Clay Pilgrim

Books Read in 2011

2011-12-30T06:49:00.000+03:00

2011 was quite a year for me and my family. We began the year in Uganda and are now finishing it back in Uganda. In between we travelled to the States with Nico and Levi was born. Here are the books that I read during 2011.

Every Man's Marriage by Steve Arterburn & Fred Stoeker

Shepherding A Child's Heart by Ted Tripp

Prodigal God by Tim Keller

Born To Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race by Christopher McDougall

Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen

Stepping Up: A Call To Courageous Manhood by Dennis Rainey

The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling

JESUS Redeems & Restores!

2011-10-26T23:52:00.000+03:00

Live Life to the Full!

2011-10-22T16:56:00.001+03:00

I came across this statement yesterday and I have been mulling it over in my mind and heart.

"The glory of God is man fully alive."
-St. Iranaeus

deliverance from self

2011-09-07T06:20:00.002+03:00

"It is the sinner basking in the full light of God's redeeming love...in the experience of the indwelling Divine compassion of Christ, who cannot but be humble. Not to be occupied with your sin, but to be fully occupied with Jesus brings deliverance from self."

- Andrew Murray

know myself

2011-08-30T04:51:00.000+03:00

"Let me know myself
and know You,
and desire nothing
save only You.

-prayer of St. Augustine

my prayer for this evening

2011-08-17T06:55:00.000+03:00

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
- Prayer of St. Augustine

4 weeks of radical change

2011-07-23T17:12:00.000+03:00

Four weeks ago today (25 June) my beautiful wife gave birth to our son, Levi Marako. It is a day that I will never forget and quite frankly, will never be able to adequately put into words all that was racing through my mind and emotions that day. Pulling into the parking lot at the hospital, walking in the emergency doors, and checking in at the desk was all so surreal. I knew what the next step to all of that was, but it never fully and completely entered my mind until 13:01 on the 25 of June. As I watched Levi take his first breath and Rachel catching hers, a smile like I've never had before was etched on my face. It was a smile of complete happiness, wonder, awe, and "o my gosh, this is the most amazing thing I've ever seen!" I am now four weeks in to being a father of two and I still sometimes can hardly believe it. I am so overwhelmingly blessed by these two boys who are now under my nurture and shepherding. I am also so greatly overwhelmed by my beautiful bride who is constantly showing me love, patience, and Christlikeness in so many ways. My family is growing and my prayer is that my faith and own intimacy with Jesus will grow as I seek to lead them all in the grace of our Lord.

The most amazing moment of my life: 13:01 on 25 June 2011

Levi Marako Kolb

(Marako is Ateso for Mark)

Welcome home Levi

Gazing at his beautiful Mommy

Nico and his new little brother. Nico is a good brother but is still working on gentleness with his touching :)

Daddy's little guy is not happy

The Kolb Family in 2011

GOD is our Refuge

2011-05-11T22:24:00.000+03:00

Jesus is Alive

2011-04-28T17:55:00.000+03:00

I know that Easter is almost a week past but the TRUTH still remains: JESUS IS ALIVE!!!

to the quarters the Spurs march

2011-03-10T11:26:00.006+03:00

Last night saw Tottenham Hotspur hang on to the 1-0 aggregate as they drew with AC Milan 0-0 at White Hart Lane. Basically being outplayed for most of the 1st half, the scoreline still read zeros but it made for a much nerve-racking 2nd half. The Spurs defense held strong and the result was another GLORY GLORY night at the LANE, plus a trip to the quarterfinals of Europes Elite competition: The Champions League.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Chasing

2011-02-17T09:47:00.000+03:00

I need to constantly ask myself, "what is it that I am chasing?" If the answer is anything but Jesus, it is out of focus.

MY RIB IS THE BEST PART OF ME

2011-01-27T10:43:00.000+03:00

Two to three times a week Rachel goes to a children's home where she tutors two of the boys there. She is gone for about 2 hours during those mornings and it allows Nico and I to spend some good time together. One of the things that we like to do is to blare Christian hip-hop from the speakers. Nico loves it and he is so cute when he dances to it. This song has become one of our favorites to listen (and dance:) to together. I love it because I want my son to grow up with the knowledge that his dad is madly in love with his mom. So Rachel, this is a shout-out from your boys.

"GIRL I LOVE YOU CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO LIVE TO MAKE YOU SMILE..."

Books Read in 2010

2010-12-27T09:12:00.004+03:00

Here's a list of the books that I read this year. I would love some recommendations for 2011. Grace & Peace as you enter in the New Year.

Books Read In 2010

How To Inherit The Earth: Submitting Ourselves To A Servant Savior by: Scott Bessenecker

The Hobbit by: JRR Tolkien

The Reason For Sports: A Christian Fanifesto by: Ted Kluck

Walking In Your Anointing by: David Schroeder

Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope For Northern Uganda's Children by: Faith J.H. McDonnel & Grace Akallo

Ragamuffin Gospel by: Brennan Manning

The Holiness of God by: R.C. Sproul

7 Reasons Why God Created Marriage by: James Ford Jr.

Secret Message of Jesus by: Brian McLaren

Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee by: Dee Brown

The Heidelberg Catechism

The God Who Smokes: Scandalous Meditations on Faith by: Timothy Stoner

Crazy Love by: Francis Chan

An Arrow Pointing To Heaven: A Devotional Biography on the Life of Rich Mullins by: James Bryan Smith

Humility by: Andrew Murray

Holy Discontent by: Bill Hybels

Harry Potter: The Philosopher's Stone by: JK Rowling

Sacred Marriage by: Gary Thomas

Divine Conspiracy by: Dallas Willard

Current Reading

Abyssinian Chronicles by: Moses Isegawa

Every Man's Marriage by: Fred Stoeker & Steve Arterburn

First Christmas

2010-12-20T09:56:00.005+03:00

As we anticipate the birth of our Lord Jesus it has been quite different for us here in Uganda. There are not many things that remind us of Christmas. The hot temperatures and the scorching sun definitely don't help but Soroti also does not have many decorations around town. As Rachel and I have pondered about spending our first Christmas with Nico, we felt that he definitely needed at least some Christmas traditions. Yesterday afternoon, before we had a Christmas party for some street children, we rode our bicycles to town for a family outing picking up a Christmas tree. Nico loves looking at it and of course, grabbing it and trying to pull the lights and 'ornaments' off of it!

We look forward to celebrating Christmas with our Team. Even though we are away from our families, we love getting together with our 'family' here in Soroti. We are blessed and continually stand amazed that our Savior and King came to this earth as a babe! O Come Let Us Adore Him...

Nico and Mommy admiring the lights!

Bobby with Shida and Ocumar Moses at the Christmas Party! All the boys received shirts, shoes, soap, and a notebook and pen.

Nico

2010-11-21T13:13:00.003+03:00

Meet the new addition to the Kolb clan. We are extremely blessed and humbled by this precious little boy.

Playing with new toys from Grandma!

He likes caps. This bowl will do until he gets a real cap.

Nico loves riding on Daddy's shoulders

Not Idealistic Gas

2010-10-17T17:54:00.001+03:00

"The command 'Be ye perfect' is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command." -C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity"

"We Will Be Perfect"

2010-10-12T18:20:00.005+03:00

All too often my Christian life has been marked by settling for less than what God wants. When I say settling for less I am referring to the standards that God desires for His followers to be characterized by. “You shall be holy as I am holy”. Is this just a statement that God says or is it something that He wants us to strive for? If I am honest with myself I must confess that too often I have looked at this as something that I can never attain in my own strength so why even try.

I meet once a week with two Ugandan teenagers (Erasmus & Junior) to simply read the Bible together. We started in the Gospel of Matthew because we wanted to read about Jesus. As we read Matthew 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount) we were all struck by the piercing words that Jesus spoke. As we read how Jesus took the Old Testament commandments such as ‘you shall not murder’, and ‘you shall not commit adultery’ and raised them to the level of ‘if you have anger against your brother you are guilty of murder’ and ‘if you look at a woman with lust you have already committed adultery with her in your heart’, we were all cut to the heart. The response that both Junior and Erasmus gave was a gasp and a “WOW!” I’m not a scholar by any means on the issue but I don’t think that these were simple statements that Jesus spoke and had no real intention of desiring His followers to achieve. I know that we, in our strength, cannot achieve perfection and that we won’t truly have perfection this side of heaven but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive for it. Being holy is also not something that we can do to earn our salvation because ultimately, it is through God’s grace alone that we can be saved from our sin, not any amount of good works or holiness. God’s standards are higher and we will always fall short in striving for them on our own. But all too often I have allowed my thinking of not being able to attain God’s standards to hinder my striving for perfection. I have been angry with my brother and I have looked with lustful intent. Should I then allow this to be the norm, because being holy as He is holy is just too hard?

Matthew 5:48 says, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”. As I read these words with Erasmus and Junior and later meditated upon them, I began thinking about the movie “Remember the Titans”. “Remember the Titans” has long been in the top 5 of my favorite movies but I think that it has moved up to my all-time favorite. As I was thinking and meditating on the statement “You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” I was brought to two scenes in the movie. (Is it true that God can speak to me about holiness through a movie?)

If you have not seen the movie you must go out and watch it right now. But here’s a little background for you...

Coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, takes over the head coaching job of the football program at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA in 1971. It is a tumultuous time of race relations and T.C. Williams High School is beginning to integrate blacks and whites. The football program begins riddled with division and hostility. Coach Boone takes his team, the Titans, to Gettysburg, PA for a preseason training camp. After a fight between a white player and a black player Coach Boone goes over his rules for the type of football he wants played and the standards that he expects from his players. He says this:

“Football is about controlling that anger, harnessing that aggression into a team effort to achieve PERFECTION...

…When you put that uniform on, that Titan uniform, you better come to work. We will be PERFECT in every aspect of the game. You drop a pass, you run a mile. You miss a blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble the football, and I will break my foot off in your John Brown hindparts, and then you will run a mile…

PERFECTION. Let’s go to work.”

The movie progresses and the Titans come together as a team, unifying themselves and making it all the way to the State Championship game undefeated. During the first half of the Championship the Titans are overmatched by their opponents and they don’t look like they will have the ability to win. The next scene that came to my mind is the one during the halftime of that Championship game. In the locker room during halftime Coach Boone is speaking to his players and says:

“We are in a fight. You boys are doing all that you can do. Anybody can see that. Win or lose, we are going to walk out of this stadium tonight with our heads held high. Do your best. That’s all anyone can ask for.”

Julius Campbell, the defensive end and co-captain of the team stands up and replies,

“No it ain’t coach, with all due respect, you demanded more of us. You demanded PERFECTION…

Now, I ain’t saying that I’m perfect, because I am not, and I ain’t gonna never be, none of us are…

but we have won every single game we have played until now, so this team is perfect. We stepped out on that field that way tonight, and if it’s all the same to you Coach Boone, that’s how we want to leave it.”

These two scenes spoke volumes to me as I was meditating on the words of Jesus in Matthew 5-7. His standard is “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”. As I go through life and the going gets tough, and I feel like I can’t do it, I resort to settling for less. I resort to feeling like if I just try my best, or if I only have a little hint of anger and only a hint of lust in my heart then it will be okay, because after all, I cannot be perfect, that standard is just too high. These things all too often pervade my thinking and the way I live and my prayer is that I will become like Julius Campbell. That when the world, or even the church says that if I just lower the standards and simply try my best, that is all anyone can ask for, I will stand up and say, “No it ain’t”.

God demands Perfection.

O God, give me grace.

Is He Quite Safe?

2010-08-26T00:06:00.002+03:00

"Is He quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion," said Lucy.

"..If there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly," replied the beaver.

"Then he isn't safe?" asked Lucy

"SAFE!?" said the beaver, "of course he isn't safe. But he is GOOD, and he is KING, I tell you."

-C.S. Lewis "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe"

Wreckless raging fury...

2010-08-01T16:36:00.004+03:00

"Could it be that GOD feels? Could GOD be capable of passion? Could GOD be excited or must HE be austere? Are we comfortable with the image of GOD as Father and nervous about GOD as Lover? Are we happy to have GOD be the Creator, but scared to think of HIM as being creative? Do we like GOD being an engineer, but balk at HIS being an artist? Does HIS being a logician comfort us, but HIS being a poet threaten us? Do we enjoy the glow of GOD's light but shade ourselves from the heat of HIS flames? Does the idea that Jesus tolerated the sinful woman's anointing of His feet and John resting his head on Jesus' breast make us squirm, so the thought that Jesus enjoyed this makes us sick? How is it that we can accept that Moses saw a bush that burned and was not consumed, yet we doubt that GOD can love in a rage and never cool?"
-Rich Mullins

Mystery

2010-05-19T12:24:00.003+03:00

"the most mysterious aspect of the mystery of sin is NOT that the sinner deserves to die, but rather that the sinner, in the average situation, continues to exist."
- Hans Kung

Champions League for Tottenham!

2010-05-06T10:55:00.008+03:00

Yesterday's 4-2 defeat to Burnley put a damper to the close of Tottenham's season but it was still an amazing one as we finished in 4th position with 70 points (21 W 7 D 10 L). The amazing 1-0 victory last week (Wed.) at Manchester City clinched the 4th position and a qualifying spot in the UEFA Champions League next season. Come on you Spurs!

On other football notes: the Barclay's Premier League season came to an end yesterday with Chelsea F.C. taking the trophy, finishing 1 point ahead of Manchester United. The highlight of the day, at least for us in Africa, was seeing Didier Drogba, striker for Chelsea, finish the season as the top goal scorer. The crowd in which I watched the game was cheering ballistically as he put home the header early in the second half because this will be the first time that an African footballer will win the golden boot in the Premier League. I was proud to be apart of that African crowd yesterday!

TO DARE IS TO DO

2010-04-16T09:28:00.005+03:00

Since coming to Africa I have been searching to find which English Premier League football club to support. With the help of my good friend, I have pledged my allegience to the support of:

Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Paradoxes

2010-03-06T08:57:00.004+03:00

I recently just began reading, for the third time, The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Here is a quote from it:

"When I get honest with myself, I must admit that I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt, I hope and I get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about feeling good, I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and I still play games. Aristotle said I am a rational animal, I say I am an angel with an incredible capacity for beer."

The Kolb Journey

2010-01-30T21:25:00.003+03:00

My wife and I will be leaving the United States of America on Thursday, February 4 to embark on a one year mission trip to Soroti, Uganda. You can follow our trip on our blog: www.thekolbjourney.blogspot.com

Thanks to everyone who has given to us financially and much thanks to those who have given of their time in order to lift us up in prayer! You are on the journey with us.

grace & peace to you all!

relevance

2009-12-12T08:35:00.003+03:00

Hip-Hop artist shai linne from LampMode Recordings had this quote posted on his blog that I found very interesting and thought provoking. Read it, ponder it, and give me your thoughts.

