Well, let's start with the news. Jerry Jones sold more tickets than he had seats. Good job Jerry. He did refund 3 times the cost, but as one guy said, that didn't even cover the travel expenses. Good job Jerry. Instead, these people stood outside the stadium and watched it on a big TV. That's just as good as being there, right?
This was followed up by Christina Augulera (sp?) messing up the words to our national song, traditionally sung before all major sporting event. She repeated one part and skipped another. Most people are saying she should be exiled to Canada. That works for me, even before she sung it.
Then there was commercials. I like the Doritos commercials (especially the one with the pug), the Ozzi/Bieber one, and the Vader commercial. Eminem did two commercials, the first one called "This is why I don't do commercials." LAME. HomeAway had a hilarious commerical with a hotel room simulator and baby being launched in a glass wall. We cheered, but people said this encouraged violence against children. I agree with their executive who said, "Are you saying the Betty White commercials led to an increase of old women being tackled in parks?"
Oh yeah, and there was a football game. Go Packers! I am so sick of Steelers fans in my area shooting their mouths off. So I was rooting for the Packers. Sorry Jim, I just was. Anyway, the Packers Defense forced 3 turnovers, which was the main impact of this game. Other than that, and the Steelers handily win this game. But Big Ben threw 2 TDs. I just have to say that every time I hear Big Ben, I think of the old SNL Celebrity Jeopardy joke. "I'll take 'the rapists' for 100." "That's therapsists." Aaron Rodgers had fun, as he always looks like he did. There were three GB recievers that could have gotten MVP, one in particular had he not dropped two major passes that hit him in the chest. So instead they had a QB as MVP. I loved that their team made him a chapionship belt in honor of his signature celebration. It is also sad that Driver and Woodson, two of the team's leaders, went out injured, but that's life sometimes.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Two weeks and the worst day
The last two weeks have been busy. And awful. Jan 25th, 2011 marked the worst day of my life. It started out as a normal day, and I intended to watch the State of the Union and write on that. I was trying to get stuff done at work. That morning, we had a portable shed delivered at my church. My dad took me to deliver buildings like these, only bigger, since I was a kid. It is an easier job with a couple of people that know what they are doing. Anyway, they had a trailer designed for these buildings. It had a remote controlled axle that dropped down allowing the trailer to drive itself side to side. It was too small to haul Dad's buildings, but it was interesting. My plan was to call Dad that evening to tell him about it, because I thought he'd get a kick out of it.
Imagine my surprise when at around 4:10 my cell phone rang and my caller ID read "Mom." My thought was "Mom probably wants to tell me about work. I'll talk to her and have her hand the phone to dad." Instead, Mom told me that my dad was dead. At first I thought she was saying the dog was dead. They have three, so I was confused. When I finally understood, I told her that that could not be right. It could not be. Both his parents are living, and his brother died a year and a week before. Denial is a very real thing in that situation.
Next thing I know, I was on my hands and knees sobbing. I don't really remember walking out of my office into the auditorium, but that's where I fell, weeping. I don't do emotion well, but sadness, sorrow, fear, and helplessness come to mind. It is all so overwhelming.
I was on the phone with Mom for a while. She had walked in and found him. He was already cold. My dad was such a people person, that after I had a day to process, I finally cried and said "It wasn't right that he died alone." Anyway, I called Kraig, who lives down the street from me to come pick me up because I couldn't drive. Somewhere in there I packed stuff I would need from my office. I asked Kraig to take me home so I could pack. By this point, I couldn't see, I was hyperventilating, I was shaking, and I could barely stand upright.
Kraig did not take me home. He took me to his house, just down the street. I think it was his wife's idea. They gave me water, and calmed me down so I could breathe. It was as this point that I called Grandma to tell her. She kept saying "Is he dead?" "Yes Grandma, he is." "No..." This conversation kept repeating. She finally said, "I've lost two of my boys, you know." "I know, Grandma." No parent should ever have to bury a child, let alone two. Then Larry, the Sr. Minister of my church, came over and prayed with me. He stayed for a while, and other people came over. My phone kept ringing. Minister's from Mom and Dad's church, Dad's brothers, friends who found out. I also handed Kraig my debit card, and he got me a flight out. We printed out the boarding pass and he dropped me off at my place to pack. Then I called Mom, and started returning voicemails.
