Sunday, as is somewhat usual, was pretty busy between church, Sunday School, a meeting, going to a youth's concert, getting back for another meeting, youth group meeting, clean up and lock up of the building, and chatting about said group meeting. Made for a full day. Some really funny and/or cool things occurred and I wanted to put them down, partially to not forget them and partially to break from the rants.
Picture it, the mall, I've pit stopped to run a quick errand on my way to the concert and decided to stop by the restroom (well, don't picture that). On the way out a young lad about 8 or 9 years old comes out of the "family" restroom with his mother. The kid is holding both of his hand up in the air around shoulder height and it seems obvious he does not want to touch the door. The mom turns and reiterates, rather loudly mind you, "Don't touch anything!" The kid responds, "I didn't MOM. I'm just touching MYSELF!" Had to bite the ole lip pretty hard to keep from laughing at that one. Almost wanted to tell the kid he might go blind but that just seemed inappropriate (as well it might be for this blog too). Too funny not to write down.
A former youth member shared her journey with God with us that night and it was one of those, as I call them, "paycheck" moments. I call them that because I have been at my job for over eight years now and though my church takes good care of me, I am only just now making as much money as I was when I went to work for Pepperidge Farm after graduating from UF. But, sometimes, you have these moments where God reveals what He's been doing all along and how you've played some small part in it and Sunday night was one of those nights. The "paycheck" aspect of it comes from the fact that my career at the Farm would not have feature such moments. So less money yes, but moments of clarity in God's call and purpose are pretty much priceless.
Good day all the way around.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
I know I shouldn't watch these things
I'm discovering that this blog is getting a bit ranty. I'll need to relax and write something funny or even just updatish after this. Don't want to start sounding old before my time.
My friends know me well enough to know that I should not stop on channel 13. I gripe about it all the time and yet I am pulled back to it constantly. For the lone soul who might stumble across this particular blog and does not know what I am talking about, channel 13 is our local Trinity Broadcasting Network affiliate where we get to see gaudy sets, big hair, emotional singing, pleas for money, and promises of great fortune just around the corner. As someone who is trying to follow Jesus as best I can (and falling well short of the ideal consistently), I really want to have some grace here when it comes to this network. But sometimes it just gets the best of me.
Argh, Rod Parsley drives me nuts. First off, this past Sunday afternoon while I was at home trying not to throw up due to some stomach funk, this guy preaches his latest in a long line of sermons pretty much telling me to get some faith so I can get some money (or as he calls it "blessing" but I think we know what he's saying). In fact, one time in an earlier sermon, he actually grabbed the lapel on his rather expensive suit and told the listeners that if they wanted suits like this they just need to "believe for it". Well Sunday's sermon ended with Rod yet again proclaiming 2007 a "Jubilee" year, about the 6th or 7th straight Jubilee year that he has proclaimed, this time based on the idea that God loves the number 7 so 2007, and you've got it. Add on to that that ole Rod turned 50 and Jubilees are every 50 years and that makes this an extra special year, or so says God via a specific "prophetic vision" given to Rod on our behalf.
Because of the Jubilee properties of this year, we can join Rod as part of this covenant team and take part in this vision and jubilee by a small pledge of $50. Rod promised blessings and relief for our families as well as a promise of a lost dream to be fulfilled in our lives...if we join the team. Evidently God is not interested in people who don't pay. So I went to Rod's web site just for clarity's sake and evidently, if I want to donate $ on a regular basis, I can be a "platinum member" where I will have access to Rod's inner sanctum; a special prophecy just for me each month, a promise that Rod will personally pray for me and my needs each month, a special Breakthrough Bible (King James of course), and other benefits...again as long as I submit my credit card for monthly installments.
I realize that the sarcasm is dripping off of those preceding paragraphs, but hasn't this crap gone on long enough? I'm not perfect and won't claim to know the ins and outs of Parsley's life, but I have watched him preach at least 30 times and every time it is the same thing: 1. You don't have stuff but want it; team up with us and you'll get stuff (it's not always said outright but you don't have to infer much) 2. This country is going to hell in a hand basket and we must rise up and fight the infidels, specifically via your monthly contribution 3. Jubilee is here
So, a few things for me.