"Being relevant should lead to more of an offense, not less of one. Relevance assumes clarity...clarity for an offensive message."

grace & peace

the 15th, Brisk, Leaves, Mr. October, and Brews

2009-10-01T23:41:00.005+03:00

Here are some of the reasons why October is my favorite month of the year!

* My beautiful brides' birthday (October 15)
* Weather turns brisk and cold.
* Leaves begin to change and fall.
* Playoff baseball
AND
* Oktoberfest Brews

Jayhawk football VS. Jayhawk basketball

2009-09-26T21:17:00.004+03:00

Not quite sure if you've heard in the news about the fist fight between players from the KU football team and the KU basketball team. All the articles I've read so far have been extremely vague on the issues revolving around the fight and in my opinion completely over hyped. All I know is that it had to do with a girl and Tyshawn Taylor (sophomore guard for the Jayhawks) broke his thumb punching somebody (I guess he didn't know that you are not supposed to close your hand over your thumb). However, come on gentlemen, this is the kind of stuff that happens at the U (University of Miami) and it can't be a good start for your run to return to the Final Four and hopeful National Championship!

Worthy of Passing Gehrig

2009-09-14T01:33:00.008+03:00

At Yankee Stadium on Friday night, Derek Jeter passed Lou Gehrig and became the all-time hit leader in Yankee history. His 2, 722 hits in a Yankee uniform was done with class and professionalism. I am in no way a Yankee fan but I am also not a Yankee hater either. I respect them as an organization and love their history...one that is unbridled by any other organization.

I really enjoy reading biographies on baseball players. I have read about Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, and am currently reading about Leroy "Satchel" Paige. But one of the best biographies I have read is of Lou Gehrig called "The Luckiest Man". Lou was an incredible figure in baseball history as well as a great family man. Though I obviously wasn't around during Lou's playing days, since reading his biography Lou Gehrig has become one of my favorite baseball players in baseball history (if you are allowed to have a favorite player of whom you've never seen play).

When Derek Jeter came to the Major Leagues in 1996 he quickly caught my attention. Growing up I always had a fond liking of shortstops and 2nd basemen. One of my favorite ballplayers growing up was Ryne Sandberg and his doubleplay mate Shawon Dunston. As a shortstop myself, it was only natural for me to take a liking to Derek Jeter. In high school I bought a #2 Yankee jersey (which I wish I still had) and began following Jeter as a player. I have been impressed with his style of play throughout his career. He has always been solid statiscally and has always proven himself to be a guy who hustled and played as team player. I respect that in a baseball player above anything else.

So as Derek Jeter stands alone atop a great list of New York Yankees as the all-time hit leader, I cannot think of anyone more worthy of passing a worthy man himself, who said while facing his dying ailment, "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth"

Scripture memorization with my bride

2009-09-03T03:44:00.002+03:00

My wife and I have been working through memorizing Scripture together over the past couple months. The passage that we chose to commit to memory is Romans 8:26-39. It has been a very rich and rewarding discipline for us as we sense us growing closer to together as well as in our walk with the LORD. The following is my recitation of Romans 8:26-39 (I promise that I am not copying it)

Romans 8:26-39 (ESV)

"Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed into the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined, He also called, and those whom He called, He also justified, and those whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, with Him, graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charges against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died, more than that, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who is indeed interceding for us? Who shall separate from the love of the Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or sword? As it is written, 'for your sake we are being killed all the day long, we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any thing else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Amen and Amen

somewhere in middle America

2009-08-18T19:51:00.005+03:00

It has been over two months since my last post.

Could it really be possible that I have nothing to say? Hmm. Thinking..... What has happened in the last two months of my life...............................................................................?

Oh yeah, my wife and I moved to Omaha, NE where we will reside for the time being. Omaha is the city where my wife grew up. Omaha is the city where her parents live. It is the city where I got married. It is home of the College World Series, Omaha Steaks, and Mutual of Omaha. It is somewhere in middle America. I never thought that I would call it my home.

It's a good place to be!

simplicity of a game

2009-06-05T15:25:00.004+03:00

I recently visited Cooperstown, NY to take in the history of America's Pasttime. As I walked through the halls of the musuem and read about ballplayers and teams that brought the game to the next level, I was awestruck at the sheer simplicity of the game of baseball. From sandlots, to alleys, Major League stadiums, to little leauge fields, the US, to the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Japan, the sights, sounds, and smells are all the same and it all breathes simplicty. From the crack of the bat to the ball smacking into the leather, from the laughter of children to the STRIKE! call of the umpire, from the aroma of popcorn and hot dogs in the stands, to the spit and grime of sunflowers in the dugout, it is all the same and it all gives life to the game of baseball.

Two Amazing Words!

2009-05-05T15:02:00.005+03:00

"Preferring anything above Christ is the very essence of sin." -john piper from When I Don't Desire God.

O how all too often I prefer things above Christ. I prefer things that just don't satisfy. I prefer pleasures that leave me feeling empty when, "at God's right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11).

This morning I read Exodus 32 and the account of the golden calf. I was struck by the abrasiveness of the act of idolatry. Not only did Aaron and the people of Israel worship this idol but they attributed it as 'the god who brought them out of the land Egypt' (32:4). Throughout Exodus & Leviticus we read that YHWH establishes His relationship with the people of Israel by declaring that He was the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt (Ex. 20:2, Lev. 22:32-33, Lev. 25:38, 42, 55, Lev. 26:13). In fact, when YHWH establishes His commandments for the people of Israel He establishes them on the very basis of His person (who He is) and His redemption (what He has done)..."I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (Ex. 20:2). Why should you obey and follow these commandments? Because I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!

Though I considered this act in Ex. 32 abrasive and cold-hearted, I must look inward and see how I am led astray by my desires and pleasures that are plugged into false vines. In the very same way that the people of Israel said that the golden calf was the god who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so I, when I sin, declare that Christ is not enough for me at this moment. O how wretched I am!

"BUT GOD....being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ"! (Ephesians 2:4-5)

Thanks be to God for the two words, "but God".
In these two words there is:
freedom
deliverance
power
grace!

BUT GOD

More than gold

2009-04-25T16:15:00.005+03:00

The law of YHWH is perfect [blameless],

reviving the soul;

The testimony of YHWH is sure,

making wise the simple

The precepts of YHWH are right,

rejoicing the heart

The commandment of YHWH is pure,

enlightening the eyes

The fear of YHWH is clean,

enduring forever

The rules [just decrees] of YHWH are true and righteous altogether;

more to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold

sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

by them is your servant warned and in keeping them there is great reward.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight

O YHWH, my Rock and my Redeemer!

-Psalm 19:7-11, 14

May my mouth speak

2009-03-25T15:40:00.003+03:00

I will extol You, my God and King, and bless Your name forever and ever.
Everyday I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of Your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.

All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD, and all Your saints shall bless You!
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and tell of Your power, to make known to the children of man Your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your domain endures throughout all generations.
The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His works.
The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works.
The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever.

-Psalm 145

Convicting, challenging, questioning, revealing

2009-03-12T16:52:00.004+03:00

I just finished a book by Brian McLaren entitled "Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope". The book was very compelling and often convicting. I can't say that I agreed with everything that Brian talked about, but truthfully, I'm not necessarily sure that you should agree with everything you read, but that's neither here nor there. My purpose of this post isn't to dissect the book or even write a review on it as I am still processing a lot of it's contents. There are two things that stuck with me over these past two days that I have been contemplating and mulling over. They are both quotations from the book that recently I found very convicting, challenging, questioning, and revealing to how I look at my faith.

"Sadly, in too many quarters we continue to reduce the scope of the gospel to the individual soul and the nuclear family, framing it in a comfortable, personalized format--it's all about personal devotions, personal holiness, and a personal Savior. This domesticated gospel will neither rock any boats nor step out of them into stormy waters. We have in many ways responded to the big global crises of our day with an incredible, shrinking gospel. The world has said, 'No thanks.'" Everything Must Change, ch. 28 p. 244

"Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now. Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a sermon on 2 Cor. 12:9

poem

2009-02-23T02:17:00.005+03:00

My brother (who finds things that he deems important and writes them here) gave me a book for Christmas which is a collection of poems and writings from a young, emo, punk kid named Bradley Hathaway. Along with the book came a 14-track CD of Bradley performing his poems. The book is actually very enlightening but I enjoy listening to the poems. Since I don't claim to have any type of poetic ability I wanted to share a particular poem that sort of met me where I was at this particular day....

"The Celebration Wedding"

This is for the ones whose HOPE is falling

And you no longer hear your Savior's calling.

This is for the ones whose BACKS are turning and that Passion-filled HEART you once had has stopped burning.

This is for the ones ABANDONED
Now all alone with no solace
and you think that you're STRANDED.

This is for the EMPTY, by life branded
that Had a vision that took leap
but it never landed.

THIS IS FOR the ones who are PLAGUED by those mysteries in life
And you feel Torn inside by this mind and spirit strife.

This is for the ones whose desire to do good is ALWAYS OUTWEIGHED and you don't do as you should.

This is for the ones whose mistakes are too many to count and the GUILT on your chest just continues to mount.

This is for the ones who've been done wrong by SINS
At the coRRuPTed hands of perverted men.

HOLD ON.
HOLD ON.

BECAUSE SOON WILL COME THAT CELEBRATION WEDDING
AND BUNDLES OF RESTORATION WILL BE OUR BEDDING.

SOON WILL COME THE CELEBRATION WEDDING
AND BUNDLES OF RESTORATION WILL BE OUR BEDDING.

The TRUMPETER is taking a breath
The GUESTS are taking their seats

The BRIDE is putting on a veil

The FATHER is making last-minute preparations

there's TEN THOUSAND time TEN THOUSAND ANGELS waiting in HOLY Expectation

The readied GROOM is ready

SOON WILL COME THE CELEBRATION WEDDING

If you are hurting, your hurt will cease.

If you are restless, you will find peace.

If you are empty, you will be filled.

All of these doubts and questions they'll be stilled.

If LIFE for you is just too trying, your tears will dissipate.
There won't be anymore crying.

If the ONLY thing you know is shame
you will be CLEANSED
and never again feel the same

If you can't see straight

FOCUS,
persevere,
and wait...

SOON WILL COME

THAT CELEBRATION WEDDING
and bundles of
COMPLETE RESTORATION will be our bedding.

-Bradley Hathaway

the sport that I love

2009-02-10T01:49:00.006+03:00

My favorite sport is baseball. I love playing it (though rarely these days), watching it (Fox Saturday baseball), listening to it (Pat Hughes and Ron Santo), and of course, going to the ballpark to take in the sights (ivy on the wall, sun up in the sky..), the sounds (crack of the bat hitting the ball), and the smells (hot dogs and beer). Recently however, my attitude towards the game of baseball has been tainted by the Major Leaguers who feel the need to use performance enhancing drugs to get an upper hand. This has been very discouraging to me because not only am I big fan of the sport itself, I am a big fan of Major League Baseball. The recent breaking news that Sports Illustrated released of Alex Rodriguez testing positive in 2003 was a huge shock to me. Not only did I happen to think A-Rod was a great player, but I even pulled for him to be the one to break Hank Aaron's (notice how I don't even mention Barry Bonds) HR record. After Bonds surpassed Hank Aaron on the record sheet with a big asterisk next to his name, Alex Rodriquez was supposed to be the guy who was going to clean up the sacred record by surpassing Bonds. Now, it looks as though his numbers are tainted and that is very frustrating as a fan. Not only is Alex Rodriguez named in this news release but there are 103 other Major Leaguers who tested positive as well. How in the world do I continue to support this?

Peter Gammons, baseball analyst for ESPN, held an exclusive interview with Alex Rodriguez regarding his postive test of using performance enhancing drugs in 2003. To A-Rod's credit, he has come forward and apologized and I respect that very much. During the interview, A-Rod definitely came across as emotional and genuine and that says a lot to me.

Whether or not A-Rod told the complete truth, I still give him a lot of respect for making the effort of first off, confessing that he used steroids, but also apologizing to the fans. This still doesn't, in my opinion, negate the fact that he 'cheated' but it does clear up any ill feelings I may have towards him. That is something that can't be said for Barry Bonds and Mark McQwire, who continue to deny any use or even "talk about the past", but hopefully they will do some thinking while behind bars to the tune of maybe they should've done what A-Rod did.

But still, I am in a dilemma because it seems as though the game that I love and the league that I love watching has changed. It has changed so much that players are going out of their way to put harmful substances in their bodies just to boost numbers. I think the thing that frustrates me more than anything is that baseball, specifically Bud Selig, knew that this was going on and turned a blind eye to it.

There's still a lot to be uncovered and a lot to be said but right now, at this very instant, I still love the game of baseball and I am hopeful that one day the Major Leagues will get back to being, America's Pasttime. Until then, should I continue to pour so much time and energy into rooting for these guys? I guess, only time will tell.

2009-02-08T21:17:00.003+03:00

I've posted a Kansas Basketball update + some thoughts on the game that I love on illreezon. Read it here.

Snow day!

2009-02-04T14:10:00.006+03:00

I realized just before writing this entry that this will be my first post of 2009. Wow, where have I been? It's been well over a month since I last blogged. I should have a lot to talk about right? Well, on the contrary. The only thing that is on my mind right now is snow. I received a phone call at about 5:32 this morning letting me know that school was cancelled for Rachel. Though I found it enjoyable to wake her up and let her know this joyous news of a snow day, I am a little jealous for I still have to go into work today.

But as I look out my window the snow truly is beautiful and I am brought to mind the passage in Isaiah 1:18,"though your sins are as scarlet,they shall be white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." I love the imagery that is used. The whiteness that I see out my window is beautiful and pure. The snowflakes glisten on the trees, and the fresh covering of white on the grass is like a blanket.
Oh, how I marvel at the grace of the LORD. From scarlet to snow, from crimson to wool!

Though I have to work today Rachel, enjoy the SNOW day!

Hymn to Christ

2008-12-09T15:41:00.004+03:00

Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
-Philippians 2:6-11

This passage begins with the call to have this same mind among yourselves (v. 4)....
Humility...Servanthood...Obedience

Faith, Sports, and a Blacksmith

2008-12-08T15:54:00.004+03:00

As we sat in the Irish pub talking and reflecting on life, faith, and of course sports, seeing that we went out specifically to watch the Big 12 Championship game, my good friend asked as I ordered a Blacksmith (pint of Guiness topped with Smithwicks): "How much do you think God cares about sports?" And a follow-up question of: "How do you redeem the time as a fan?"

