National Basketball Association Playoffs

So I was challenged by a friend to write a little bit about the NBA. And since there is nothing good about the NBA, I'll leave it at this. Just kidding. Here are my thoughts about the NBA playoffs thus far. This is for you GB......

I haven't been able to watch very many games due to the glorious fact that my wife and I do not have cable so we are only able to watch games that come on ABC. So, with that said I have not seen any of the Eastern Conference Finals and only saw 1 of the Bulls games, and that was when they dominated the Heat. So, this postseason I have become a big Spurs fan. Which is surprising to me because I usually do not like teams that always win but for some reason I seem to gravitate to the San Antonio Spurs. Oh wait, I know why, because they play FUNDAMENTAL basketball as a team and a unit. Maybe that's why they have 3 championship banners in the past 6 years or something like that. This I might add, is something that the Suns, Mavericks, and Cavaliers do not have. Sure, they have superstar athletes who put up big numbers, but they are also the ones who are already out of the playoffs and did it whining the whole time. (well, the CAVS are still in and are looking good against Detroit) I gloried in the fact that the untouchable Suns were scorched by the boring, 'dirty', fundamental Spurs. I put the 'dirty' in quotations because that is just silly. I guess people have forgotten what a hard foul means. Plus, Steve Nash totally flopped his way into that mess. Before the Playoffs started and the match-ups were revealed I was gloating to some of the middle schoolers that the Warriors were going to beat the Mavs. In a way I was just joking and just wanted to ruffle some feathers but then when the reality started to kick in, I began to back Golden State. Kudos to the Mavs for running through the regular season and then flopping in the Playoffs...it reminded me too much about the Jayhawks of Kansas.

Also, just to put this out there so that it will be on record, Steve Nash will never win the NBA championship. No matter which team he ends up being on or who you put around him, they will not win. I don't know why I said that, but that's what comes to my mind when I think of Steve Nash.

Let me give you my all NBA team (current players). These are guys who are selfless and care more about winning and team basketball than putting up the numbers or the high flying, death defying, amazing highlight reels. Here they are: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Michael Finley, and Robert Horry. Hmmm...sound familiar.

Embracing the Struggle

My wife and I, the past couple of weeks, have really been in a place of struggle. We are struggling with the idea of where God is leading us. We have 2 more weeks of school and then the summer: Hallelujah!!!! But with that, there is also a cloud of unknown hanging over us. With the school closing we have been searching and pursuing for 'what's next?' And we really don't know....which isn't all that bad, but every now and again it really tests our dependance and trust. It's a good thing that our lives are in the hands of the Potter, who already knows where my bride and I will be serving.

We have engraved on our wedding bands "two hearts set on pilgrimage" and it is real fitting that our first year of marriage has really felt like a pilgrimage. It's been a pilgrimage where we've been beat up and worn down, and haven't necessarily seen the fruit of our labor, but it's also been a pilgrimage of seeing Christ draw us closer to eachother and to Himself. So, it's at this time, this place of unknown, that we need to heed the message engraved, journey the pilgrimage and embrace the struggle.......................


Yesterday I traveled to the local book establishment, Borders, to pick up a book that was part of the application requirement for a Seminary that I'm applying for. On my way in, after locking up my bike, a gentleman outside the store asked if I could spare some change. I gave him the token answer of "Maybe on my way out". So, after purchasing the book and another one (impulsive spending from my dad) I made my way out the door. I decided to stop by the gentleman to talk with him. I sat by him on the bench and began a conversation. Through it all, we talked about the Bulls and what they need to do in the off season to get over the hump in the Playoffs. He had some great insight and I couldn't agree with more about what the Bulls need. We exchanged names and wished eachother a great rest of the day. As I was leaving he mentioned to me that he really appreciated the fact that I spent time simply talking with him. I was proud and yet humbled at the same time. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. I just didn't pass him up for the sake of inconvenience. On my way home, I was struck and convicted about how often I go through my day on a time schedule and don't simply take time to talk with people. Maybe Dino, the guy outside Borders, was used to teach me a lesson of simply putting my time on hold for the sake of someone else.

Thousand Miles

It seems like it has been forever since I've written. In that time I have been wrestling with my depravity and embracing the amazing grace of Jesus. Last night I was listening to Caedmons Call cd "Back Home" and as always when listening to Caedmons, I had a true sense of my weakness and Christ's strength. The song "thousand miles" really hit home to where I was and how I was feeling. Here it is for your enjoyment and encouragement:

I have stolen Lord, let me give
I have left Your house a fugitive
I have wandered my own way
Squandered everything You gave
But my dying heart You saved and let me live

I have cursed the air and clenched my fists
I have hungered for Your righteousness
I have tried to walk the line
I drew between Your heart and mine
But You forgive me every time the mark is missed

So take my broken offering and make it whole
And set my feet upon the road that leads me home
Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal
Even though I've got a thousand miles to go.

I have sought Your grace in my defense
I have plundered Your magnificence
Until my journey is complete
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
That I might sow what I have reaped
From Your great love

As I struggle for Your hand
You use me in ways I cannot understand
You take this sinful man and renew me
Working through me

So take this broken offering and make it whole
And set my feet upon the road that leads me home
Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal
Even though I have a thousand miles to go.