1. I don't have a problem with money, wealth, possessions, etc.
2. I do have a problem with boiling the Bible, specifically the message and life of Christ, down to consumeristic, individualistic, selfish nonsense.
Jubilee did not nor does it happen every year, at least Biblically. I don't want to drag out the specifics but there were seven year and 50 year movements to it. And all of it had to do with rest, forgiving debts, etc., so yes money is an aspect but here's the problem with looking at these Old Testament promises this way. THEY WERE MEANT FOR A NATION. It's not that they don't have individual notions and nuances, but God was promising the nation of Israel certain things and expecting certain behaviors from them in return. Taking them as some kind of bizarre promise of financial gain solely for my own benefit absolutely cheats the message of Scripture.
It makes me so sad to see the numbers of people who phone into these programs, pledging money they can't afford, in the hopes that God will make them rich. To suggest that in order to receive God's blessing or take part in a prophetic vision one must pledge money is no different than the Catholic church selling indulgences so many millennia ago. It's the same thing.
And Parsley isn't the only one. In between action in the NFC and AFC championship games, I flipped back to channel 13 and each pastor preaching after Parsley said basically the same thing. Every message about debt, money, possessions, and all of them making promises that "more blessing" would be coming, if we were only faithful, claimed it, walked in the "anointing" (which no one explains), and/or donated regularly to this ministry.
I know that I don't always represent God well, but the more I watched the more I found myself physically repulsed by these messages. My only solace was that most non-Christians wouldn't stop on that channel for 5 seconds.
I wish I knew the answer to this stuff. I wish I didn't sound arrogant when I criticize it. I wish that our culture and upbringing didn't make us so materialistic (and I say this having just bought a new TIVO). But don't we have to disown this stuff and say that the message of Christ cannot be summed up in the "name it and claim it" style of preaching? At what point, as followers of Christ, do we start telling people the truth about money; about how hard life is because of it; how it ruins people; how whatever we have just never seems enough; how no matter what our financial situation is, until we understand our identity as a child of God and follower of Christ, money will never take it's proper place? It's not that money is bad, it is an amazing thing and can accomplish so much, but it has to be in a proper perspective. At what point do we start holding each other accountable for messages that are blatantly misrepresenting Scripture and Jesus? How do we minister to people that are in debt, lack money, lack possessions, lack hope, without resorting to materialistic, consumeristic condescension?
I know I probably need to spend more time focused on what crud God is trying to get rid of in me and let Him deal with this stuff, but it just has bugged me for a long time. Happier stuff will follow in the next entry.
My friends know me well enough to know that I should not stop on channel 13. I gripe about it all the time and yet I am pulled back to it constantly. For the lone soul who might stumble across this particular blog and does not know what I am talking about, channel 13 is our local Trinity Broadcasting Network affiliate where we get to see gaudy sets, big hair, emotional singing, pleas for money, and promises of great fortune just around the corner. As someone who is trying to follow Jesus as best I can (and falling well short of the ideal consistently), I really want to have some grace here when it comes to this network. But sometimes it just gets the best of me.
Argh, Rod Parsley drives me nuts. First off, this past Sunday afternoon while I was at home trying not to throw up due to some stomach funk, this guy preaches his latest in a long line of sermons pretty much telling me to get some faith so I can get some money (or as he calls it "blessing" but I think we know what he's saying). In fact, one time in an earlier sermon, he actually grabbed the lapel on his rather expensive suit and told the listeners that if they wanted suits like this they just need to "believe for it". Well Sunday's sermon ended with Rod yet again proclaiming 2007 a "Jubilee" year, about the 6th or 7th straight Jubilee year that he has proclaimed, this time based on the idea that God loves the number 7 so 2007, and you've got it. Add on to that that ole Rod turned 50 and Jubilees are every 50 years and that makes this an extra special year, or so says God via a specific "prophetic vision" given to Rod on our behalf.