This has always been a point of thoughtfulness for me because I am a huge fan of sports. I played them growing up and continue to play them now and I am usually always drawn to sports on TV even if I don't have an invested interest in either team. Because of this, I am thankful that Rachel and I don't have cable because I would be hardpressed to keep myself away from the TV with all the college football, college basketball, NFL, and NBA games that are on. Is this right? Am I too much of a sports guy that I can't sit in the living room on a Sunday afternoon and not have the TV on Fox or CBS? Nothing illustrates this craziness over sports more than on Thanksgiving where instead of time spent with family and friends enjoying the blessings of life together in community and relationship, many people have as a sidedish the Thanksgiving day football games on, and now there's even one thrown in at night (though you do need to have the NFL Network for that one). But in many many ways, sports brings us together right? I mean, I was out Saturday night with my friend building relationship and community as we were watching a sports game. There's nothing like sharing experiences of fandom with others as you watch sports. Celebrating with the guy next to you a victory or sharing in the pain of defeat, it is nice to come together with a shared purpose. But can that carried away? Are we, am I too prone to let sports get in the way of: my relationship with my wife, my community with others, and even my relationship with Christ?

Getting back to the original question of whether God cares about sports? Certainly there are many ways in which God can be glorified and magnified via the avenue of sports and athletes. And this is what I believe God cares about. He is zealous for His glory and if sports bring Him glory in some way then yes I think that He cares about that. But on the flip side, as a fan, if I am more focused on the outcomes of "my" teams than I am about building and cultivating faithfulness in relationships and fruitfulness in the Gospel, then I don't think that God can be very pleased with that.

In my life, sports and being a fan of them is a struggle that I wrestle with on a weekly basis. I think there are many redeemable qualities to sports and being a fan of them but too often I get challenged with the reality of just how much time I spend following and watching games that I have no invested interest in.

As the Christmas season approaches and I focus my thoughts on Immanuel, God with us, I desire to turn my attention towards others and not to get too bogged down with who won the Holiday Bowls.

O Come, O Come

2008-12-04T17:44:00.005+03:00

My mom, a recent arrival on Facebook, had a profile status over the Thanksgiving weekend along the lines of: "I love Christmas music, but I am listening to the Christain radio station and they are playing Christmas music 24/7 and I am getting tired of it already." I can precisely understand exactly what she is saying and I can probably even pick out the songs and the artists that the station is playing over and over again. I haven't found a decent Christian music radio station (is there even such a thing) in Philly so I haven't been subjected to the torture this year but I vividly remember the Christian station in my hometown driving me bonkers with their endless play of Christian music starting the day after Thanksgiving, which is still in November mind you. I guess when it comes to Christmas music, you can call me a grinch. I just don't get all that excited about the Christmas songs. A majority of them aren't very Biblically accurate and that irks me sometimes. Maybe I need to check my attitude, well, I know I need to check my attitude but let me write what I am thinking at this current moment. I enjoy some Christmas songs, "Rocking around the Christmas Tree", "All I want for Christmas is You", "You Can't Have Christmas Without Christ" and the like. Actually, just kidding. If I'm allowed favorites, my favorite Christmas song is "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus". I can't place a finger on exactly why I am drawn to these songs in particular but I think I appreciate the longing and expectation that is revealed in the lyrics. Frankly, this longing and expectation is something that I am hoping to discover, or recover this Christmas season. I am eager to participate in the Advent readings and prayers as I seek to have this longing and expectation of the coming of Yeshua Messiah.

For truly, "a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel"
Isa. 7:14

IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US

2008 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS or should I say it in Chase Utley's words

2008-11-01T00:21:00.009+03:00

Even though I am not an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan, this October has been a very fun time to live in Philadelphia. Truthfully, I wanted to see the Series head back to Tampa for my own reasons of desiring to see a game 7, but because the Rays completly faltered (i.e. BJ Upton grounding into double plays to kill innings, especially the 8th inning of game 5...geez, I can't believe he did that. Why would you swing at the first pitch in a situation like that? There is a time to be aggressive and then there's a time to work the count to see what Carl Crawford could do on the base paths. But, he's young, he swings at the first pitch and grounds into an inning/rally killing double play.)

But, congratulations to the Phillies. They played great in the playoffs and were certainly deserving of the Championship. This afternoon I made the trip to center city to take in the parade of Champions! It was absolutely nuts being in that crowd of people who were completely crazy about the Phillies. Fans were climbing trees, light poles, newstands to get a better view. I came back home and then proceeded to watch the festivities on TV. The Championship rally was one of parading into Citizens Bank Park, introducing the players and coaches and viewing the highlights on the big screen. Obviously this was one of those moments that fans love. The players gave their speeches and everything was going fine. Until the Phillies All-Star second baseman, #26, Chase Utley steps to the microphone. In his black coat and hat, he proceeds to shout into the mic "WORLD F***ING CHAMPIONS!" Come on Chase. That was completely classless and unprofessional and I was shocked and dissappointed. He was and is one of the players that I love watching because of his grit, talent, and hustle. But I was completely dissappointed in his choice of words. I know that those words are not absent from probably everyday speech for most people but in the confines of publicly addressing fans, especially kids, in a celebratory manner is in my opionion, completely uncalled for.

But that in no way, takes away from the Phillies accomplishments. It has been fun to be in Philadelphia during this "RED" October. I just hope that at some time in my life there will be a parade culminating at Wrigley Field!

WORLD SERIES

2008-10-21T22:52:00.006+03:00

vs.

The FALL CLASSIC should be a lot of fun to watch this year. No Manny, no Green Monsta, and no Red Sox. That alone should be enough to make this a great World Series. But come on. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Oh, excuse me, they changed their name to the 'Rays' this year. Talk about an up and coming team!! Everyone is so enthralled at the story of them rising from the worst team in baseball to the best that they look over the fact that this organization has waited patiently (losing seasons each year of existence) for their prospects to develop and boy is it paying off. They are young, fast, and are going to be around in the winning column for a long time. Which, in my opinion will be good for the game. Watching the Rays play makes me hope that the Cubs are taking notes. (It's funny how the Rays used to be coached by Lou Piniella and now that he's not there they are in the World Series, hmm?) But, who would've thought at the beginning of the year that the Rays and Phillies would be representing the American League and the National League in the World Series. Not me.

This World Series is going to feature: speed, homeruns, great defense, pitching, quality old school managers, cat walks and the ground rules at Tropicana Field, and of course, the Phillie Phanatic! What more could you ask for. Gear up and get ready because it's going to be fun. At least hopefully not a sweep!

There's only one OCTOBER!

Championship Series

2008-10-09T15:36:00.025+03:00

Even though the Cubs didn't show up for the playoffs and subsequently were knocked out 4 days into it, the MLB Postseason plays on and it is still exciting. Aside from March Madness, this is my favorite time of year. I love watching MLB playoffs on TV (except I am growing less and less fond of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, but that's neither here nor there). I love watching games when the temperature is in the 50's or below (which won't happen in Tampa or LA). I love watching high drama with growing suspense pitch after pitch. Even though I am growing tired of seeing the Red Sox win year after year, there is just something about seeing baseball in October played at Fenway. What an atomosphere! We'll see how the atmosphere at the Trop (Tropicana Field) will compare... Too bad that there will be no atmosphere at Wrigley, dang it!

Regardless of my non affiliation with either team left in the playoffs, I will watch as much baseball as I can. Rachel said it herself that the only time she likes watching sports on TV is when it's the World Series. Yes!

So, here's to the NLCS and the ALCS! Here's to the Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox, and Rays! And here's to a championship series that is filled with excitement, drama, and hopefully, game 7's!

There's only ONE OCTOBER!

Parallel Parking

2008-10-09T01:02:00.003+03:00

For those of you who may not know, parking in the city can be a major pain. After spending 3 years at Moody Bible Institute, located in downtown Chicago, I became accustomed to parallel parking because I wasn't going to fork over the money to pay for a space in the MBI parking lot, thus I chose to find my luck on the street. More often than not, it worked. I say all of this to say that my years in college are where I learned how to parallel park (my hometown of Davis, IL with a population of 700, didn't require that driving skill). I have been very fortunate that the only 2 cars that I have owned are small, compact cars. My first car being a 1991 Hyundai Excel and my current car being a 2001 Ford Focus zx3. With the size of those cars, I am very confident that I can fit in most places on the street. So, let me finally get to the point of this pointless entry.

Last night Rachel and I were coming home from small group and there wasn't too many open spaces on our street. If I haven't mentioned before, the street we live on is a one way with houses on one side so there is parking on both sides and it is never difficult to find a space. In fact, there usually are spots right in front of our place. But last night there just wasn't any open spots except for one that Rachel thought was for sure too tight a squeeze. I was going to bypass any idea of finding a spot in front of our house until she mentioned that there would be no way that I could fit there. The challenge was put forth! She wasn't even challenging my parallel parking abilities but I just had to prove her wrong. And boy did I ever do just that. Not only was the spot extremely small and it had to be a perfect parallel parking job for my car to fit but the car that I squeezed between was the new Cadillac of our landlord and the mini-van of our neighbor who is incidently, our block captain. Risky business, but I am a pretty darn good parallel parker. My wife said it herself.

Now, because I wrote this silly entry, you can expect that I will write an entry of some forthcoming parallel parking disaster that I will experience. That is, if you believe in that stuff.

Not invited to the Party

2008-10-05T09:00:00.004+03:00

About a half hour ago I just finished listening to the Cubs fall flat on their face in LA. I don't have cable so I wasn't able to watch the game on TBS so I listened to it on the Dodgers radio network online. Rachel and I were out for the night and we didn't get home until the 8th inning. I tuned in for the last three outs of the Cubs season and it couldn't have been more discouraging. Theriot strikes out, Fukudome grounds out, and Soriano strikes out to end a dissappointing postseason and any type of false hope that the Cubs could actually come back in this series.

As the Dodgers stormed the pitchers mound as a team and were celebrating, Vin Skully, the voice of the Dodgers, illustrated the timely scene for a Cubs fan listening on the radio. His call went as such: "the Dodgers are storming the mound, jumping up, hugging, and celebrating their victory! The Cubs are slowly clearing their dugout and Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee are sitting on the bench looking out at the celebration with a dazed expression on their face. They look as though they are kids who have not been allowed into the candy store, like kids who weren't invited to the party..." Boy oh boy did this ever capture exactly what I pictured the Cubs to look like after such a horrible showing in the playoffs. Nice work Vin, you painted a beautiful picture.

What a discouraging let down NL Central Champs.

I guess the great thing about sports is that there is always a next year. Or in the Cubs case, there is always a next century!

There's Only One OCTOBER!

2008-10-01T16:46:00.024+03:00

Opening Day begins today. Playoff baseball that is, and there is nothing like it!! Six long, grueling months of baseball finally finds its way to the post-season. For starters, I am extremely excited about these playoffs. Not only are there great stories and history entering the playoffs i.e. Tampa Bay Rays, the Brew Crew, and the 100 year drought of the Cubbies, but there are some potentially great match-ups as the playoffs move along.
Here's to the post-season!

MLB PLAYOFFS 2008

ALDS

Boston Red Sox vs. LA Angels
Red Sox win series 3-1

Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Rays win series 3-1

NLDS

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies win series 3-1

LA Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
Dodgers win series 3-0 WAY TO GO CUBS!

Predictions:

Are you kidding me? I'm a Cubs fan. There is no way that I'm going to make a prediction on their outcome. They already have too many curses to overcome. They don't need one from me.

Let me just say that I am ready to buckle up and enjoy the incredible ride that is...
the MLB Playoffs!

Pu-JOLS

2008-09-25T20:15:00.004+03:00

The National League Most Valuable Player. This award is discussed each year around this time and there is always some kind of an argument. It may not be as extensive or ridiculous as the BCbS argument at the end of the college football season but for the first time in a long time I am highly in tune to how it's going to be decided. Does the NL MVP mean that the player is the most valuable in regards to their overall numbers/stats or how their team performs in light of those numbers? (i.e. making it to the playoffs) I guess the argument lives and dies whether you reside on the side of the overall numbers or the performance of the team. In this rather longwinded entry I'm going to attempt to argue why I think it should be the overall numbers throughout the year.

Henceforth, let me begin by talking about Philadelphia sportstalk. I strongly dislike it but I always find myself listening to it (echoes of Romans 7:15-16). Philly sportstalk is strongly bent on seeing Ryan Howard win the NL MVP and every argument that I've heard for that case is that the Phillies are going to make the playoffs (not definitely however, and wouldn't it be nice to see them collapse) and he leads the league in HR (47) and RBI (142). But I can't get my mind around the stats that show that he is going to break the all-time record (which he owns) for strikeouts (196 with 3 games to go) and his batting average is a lowly .248! Wow, and just because his team may slip into the playoffs, he is deserving of the NL MVP. If I had a vote, which I don't for those who may be wondering, he definitely wouldn't get mine!

I'm pretty confident that I would place my vote for Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. All I have to do is recite his numbers and I think it should be case closed. BUT, the Cardinals aren't anywhere near the playoffs, therefore, in some people's minds, that isn't good enough. So, here's my attempt for the Pujols argument. The Cardinals are currently 82-76, which isn't great but it also isn't too shabby. In fact, if they were in the NL West they would only be 1 game behind the 1st place Dodgers. But, that's neither here nor there. My point here is that the Cardinals were never even supposed to, nor predicted to have a year like this. They have no big names in their line-up and their pitching staff has been bothered by injuries all year long. Sure, Ryan Ludwick was a surprise to everybody but you're telling me that Pujols isn't deserving of the MVP because his team didn't make the playoffs. Come on, the Cardinals would be nowhere if Pujols didn't have the season that he did, which by the way, is a typical season for Albert. Here are Albert's numbers so far this season:

BA: .350 RBI: 108 HR: 34 SLG: .631 H: 179 R: 95 SO: 53

(53 K's for 512 at-bats) Let me remind you that Howard has 196 K's.

Now that I've argued my case of Pujols for MVP let me throw in a wrench for those who think that the MVP means that their team made it to the playoffs. What if the Phillies wind up losing their NL East lead to the Mets and the wildcard to the Brewers? That would be mean Howard's precious Phillies are out of the playoffs. Then who would be up for the MVP vote. Manny Ramirez from the Dodgers? His numbers since coming to the Dodgers are amazing

(BA: .398 RBI: 53 HR: 17 SLG: .757) and the Dodgers have been a much better team since he has arrived in LA, plus they are in the postseason. C.C. Sabathia maybe? The Brewers were given up for dead until last night's pitching performance (11 K's and the win) and since coming over to the Crew he is 10-2 with a 1.98 ERA. That's pretty good but if I'm not mistaken, there is an award for pitchers called the Cy Young.

In closing, let me take you back to last year. Jimmy Rollins, who one the NL MVP, had a fabulous season and led the Phillies to an exciting end of the year run to lead them into the post-season. He beat out Matt Holliday for the MVP award, which, to nobodies surprise I thought should have one the MVP. His numbers were better and he led the less talented Rockies (who?) to win 21 of their final 22 games and a run to the World Series. Sure Jimmy was great down the stretch, but when it came to the precious playoffs that are so coveted in Philadelphia sportstalk for winning this award, he was promptly swept by Matt Holliday and the Rockies. Nice going MVP.