I attended the funeral of the father of my friend John last year. I knew he was close to his dad too, so I asked him, "How do I get through?" We talked for hours. He talked to me, warned me of things. One was that you swing back and forth between waves of emotion and numbness. The more this happens, the longer the numb spells go. I then got a shower, and realized my devotional for that morning was 2 Cor. 5. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."
This passage always filled me with longing. Longing to be in the very presence of Jesus. Dad beat me to it. This set me crying again. It's one thing to believe in life after death. It is another to have experienced the power and love, the presence of the Almighty God. Belief isn't a strong enough word, neither is faith. I KNOW it. Because I trust wholly this God whom I've met, who I've talked with, who leads me daily. Now I long to be with my Father and my dad, who are in heaven.
That night, in the four hours that I attempted to sleep, I did go in and out of awareness, but didn't get any sleep. At 4:00AM, I got up to see it snowing, and got ready. An hour later, I left on a three hour trip on slick roads to the airport. My Senior Minister drove me, because he had 4 wheel drive and no one trusted me to drive, including me. When I checked in for my flight, everything was on time. From the time it took me to walk from security to Gate 4, everything was delayed.
I sat there talking to a flight attendant. No big deal. 1 hour delay. I couldn't concentrate to read, so I sat there watching CNN. Then they announced another delay, another 30 minutes. I pretty much freaked out. I started pacing like a caged animal. I talked on the phone until the battery died. Then I got an update on the plane; the flight attendant told me they were waiting on the plane to arrive from Rhode Island. I finally managed to find an outlet that worked, on the side of the moving sidewalk. I then stood next to it, stamping my feet and talking on the phone. I tried calling Mom with an update at one point. I couldn't get her, and tried calling the house line. I got the machine with my dad's recording on it, and about lost it. I finally talked to my sister, whom up to this point I was afraid I could not handle talking to. Three hours later, the plane finally took off, my sanity hanging by a thread.
On the two hour plane ride, I alternated between staring at the back of the seat in front of me, and my watch. I ate my peanuts, knowing I needed salt. When I landed, people from my parents church were there to get me: Todd Murphy, my high school youth minister and close friend of my father, Doc and Mary Jones, whom have been friends of my parents my whole life, and Todd's daughter Amy, whom my dad always said "Her name is Anthony Micheal Young. We call her AMY for short." I hugged each of them, and we talked on the car ride to the funeral home.
Mom, my sister, and her husband were already there. That was the first we saw each other. I grabbed Mom with one arm and Rebecca with the other and we wept. Damon rubbed my back, comforting us as best he could. They had already chosen a casket (there are less options for a man of Dad's large size.) They chose a grey casket and red flowers, representing the Scarlett and Gray of Dad's favorite team, the Ohio State University Buckeyes. Randy, their senior minister was there. He said "We need to plan a service. I asked them and they would only say that it was your decision." We talked it out. Dad said he wanted his funeral to be funny, and we had some ideas. He asked me about the internment, and I said I could not think about that right now.
There were many people at the house during that evening. Many phone calls and voicemails. Many facebook messages. We had supper. We cried. A lot. Somehow I found myself going through Dad's desk, looking for answers. I told Damon that and cried more. We also decided to make a slideshow of pictures for the viewing. Their youth minister, Matt, put it together, but we flipped through photo albums to find them. Finally, Damon came and grabbed me and basically shoved me into my old room to make me get some sleep. I was awake for 39 hours straight. My eyes had been burning for more than 24 hours from the tears. I have never seen dark circles like I saw in the mirror. It looked fake, or like I had a broken nose. Needless to say, I collapsed into bed that night. That was the longest and worst day of my life.
The next day was the viewing. We arrived at the church and started hugging people in the lobby. Then Randy came out and opened the door. I sat down on the couch out there and started to cry. "I don't want to go in." Mom said, "You have to." She got under one arm and we started to cry hard. Damon got under the other and half-carried me in there. I have no idea if he was crying. What I do know is I could not have made it that couple of days without him. I also know I dreading going in there, because when I saw the body I had to accept this was real.