Because of the Jubilee properties of this year, we can join Rod as part of this covenant team and take part in this vision and jubilee by a small pledge of $50. Rod promised blessings and relief for our families as well as a promise of a lost dream to be fulfilled in our lives...if we join the team. Evidently God is not interested in people who don't pay. So I went to Rod's web site just for clarity's sake and evidently, if I want to donate $ on a regular basis, I can be a "platinum member" where I will have access to Rod's inner sanctum; a special prophecy just for me each month, a promise that Rod will personally pray for me and my needs each month, a special Breakthrough Bible (King James of course), and other benefits...again as long as I submit my credit card for monthly installments.
I realize that the sarcasm is dripping off of those preceding paragraphs, but hasn't this crap gone on long enough? I'm not perfect and won't claim to know the ins and outs of Parsley's life, but I have watched him preach at least 30 times and every time it is the same thing: 1. You don't have stuff but want it; team up with us and you'll get stuff (it's not always said outright but you don't have to infer much) 2. This country is going to hell in a hand basket and we must rise up and fight the infidels, specifically via your monthly contribution 3. Jubilee is here
So, a few things for me.
1. I don't have a problem with money, wealth, possessions, etc.
2. I do have a problem with boiling the Bible, specifically the message and life of Christ, down to consumeristic, individualistic, selfish nonsense.
Jubilee did not nor does it happen every year, at least Biblically. I don't want to drag out the specifics but there were seven year and 50 year movements to it. And all of it had to do with rest, forgiving debts, etc., so yes money is an aspect but here's the problem with looking at these Old Testament promises this way. THEY WERE MEANT FOR A NATION. It's not that they don't have individual notions and nuances, but God was promising the nation of Israel certain things and expecting certain behaviors from them in return. Taking them as some kind of bizarre promise of financial gain solely for my own benefit absolutely cheats the message of Scripture.
It makes me so sad to see the numbers of people who phone into these programs, pledging money they can't afford, in the hopes that God will make them rich. To suggest that in order to receive God's blessing or take part in a prophetic vision one must pledge money is no different than the Catholic church selling indulgences so many millennia ago. It's the same thing.
And Parsley isn't the only one. In between action in the NFC and AFC championship games, I flipped back to channel 13 and each pastor preaching after Parsley said basically the same thing. Every message about debt, money, possessions, and all of them making promises that "more blessing" would be coming, if we were only faithful, claimed it, walked in the "anointing" (which no one explains), and/or donated regularly to this ministry.
I know that I don't always represent God well, but the more I watched the more I found myself physically repulsed by these messages. My only solace was that most non-Christians wouldn't stop on that channel for 5 seconds.
I wish I knew the answer to this stuff. I wish I didn't sound arrogant when I criticize it. I wish that our culture and upbringing didn't make us so materialistic (and I say this having just bought a new TIVO). But don't we have to disown this stuff and say that the message of Christ cannot be summed up in the "name it and claim it" style of preaching? At what point, as followers of Christ, do we start telling people the truth about money; about how hard life is because of it; how it ruins people; how whatever we have just never seems enough; how no matter what our financial situation is, until we understand our identity as a child of God and follower of Christ, money will never take it's proper place? It's not that money is bad, it is an amazing thing and can accomplish so much, but it has to be in a proper perspective. At what point do we start holding each other accountable for messages that are blatantly misrepresenting Scripture and Jesus? How do we minister to people that are in debt, lack money, lack possessions, lack hope, without resorting to materialistic, consumeristic condescension?
I know I probably need to spend more time focused on what crud God is trying to get rid of in me and let Him deal with this stuff, but it just has bugged me for a long time. Happier stuff will follow in the next entry.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
That should just about settle things...
