You could be a Detroit Lions fan. What’s up with the Cowboys? Are the radio talking-heads paying them to provide fodder for the airwaves? Will Wade survive the week? the season? Does T.O. still play here? Why isn’t he complaining? Is Romo not as tough as Favre? Has the Cowboys defense been kidnapped and replaced with high school players? Wow.
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The next time you smell moth balls, just remember it’s better than smelling a skunk. We had one invade our garage last week and got the animal control officer to come get it. Instead of capturing it and risk the possibility of spraying in the garage, he made a path for the skunk to leave on his own and chased it out with moth balls. Our garage doesn’t smell lemony-fresh but it doesn’t have skunk scent and I’m thankful for that.

What amazed me was that the skunk never sprayed the animal control guy even though the officer was very close to the skunk moving stuff around him and making lots of noise. I asked why and the officer said “he’s not scared enough to spray.” I said, “I am.”
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Who’s #1. Oh yeah, that would be Texas. Another dominating effort Saturday although I would have liked to have seen a better 2nd half but Missouri is no slouch team. Okie State next weekend and I won’t be able to watch it. Egads.
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Last night’s lesson included a story about some bad folks wanting to run Elisha out of town. Part of their shouting included calling him baldy and Elisha called on God who sent two bears after the crowd injuring 42 of them (I’m not doing the story justice in my brief description) and it reminded my of 8th grade. We had a coach who was going bald on wasn’t happy about it. A 9th grader kept calling him baldy and then threw a couple of small pebbles at the back of the coach’s head trying to hit his bald spot. The coach was carrying a wiffle ball bat in his hand and proceeded to give the kid a beating. Kid shows up at school the next day with a black eye and bruises on his arm…and his dad. Dad marches child into coaches office then coaches, kid and dad come into the locker room. Kid has to apologize to coach in front of everyone. Later, we ask kid what happened when he got home and found out his dad told him that is what will happen to him when he picks on someone he shouldn’t pick on.

Do you think that would happen today?

It’s much safer to be nice to people than taunt them.
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Colin Powell is supporting Obama. Oh my.

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

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

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

Pacman is gone but the other Roy Williams is coming. The Cowboys are falling apart but I’m glad to see the Roy from UT coming to play for the Cowboys.
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I got an email today about 800-GOOG411, Google’s new information service. It’s free too. Check it out when you need to dial information. There’s a video on the Google site that tells you a bit more about it. It can send you a text with the info you need and a map if your phone has an Internet connection. Cool stuff.
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Here’s an email I got the other day too that helped me.

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

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

What’s up with the Cowboys? It looks like the season is going down the tubes on a fast train. Romo hurt his pinky. Pacman may be on the way out. Even the punter has a broken foot. Ouch. Should we start waving goodbye to Wade and getting used to saying Head Coach Garrett?
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So our government is going to prop up our financial institutions. I wonder if all the people who hate government sponsored medical care are going to hate government sponsored banks and businesses.

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

I’m beginning to think recent economic events are the big corner our country is turning to a very different future than what I’ve known growing up. I’m not saying it’s good or bad – I just don’t understand it well enough – but I think it will certainly be changing in big ways.
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Did everyone see that the Longhorns are ranked #1? I’ll enjoy it this week while wondering how long it will last.
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Did you hear about the small-school Colorado college football player who broke his finger and would have to sit out the rest of the season so he opted to have his finger amputated so he could still play? Yow.
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Missions contribution update – now over $56,000. Incredible!

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

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

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

Third, when I doubt and prepare my speeches, I wonder if God is sitting in heaven shaking His head and chuckling at me while He prepares to remind me who is really in charge. Yesterday was another 2X4 moment for me (this is what I call God’s pain-free method of hitting me in the head with a 2X4 showing me that I really don’t know much).
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Who’s #1 now? I really thought Texas would struggle against Zero U but it turned in to a great game. Based on what has happened with the other #1 teams this year, I’m not sure it’s a good place to be right now but it’s always good to beat the Sooners.