So, with all due respect to Ryan Howard and his overrated HR's, I will nominate Albert Pujols for the 2008 NL MVP.

Now, all I need to do is figure out how to get a vote that counts. (oh well, it was fun anyway)

Was it Chesterton or Kipling who said,

2008-09-15T01:36:00.002+03:00

"An adventure is a misfortune correctly understood?"

Passion, Love, Confusion....

2008-08-30T00:48:00.004+03:00

"We've got troubles here...I'm needed here" said Papa.
"Then it's clear as beer," said the Bull. "You try out with the Portland Tugs. Won't have to move an inch."
"Tell you what," Papa said. "Promise me they'll match my Crown Z pay and keep me until I'm 65, and okay, fine. I'll try the Tugs."
"Keeerist!" Durham exploded. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"This family, " Papa said, "is all the adventure I can stand right now."
"Then stand 'em less for Chrisssake! Where's your sense of baseball adventure?"
"You just saw it, " Papa said calmly, "out there in the shed."
"But why, why, why? Why jail it up out there?"
"Because I'm baseball ancient, Gale. I've had my adventures. And if I don't pay some bills the next few years I'm gonna screw up the adventures of my kids."
"So you admit it," said Durham bitterly.
"Admit what?"
"You've betrayed the game," Durham said. "You've sold out."
Papa's face blackened. "To that mill? Me? You're dead wrong there, Durham!"
"Then what is a sellout?" Durham fired back. "Explain this love for your paycheck and retirement benefits some other way. And explain the whole damned rest o' this ensemble while you're at it. What is this St. Hubert Savior of Kids crap? What's this mill foreman, middle American, PTA an' NRA an' Three A Car club member shit? Dwight D. Christ! Votin' the straight Republican ticket now are we, Hubert? Ain't drank none neither, I s'pose, since we joined the charch?
"Are we gonna part enemies, Gale," Papa said, "or are you gonna shut your mouth?"
"What I'm gonna do, my onetime ballplayin' friend," Durham said softly, "is die lovin' the game of baseball. An' what you're gonna do, if you betray that same love, is die confused."
That did it. The old man had finally loosed an arrow that flew straight to Papa's heart: we felt it hit, we saw Papa start to bleed.
"Look at me," Bull said. And for a terrible minute he let all the passion and animation fall out of his face, so that it just hung there, gray and slack and listless. "This is baseball ancient," he said. "An' now look at you."
We looked. And saw a beautiful, vital, miserably confused man.
Durham said, "Just tell your kids and me the truth here, is all I'm askin' O' St. Hubert the Confused. Don't, number one, throw fifty pitches better than the best fifty of my big league life, then tell us you ain't got the stuff. And don't, number two, argue spitball morality with me. The Good Book itself says a man should earn his livin' by the sweat of his brow. Now the situation with Laura, I know nothing about. But don't, number three, Hubert, try tellin' me it's good for these kids to see their old man stay a factory hand, an' hate it, just for a buck. Don't tell me that not bein' true to the work you've always loved most an' did best is a help to your kids. Just repeat after me, if it's the truth: 'I give up on baseball. I just don't love the game no more.'"
Somehow the silence that followed, in my ears, had a stadium roar. And Papa found nothing to say to quiet it.
"You got one choice, son," Durham said finally. "These kids here think you're a ballplayer. You an' Laura used to think so, too. An' I am here to tell the world that you sure as hell still pitch like a ballplayer. But an honest player let's the game decide when he's finished. There's no other honorable escape. So you got one tryout left, Hubert. Show the game what you got, and let IT decide." -excerpt from, "The Brothers K" by David James Duncan

I read this dialogue a couple nights ago and was left astonished and bewildered at how much I resonated with it. Maybe it was the baseball nostalgia that I'm feeling this time of year. Maybe it is the relationship that Papa has with his boys throughout the story and how much Kincaid (the narrator) loves, respects, and admires his Papa, and I'm left with thoughts of the relationship I have with my father whom I love, respect, and admire dearly. I don't know. But whatever it was, this dialogue hit a spot in my heart that left me feeling passionate, hopeful, and full of dreams.

What is it in my life that I love doing more than anything else? What is it that makes my heart come alive?

After all, "we were meant to live for so much more!"

My debt Nailed

2008-08-23T15:50:00.003+03:00

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Colossians 2:13-14 "And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, HE made you alive together with HIM, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which were hostile to us; and HE has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the Cross.

What truth! What power! How can I keep from singing? How can I keep from shouting the name of Jesus? The risen Lamb. The anointed King. Savior. Redeemer. Deliverer. When Satan tempts me to despair, tells me of the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against me, upward I look and see Christ, who has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the Cross.

Hallelujah! Amen!

The Call Up

2008-07-29T00:58:00.005+03:00

My friend Christian Arvold got me into blogging about a year ago as we were both working in an inner-city Christian school. Honestly, I have taken a few of his ideas when it comes to areas to blog about and I probably would have never even thought to blog if it wasn't for him. Recently, C has invited me to contribute on his blog. I feel like I am a minor-league baseball player getting that first call-up to the major leagues. "Boy, I hope I don't blow my opportunity"

All kidding aside, Christian and his family (Kate, Aidan, Davis, and Halle...the list of names is for you Matthew) have been very influential in our life (Rachel and I). They are currently living in Milwaukee and are desiring to lead a missional, intentional, impactful life in their neighborhood. They are a big encouragement to us and we look forward to continuing the journey.

So if you feel like catching more of a glimpse of my musings, go and check out illreezon.

I'm Back

2008-07-20T22:41:00.003+03:00

We finally have internet hooked up again and boy does it feel good to finally be back in the loop of communication. My sports predictions from my last post were wrong, but they usually are. I just want to say that it feels good to be back.

Internet Hiatus

2008-06-05T00:56:00.003+03:00

Upon moving to Philly last September we heard about a new internet provider that was springing up all around the city of Philadelphia. Earthlink partnered with the city to set up wi-fi throughout the entire city. We signed up for this because it was only $6.95 per month for wi-fi internet. It has served us well but now we are most likely experiencing the reason for why it was so cheap. As of June 12, Earthlink Wi-Fi Philadelphia will be terminated throughout the city. Being so, we will lose our internet connection for an undetermined time until we get connection through another provider. I haven't been blogging for a couple weeks now but that was because of my laziness or lack of thought. Now, I will be forced to not blog for a while. In doing, I will simply lay out a couple thoughts for the time I will be silent.

-Rachel and I celebrated 2 years of marriage on June 3. We travelled to Rhode Island and spent the weekend on the coast. Beautiful! 2 years of marriage, what an amazing blessing!

-the NBA Finals should be a good one. For some strange reason I have been pulling for LA throughout the entire playoffs. The way they play together is compelling me to root for them. I think more than anything I hope it goes 7 games (with the Lakers winning). That way, Kobe will be quiet for awhile and the NBA will be happy with all of the ratings and $ they pull in.

-the Cubs are playing great baseball (9 game winning streak, 38-21 record, 1st place in the NL Central).

-the Phillies are also playing great baseball and are an incredible offensive team. Chase Utley leading the Majors with 21 homeruns. Could it be the beginnings of a 3rd straight Philadelphia Phillies player to win the NL MVP.

-I have been to 3 Phillies game so far this year (2 of the games the tickets were given to me) at Citizens Bank Ballpark and I really enjoy the stadium. It is definitely a modern stadium with the jumbo screen and the activities in between innings and such. It made me think of the vast difference from watching a game at Wrigley Field than at Citizens Bank Ballpark. Watching a game at Wrigley, (or Yankee Stadium, or Fenway for that matter) is strictly pure baseball. They don't have the flashy big screens and all the fanfare activities, you go there to watch baseball. The way watching baseball should be.

-I received in the mail earlier this week the 2007-2008 Kansas Jayhawk basketball season DVD. It has been great reliving the Jayhawks run to the National Championship. Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

-Rachel and I have been reading the Chronicles of Narnia together. This will be Rachel's first time reading through the series and she is loving it so far. This will be my third time reading through it and I am always captivated and intrigued by the story. What great stories!

That's all until we get online again.

Balaam's Ass

2008-05-07T01:41:00.003+03:00

I have just recently finished reading through the book of Numbers (great book by the way with some great stories!) and was commenting about the book with my wife over dinner. She was the in the other room as I was slowly finishing my plate so our conversation was one where we had to speak loud so we could hear each other. I commented to her, "What do you think the significance was for God using a donkey to speak to Balaam?" (Num. 22:22-35) She responded with, "I don't know but I wish that God spoke to me through a donkey!"

Ahh so true. As I sat and pondered her response I was struck with the thought that sometimes, when in a place of frustration or desperation, we just want to hear from God, be it anything or anyway.

On a lighter note, I wonder if the writer's of Shrek were inspired by this text!

I am Abraham's servant

2008-05-02T22:50:00.002+03:00

In the class that I am taking (Covenant Story) we had a creative assignment where we were to pick an Old Testament character and an incident in their life that we could write about as though we were them. I found this a very interesting paper. Here is what I came up with:

I am Abraham’s servant who was commissioned to find a wife for his son, Isaac (Gen. 24:1-27). This is my story. My journey….

When I rose that morning, it felt like every other morning that I have spent serving in the household of Abraham. Abraham left me in charge of all his possessions some time ago, which in and of itself is an amazing task, but what he asked me to do on that day far surpasses anything that I have done for him before. Time is of the essence right now for Abraham. He has buried his beloved Sarah, and is himself growing well advanced in years. Abraham’s God, YHWH, has blessed him in all things and I get chills every time I hear the retelling of the event when Abraham took his son, his beloved Isaac, to the mountaintop for sacrifice. I cannot believe the faith of my master, Abraham. He is wholly devoted to YHWH. He is an amazing man with an amazing blessing and promise on his life. So when Abraham called me into his quarters that morning, and commissioned me to go and find a wife for his son Isaac, I was quite literally speechless and shell-shocked. What a task!

The way that he commissioned me was special just by itself. In our tradition and culture, placing a hand under the thigh of someone else is of supreme importance and sacredness. (It’s similar to placing your hand on the Bible to swear an oath in court). He asked me to place my hand under his thigh and swear by YHWH, his God that I would not take a wife from the Canaanites but from his own clan. I didn’t really understand this and asked what initially came to my mind, “What if she doesn’t want to come?” Abraham assured me with full confidence that YHWH would guide me, that He would send His angel to direct me along the way and that I would find a wife for Isaac in that land. He spoke then again of the promise that YHWH gave him years ago. This promise has been a big thing in all of our lives. Abraham left his family and homeland and followed His God into a land that he did not know. YHWH blessed him there and said that He would make Abraham a great nation and that he would be a blessing and through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. It was with this reminder of the promise YHWH gave Abraham that he commissioned me to go and find a wife for Isaac. I was hesitant but still swore my oath to my master, and I guess, to his God.

Abraham sent me along with ten of his camels and an assortment of other treasures and gifts to Mesopotamia, the land of his family. Along this journey I had a lot of time to think. I thought about my home, my family, and my place in this world. I thought about how Abraham, the father of nations, sent me to find a wife for his son. Who am I that I should go? Why in the world did he choose me? What qualities do I have? Most of my thoughts, however, were fixed on Abraham and his God, YHWH. He spoke of YHWH so much back home. He revered and honored YHWH every chance that he got, and YHWH seemed to truly bless him.

Once I arrived outside my destination I stopped at a well for a drink and a rest. As the camels knelt in the heat of the sun, I felt an overwhelming sense of wanting to pray to YHWH. There must be something to this prayer thing that my master does. So I muttered to myself, “O YHWH, God of my master Abraham, grant me success today. Make it clear as to which girl you want for Isaac. When I ask for water, let her also give water to the camels”. It seemed simple enough, and I wanted it to be completely clear. As soon as I finished this prayer a beautiful young lady came to draw water from the well. Could this be her? The girl that is to become Isaac’s wife? Already? I mean, I just finished my prayer. I had to do something though before she left so I just ran to her and asked if I could have a drink from her jar. She willingly allowed and then insisted on caring for my camels also. Wait a minute! Did she hear my prayer? Because she has answered it to the ‘T’. There’s no way that she could have heard it though. I didn’t even say it out loud. I stood in silence and marveled. This must be an answer straight from YHWH. He must have truly guided this whole process just as my master said he would. This beautiful girl. This Rebekah, as she mentioned her name, is going to be the wife that YHWH has appointed for my master’s son.

I was filled with praise. It was a feeling like I’ve never felt before. I was overcome with joy and adoration for YHWH. This same God who blessed my master in all things, has chosen to bless me and guide me for His purposes. YHWH has given me success in finding a wife for Isaac. It is just as my master has said it would be. All the criteria has been met.
Blessed be YHWH, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His steadfast love and His faithfulness toward my master. As for me, YHWH has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen!

Dollar Dog Night

2008-04-29T22:52:00.005+03:00

Rachel and I have heard about this phenomena at Citizens Bank Ballpark (home of the Phillies) called 'Dollar Dog Night'. Yes, this entails $1 hot dogs at the ballpark. Does it get any better than that? Maybe only if it was at Wrigley Field. Fat chance on that one though. Nonetheless, tonight we will be experiencing for the first time this dollar dog as the Phils play host to the Padres. This will also be Rachel's first time experiencing the Philly Phanatic (best mascot in sports?!?)

Should be a dollar dog gone good time! (bad I know)

Declaring eligibility

2008-04-22T04:59:00.002+03:00

I read this article by Gene Wojciechowski on ESPN. He definitely sums up, a lot better than me I might add, how I feel on the issue of the age requirement for the NBA. In many many ways I think that the NBA should go back to allowing high school players to make the jump to the NBA. This spending one year in college rule is silly. In my opinion, it is hurting the college basketball game. Sure it helps the colleges/universities that reap the benefits i.e. $$$$$$ but it hurts the basketball programs for any potential to build a basketball program. I would much rather see players stay for their junior and senior seasons and build a college program than spend one year and hope that it ends up in a magical run to the Championship. Then again, I am old school and absolutely love college basketball way more than the NBA game. And I've also never been lured by the $$$$ in the NBA.

ROCK CHALK CHAMPIONSHIP

2008-04-08T23:36:00.002+03:00

ONE SHINING MOMENT!!!

Hansbrough and Love

2008-04-01T22:36:00.003+03:00

As I was looking through ESPN's website finding stories about the Final Four, I came across this article in Page 2 by LZ Granderson. I really appreciated his take on the issue and confess that I have been caught saying that I don't think T Hansbrough will be a good NBA player, mainly because he is white and doesn't have the atleticism that a lot of other players have. Check out the article and let me know what you think.

What day of the week is it?