41-14. Seriously 41-14. No, really, I'm not making this up 41-14. After the past month and a half of listening to the pundits gripe and complain about Florida's inclusion in the BCS National Championship Game, it seems that we can finally bring these proceedings to an end and take a moment to assess what just transpired. The Ohio State Buckeyes came into this game basically being told that we should just go ahead and hand the title to them as the game would just be a formality. The Gators were pretenders, there only by the "political games" played by their coach, who would easily be outdone by Michigan. But then, whoops, Michigan evidently sent their second team to the Rose Bowl and were promptly dispatched by the Trojans who, mind you, could have waltzed into this game if they only would have beaten a hapless UCLA team in their last game of the season.
Big Ten bowl record this year - 2-5 (0-2 in BCS bowls, way to go)
SEC bowl record this year - 6-3 including two BCS bowl wins and a National Championship
Oh yeah, Ohio States record in bowl games vs. SEC opponents - 0-8
Maybe next year the Big 10 will be the conference to beat, but clearly this year the SEC wins that distinction. 9 bowl teams people, that is impressive even if it only takes 6 wins or so to be bowl eligible. That means 75% of the SEC's teams went to a bowl and you can't tell me that kind of strength of schedule didn't help UF be ready for this game. Yeah they won ugly sometimes but they knew how to play in tight games. Ohio State played Michigan and barely won, beat a way overrated Texas team, and that's about it. They just weren't ready to handle the defense. Here's how I break it down.
1. Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit are morons. They (especially good ole unbiased Captain Kirk) have been criticizing the Gators for almost two months now. I'll give ole Kirky credit, he humbly ate his words last night. Corso, get a life, seriously. You can blame the game all you want on 51 days off for OSU but it's not like Florida played last week. They had 37 days off. That excuse just doesn't work. Oh yeah, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised at Kirk's lack of knowledge as I seem to remember him predicting a run to the National Title for none other than the University of Miami Hurricanes right before they went out and lost to FSU. Good pick Kirk.
2. Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey might be the two best big game defensive ends we've ever had. 5 sacks between them and they spent a good part of the game absolutely terrorizing Troy Smith. Two days before the game I saw an interview with Jarvis Moss, and he was asked if he had run into Troy Smith yet. He replied that he had seen him at the hotel. They asked if Jarvis had introduced himself. Jarvis replied, "No. I think I'll do that during the game." Mr. Moss meet Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith meet the turf.
3. Chris Leak deserves this more than just about anyone else. He has been criticized, mocked, manhandled by fans and the press, endured two coaching changes and three different offensive systems, shared time with a freshman who can do no wrong by some people's standards, and yet through it all has been humble and hard working. He managed that game beautifully last night and never made the one big error he is so prone to do. Way to go Chris.
4. You have to feel like Reggie Nelson and Ryan Smith get some credit even though they basically weren't in on any plays (I think Ryan batted a pass down late in the game). Their mere presence seemed to prevent the Buckeyes from throwing the ball downfield. They tried once and it resulted in an interception.
5. Though I don't think he would have made a big difference, Ted Ginn's injury just shows why big celebrations are stupid. Whether you are his teammates piling on top of him and wrecking his ankle or just a lone, dumb quarterback spraining his neck after headbutting a wall (Gus Ferrotte), just get in the end zone, drop the ball, go to the sideline, get some love from the team and coach, and remember it's only one score. That kickoff return may have been the best thing to happen to the Gators.
6. And finally, 4 and 1 in the 2nd quarter in your own territory against our run defense? Are you serious Jim? That just smells of desperation.
It's great to be a Florida Gator. I think I'm going to have to talk to my son though. Ethan was born in February and since then the Gators have won a national championship in basketball and football. I would love for the kid to get used to this but he needs to know he could have some heartbreak over the years.
41-14. Wow.
