In Honor of USA Hockey

Love this speech by Herb Brooks to the 1980 Miracle USA Hockey Team

Really Deep Thoughts

Do you ever get caught up in the "doing life as it leads you along" mode to the point that you sort of wake up and say, "what just happened? or what happened to the past few days, months, and years?" I am not really there, but just wondered if you ever found yourself there.

This past week has been fast and furious but it has involved no travel. I like that. Home is good. Actually wherever Sondra is with me is really good, but the past few days have been really good. Last weekend it was beautiful here in Nashville. Mid-60s in Feb. after the really cold few weeks we have had was wonderful. I found myself in the gym announcing 8 basketball games since DCA was hosting the DIIA East/Middle Region Tournament. I love ball and love a mic so I was pretty much set but it was a lot in a short amount of time. Saw some pretty good ball and both of our Varsity teams did pretty well. Our girls host a sub-state game this Fri. night and so I will be on the mic again. Our varsity guys play Sat. in the Memphis area so I am trying to figure out how to get over there and back because I fly out early Sun. morning for Orlando.

Shelbi came home this past weekend for the games and it was good to have her here. She is such a great young lady and we are always thankful to have any time with her that we get. Morgan is wonderful as well and enjoying her final semester of high school. The time does go quickly. Seems like I say that alot these days. Not in regret, just the reality of how quickly time does go and how important it is to make sure that I am doing the things that really matter.

Still abiding by the "no judging" during Lent and praying it becomes a lifestyle long after this 40-day season is over. God is giving me lots of opportunity to not judge right now. Funny how that works. You focus on not doing something and it is all you see. Turning my focus to discernment and praise and getting plenty of opportunity there as well.

And . . . I watched a little of American Idol last night and will say that the girls . . . oh, well, I can't say since I am in the No judging phase right now. I will say it looks like a guy may very well win this season.

Come Together Now Haiti

Love this video and please share with others to help this cause.

Come Together Now (Music City Unites For Haiti) from Michael W. Smith on Vimeo.

Ash Wednesday

Growing up as a protestant (Southern Baptist) kid in the Midwest, I really did not get the whole "Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday" thing. To be completely honest, I am not sure I understand the whole concept now. I never really grew up around Catholics or anyone that participated in Lent. (I realize that it is not only Catholics that participate.) About the only thing I can remember from my early days is that we made fun of people who gave up stuff during Lent that really did not matter. Most of the things my friends gave up were minor in my opinion.

I have bristled against religious stuff. The rituals I did not understand I just discounted as meaningless rigor and punishment for being of a faith that thought you ought to deprive yourself of some things for the good of the greater cause. I pretty much judged people for doing that because it was their tradition. No real meaning, just tradition.

Then . . . I began to think about the stuff I do participate in as a protestant because I think it is going to put me in a better stead or position with God. Pretty lame I know. I think so too. I find myself falling back into those traps too many times. I am giving up stupid, "me" thinking for Lent. 40 days would be a great start, but I am planning on making it a life long pursuit. Tired of religion, religious practice for me without meaning, and judging others for doing things differently than I think they should. My focus is on "truth and grace". Praying that God keeps me so focused and busy on that, I do not have time to waste on being critical and judgmental. Would appreciate your prayers for me in this endeavor. And . . . if you choose to not pray, cool, I won't judge you for that.

We are the World - 25

Let me just say that I am a Quincy Jones fan. I think he is a musical genius, but I really wish they would have done another song instead of the remake of the We are the World. Thankful for all the money that has been raised for Haiti however. Just wish they would have left a good song alone (w/ the exception of the part w/ Bob Dillon). But then again, how could Ray Charles or Michael Jackson ever be replaced.

Here is the Original

In Honor of The Amazing Race Last Night

I had to laugh when I saw that Miss Teen South Carolina was on The Amazing Race this season and even thought it a little ironic that she and her teammate did not follow directions and ride that boxy looking thing down the hill. They were penalized 30 min. but still made it. Could be an interesting season.

Senior Night

I actually sat down a couple of times this past week to blog and for one reason or another, just couldn't. Not sure why, it just did not seem right.

The week has been pretty busy. We had two basketball games early in the week with one of them being a makeup game from an earlier snow event. Sr. night was last Tues. and it was fun to be a part of that. Hard to believe Morgan's basketball career is coming to an end and in fact, we have no kids playing anything much longer. DCA Lady Wildcats find themselves in the DII post-season tournament and the guys are still in too. There will be games this week and then DCA hosts the region tournament this next weekend so that will be busy.

I traveled to AL on Weds - Fri for the SBC Youth Ministry Summit which is a gathering consisting of pretty much anyone who works in student ministry from the state and denominational level along with college and seminary profs. Great time of fellowship and challenges from leaders. Billy Beacham did a great job leading us in devotion on Thurs morning. Very challenging for sure.