I sat on the front row and unleashed everything I was feeling. Specifically, that my safety net had been cut. Dad has always been there for me, and now he isn't. But Damon whispered in my ear that I would be ok and he would be there for me. So did Todd and Randy. I'm going to need them. Because we humans need each other. I leaned heavily on Dad. He helped me write sermons. I talked to him about girls (and the lack thereof). I talked to him about frustrations in ministry and what to do about it. Now my life will never be the same.
I learned a lot of things that will be the subject of many years of blog posts, but for now I will leave you with one. It is great when the church is the church. There is nothing better. People flocked to my parents house to help Mom. People brought so much food (and still are bringing it) that we had to throw it away. They came out just to spend time with us and laugh and comfort us. There were so many, who did so many things we lost count. There is nothing better than the church actually being the church.
Imagine my surprise when at around 4:10 my cell phone rang and my caller ID read "Mom." My thought was "Mom probably wants to tell me about work. I'll talk to her and have her hand the phone to dad." Instead, Mom told me that my dad was dead. At first I thought she was saying the dog was dead. They have three, so I was confused. When I finally understood, I told her that that could not be right. It could not be. Both his parents are living, and his brother died a year and a week before. Denial is a very real thing in that situation.
Next thing I know, I was on my hands and knees sobbing. I don't really remember walking out of my office into the auditorium, but that's where I fell, weeping. I don't do emotion well, but sadness, sorrow, fear, and helplessness come to mind. It is all so overwhelming.
I was on the phone with Mom for a while. She had walked in and found him. He was already cold. My dad was such a people person, that after I had a day to process, I finally cried and said "It wasn't right that he died alone." Anyway, I called Kraig, who lives down the street from me to come pick me up because I couldn't drive. Somewhere in there I packed stuff I would need from my office. I asked Kraig to take me home so I could pack. By this point, I couldn't see, I was hyperventilating, I was shaking, and I could barely stand upright.
Kraig did not take me home. He took me to his house, just down the street. I think it was his wife's idea. They gave me water, and calmed me down so I could breathe. It was as this point that I called Grandma to tell her. She kept saying "Is he dead?" "Yes Grandma, he is." "No..." This conversation kept repeating. She finally said, "I've lost two of my boys, you know." "I know, Grandma." No parent should ever have to bury a child, let alone two. Then Larry, the Sr. Minister of my church, came over and prayed with me. He stayed for a while, and other people came over. My phone kept ringing. Minister's from Mom and Dad's church, Dad's brothers, friends who found out. I also handed Kraig my debit card, and he got me a flight out. We printed out the boarding pass and he dropped me off at my place to pack. Then I called Mom, and started returning voicemails.
I attended the funeral of the father of my friend John last year. I knew he was close to his dad too, so I asked him, "How do I get through?" We talked for hours. He talked to me, warned me of things. One was that you swing back and forth between waves of emotion and numbness. The more this happens, the longer the numb spells go. I then got a shower, and realized my devotional for that morning was 2 Cor. 5. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."
This passage always filled me with longing. Longing to be in the very presence of Jesus. Dad beat me to it. This set me crying again. It's one thing to believe in life after death. It is another to have experienced the power and love, the presence of the Almighty God. Belief isn't a strong enough word, neither is faith. I KNOW it. Because I trust wholly this God whom I've met, who I've talked with, who leads me daily. Now I long to be with my Father and my dad, who are in heaven.
That night, in the four hours that I attempted to sleep, I did go in and out of awareness, but didn't get any sleep. At 4:00AM, I got up to see it snowing, and got ready. An hour later, I left on a three hour trip on slick roads to the airport. My Senior Minister drove me, because he had 4 wheel drive and no one trusted me to drive, including me. When I checked in for my flight, everything was on time. From the time it took me to walk from security to Gate 4, everything was delayed.