2008-03-28T23:11:00.004+03:00

It struck me today while at work the funny way that we tend to answer questions in our society/culture. When somebody asks you "How are you doing?" or "How's it going?", they generally don't expect you to truthfully tell them exactly how you are and if you do answer truthfully, they usually will be stunned and left speechless because they don't know what to do. "How are you doing?" is definitely more of a greeting, like "Hi", "Hello", not a genuine question and concern. It's funny when you really think about how we respond to people. Today at work, I heard at least 6 or 7 times the reponse to the above question "How are you doing today?"as: "It's Friday". I'm sorry, I don't remember asking you what day of the week it was, I remember asking you how you were doing. Where does the idea come from that an answer of "It's Friday" suffices as an adequate answer to the question "How are you doing?"

"If I gave you a nickel for all the stupid stories you've told"

2008-03-11T03:31:00.009+03:00

The above title to this entry is a quote that one of my college roommates said directly to another college roommate of mine as we travelled to Tennessee for a random weekend trip while studying at the Institute (Moody Bible). We were just two months into meeting eachother when we decided to help one of of our sisters (we had brother/sister floors at Moody) visit her fiance in Tennessee. Now, as all of us are married and living in different parts of the country, we look back to this very trip as a forging experience in our friendship. This quote can always get us laughing and reminiscing of the great, amazing, crazy, and quite frankly, stupid things that we all did together. But as we would always crack jokes at Biggity for his what seemed like endless stories all the time, I got to thinking last night as I was reading a chapter of 'The Magnificent Defeat' by Frederick Buechner, that stories are an essential part of our lives, especially as Christians, or should I say, Christ followers/ hopeful imitators. So even though B had a story for everything, maybe he was on to something very profound, or maybe he just loved saying "I won't go into detail" and then proceed to tell a pointless story in grave, endless detail!! Ahh I love this guy. Now I am rambling...back to the point of this entry.

I was struck last night at the content of Buechners writing in his chapter entitled "Annunciation". He writes, "I would like to start out by reminding my reader that in essence this is what Christianity is. If we whittle away long enough, it is a story that we come to at last. And if we take even the fanciest and most metaphysical kind of theologian or preacher and keep on questioning him far enough--Why is this so? All right, but why is that so? Yes, but how do we know that it's so?--even he is forced finally to take off his spectacles and push his books off to one side and say, "Once upon a time there was.....", and then everybody leans forward a little and starts to listen." Buechner goes on to say, "Every storyteller, whether he is Shakespeare telling about Hamlet or Luke telling about Mary, looks out at the world much as you and I look out at it and sees things happening--people being born, growing up, working, loving, getting old, and finally dying--only then, by the very process of taking certain of these events and turning them into a story, giving them form and direction, does he make a sort of claim about events in general, about the nature of life itself. And the storyteller's claim, I believe, is that life has meaning......there is order and purpose deepdown behind them or inside them and that they are leading us not just anywhere but somewhere. The power of stories is that they are telling us that life adds up somehow, that life itself is like a story...................The story that Christianity tells is an extraordinary tale that tells of the love of between God and man, love conquered and love conquering, of long-lost love and love that sometimes looks like hate. And so, in one sense, the story Christianity tells is one that can be so simply told that we can get the whole thing really on a very small Christmas card or into the two crossed pieces of wood that form its symbol, and in another sense it is so vast and complex that the whole Bible can only hint at it."

As I finished reading the chapter and slept on it for a night and have gone through this whole day thinking on the Story, I have been left in humbled amazement that in some way, through His matchless grace, God has chosen me to play apart in the story of His redeeming love. What grace, what mercy!!!

In light of this, I hope that people will one day say of me.."if I gave you a nickel for all the times you've shared the story of Christ's redeeming love...." May it be so.

The Cathedral of Basketball

2008-03-09T01:05:00.002+03:00

Last night I went with a couple guys to watch an IVY League basketball game between Cornell and Penn. Cornell, regular season champs of the IVY and the first team to punch their ticket to the Big Dance, outlasted PENN 94-92 in a great back and forth basketball game. Cornell fans made up almost half of the crowd which was very dissappointing because the homecourt advantage atmosphere was pretty much nonexistent at the historic "Cathedral of Basketball", more commonly known as the Palestra www.palestradocumentary.com But the overall aura of the Palestra was pretty sweet. There truly was not a bad seat in the house and the hallways were filled with pictures and quotes of legendary figures in the game of basketball. Sports Illustrated ran an article awhile ago about the Top Ten college atmospheres to watch a game in. The Palestra ranked #5 and the Phog Allen Fieldhouse ranked #10. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0707/campus.top10.venues/content.1.html

Selah, pause think about that

2008-03-03T19:47:00.004+03:00

Yesterday I stayed home from church due to a fever and head cold that I have been battling for the past two days. During this time at home I put in the DVD of Passion OneDay 03 and listened to John Piper's message on "becoming a generation passionate for the holiness of God". As I sat listening and taking notes on a sermon that I've heard probably 4 or 5 times I was left with a Selah, a time designated to pause, meditate, think on what was heard or read. As Piper was explaining the indefinability of the holiness of God he mentioned that his prayer for the generation was that we would not only become a generation passionate for the holiness of God but that we would become empassioned for God's supreme, infinite value which would sever the root of all 'Judas joys' in our life. Boy do I have a lot of those 'Judas joys'.

The Selah I took yesterday was when Piper asked the question:

Do you feel more loved by God when He makes much of you or when He, at the cost of His Son, gives you the ability to enjoy making much of Him forever?

Selah

Should've left it alone

2008-02-20T23:33:00.004+03:00

Whoever 'anonymous' was that left a comment on my last post, I want to thank you for pointing out my stupidity when it comes to roman numerals. In my sad attempt to correct myself in a previous post, I posted wrong information and therefore need to correct myself again. But if it wasn't for anonymous, I would still be living in my blunder. Thank you. For those who even cared to read this post, the correct roman numeral for the Super Bowl that was played on February 3, 2008 is: XLII. Boy, I'm glad I can finally move on from this. I probably should've just left it alone but that's what blogs are for: random talking, or thinking, or something. I digress and I am done until I have something more worthwhile to write about.

roman numerals

2008-02-06T20:04:00.000+03:00

Well, I obviously don't know my roman numerals very well. My last post I posted Super Bowl 42 as XXVII when it should've been XVII. For all of those roman numeral users out there, I apologize for my slip up. For what it's worth, I think that they should simply nix the roman numeral thing and go by numerical numbers.

XXVII

2008-02-05T23:15:00.000+03:00

It's two days after the Super Bowl (also super Tuesday) and I feel like I have gathered some thoughts that I can write about the game. I must confess that I stand corrected because when XXLII was set at Patriots vs. Giants I was upset and muttered things like "I'm not even going to watch the game" and "It's going to be such a blowout" and "this is going to be the worst Super Bowl ever". Well, I stand corrected because it was one of the best super bowls that I can remember. Here are a few of my thoughts on the game.

1. I am so glad that the Giants won! I was on the side that absolutely had a disdain for the 2008 Patriots. I respect them and the way that they won 18 in a row, but I could careless about history and all that jazz, I wanted them to lose. And glad I was when the scoreboard read 17-14 and the confetti was showering down on the shocked stadium. I'll write a little bit more on why I was pulling for the G-Men later on.

2. Even though Eli played well in this game and came of age, so to speak, the Giants D won the game for them and were the MVP. They absolutly flustered Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. But now I'm hearing reports that Brady's ankle really was affecting him during the game and that's why he didn't play well. Yeah okay, I'm sure that the fact that he had Strahan, Tuck, Mitchell, Umenyiora, and a plethora of other defensive players in his face all game didn't really matter that much. It was his ankle.

3. How in the world did Manning manage to escape the 4 d-lineman that had him wrapped up for a game ending sack and on the flipside, how did Tyree manage to catch that football? That play was absolutely amazing and after that, I almost knew that the G-men were going to pull off this upset.

4. Bill Belichek is a great coach, but a lowsy man. I cannot say that enough. I know that I am supposed to love everyone but as a sports figure he is one of those guys that I do not really care for. I mean, sure there was mass confusion at the end of the game and there were media, cheerleaders, and the like on the field and the refs trying to get everybody back but come on man, don't just run off the field because you lost. This is going to be my biggest rant so bear with me. During the regular season, the Patriots had no problem running up the score and absolutely embarassing teams. In route to their 16-0 regular season they beat a Washington Redskins team coached by the Hall of Fame Joe Gibbs 52-7. Absolutely embarassed the Skins that week. Belichek went for it on 4th down on one occasion in that game and proceeded to score. Was that necessary? No way. Joe Gibbs, being the class act and Hall of Fame coach that he is, stuck around, ran to the middle of the field and shook hands with that guy. In his defense of running up the score, Belichek said that his team needed to play for the full 60 minutes. Here's an idea Bill, how about hanging around for the final second so that you can support your Super Bowl losing team for the full 60 minutes. Ahh, that just urks me. I think as person who loves coaching and using it for life lessons, this just gets under my skin. Hopefully one day when I coach a team, I will be a coach who strives for and exemplifies integrity and respect, on and off the field/court.

5. The Giants, from the NFC..beat the Patriots from the AFC. I grew pretty tired hearing about how the AFC was flat out superior than the NFC, throughout the season. This to me is a load of garbage. Just because teams in the AFC have a lot more winning records than the NFC, doesn't necessarily mean that they are flat out superior to the NFC. (I guess we'll find out next week in the Pro Bowl, which in my opinion, is the stupidest football game played) Way to represent the NFC G-Men. And way to put the Patriots in there place. In a span of 60 minutes they have gone from a team of history to a team that nobody will remember except for the fact that they choked at their chance for history.

* Back to the reasons why I was pulling for the New York Football Giants. My dad is a big fan of the Gmen as he grew up in NYC but that didn't really carry over to my brothers and I. We all root for Da Bears. I have always been a guy who pulls for teams that are in the conference/division of the team that I root for. I'm an NL guy for baseball, an NFC guy for football, an Eastern Division for the NBA, and a Big 12 and Big 10 guy for college sports. I know that this probably doesn't work for those die hard fans but I would've no doubt pulled for the Packers if they were in the Super Bowl this year. I was pulling for the Rockies in the World Series and for the Buckeyes in the BCS national championship and the Final Four championship last year. Hopefully I will be pulling for the Jayhawks this coming April, but if for some freakish reason they lose in the Tourney (which I guess is not that freakish since it happens every year) then I will be pulling for a Big 12 team if there is still one and if not, then I will go with my midwest loyalty to Bucky and the Badgers! (for you C.A)

Sufficiency of Grace

2008-02-01T01:57:00.000+03:00

"The greatness of his faith lies in the greatness of his humanity...his spirituality did not thrive on covering up his weakness but rather upon glorying in them." - Gospel according to Job (Mike Mason)

As I have spent the last week or so working through Job 1-2 I have really been mulling over this quote as it relates to Job's situation. I can't remember that last time that I read through the whole book of Job, probably sometime at Moody, but I am eager to sit down and work through it. This quote really hit home because I think all too often I envision that I need to be some super Christian, spiritual giant, or something like that, when in reality, all God desires from me is to be true...and the best that I can do in that regard is, human. I am reminded of Paul's writings in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 when he writes, "Then the Lord said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'..Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Oh to live a life like that! Completely surrendered to the grace found at the cross of Christ. Authentically being transparent and real and not giving over to the false notion that I need to be something more and unattainable. Rest upon the sufficiency of Christ's grace. This is when our faith will be seen as great.

SouthEastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority

2008-01-27T02:18:00.000+03:00

So yesterday afternoon I was given the opportunity to ride the 13 Trolley from Center City out to SW Philly. This wasn't anything new because I ride the trolley everyday to and from work. The difference today was that on my way home I got on at about 5:15 p.m. Rush hour time! After waiting for the trolley for about 10 minutes the #13 pulls up and it is completely packed. I am the last one to get on and I can barely fit inside the door with my backpack on. Taking my backpack off and just holding it in front of me enabled me to get on. After about 4 stops the trolley unloads some passengers enough to at least allow to me hold onto a pole in the middle of the aisle. I was completely amazed at how quiet it was in this packed from front to end trolley. All the seats are filled and all the poles are taken by passengers and there is not a single conversation going on. It was completely amazing. I wanted to say some witty comment about how quiet it was but I was fearful for the dreadful glares that I would receive from people who obviously did not want to be bothered. After 25 more minutes of staring at the floor I was able to find a seat for about 3 stops. The conversation going on in my head after I sat down was one of amazement and frustration that I didn't take the time to open my mouth and ask one of those people how their day was.

I am determined that the next time I take the trolley I am going to talk with the person that I am blessed to either sit by, but more than likely, stand next to as we are squished together riding the grand old SEPTA trolley

City Year & Timberland

2008-01-17T23:21:00.000+03:00

As the snowflakes are FINALLY falling on the Philadelphia soil, (this is our first snowfall of the year/winter), I am sitting in our warm, cozy apartment...actually it's anything but because I am a pennypincher and will not turn the heat up. Anyway, this past weekend I attended a group meeting called CityLights. It's an organization that brings together different non-profit organizations for the purpose of partnerships. I basically went as an attendant desiring to learn a little bit more about organizations in southwest Philly. At this meeting I met people ranging from community center directors, to GED teachers, to job placement workers, teachers, principals, pastors, community developers, etc. Very encouraging and informative to me. During this meeting there was also a professor from Eastern University who gave a short seminar on strategic partnerships. Though I am not currently involved in a non-profit organization I gained valuable knowledge on some strategic ways to partner with existing ministries/organizations for better and more wholistic ministry. One of the examples that he gave was the partnership between CityYear and Timberland. (Sidenote: I've always thought it strange that the Timberland boot, a high quality work boot and a high quality mountain outfitter boot would be so popular amongst urban youth.) This partnership between CityYear and Timberland is a major influence to this rise in fashion. CityYear is a non-profit organization that came to Timberland and asked if they could have some boots to equip their interns when they first started. Timberland agreed and now every CityYear intern is equipped with a red jacket and Timberland boots. CityYear has since grown and is in almost every major city and along with it, Timberland has grown from being a mountain outfitter shoe to the highest selling boot on the urban market. Anyway, you can read about more of it on this website, I just thought that it was extremely interesting. http://www.winwinpartner.com/Branding/sstimberland.html

As I sat listening to the seminar I began thinking about churches and how many many churches in America would benefit from listening to this and implementing these concepts in their ministry outreach and in their visions for how to effectively minister to their community.

2008 Resolutions and an Orange Bowl trophy

2008-01-05T18:21:00.000+03:00

2008 started with a bang. Literally. As I sat in my apartment in Southwest Philly alone, because my wife was back in Nebraska, and watched the crazies celebrate a new day (and year I guess) in Times Square I was startled by numerous gunshots filtering the air in my neighborhood. Turns out that there wasn't any type of crime, just people firing into the midnight sky.

