bit more "hard-charging" (think Seventh Day Slumber, Decypher Down, Audio Adrenaline) but Tomlin's Amazing Grace and How Great is Our God can bring me to my knees.

Phillies and Dodgers start tonight. Yippee!

Baseball America comes out with their farm system rankings in the next few days. It's rumored that the Rangers will rank 1 or 2 - up from 28th out of 30 teams a year ago. It's been some good trading that has put a future in place for the Rangers but today that' all it is - a future. We'll see how they perform.

I can't make any worthwhile assessment of T.O. but the man does seem troubled. I really hope he will be OK.

I told you there was nothing. Here's to hoping you have a great day and feel the love of God surrounding you.

Debate

Tonight is another debate between the presidential candidates and I hope I get to see it. I've got a meeting out of town tonight and not sure I'll be done by the time it starts. I kind of like the town hall format better but I wish the moderator would not ask another question until the candidates (both of them) answer the question that was asked. It's the one thing that causes me not to put much stock in what any of them say - making up an answer they want to give instead of answering a direct question. Politics.
___________________________________________________________________________________

Red Sox and Rays. Dodgers and Phillies. They all have some good stories going for them.
___________________________________________________________________________________

I got to speak at the 7th/8th grade FCA breakfast this morning. It's sort of odd seeing all these kids that I've see grow up because it reminds me I'm not getting any younger. On the other hand, it's neat to see them growing into young men and women.

I had 10 minutes to speak and as is typical for me, had 30 minutes worth of ideas to talk about but kept it short. The 8th graders have to go practice as soon as the breakfast is wrapped up so the coaches don't won't long-talkers. :)

On the road again...

Down in Flames

I was really pulling for the Cubs and Brewers who were swept out of the playoffs. I'm still pulling for the NL but can't pick Philly or L.A. I'll just wait to see who wins. Besides, based on how my record is for the teams I'm pulling for, neither team would want me to cheer for them.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Can you love Jesus and still drink a little? The link below will take you to a funny clip from the Ellen DeGeneres show where she is interviewing an 88 year old woman from Austin. I'm no fan of Ellen but this is pretty funny. It helped start my day with a laugh.

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/ellen-gladys-hardy-p1.php?emf=1
__________________________________________________________________________________

What's up with the Cowboys? Is the sky falling yet? And what did TO mean in his post-game comments? I think we can gear up for a wacky season.

Survival

I would say Palin survived the debate but didn't offer a knock-out to put McCain back in the driver's seat. She came across better than I feared she would, had some good, folksy language thrown in with some targeted comments but still had some stumbles that shows she is very new to this stage. Now, when Obama stumbles and stutters without a teleprompter, it's no big deal to the media. Sarah's another story so she has to overcome. I'm not having high hopes that the candidate I dislike the least will win.
_________________________________________________________________________________

I've used this space before to give kudos to Rick Ross and Jacob Baker and want to take a second to do that again. Rick continually brings great messages from God to our church family every Sunday and Jacob blows me away in the way he works with our youth - the love he shows for them and the way he shares the Word of God with them. I thank God these two men and their families are in Decatur and using their talents and their desire to serve God among us.
_________________________________________________________________________________

The Cubs are going for another 100 year curse I guess. I'm struggling because it looks like it will be the Phillies and Dodgers in the NL Finals. I don't care for Philadelphia because of the Eagles and their obnoxious fans and I'm not crazy about seeing Manny making it to the World Series just because he's Manny. He's an incredible hitter but so...Manny. I like Joe Torre though but I like to watch Chase Utley and Cole Hamels so the Phillies may be my NL team.

Crisis, Palin and Buffett

It never ceases to amaze me how people in crisis either go to war or come together. I've seen it again this past week or so with our current economic situation as the House decided to fight among themselves while the Senate came together. It's also evident when our country goes to war.

Even though a crisis can be very painful, it can also produce incredible results when people decide to work together. I wonder what the House will do next?
_______________________________________________________________________________

I'm looking forward to the VP debate tonight. I think we'll know quickly whether Palin can carry her water or not. I hope her handlers will turn her loose and let her be herself instead of giving scripted answers to every question. I know that's not how politics works these days but I'm ready for some straight talk and heartfelt ideas.
_______________________________________________________________________________

How about Warren Buffett pouring $8 billion or so into 2 companies over the past couple of weeks. Had I known I could take $8 billion and buy into GE and Goldman Sachs I'm sure I would have joined him. Ha-ha. Can you imagine having that much money available to you? He has certainly been good at picking his companies and making money - and to think he really likes eating at Dairy Queen. I wonder how many Hungr-Busters $8 billion will buy?
_______________________________________________________________________________

Day 1 of playoffs:
Phillies beat Cubs (rats!)
Red Sox beat Angels (yea!)
Dodgers beat Brewers (Manny being Manny)

I would like to see Tampa Bay go all the way just because of the "feel good" year they have had but would like the White Sox to put it together so Griffey Jr. could get a ring. I'm betting (invisible money) on the Rays though.