I sat there talking to a flight attendant. No big deal. 1 hour delay. I couldn't concentrate to read, so I sat there watching CNN. Then they announced another delay, another 30 minutes. I pretty much freaked out. I started pacing like a caged animal. I talked on the phone until the battery died. Then I got an update on the plane; the flight attendant told me they were waiting on the plane to arrive from Rhode Island. I finally managed to find an outlet that worked, on the side of the moving sidewalk. I then stood next to it, stamping my feet and talking on the phone. I tried calling Mom with an update at one point. I couldn't get her, and tried calling the house line. I got the machine with my dad's recording on it, and about lost it. I finally talked to my sister, whom up to this point I was afraid I could not handle talking to. Three hours later, the plane finally took off, my sanity hanging by a thread.
On the two hour plane ride, I alternated between staring at the back of the seat in front of me, and my watch. I ate my peanuts, knowing I needed salt. When I landed, people from my parents church were there to get me: Todd Murphy, my high school youth minister and close friend of my father, Doc and Mary Jones, whom have been friends of my parents my whole life, and Todd's daughter Amy, whom my dad always said "Her name is Anthony Micheal Young. We call her AMY for short." I hugged each of them, and we talked on the car ride to the funeral home.
Mom, my sister, and her husband were already there. That was the first we saw each other. I grabbed Mom with one arm and Rebecca with the other and we wept. Damon rubbed my back, comforting us as best he could. They had already chosen a casket (there are less options for a man of Dad's large size.) They chose a grey casket and red flowers, representing the Scarlett and Gray of Dad's favorite team, the Ohio State University Buckeyes. Randy, their senior minister was there. He said "We need to plan a service. I asked them and they would only say that it was your decision." We talked it out. Dad said he wanted his funeral to be funny, and we had some ideas. He asked me about the internment, and I said I could not think about that right now.
There were many people at the house during that evening. Many phone calls and voicemails. Many facebook messages. We had supper. We cried. A lot. Somehow I found myself going through Dad's desk, looking for answers. I told Damon that and cried more. We also decided to make a slideshow of pictures for the viewing. Their youth minister, Matt, put it together, but we flipped through photo albums to find them. Finally, Damon came and grabbed me and basically shoved me into my old room to make me get some sleep. I was awake for 39 hours straight. My eyes had been burning for more than 24 hours from the tears. I have never seen dark circles like I saw in the mirror. It looked fake, or like I had a broken nose. Needless to say, I collapsed into bed that night. That was the longest and worst day of my life.
The next day was the viewing. We arrived at the church and started hugging people in the lobby. Then Randy came out and opened the door. I sat down on the couch out there and started to cry. "I don't want to go in." Mom said, "You have to." She got under one arm and we started to cry hard. Damon got under the other and half-carried me in there. I have no idea if he was crying. What I do know is I could not have made it that couple of days without him. I also know I dreading going in there, because when I saw the body I had to accept this was real.
I sat on the front row and unleashed everything I was feeling. Specifically, that my safety net had been cut. Dad has always been there for me, and now he isn't. But Damon whispered in my ear that I would be ok and he would be there for me. So did Todd and Randy. I'm going to need them. Because we humans need each other. I leaned heavily on Dad. He helped me write sermons. I talked to him about girls (and the lack thereof). I talked to him about frustrations in ministry and what to do about it. Now my life will never be the same.
I learned a lot of things that will be the subject of many years of blog posts, but for now I will leave you with one. It is great when the church is the church. There is nothing better. People flocked to my parents house to help Mom. People brought so much food (and still are bringing it) that we had to throw it away. They came out just to spend time with us and laugh and comfort us. There were so many, who did so many things we lost count. There is nothing better than the church actually being the church.
Monday, January 24, 2011
NFL 10 Championship Round
Packers-Bears. Go Packers. The Packers D outright dominated the Bears. The Offense started out with a series of 20+ yard plays, and Aaron Rogers doing a 1 yard run for a TD. The Bears D stepped up after that, but only slowed the Packers Offense. The Bears D struggled to get going, and their offense was worse. You also have to love Big Man with Football, when a defensive lineman for the Packers caught an Interception, ran it in, and did Rogers signature "championship belt" celebration.