This New Year also brings a lot of hope and new resolutions for many many people. I have never been big on making resolutions, probably because I've never had any weight to lose and probably because I just can't think of creative things to change. Supertones, the late great Christian ska band, had a song called "Resolution" which talked about today, making a resolution for a change of life. I think that I probably rally around the theme of not necessarily making a resolution for the whole year, but desiring to daily make a resolution of living a Christ-like life. At any rate, I did make one 'New Year's resolution' that I would like to try for the whole year, mainly just to see if I can do it and to see how much $ I would actually save. So my resolution is, drum roll please, to withstand from purchasing a coffee or any other item from Starbucks. I know it's not that big of a deal but I figured that it is at least possible.

I would also really enjoy celebrating a championship of some sort this year, which is something that I have never been able to do in my lifetime, or at least that I can remember. KU lifted my spirits on Thursday night with their Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech but it wasn't a championship. The Jayhawk basketball team is looking mighty nice this year so far, as are a number of other teams, and I am really looking forward to March Madness. Hopefully the Jayhawks can cut down the nets this coming year, and not just the nets for the Big 12 Championship, or the Regional Championship, but the National Championship! Hey, I can at least hope right, because that is what the New Year is all about.

The Bowl games this year haven't been all that great. I did enjoy, however, watching Florida fall to Michigan and seeing Lloyd Carr go out a winner. Well, actually I just really took pleasure in watching the Gators lose and Tim Tebow (who scores all his touchdowns rushing from the 2 yard line) lose. I also enjoyed the good showing that the Big 12 put on during this bowl season. I know Oklahoma was a let down but there were some nice victories by the other schools. I have also changed my views on the whole strength of schedule thing. Probably because that was KU's knock all year. "Well, they just haven't played anybody worth anything all year and the one team that they did play that was good, MIZZOU, they lost". Now, I think that you have to play teams that challenge you. So I wasn't disagreeing with those doubters that KU had an easy schedule, but you have to give them credit that they won all those games, and they won in convincing fashion. They just didn't have those losses to a Stanford, or a Pittsburgh, or an Illinois. And when their big time bowl game came around, they showed up and outplayed their opponent. I'm not sure if KU is going to be a football powerhouse, but they at least had a great year, a BCS bowl bid, and an Orange Bowl trophy to show for it. Cake schedule or not, you still have to win your games, and you have to prove yourself when you get the chance. The Jayhawks did that this year and we'll see how the Mangino's make their return in '08.

Movie Scenes that Inspire

2007-12-11T23:39:00.000+03:00

Last week at the small group that Rachel and I have been going to on Tuesday nights, the icebreaker question that was asked was: "What movie scene leaves you feeling either inspired or satisfied?"

As all the movies that I have seen in my lifetime began to flash through my head, there were just a handful that stood out to me. Later in the week, while at work, I began thinking about this question again and my top 3 movie scenes that have left me inspired and/or satisfied. Here is my list.

#1- Without a doubt is the scene in "Remember the Titans" when the team is at camp and Julius and Gary (the two leaders of the team) have a discussion at the drinking fountain about what it means to be a leader and captain. After the short conversation the film then goes to an evening practice where the team is just getting pummeled by Denzel. One of the offensive tackles (white guy) misses a block and the QB gets drilled. Gary notices the purposeful miss and calls out his teammate. This then flips to the team coming together and rallying around the two leaders.

#2- The closing scene of "American Tale" when Fiefel and his father are calling for eachother. They see eachother threw a waterfall of some sort and Fiefel yells out 'PAPA!' and jumps threw the water into his fathers arms.

#3- The scene in "Glory" where Denzel Washington gets punished for running away to get adequate shoes for him and his fellow soldiers. The punishment is whipping and his officer, who he respects and admires, looks on without doing anything. Denzel, putting on a tough persona lets a single tear drip down his face as the whipping takes place. This is a powerful, powerful scene that isn't very pleasant to watch but is very inspiring.

There are probably many more scenes that have left me feeling inspired but these are 3 that definitely stood out in my mind.

What is a neighbor?

2007-12-05T13:34:00.000+03:00

When Rachel and I moved to Philadelphia in late August we were really praying for and seeking opportunities in being intentional about being a neighbor. The past couple weeks, I have been reading the gospel of Luke and have been struck by chapter 10. A lawyer asks Jesus in v. 29 the question, "who is my neighbor?" Jesus then goes into the parable about the Good Samaritan. After reading Luke 10 I have began to ask myself that question. Who is my neighbor? I have long felt that too often, especially coming from Moody, people view ministry as a vocational job, such as pastor, youth pastor, missionary, etc. These are all definitely ministry but my understanding of the reading of the gospels is that we are all to be doing ministry as we live, for it was the religious leaders who passed by the man and the Samaritan who stopped to help.

Not only are my neighbors those who live directly next to me or on my block, but they are the people I work with, the people I see on the trolley each morning, those who I brush shoulders with each day but don't necessarily have a relationship with. This is where I have been real challenged as of late. I have been challenged to be intentional in being a neighbor to these people and living the kingdom of God.

Through reading Luke I have also been reading a book by Henri Nouwen called "Compassion". Here is a quote that has struck me over the last day or two.

"More and more the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privelege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.

But I wonder more and more if the first things should be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them."

May the Lord bless you as you seek to be a good neighbor! The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.

Federal Express

2007-12-03T17:00:00.000+03:00

The BCS bowl games came out last night and I was ecstatic, but shocked, to see Kansas slotted to play Virginia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl. It has potential to be a good game but I am stunned that KU got the nod over Mizzou. Granted, Mizzou lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game but they still finished 6th in the final BCS standings, while Kansas finished 8th. I can't explain it and I can't believe that I am actually saying this, but I think that USC is the best team in college football this year and would no doubt beat both Ohio State and LSU if they played.

"Here come the Mangino's"

2007-11-28T01:25:00.000+03:00

My Thanksgiving weekend consisted of a LOT of sleep, lying around, and basically not doing anything productive. I did however, on Black Friday, make the 2 hour trip from Rock City to Chicago without traffic at all. I don't know how that happened but it did and I was THANKFUL. While Rachel was visiting her little sister (big brother big sister program) I was able to enjoy a nice cup of coffee at Peet's Coffee & Tea on North Ave. & Clybourn. I got a lot of studying done and came away smelling like dark roast coffee beans. It was so good and I was THANKFUL.

Then Saturday night rolled around and the highly overrated Jayhawks of the University of Kansas (never really understood why they go by KU when they are the University of Kansas) ran into the hungry, more aggressive, and more talented Missouri Tigers. Before the game started I made the comment of not really being too confident in the KU defense. And well, they showed that they didn't know how to tackle anybody. Since when do you try to tackle people without using your arms. That is what the defense of Kansas attempted to do and Mizzou ran and threw all over them. Not only was it a bad showing from the Jayhawks but what really ticked me off was the commentary by Brent Musberger. I can't listen to that guy. He's just as bad as Tim McGarver. I can't even count how many times he referenced in an overly excited voice the Kansas football team as "the Manginos". What is that. Since when do you completely throw away the University's name, much less their mascot, and reference them by their coaches name. It must take a 400 pound head coach for that to happen.

I sure hope that "the Tressel's", "the Miles", "the Carroll's", "the Urban Meyer's", or " the Weiss's" (oh wait, they definitely won't) have Musberger calling their bowl games.

It's sure going to be interesting as the BCBS (for you Christian) comes out next Sunday and reveals who will be playing for the National Championship of college football. Whoever it is, I'm sure many other teams will have a case for being the Champion. All I have to say is: GO WARRIORS.

Coffee

2007-11-19T21:23:00.000+03:00

Last week at work (Gia Pronto, an Italian coffee shop in Center City Philly) I had a discussion with a coworker about the hierarchy of coffee. We got on this discussion because we were talking about road trips and how frustrating it is at times when you have been driving for a long time and all you want is a good cup o' Joe but all that is around is a gas station off the interstate. We both shared the same sentiments that you have to be pretty desperate to purchase a cup of coffee from the gas station. I am about to reveal the dirtiness of my heart because I am talking about coffee when there are probably more important things that I can spend my time on...but nonetheless here is my list of favorite coffee.

#1 -- Peet's Coffee & Tea

#2 -- Caribou Coffee

#3 -- Dunkin' Donuts (this is the only coffee that I have cream & sugar put in)

#4-- Seattle's Best

#5 -- Starbucks

So far in Philly I have only seen Dunkin' Donuts (which are everywhere) and Starbuck's. My pickin's for coffee hasn't been the greatest, but I still hold onto the hope that I will soon find a quality coffee shop that is similar to that of a Peet's or a Caribou. Or I will probably just stick with my Folger's and Chock Full O' Nuts that I drip brew for myself each morning. That's probably a better steward of my money anyway.

KU has a football team?!!!!?

2007-10-31T23:26:00.000+03:00

Well the World Series stunk. I guess in a way it was a good thing because I just can't stay up that late to watch the whole game when it doesn't get over until 12:30 a.m. It's a lot easier to turn the game off when it is 13-1 or 10-5. Another World Series sweep. I can't even remember the last time there were more than 4 games in the World Series. Let me see, 2007 Red Sox

(4-0), 2006 Cardinals (4-0), 2005 White Sox (4-0), 2004 Red Sox (4-0), I guess it was 2003 and I can't even remember who it was. I also loved the fact that with about 6 outs to go before Boston clinchd the title, Joe Buck makes a special announcement that Alex Rodriguez was opting out of his contract with the Yankees. Wow, I guess the Yanks really do run the show that even in the World Series, which they aren't even participating, they make headlines. Silly.

On to the NBA. Opening games are tonight and I could care less...The fact that we don't have cable doesn't really help either with the excitement because I can never watch a game. I was surprised to see in the Philadelphia Inquirer that 3 of their sports guys picked the Bulls to win the East. Da Bulls, over the Pistons or the revamped Celtics??????? I agree that they have talent and could make some noise but unless they get Kobe somehow and MJ decides to return again, I just don't see it.

College football is crazy this year. This is the first time that I am remotely excited about Kansas football. 7-0 baby, #8 !!! and a big game against the Huskers this week. Although now that I gave them props they are probably going to let down big time. But anyway, it's only fueling my excitement for the Jayhawks on the hardwood. I just can't get over how many teams are losing. Sure the Buckeyes beat up on Penn State last week but I'm still not convince that they are a runaway favorite with the BCS title. I thought that last year and they got their butts handed to them by Florida. I'm usually a Big Ten guy and would say that Ohio St. can match up but I think that if they faced an LSU, USC, Oregon, Oklahoma, or even Florida, you would see the same result as last year: butt whoopin'. Which is exactly what I want see the Badgers do to the Buckeyes this week. Let's give every Top 10 team a loss just to make it crazy come the final week of the season. Ahh, gotta love the BCS. At least this year there is no way that they can put Notre Dame in a BCS game.

ROCKtober

2007-10-23T05:28:00.000+03:00

A good friend of mine sent me an email earlier today that described his thoughts on the ALCS Champion, Boston Red Sox. I could not agree more with his analysis and passion. If there is one thing that would keep me from watching the World Series this year it would be the fact that the Red Sox are representing the AL. When my team isn't in the Series, which hasn't happened in my lifetime (Cubs fan) I always default for rooting for the National League representative. This year it is the Colorado Rockies and I am jumping on their band wagon as they face the new evil empire of the Major League Baseball.

Enjoy the rant.........thanks E-Mil.........

After last night’s game of the Sox beating the Indians in game 7 of the ALCS, my passionate hatred for the Bosox has nearly grow to that of the Yankees (nearly). Sure the Tribe committed way too many errors last night. And yes, the Indians are younger and inexperienced, but still I give you...

My Top 10 Reasons to Hate the Red Sox:

10. Jacoby Ellsbury - Have you seen this kid? Sure he’s a good rookie, but the Red Sox should be sued for breaking Child Labor Laws. He doesn't look a day past 16!

9. Josh Beckett. Hot head. No, he is not the next Roger Clemens.

8. Curse Shmurse. - The curse died in 2004 when they won the World Series, so Bosox fans, stop trying to put yourself in the same league of suffering as the Indians and the Cubs. You’re no longer in the suffering club, which I get the weird feeling you still want to be.

7. Celebrity Bosox Fans. - Why does it seem like ever since they won the Series in ‘04 celebrities (exluding Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) now root for the Bosox? When was the last time you saw Brad Pitt wearing an Indians cap? I think not. It’s not hip to root for the talented no-names on the Tribe. When the Tribe wins the World Series J. Lo will stillnot sport a Tribe’s cap...which is yet another reason why you gotta love the Indians!

6. Bosox Fans - They are quite possibly just as annoying as Yankee fans. Seriously, you’re chanting “Let’s Go Red Sox”? Is that the best chant you’ve got? And you’re shocked when a pitch from one of your aces isn’t called a strike. As if every pitch should be. Why does it feel like when I’m watching a playoff game that’s at Fenway it feels like Yankee Stadium? Answer:B/c within the last three years Bosox fans have now morphed into Yankee-like fans....which brings me to #5.

5. They’re the New New York Yankees - As Mark Kriegel for FoxSports.com says:“(The Red Sox) just win. They are to the rest of baseball what the Yankees were once to them. The $51 million rights fee Boston paid the Seibu Lions for the rights to Matsuzaka is almost as much as the entire payroll of their World Series opponent. The Colorado Rockies weigh in at $54 million. But hey, these aren't your father's Red Sox. All that good luck is expensive.” Therefore, stop pretending you’re the down-and-out Bosox of yesteryear.

4. Manny Ramirez - He has yet to actually run. The guy barely jogs. If any little league player would apply Ramirez’s laziness they’d be sent home without a sno-cone.

3. - Fox Commentators Tim McGarver & Joe Buck - Thank you, God, for creating the “mute”button! These guys might as well paint their faces grey and red. If I hear them gush over Ramirez’s hitting one more time I’m going to paint their faces black and blue! I think I’ll look up the stats on how many errors Joe Buck had when he played in the Majors. Oh yeah, he never played at all! His daddy was a famous announcer back in the day. Seriously Fox, hire commentators who a least pretend to not have a bias. Apparently it must be cool for celebrities to like the Bosox (see #7). Sadly, I will not be watching the World Series b/c of these shmoes (or I’ll be watching the Series on mute).

2. They’re Good. - Dang it! They’re not my team and they’re good, therefore, I hate them. Plain and simple.

1. The Green Monster - Yes, it’s a sports icon that I wouldn’t mind seeing in person one day, but, seriously, that things jinormous! There’s a sport inwhich the playing field’s differentiate so dramatically that the athletes have to adjust their game...it’s called golf!

13 Letters

2007-10-18T23:05:00.000+03:00

Mainstream Christian music is, to say the least, very discouraging to listen to on the radio. Aside from the fact that the radio stations promote their station as "family friendly" and "positive hits" and say nothing about their desire to play music that glorifies Jesus, the fact that most of the songs they play are very fluffy and feel good about yourself songs doesn't particularly make me want to turn the dial to 'K Love'...so i settle for gangsta rap instead (just kidding). I don't want to bash all of Christian music because there are some great bands but for the most part, it is not to my liking at least.