Big Ten bowl record this year - 2-5 (0-2 in BCS bowls, way to go)
SEC bowl record this year - 6-3 including two BCS bowl wins and a National Championship
Oh yeah, Ohio States record in bowl games vs. SEC opponents - 0-8
Maybe next year the Big 10 will be the conference to beat, but clearly this year the SEC wins that distinction. 9 bowl teams people, that is impressive even if it only takes 6 wins or so to be bowl eligible. That means 75% of the SEC's teams went to a bowl and you can't tell me that kind of strength of schedule didn't help UF be ready for this game. Yeah they won ugly sometimes but they knew how to play in tight games. Ohio State played Michigan and barely won, beat a way overrated Texas team, and that's about it. They just weren't ready to handle the defense. Here's how I break it down.
1. Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit are morons. They (especially good ole unbiased Captain Kirk) have been criticizing the Gators for almost two months now. I'll give ole Kirky credit, he humbly ate his words last night. Corso, get a life, seriously. You can blame the game all you want on 51 days off for OSU but it's not like Florida played last week. They had 37 days off. That excuse just doesn't work. Oh yeah, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised at Kirk's lack of knowledge as I seem to remember him predicting a run to the National Title for none other than the University of Miami Hurricanes right before they went out and lost to FSU. Good pick Kirk.
2. Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey might be the two best big game defensive ends we've ever had. 5 sacks between them and they spent a good part of the game absolutely terrorizing Troy Smith. Two days before the game I saw an interview with Jarvis Moss, and he was asked if he had run into Troy Smith yet. He replied that he had seen him at the hotel. They asked if Jarvis had introduced himself. Jarvis replied, "No. I think I'll do that during the game." Mr. Moss meet Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith meet the turf.
3. Chris Leak deserves this more than just about anyone else. He has been criticized, mocked, manhandled by fans and the press, endured two coaching changes and three different offensive systems, shared time with a freshman who can do no wrong by some people's standards, and yet through it all has been humble and hard working. He managed that game beautifully last night and never made the one big error he is so prone to do. Way to go Chris.
4. You have to feel like Reggie Nelson and Ryan Smith get some credit even though they basically weren't in on any plays (I think Ryan batted a pass down late in the game). Their mere presence seemed to prevent the Buckeyes from throwing the ball downfield. They tried once and it resulted in an interception.
5. Though I don't think he would have made a big difference, Ted Ginn's injury just shows why big celebrations are stupid. Whether you are his teammates piling on top of him and wrecking his ankle or just a lone, dumb quarterback spraining his neck after headbutting a wall (Gus Ferrotte), just get in the end zone, drop the ball, go to the sideline, get some love from the team and coach, and remember it's only one score. That kickoff return may have been the best thing to happen to the Gators.
6. And finally, 4 and 1 in the 2nd quarter in your own territory against our run defense? Are you serious Jim? That just smells of desperation.
It's great to be a Florida Gator. I think I'm going to have to talk to my son though. Ethan was born in February and since then the Gators have won a national championship in basketball and football. I would love for the kid to get used to this but he needs to know he could have some heartbreak over the years.
41-14. Wow.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
hook and ladder and I'm tired
No, not the Firehouse Subs Hook and Ladder (though it is muy delicioso), I'm speaking about what could amount to be the best 4th quarter (and then some) of football I've seen in years. Here's a breakdown:
1. Boise State leads Oklahoma by 8 points with 2:40 left in the 4th quarter. This is a big deal for old BSU, home to the bluest field in the world, as they come into the game undefeated but hailing from a second rate conference and looking for some respect on a national scale. Their defense had been stopping the Sooners all night but on this drive, OU goes right down the field and ties the game with a nice TD and 2 point conversion.
2. Most BSU fans probably begin to think, "Okay, there's a minute and change left, all we need is a few first downs and we can kick the game winner." Bryan, that's me, thinks the same thing.
3. However, OU does not think this and promptly intercepts the very first pass from scrimmage and returns it for a touchdown. I'm sure most of the country, at this point, decided that the game was well in hand and they could turn off their televisions. I certainly did, but decided to stay up as I had about four pages left in a book I was reading (C.S. Lewis, Til We Have Faces).