Now for the controversy. Jay Cutler came out in the third quarter with a knee injury. Marice Jones-Drew tweeted, from his couch sparking a controversy. He said something to the affect that Cutler was a quiter. "I played all season on a hurt knee." Let me explain some things. 1) way to Monday morning quarterback. You're at home, you loser. No one cares what you think. Shut up. 2) He had a torn MCL, not a sore knee. Shut up. 3) He did not make the decision to come out. Lovie Smith made that decision, not Culter. Shut up. Some people are making comparisons to Brett Favre. Just because the Geezer had coaches that let him back in does not make Cutler a weenie. Deon Sanders was also calling Cutler a whus. Deon, you missed 6 games for turf toe, which is the pansiest sounding injury ever. So back off of Culter!
Steelers-Jets. Each team played only a single half of this game. The Steelers played the first half, and the Jets the second. The only problem was the Jets had allowed too many points the first half. Now I must introduce the controversy of this game. I'm not sure that was a fumble and not an incomplete pass. The only thing that makes me not question it outright is that Ed Houchili is the best NFL referee, and his arms are so big it looks like he could pick any given player up over his head and break them in half.
In the second half, the Jets had an offense. The completed a lot of third and fourth downs. The problem is with time running off they needed to convert first downs to first downs. After finally scaring 2 TDs, they also drove the field in 9 minutes, only to get a 1st and goal on the 1 that they couldn't convert. They through pass after pass, all incomplete, and didn't run until 4th down when they got stopped. They should have run the first three, and could have scored. The Steelers did fumble the snap in the endzone. This brings me the the words of a friend of mine, know as Whee. Quote the Whee, "If any team in a Championship game allows a safety, they should automatically lose. The safety is the most embarrassing thing in football." Well, they kicked off, and the Jets failed to do anything or get a stop, and lost the game.
Now for the controversy. Jay Cutler came out in the third quarter with a knee injury. Marice Jones-Drew tweeted, from his couch sparking a controversy. He said something to the affect that Cutler was a quiter. "I played all season on a hurt knee." Let me explain some things. 1) way to Monday morning quarterback. You're at home, you loser. No one cares what you think. Shut up. 2) He had a torn MCL, not a sore knee. Shut up. 3) He did not make the decision to come out. Lovie Smith made that decision, not Culter. Shut up. Some people are making comparisons to Brett Favre. Just because the Geezer had coaches that let him back in does not make Cutler a weenie. Deon Sanders was also calling Cutler a whus. Deon, you missed 6 games for turf toe, which is the pansiest sounding injury ever. So back off of Culter!
Steelers-Jets. Each team played only a single half of this game. The Steelers played the first half, and the Jets the second. The only problem was the Jets had allowed too many points the first half. Now I must introduce the controversy of this game. I'm not sure that was a fumble and not an incomplete pass. The only thing that makes me not question it outright is that Ed Houchili is the best NFL referee, and his arms are so big it looks like he could pick any given player up over his head and break them in half.
In the second half, the Jets had an offense. The completed a lot of third and fourth downs. The problem is with time running off they needed to convert first downs to first downs. After finally scaring 2 TDs, they also drove the field in 9 minutes, only to get a 1st and goal on the 1 that they couldn't convert. They through pass after pass, all incomplete, and didn't run until 4th down when they got stopped. They should have run the first three, and could have scored. The Steelers did fumble the snap in the endzone. This brings me the the words of a friend of mine, know as Whee. Quote the Whee, "If any team in a Championship game allows a safety, they should automatically lose. The safety is the most embarrassing thing in football." Well, they kicked off, and the Jets failed to do anything or get a stop, and lost the game.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
What can we do?
This post is dedicated to my friend John. We were talking on the phone, when John said, "You know, the more I read my Bible, and the more I look at the culture, I think we cannot live in both." I agreed. "So what do we do?"
That's a tough question. The toughest, perhaps. It is asked repeatedly in Scripture. John answered with things like "If you have two cloaks, give one away to someone who has none." Peter answered with "Repent and be baptized."
It is a difficult question entirely. For starters, I wonder if the question is bad. This is a problem, because we want a list of things we have to do, mostly because we want the bare minimum of things we have to do, so that we don't have to do more. Maybe instead of doing we should be. See, because instead of trying to complete a checklist, who we are should define our actions. Guilt is a lousy motivator, as is fear. Ask yourself, "Who am I? Who do I want to be? And who does God want me to be?" Then ask "What do I have to do to become that person?"