Where are the groups that sing about substance? Or better yet, where is the Christian radio station that plays songs that are of substance?

One of my good friends turned my attention to the new album put out by the 116 Clique. If you are not familiar with the 116 Clique you need to check out their website (http://www.reachrecords.com/). This album is by far one of the best Christian albums that I have listened to in a long time. The focus of this album was to dissect the 13 letters of the Apostle Paul in hip-hop form. These guys (Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii, Flame, Shai Linne, JSon,....) have brought the meat to music lyrics that will have a huge impact on peoples lives because "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ". I am just waiting for a Christian radio station to just play one of these songs and I will forever have a different view of Christian radio. But I am not too confident that I will find that anytime soon, much to my dismay.

In the meantime, I will continue to 'ride with my top down, listen to Jesus music' and pump the Word of Christ as loud as I can from my hatchback.

Theology defined

2007-10-11T04:49:00.000+03:00

Last week in my Missional Theology class, the discussion was about defining theology. What is theology? and from that definition, how does it affect our lives? Here are a couple definitions of theology from various scholars:

"Theology is a disciplined reflection upon the truth of Christian revelation" -Jaroslav Pelikan

"Systematic theology is a study that answers the question "what does the whole Bible teach us today?" about any given topic." -Wayne Grudem

"Theology is the discipline which strives to give a coherent statement of the doctrines of Christian faith, based primarily on Scripture, placed in context of culture in general, worded in contemporary idiom, and related to issues of life." -Millard Erikson

"Theology is a confession of Biblical truths, intellectual reflection on them, and assimilation of them by the people of God in the form of distinctively Christian wisdom." -David Wells

"Theology is an imperfect attempt to develop increasingly more accurate approximations of God's perfect truth, by exegeting, systematizing, defining, and explaining the facts and meanings of God's revelation of His nature, works, and purpose for all created beings." -Robert Dunzweiler

The definition of theology that we are using as our format for our class discussions is:

"Christian theology is an ongoing, second-order, contextual discipline that engages in the task of critical and constructive reflection on the beliefs and practices of the Christian church, for the purpose of assisting the community of Christ's followers in their missional vocation to live as the people of God in the particluar social, historical context in which they are situated."

Though this is a handful of language and idioms that I won't go into here, it has been real interesting as I have been wrestling and reflecting on these new concepts of approaching theology. One of the areas that I resonate with in my dialogue in class is the fact of how much humility plays a role in studying theology. We, as humans, are finite and fallen, and cannot come up with a perfect system of studying God or His attributes. I think the thing that helps me the most in studying theology is the fact of reminding myself that God is God and that I cannot comprehend to the fullest extent how He works or acts. He has given us the Bible as revelation and it is our mission to accurately (to the best of our ability, empowered by the Spirit), interpret the Scripture and the culture in order to relay His message of redeeming love to an ever-changing world.

The BEST logo in Baseball

2007-10-02T06:13:00.001+03:00

Old School Baseball Caps and Stuff

2007-10-01T15:14:00.000+03:00

I would say (or at least would like to think) that I am an avid baseball fan. For the sheer purity of the game that is. Maybe that is why I am drawn to teams like the Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, and Cleveland Indians of this year. These three teams have gone about their year in very similar ways. Neither team has gone out in the offseason to bring in the superstar to help them get to the playoffs. Maybe the Brewers needed to down the stretch but their issue was pitching that led to their downfall in the NL Central. Teams like this attract me because they are just guys who go out there each day and play their hearts out. Guys who came up through the farm system and our now in the big leagues. Good stories and good for baseball. I mean, the Rockies were all but dead two weeks ago in the playoff race but peeling off an 11 game win streak to close the season is pretty impresive. They are rewarded with a 1 game playoff tonight against the Padres for the NL wild card. In a very twisted way, because my Dad is a Met fan, I was glad to see the Mets choke away their lead to the fightin' Phils (as people call them here in the Philly). The Mets were 7.5 games up in the NL East on September 12. September 30 rolls around and the Mets aren't even in the playoffs. Crazy. Just crazy. But the Mets are one of those teams who (like their city counterpart) go out and buy their superstars. Maybe that's what you need to do to win the World Series, I don't know, but it would sure be nice to see the Indians, Phillies, and Rockies (if they make it in) play well in October.

I enjoy learning and reading about the history of baseball. I also like representing old school baseball. I have three baseball caps that are of three old school baseball teams. One being a Brooklyn Dodgers hat, the other a New York Giants, and the other an old school Brewers logo. The 2 most famous players for the Dodgers and Giants (Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays) are great examples of how the game is supposed to be played day in and day out. It's a trip to me when people always jump to the conclusion that I'm a Red Sox fan or a Mets fan. Granted, the hats do look very similar to the Bo Sox and Mets but the color scheme is very different. I wore my NY Giants (baseball giants that is) hat around Philly this passed week. I must've been ridiculed and spoken to each day that I wore it. "Mets suck" I would hear as I walked the street of Center city..or "Phillies are going to take the East" would also ring out. Instead of firing back at their ignorance and lack of baseball knowledge I simply would smile and keep walking. It just made me laugh because people just don't know a true baseball fan when they see one !!!

This brings me to my awkward, yet encouraging encounter with my Missional Theology professor. The first day of class I wore my Giants cap. He walked in and during roll call he says "wow, NY Giants, I like that hat". I was shocked because this theology professor knew his stuff and his baseball history. Last week I came in about a half hour late to class due to an accident on the NE extenstion and was wearing my Brooklyn Dodgers cap. As I searched for an open seat he stopped his lecture and proceeds to tell me that he really likes my taste in ball caps. He then proceeds to ask me if I'm now a Dodgers fan or a Giants fan. I say neither, I just like baseball. He then proceeds to ask me if I've read a book called "the Echoing Green" and that if I haven't I should definitely read it because it's all about the rivalry between the Giants and Dodgers in the 40's and 50's. I'm a little hesitant to approach him with questions about baseball because I can only imagine that he would talk my ear off for. But then again, I must overcome the fear of the beast because he may have a signed baseball of murderer's row to give me. (Sandlot for those of you who don't know) . The only downside to my MT prof is that he is an Ohio St. Buckeye fan. My next purchase needs to be a Bucky hat. Any ideas Christian?

"The World has come to us"

2007-09-28T22:59:00.001+03:00

I have heard the phrase "we no longer need to go into the world because the world has come to us" thrown around a lot as of late. The context of this statement is always to emphasize the point that our culture here in America is becoming vastly cross cultural. We can no longer assume that people know how to do things because they simply live in America. The world definitely has come to us and it didn't take me but a ride on the SEPTA (southeast pennsylvania transit authority) a couple mornings ago to be confronted with that realization, as if I didn't already no that. I boarded the #13 trolley at about 6:19 a.m. headed toward Center City. As I approached my normal seat (the single seat near the rear door) I noticed that the lady sitting in front of me was completely covered in the traditional Muslim dress. She had the long black dress to her feet, the headdress, and the covering for her face (forgive me for my lack of knowledge about the actual vocabulary for this outfit). This sort of caught me by surprise because you normally don't see this everyday. It put a smile to my face to some degree just thinking about the true diversity of southwest philly. On our block alone we have about 5 families who are west african refugees, 2 chinese families, 3 caucasian families (us included) and 10 african-american families. This truly is a blessing to Rachel and I because it really feels like we can minister cross-culturally without even leaving our country. As true as the statement "the world has come to us" might be, I still feel like we, as believers, need to have a heart for the nations. Not only for the nations, but to go to the nations. I'm not one of those people who feels like everybody needs to be a missionary but I do feel like everyone (believers) need to be globally minded. I must confess that it is extremely hard in America because while there is great strife and protests in Burma this week, signifying the mere sanctity of life and living freely, all we hear about on our news networks is the latest fashion of Brittany and how her baby is doing. It truly saddens me to know that very often I fall right into that trap. The NL wildcard race is so important right now, I mean, there are only 3 games left and the Mets are choking....God have mercy on me. Many times I am thankful for friends and family who divert my attention to things globally.

My sister-in-law is serving in Odessa, Ukraine in an orphanage. She first travelled to the Ukraine while in college and ever since has had a deep passion for the people, especially children of Ukraine. She just goes over to Odessa, lives, and works in the orphanage loving on these children. Her main passion, which is so exciting and challenging to hear, is for adoption. She returns to the States every summer and speaks in churches and groups about the possibility of adopting a Ukrainian boy or girl. Hearing the stories of the number of children that she has had the opportunity of seeing adopted to loving, Christian homes in America is utterly amazing and often times makes me think what the purpose is of sitting in a seminary class. God does bring all things together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Hallelujah!!) but still....wow!!

I am thankful for people like my sister-in-law who constantly challenge me to think and pray globally. There are many others in my life who have shared their passion for a particular part of the world and I am truly thankful for them as well.

Though the world may have truly come to us, our response to the wonderful grace of Jesus and the work of the Gospel should be to take that message to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth (Acts 1:8) for our God is indeed zealous that "they will declare My glory among the nations." (Isaiah 66:19)

For HIS name and fame.............

Practicing spiritual disciplines on the Interstate, perhaps

2007-09-26T00:15:00.000+03:00

In my Formation and Mission class we have formed small groups to be apart of to complete 4 projects throughout the semester. This is something completely different than anything I've been involved in before as far as group work in a class setting is concerned. It is very refreshing to be involved in this kind of context with my classmates. This is what community is all about and it is so important, even the field of seminary study. It is so encouraging to know that we will be praying for one another and checking in on eachothers lives throughout the semester. We are all coming from various backgrounds and stages in life and ministry so we all come with a different perspective. One of my groupmates, who is a youth pastor at a Korean church, his wife just had a baby last Monday night so he wasn't in class. He shared the excitement that he is feeling at this time but I was just amazed at the things that are on his plate outside of the classroom.

Our first project that our small group is to work on is that of Spiritual Disciplines. We had to come up with 2 disciplines that we as a group could work on to implement in our lives and practice them for 4 weeks and then come together to debrief our experience. The disciplines that we chose to practice are: simplicity and solitude. Fleshing out our disciplines are going to look a little different for each person but we basically are focusing on using money that we would spend to rent a movie, or a coffee at Starbucks, or whatever, and using that to bless or give to somebody else who is of need. We also are going to go through our closests to basically clean house of those nice shirts and slacks that we wear but once or twice a year, and then give away to somebody else. Solitude is going to look a little different as well but the purpose of it is to connect and listen to the heart of God, which then will spring up in us a compassion and desire to serve in the area of simplicity. I can already see my time sitting in traffic on I-76 or I-476 as a great way to sit quietly and focus on the Lord!!!! (Lord, I need your grace).

Though these disciplines are being done for an assignment, it is my prayer that the Lord will use this to instill these disciplines in my life as a daily adventure. I would invoke your prayers in this endeavor and maybe you can take on a discipline or two also.

Mice, toilets, and brew

2007-09-21T02:14:00.000+03:00

Rachel and I really love our apartment. It is bigger than our apartment in Chicago, it's right across the street from a park, it's only 5-7 blocks from Cornerstone Christian Academy (school that Rachel teaches at) but since living here for a month we have now been getting acquainted with what are apartment really has to offer. Mice, toilet leakage, and the inconvenience of not being able to get a simple beer or wine from the grocery store. Let me start with that. There is a law in Pennsylvania that forbids any grocery store, drug store, etc. from selling any kind of alcohol. You can only get beer at a beer depot that are located throughout the city but are very inconvenient to get to. If you want to get wine for say, a special occasian to share with your wife, you have to go to a different depot. This one not only carries wine but also the hard liquor. This is even more uncomfortable because the alcohol content in these bottles have a higher percentage that the Cubs winning percentage.

I came home from class last Thursday to find Rachel sitting out on the front step with a book. I thought it was cute that she was waiting for me to get home. Without even greeting me with a holy kiss, she proceeded to mention that there WAS A MOUSE IN OUR KITCHEN. So I did what any husband would do...I went in the kitchen and calmly coaxed the mouse to enter a box and then set it free outside. Well, he wasn't the only one in our home. We have others and Rachel is freaking out that I am not her only roommate. Our toilet has also began to leak from the bottom. It doesn't overflow or anything but there is a gradual leak everytime you flush so that the next time you go to 'use it' you get a little foot washing too. Don't worry, the water is clean so I guess that is good.

Maybe in more ways than what we intended God is preparing us for the mission field this year. and we embrace it with open, willing hearts!

Ministry is.............?

2007-09-21T01:44:00.001+03:00

In my Monday evening class "Formation & Mission" my professor posed this question to us. For this class we have formed small groups that we will be in for the duration of the semester so in our groups we were to describe or define ministry in one sentence as if it were the first line in a magazine. This led us into a group discussion on what we think ministry is. It was a real interesting activity and was even more interesting hearing the response of each group. So, what is ministry?

According to the groups in my class it is: "Incarnating the gospel in your world/context" was one response. Another response was, "Ministry is God's calling of His people to further develop and grow His Kingdom", and another was "Ministry is our response to the Great Commission through service and discipleship empowered by the Holy Spirit". If you know me well you can probably figure out which group I was in but that is beside the point. So far in my seminary classes and the reading for them, I have really been challenged to rethink or come to a decision on where I stand with this whole emerging church movement. Reading books like "a new kind of Christian" and "character of theology" have led me down a path of underlining certain points that stuck out and questioning others. I know that I shouldn't expect to come to a strong position right now but it is definitely valuable to look into.

It's quite obvious to me that we can no longer expect that the tactics that were used in Christian ministry back in the 60's 70's 80' 90's will still be relevant to our culture. The message of the Gospel is one that is never changing or wavering, but we minister in a context and culture that is ever changing and the question becomes: how do we minister the Gospel in this day and age? Many tend to believe that you cannot be in tune with the culture and the scripture at the same time because you will then have elevated culture above the word of God, and others say that you cannot put all the focus on the Word of God because then you will have no relevancy to your world. This can't be right. What's the balance? There has to be one right? Well, that is something that I haven't quite figured out and I'm quite sure that I won't really mind if I don't figure it out. All I know is that my heart's desire is to live a life that is reflected of Jesus Christ. To see the world the way He sees it, to love the world the way He loves it, to show compassion the way He shows compassion, and to surrender to the will of the Father the way He did.

My desire is to live authentically the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in the context that I am in and then just pray that the Lord would use my humble, feeble efforts.