4. BSU gets a couple of plays off but faces 4th and 18 with about 20 seconds left. Begin part 1 of bizarre land. BSU runs the hook and ladder, which though quite effective when playing tag football in your front yard, NEVER works at anything past the high school level. Basically this is a play where one receiver catches a ball and then pitches to another receiver running by him. It usually doesn't work because at these levels, people are just too fast and prepared. But not here, it worked to perfection, game tied. Thus begins bizarre land, part 2, which starts with one of my favorite things in college football, overtime.
5. On the first play, Adrian Peterson runs the ball 25 yards for a touchdown, virtually untouched. Again, you get a sense of the game being over. BSU doesn't get the memo.
6. BSU scores after several plays and then does the unthinkable (but probably a smart decision), they go for two to win. My guess is that they were tired and needed to just put it away but I'm sure some BSU fans were more than a bit upset at the call.
7. BSU runs a fake WR screen that turns into a behind the back handoff to the slowest running back I've ever seen who lumbers into the end zone for 2 points and an amazing win.
So now the "national championship" talk begins with BSU griping about not being considered. Did they make a good case that they are a competitive team, yes. But they beat Oklahoma, which is not the same as Ohio State, Florida, Michigan (though this might not mean much now), USC, etc. The Big 12 was pretty mediocre this year so I don't know that beating OU is this amazing thing.
At the same time BSU knows they play in a second tier conference, so it is imperative that they schedule some decent out of conference competition if they want to be taken seriously. But, I hope they enjoy the win because they earned it. I just wish I didn't have to stay up until almost 1am to see the whole thing.
1. Boise State leads Oklahoma by 8 points with 2:40 left in the 4th quarter. This is a big deal for old BSU, home to the bluest field in the world, as they come into the game undefeated but hailing from a second rate conference and looking for some respect on a national scale. Their defense had been stopping the Sooners all night but on this drive, OU goes right down the field and ties the game with a nice TD and 2 point conversion.
2. Most BSU fans probably begin to think, "Okay, there's a minute and change left, all we need is a few first downs and we can kick the game winner." Bryan, that's me, thinks the same thing.
3. However, OU does not think this and promptly intercepts the very first pass from scrimmage and returns it for a touchdown. I'm sure most of the country, at this point, decided that the game was well in hand and they could turn off their televisions. I certainly did, but decided to stay up as I had about four pages left in a book I was reading (C.S. Lewis, Til We Have Faces).
4. BSU gets a couple of plays off but faces 4th and 18 with about 20 seconds left. Begin part 1 of bizarre land. BSU runs the hook and ladder, which though quite effective when playing tag football in your front yard, NEVER works at anything past the high school level. Basically this is a play where one receiver catches a ball and then pitches to another receiver running by him. It usually doesn't work because at these levels, people are just too fast and prepared. But not here, it worked to perfection, game tied. Thus begins bizarre land, part 2, which starts with one of my favorite things in college football, overtime.
5. On the first play, Adrian Peterson runs the ball 25 yards for a touchdown, virtually untouched. Again, you get a sense of the game being over. BSU doesn't get the memo.
6. BSU scores after several plays and then does the unthinkable (but probably a smart decision), they go for two to win. My guess is that they were tired and needed to just put it away but I'm sure some BSU fans were more than a bit upset at the call.
7. BSU runs a fake WR screen that turns into a behind the back handoff to the slowest running back I've ever seen who lumbers into the end zone for 2 points and an amazing win.
So now the "national championship" talk begins with BSU griping about not being considered. Did they make a good case that they are a competitive team, yes. But they beat Oklahoma, which is not the same as Ohio State, Florida, Michigan (though this might not mean much now), USC, etc. The Big 12 was pretty mediocre this year so I don't know that beating OU is this amazing thing.
At the same time BSU knows they play in a second tier conference, so it is imperative that they schedule some decent out of conference competition if they want to be taken seriously. But, I hope they enjoy the win because they earned it. I just wish I didn't have to stay up until almost 1am to see the whole thing.
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