We had more snow this past week and more coming tonight and tomorrow. I am so over the snow and would be okay with no more for this winter. Not my call though evidently. Yesterday was a 20-miler for me so I did 7 from home and then headed out to a local park where the Cedars Frostbite 1/2 Marathon was going on. I ran a 1:51:03 which was more than fine with me since I had already run some. It was a good 20 mile run for the day.

We have been enjoying the Olympics so far and will try to catch some more of games this week.

Avatar and Who Dat?

Saturday morning began with a cold, windy 13-miler for me on the greenway. It was one of those "go get it done" runs and I got it done. Averaged about 9 min/mile which hit the goal and satisfied the Boston Marathon schedule I am following. Saturday afternoon was filled with laundry (yes, I do laundry) a nap and some basketball on the tube. Saturday evening Sondra and I headed to the Big, Bad Wolf which has become one of my all time favorite restaurants. Friends of ours from church own a catering business and started the restaurant to fill in the in between catering gigs. By far, the best brisket I have ever had and even though Cousin's in Ft. Worth is really good, BBW is my new favorite.

Saturday night, Sondra and I also headed to see Avatar 3D. I was really hesitant in seeing this movie when it first came out. I know that James Cameron is a tree hugger and politically on the opposite end of the spectrum than me, but the more I read the more intrigued I became. Visually the movie was stunning. It was incredibly thought out and crafted technically. The story line was about what I expected, people are bad and the earth is good and all that stuff, but the experience of the movie was fascinating. Well worth the 2.5 hour running time for me. Notice the wonderful pic of Sondra and me donning the 3D glasses.

Sunday was church and Super Bowl. It was good to witness multiple baptisms at church and to participate in the Lord's Supper and the worship through music as exceptionally meaningful and God-centered.

The Super Bowl was just a lot of fun. The Fuller's came over and we always enjoy time our time with them. We have been good friends for so long that at times I am afraid I take them for granted but what a blessing they are. It was good to see Payton throw the winning touchdown for the Saints who I know he has loved for so long. I grew weary of the cameras focused on him on the sideline with his Hannibal Lecter stare thing going. Three years ago I pulled for the Colts in the Super Bowl because of Tony Dungy. I blogged about him here. My cheering for the Colts then was because of Dungy only.

I loved the scene of Drew Brees and his son after the game. I want to congratulate all of my Saints fans friends. What a great win for the program and a wonderful win for the whole city of New Orleans. Wonderful too when the underdog wins against all odds. I thought the coaching was very good and the execution of the game plan was very good. Geaux Saints!

One last word - the Super Bowl ads were okay I thought. A few of my favorites, maybe ranked in this order for me entertainment wise:
1. Google ad
2. Bark collar Doritos ad
3. Denny's Chicken ads
4. eTrade - Lindsey "milka . . .what?" ad

Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad

Not sure I understand all the pro-choice struggle with this ad.

Predicition Video

These are always fun. I know there is a mathematical solution to all of these and how they work out, but am always intrigued by them.

Great Seat Belt Ad and Coca Cola Happiness

You will want to watch this. One of the most powerful ads I have ever seen.



And check out this Coca-Cola Happiness Ad

Snow!

Of course, if you have heard anything about Nashville in the last week, you know we had snow. Some areas got up to about 8" but my best guess is that we got about 5-6" at our house. I was at SE Conclave in Chattanooga Weds-Fri last week and got to drive home Fri during the snow storm. Saw about 10 wrecks happen and saw remnants of many more. Growing up in MO taught be one thing about driving in snow/ice. Drive slowly and leave plenty of room between cars. The normal 2 hr drive took 3.5 hours but I made it home safely. Fri night was sledding night with the Fullers and it was big fun. We were all like little kids out playing and sledding. No major crashes for any of us. A couple of funny things happened but they will go unsaid in detail here.

Saturday was a long run in the snow where I ran and tried to catch a neighbor who was out and about on the greenway. I followed his prints and found him about 5.5 miles in. It was a slow, tough run but a good one. The training for Boston is really going well even in this cold, snowy season we are having.

My dad flew in on Monday to catch a couple of basketball games of Morgan's but Monday's was snowed out but he did get to see her play on Tues. The team is holding their own and Morgan is doing well. It was a lot of fun to have dad here and unfortunately he had to leave to go home today. He is enjoying "retirement" and the church did a big deal for him this past Sunday which I think surprised him and honored him at the same time.

Shelbi started classes yesterday and seems to be doing well. She headed back to Union last week to help them open their new student center. I think she was more interested in being around Mark, her beau, and a nice young man I might add. - even though him being a Yankees fan is a major strike against him with me ;-)

The weekend could be a busy one. Basketball game on Fri. night against Davidson Academy and 15 miles on Sat and a new dishwasher coming our way on Sat. The old was 18 years old so I guess we got our money's worth on that one.