Letdown in Lincoln

2007-09-16T16:13:00.001+03:00

I don't want to bore you with analysis of the letdown last night that the Huskers put on but I do want to make a few comments. First off, Nebraska just didn't capitalize on any of the breaks that were given to them. It was obvious that USC was a much better team but the game would've been completely different if they would've simply capitalized in the first half. When they were up 10-7 and on the assuing kickoff the return man fumbles and a USC guy scoops it up and goes 55 yards down field, that just took the momentum away and boosted the Trojans offense. If Nebraska pounces on that ball and scores the game is completely different. But that didn't happen and the Trojans took over the game from there. Second, Bill Callahan seemed to get away from the passing game that was carving up and through the USC defense. They went to the run and weren't getting anywhere. Third, the blackshirt defense did not know how to stop any of the freshman tailbacks that USC threw out. The holes were huge and these guys went running threw them untouched the whole game.

Another note, late in the second half after the game was out of reach and the announcers began talking about things other than the game, Kirk Herbstreit showed his top 5 college football teams. His list included USC, LSU, Florida, Oklahoma, and Penn State......PENN STATE?.! Where did these guys come from? Sure they are #12 at weeks end but better than West Virginia or Wisconsin? Come on Kirk.

Showdown in Lincoln

2007-09-15T17:28:00.000+03:00

Nebraska has the privelege of hosting the #1 team in the nation this evening on primetime ABC. It seems kind of silly that USC is ranked #1 after only two weeks of the seaon and they've only played 1 game. I still will never really understand the purpose of preseason rankings. I don't think that the rankings should start until the 3rd or 4th week at least. It gives teams an unfair advantage when they are preseason ranked in the top 5 because if they lose early, they don't drop very far i.e. Notre Dame the past two seasons. Teams like Wisconsin, who last year started unranked worked their way up to finishing #7 but were left out of a BCS game because a crappy Notre Dame team started really high and never dropped far after their losses. (anyway, that was for my Bucky friend)

But tonight in Lincoln should be a good game and matchup. Nebraska must play well on both sides of the ball if they want to pull out a win. In Lincoln, the crowd should be rowdy and I'm sure USC is going to be sick of seeing the color red after this weekend. If Nebraska wants to establish themselves as a powerhouse like past years, they must win this game...otherwise it's going to be like recent seasons and they will have to settle for another New Year's Day bowl that won't mean anything.

Let's go HUSKERS!!!! Knock the stupid Trojans off of this ridiculous pedestal that people put them on because they are USC.

2007-09-14T01:56:00.000+03:00

So since moving to Philly Rachel and I have discovered that Southwest Philly (the community that we live in) is one of the most violent, crime ridden areas of Philadelphia. It sure was fun telling family and friends about the area that we live in. Just down the street from us at a church gym on 70th St. (we live off of 65th St.) there is a small basketball league that plays on Wednesday nights. Last night was my second outing as apart of the "white" team. This league was started by a guy named "Earthquake" Moore who's claim to fame was that he appeared in one of the Rocky movies (sorry for those Rocky fans but I do not know which one it was). He always has some sort of a program or reason for gathering to play basketball and he pumps it up as such. I'm not sure if it is anything more than just trying to get the news crew out there (which the Fox News network in Philly has come out the past two weeks) but nevertheless it is a good idea because there are just tons of youth that pack the gym. The first week's theme was called "Start Snitchin". His whole message was about encouraging these young guys on the street to tell the police when they see a crime happen or any gang activity instead of 'keepin it real' and letting criminals go unpunished. Last nights theme was all about going back to school and working hard for your education. The news crew had good footage of Earthquake given the message and even stayed around to video some of the game. I'm sure they got my dunk on video but I wasn't able to see it on the news.... Most of these kids are high school or above but what a great way to get them all together in a positive environment.

Anyway, the "white team", not because we were wearing white jerseys, always seem to hold our own for the first half but get run around the second. I think it's because we only have 5 guys and are constantly battling fatigue. Plus we are older and cannot run up and down the court like these youngsters can. Anyway, we got throttled last night by 25 points or something but we are just out there to build relationships and have fun anyway. About 8 minutes into the first half I notice that the opposing teams point guard was absolutely no threat to do anything with his left hand. Now, don't get me wrong, he was killer with his right but when I forced him to go left he would take 1 dribble and pass it off. What a handicap. I made the observation known to my teammates during the game and he didn't like that very much. He began taunting me and taking it very personal. After the game I caught up with him and apologized and said that I did not mean anything personal by it. I encouraged him to work on his left hand so that he can be a threat to go both ways. I think a lot of these guys don't see the need to development the fundamentals when they can always get to the bucket when they go with their right. So, amidst getting our butts handed to us, maybe there will be some sort of fruit down the line.

Last night however, I drew my first nickname from the guys who lined the court to watch: "Steve Nash" they shouted everytime I touched the ball. I'm not sure if it was becaue of my Canadian accent or because of my constant having to pull my hair behind my ears. Maybe it was because of my killer floater that I dropped on their big man for 6 points!!

Missional........

2007-09-10T23:40:00.000+03:00

So I began my offical debut as a Seminary student about 4 hours ago. After being oriented with all the procedures and structures of the school, and forking over the money for books, I am on my way. I am offically a Seminarian, and the fact that I am broke and will be reading in all of my spare time should be a good indication that I am such. But anyway, I am super excited to begin my training.

Biblical Seminary , is paving the way for training men and women to be ambassadors of the Gospel to this ever changing and emerging culture that surrounds us. It has already been exciting and challenging in thinking along these lines. God is a God of mission and it is our job and calling to align ourselves to be a part of His mission in this world. That is, in a nutshell, my purpose for even attending seminary. I want to be well trained and equipped to share and minister the Gospel to this world in which I live, whether that is in SW Philly, or overseas, I need to take the very words of Jesus and live them out so that people will be attracted to Him.

My desire in this blog is to jot down what I have been learning in order to interact with others who are on this same path of trying to live Jesus to our world.

I consider myself blessed and priviledged to be on such a journey and it is my desire to complete the journey well.

Eagles, 76ers, Phillies, Nittany Lions or Bears, Bulls, Cubs, Jayhawks, Huskers

2007-08-29T18:13:00.000+03:00

Monday night while flipping through the TV channels to see what we can get in Philly, I came across the Steelers vs. Eagles preseason game. As I was watching the game Rachel comes in and asks out of nowhere whether or not we are going to start rooting for the Philly sports teams. I really did not know what to say. We want to be apart of the community as much as we can but does that mean that we have to take on a love for Philly sports?

I am not sure and haven't really come up with an answer yet. A good friend of mine has a beautiful way of describing his reasons for supporting the teams that he does. I haven't formulated that much yet but am eager to work through my situation. Here is a little of my background history of sports teams that I pull for (if you have any advice on the issue, I am open).

Let me start off with the team that I allign myself with the most. The Kansas Jayhawks are my team in college basketball. I am not from Kansas but my mom is and all my life I have travelled to Kansas for holidays and such and a lot of my cousins/uncles pull for KU. It was easy to begin following because they are a likeable basketball tradition who normally have pretty good success(well, at least until March Madness). Next comes college football. KU has a football program but most people don't know that it exists or at least they don't like to admit it, so KU football was out of the question. I guess I pulled a little for Penn St. because that was who my dad liked and I was born in PA but I didn't really have any ties to the university or their football program. Last year a good friend of mine got me excited about the Badgers and filled me in on possibly everything that I needed to know in order to become a fan. Because of that I will pull for UW but I don't think I can become a fan. I married a girl from Nebraska so I guess you can say that I am unofficially a Husker fan now. This was hard for me because I remember years ago when PSU had Kerry Collins and Kijana Carter and went undefeated through the regular season and had to split the National Title with the Huskers, who I am convinced would've been drummed by PSU had they played eachother in the Bowl game. I think PSU had Oregon or somebody like that in the Rose Bowl and Nebraska played somebody for the National Championship game. (this was all before the BCS stuff) But I am over that now, and can pull for the Huskers, especially when they play USC on Sept. 15 in Lincoln. Anyway, I digress...so now to the NFL. If there is one team in Philly that I won't root for it is going to be the Eagles. For some reason they just get under my skin and I cannot pull for them. The Bears will have to win out for this league. MLB --Growing up most of my life in IL it was easy to become a Cubs fan. I was accustomed to watching the games on WGN and really followed them even during the cellar years of the 90's. Once 2000 rolled around and it became cool to be a Cubs fan and people flocked to Wrigley more for the atmosphere and the beer than the team, I started to lose my allegiance to the loveable losers. I still pull for them but I think that I can follow a team like the Phillies. They don't really have a superstar player, just a bunch of guys that are scrappy and play hard. I like that in a baseball team, which is why it is easy for me to also root for the Brewers, Indians, Twins...NBA -- Well, I don't know if I can really have a favorite NBA team because I am so disgusted with how things are in the NBA...but, because I am immersed in the African American culture I need to at least know a little bit about it. Da Bulls would be my team because of their philosophy of team ball and defense. The Sixers, however, are in the process of getting rid of their stars and focusing on the young guys. I think I can at least root for them for that fact, but they won't be any good. NHL -- well, go Ducks coached by Emilio Estevez. That was as much as I ever got into hockey, (they should have left it at 2nd movie. The 3rd movie was horrible). Well, I think that is all as far as sports teams go. Oh yeah, the Barrage is Philly's pro lacrosse team but I know absolutely nothing about lacrosse, except that it is a east coast ivy league sport.

Anyway, as was mentioned earlier, I could use all the help as far as advising me for which teams I should root for. The hard thing about Philadelphia is that the city has the longest drought without seeing or experiencing a Championship in any major sport. Regardless of which team I pull for in Philly, it doesn't bode well for rooting for a winner.

A Welcome to the Block

2007-08-27T20:55:00.000+03:00

Last Tuesday Rachel and I moved all of our stuff into our new apartment in Philly. With a lot of help from my parents and my cousin we knocked it out in less than an hour. We needed to provide our own refridgerator (i know, weird) but my uncle found one at his dad's house that nobody was using. A free fridge sounds real good. After unloading everything we save the fridge for last only to realize that as we are carrying it to the doorway it was going to be way too big and would no way fit through the doorway. Bummer! Back in the truck it went and Rachel and I went about 3 days before we found another one that would fit. This one would set us back $60 but that is no big deal.

Also, we come to find out on Friday that our block is having a 'block party' on Saturday. What a great way to meet our new neighbors. All day Friday there were signs posted that we needed to move our cars on Saturday for street cleaning. Street cleaning in Chicago is very different than street cleaning in southwest Philly. I got up at about 7:50 to move our car and our neighbor, who was the 'block party coordinator' says, "wow, I'm so glad your up because nobody else is here to help street clean". It was then that I noticed the garbage bags and the big shop brooms that were to be used to sweep the street. After going in and putting on some better shoes I got back out there and cleaned our block. It was a good time though because I was able to meet some other guys who live on the block and who eventually came out to help. The party got going about 3:00 p.m. so Rachel and I went out and tried to be social. Block parties in southwest Philly is just another way of basically inviting all your friends and family who live elsewhere to come by and BBQ in the street with loud music. Nobody from the block really interacts with eachother. They just hang out with their own friends and family. It turned out not to even be a valuable time of meeting neighbors because everybody that we met didn't even live on the block. Oh well, I guess we will just chalk that up as one of our different cultural experiences.

We are however, real excited about our block and the opportunity that we have to simply be a neighbor.

In West Philadelphia born and raised.....

2007-08-18T04:17:00.001+03:00

Well, earlier this week my wife and I packed up our Focus and drove across the country to the city of brotherly love. Awaiting us was a mattress on the floor at my aunt and uncles house in the burbs. Rachel and I spent two full days apartment searching, viewing, and contacting. We were getting discouraged after every apartment we looked at was either too expensive, too big (for 2 people anyway), or just too unliveable for a young married couple. This afternoon however was one of those beautiful moments where God reveals Himself in a very big way and we just simply have to step back, humble ourselves for our attitudes and frustrations, and then say: "wow God, you really do have a plan and you really are in control" As if my circumstances would determine that anyway. Man, I am so fickle at times and can totally see myself as being close friends with the disciples, who were constantly being challenged in their faith. Our last apartment viewing of the evening was the one that Rachel and I knew from the very beginning that this would be the place that we would call home in Philadelphia. It was the right size, the right price, and the right location. It is just a couple blocks from the school that Rachel will be teaching at and our landlord said that the neighborhood is very community focused. After we put down our deposit and began our trek back to the burbs, Rachel and I were filling I-95 with the praise of YHWH.

For those of you who may be wondering, I'm quite sure that it's not where the Fresh Prince exactly came from, but it is in West Philadelphia.

Philly Bound

2007-08-07T20:12:00.000+03:00

It has been a long time since I have posted but for those who are still reading, Rachel and I will be moving out east to the Philly pad in about a week or so. When we get settled and situated we will tell all about our new place in the city of brotherly love.

NBA once again

2007-06-02T00:25:00.000+03:00

So, if I mentioned anything in my latest rant on the NBA about Lebron James, I stand corrected. This guy is amazing and can definitely take the CAVS to the Finals, by himself. Although I do think that a team like the Spurs can stop Lebron in his tracks and win the championship.

But, Lebron surprised me and probably put up the greatest performance in NBA playoff history last night....(although my NBA playoff history knowledge is not that great).

Disciplines

2007-06-01T23:01:00.000+03:00

A couple weeks ago I finished reading a book called "Celebration of Disciplines" by Richard J. Foster. Pondering the book before I began to read I was at the point where I just wanted to dig deeper into my relationship with Christ. I wanted to read something that would totally challenge my way of life and my lack of spiritual discipline. I thought that "Celebration of Disciplines" would be a good place to start.

As I mulled over the book and jotted down notes, I began to think about my own life and how bad I was at these disciplines. Since reading it, I haven't been any better but I'm definitely thinking about them a lot more. My prayer now is not that I become good at the disciplines for my own sake, but that God would give me His grace to grow in my faith and my relationship with Christ in these disciplines so that He would be exalted through the way I live my life.

Foster develops three categories of disciplines: Inward, Outward, and Corporate.

Inward Disciplines

Meditation - Listening to God's Word, reflecting on God's works, rehearsing God's deeds, ruminating on God's law.
Prayer - "prayer is listening"..boy this was challenging. How seldom I do this.
Fasting - centered on God, God initiated. Fasting is feasting, feasting on the Word of God.
Study - Repetition, concentration, comprehension, reflection.

Outward Disciplines

Simplicity - Inward reality, outward lifestyle. "seek first the kingdom of God"
Solitude - inner fulfillment.
Submission - focuses on the spirit of how we view other people.
Service - service = humility (Jn. 13:14-15)

Corporate Disciplines

Confession - brothers & sisters make God's presence and forgiveness real.
Worship - (Isa. 6) See who YHWH is brings us to confession. Service flows from worship.
Guidance - Scripture muse penetrate all our thinking and acting.
Celebration - path to joy is obedience.

God, may these disciplines be a part of my life for your glory and your fame!

National Basketball Association Playoffs

2007-05-30T16:45:00.001+03:00

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

2007-05-21T00:36:00.000+03:00

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

2007-05-16T16:41:00.000+03:00

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.