Now I’ll starting fretting about Missouri.
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My girl survived the Assault on Eagle Summit. The coach set up a killer course and our Decatur teams did well against the big schools.
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God is in control. I hope to remember that better this week than I did last week.

Saturday is THE football game of the season – Texas and Zero University. Zero is ranked #1 and Texas comes in at #5. My son keeps asking if I have tickets like they will magically appear but I’ll have to catch it on TV. I haven’t seen Texas play this year but it sounds like 0U is rolling. I just hope the zeroes have a USC moment or maybe I should say I hope Texas has an Oregon State moment. Hook ’em Horns.
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I mentioned Chris Tomlin yesterday. I’m usually listening to something a little louder and harder-driving music from Audio Adrenaline, Seventh Day Slumber, Decypher Down and other Christian rock bands but the lyrics to Tomlin’s songs are awesome.
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I’m glad it’s Friday. It has been one of those weeks that’s good to have wrapped up and over with. Not that anything bad has happened but just one where I’m ready for it to be Saturday for some reason.
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I’ve got to figure out PowerPoint before Sunday. I don’t use it enough to remember how to do everything I want to so I have to call on people to help me. My daughter is usually first up and she’ll be getting some questions tonight and tomorrow. Thank goodness for kids!

Have a great weekend and know that God loves you.

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

Pacman is in trouble again.

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

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

Phillies and Dodgers start tonight. Yippee!

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

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

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

Tonight is another debate between the presidential candidates and I hope I get to see it. I’ve got a meeting out of town tonight and not sure I’ll be done by the time it starts. I kind of like the town hall format better but I wish the moderator would not ask another question until the candidates (both of them) answer the question that was asked. It’s the one thing that causes me not to put much stock in what any of them say – making up an answer they want to give instead of answering a direct question. Politics.
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Red Sox and Rays. Dodgers and Phillies. They all have some good stories going for them.
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I got to speak at the 7th/8th grade FCA breakfast this morning. It’s sort of odd seeing all these kids that I’ve see grow up because it reminds me I’m not getting any younger. On the other hand, it’s neat to see them growing into young men and women.

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

On the road again…

I was really pulling for the Cubs and Brewers who were swept out of the playoffs. I’m still pulling for the NL but can’t pick Philly or L.A. I’ll just wait to see who wins. Besides, based on how my record is for the teams I’m pulling for, neither team would want me to cheer for them.
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Can you love Jesus and still drink a little? The link below will take you to a funny clip from the Ellen DeGeneres show where she is interviewing an 88 year old woman from Austin. I’m no fan of Ellen but this is pretty funny. It helped start my day with a laugh.

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/ellen-gladys-hardy-p1.php?emf=1
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What’s up with the Cowboys? Is the sky falling yet? And what did TO mean in his post-game comments? I think we can gear up for a wacky season.

I would say Palin survived the debate but didn’t offer a knock-out to put McCain back in the driver’s seat. She came across better than I feared she would, had some good, folksy language thrown in with some targeted comments but still had some stumbles that shows she is very new to this stage. Now, when Obama stumbles and stutters without a teleprompter, it’s no big deal to the media. Sarah’s another story so she has to overcome. I’m not having high hopes that the candidate I dislike the least will win.
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I’ve used this space before to give kudos to Rick Ross and Jacob Baker and want to take a second to do that again. Rick continually brings great messages from God to our church family every Sunday and Jacob blows me away in the way he works with our youth – the love he shows for them and the way he shares the Word of God with them. I thank God these two men and their families are in Decatur and using their talents and their desire to serve God among us.
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The Cubs are going for another 100 year curse I guess. I’m struggling because it looks like it will be the Phillies and Dodgers in the NL Finals. I don’t care for Philadelphia because of the Eagles and their obnoxious fans and I’m not crazy about seeing Manny making it to the World Series just because he’s Manny. He’s an incredible hitter but so…Manny. I like Joe Torre though but I like to watch Chase Utley and Cole Hamels so the Phillies may be my NL team.