But that's not exactly helpful is it? That is a question that must be asked daily, and should be a defining question. But I think what we need is more practical answers. We need options.
1) The first option is to do what some have done, like the Puritans, Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish. You form your own culture, completely separate from the world, and attempt to make a Utopian religious society. There are several problems with this. First, it won't be perfect as long as there are people. It can last maybe 5 days before the first greed will provoke a leader to oppress those below them. Second, it is unbiblical. I've often thought it would be better to live a monastic lifestyle, but the problem is Jesus commissions his followers from the beginning to be "fishers of men," to invite men to the freedom he offers. If you create an isolated society, you fail in the many commands to spread the good news.
2) The second option is the state of many in the American church today. That is to just go with the culture. There is a problem with this. Mostly, it requires lipservice to God. You can maybe go to church, but you certainly are not allowed to actually practice what you say you believe, because that might make you an individual which is intolerable in our culture. This makes you fake, a hypocrite (the Greek word for actor). Bottom line it, you give up everything that you were saved to in order to get back what you were saved from. That is unacceptable. I am not willing to give up my reason for living to chase the misery that follows a life spent seeking temporary things like money. As I said, this is the sad state of many who sit in church on Sunday morning, as is evidenced by the fact that statistically there is no difference between people who go to church or don't in regards to how likely they are to steal, commit adultery, use pornography, cheat on their taxes, get a divorce, use foul language, etc.
3) The third option is to be "in the world but not of it." This expression has been passed around church circles for decades, possibly centuries. The problem is no one knows what it means (which led many to option 2). We have to be counter-cultural. Our job is to be subversive, not in the traditional sense of leading some type of violent rebellion. This is about living differently. This subversion is to live an example of a better life, of freedom from the slavery of our culture. As John the Baptist said, use extremism in generosity, love, and forgiveness. Extremism in peace and respect for your fellow man. Extremism in compassion and selflessness, and justice for all.
That's a tough question. The toughest, perhaps. It is asked repeatedly in Scripture. John answered with things like "If you have two cloaks, give one away to someone who has none." Peter answered with "Repent and be baptized."
It is a difficult question entirely. For starters, I wonder if the question is bad. This is a problem, because we want a list of things we have to do, mostly because we want the bare minimum of things we have to do, so that we don't have to do more. Maybe instead of doing we should be. See, because instead of trying to complete a checklist, who we are should define our actions. Guilt is a lousy motivator, as is fear. Ask yourself, "Who am I? Who do I want to be? And who does God want me to be?" Then ask "What do I have to do to become that person?"
But that's not exactly helpful is it? That is a question that must be asked daily, and should be a defining question. But I think what we need is more practical answers. We need options.
1) The first option is to do what some have done, like the Puritans, Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish. You form your own culture, completely separate from the world, and attempt to make a Utopian religious society. There are several problems with this. First, it won't be perfect as long as there are people. It can last maybe 5 days before the first greed will provoke a leader to oppress those below them. Second, it is unbiblical. I've often thought it would be better to live a monastic lifestyle, but the problem is Jesus commissions his followers from the beginning to be "fishers of men," to invite men to the freedom he offers. If you create an isolated society, you fail in the many commands to spread the good news.
2) The second option is the state of many in the American church today. That is to just go with the culture. There is a problem with this. Mostly, it requires lipservice to God. You can maybe go to church, but you certainly are not allowed to actually practice what you say you believe, because that might make you an individual which is intolerable in our culture. This makes you fake, a hypocrite (the Greek word for actor). Bottom line it, you give up everything that you were saved to in order to get back what you were saved from. That is unacceptable. I am not willing to give up my reason for living to chase the misery that follows a life spent seeking temporary things like money. As I said, this is the sad state of many who sit in church on Sunday morning, as is evidenced by the fact that statistically there is no difference between people who go to church or don't in regards to how likely they are to steal, commit adultery, use pornography, cheat on their taxes, get a divorce, use foul language, etc.
3) The third option is to be "in the world but not of it." This expression has been passed around church circles for decades, possibly centuries. The problem is no one knows what it means (which led many to option 2). We have to be counter-cultural. Our job is to be subversive, not in the traditional sense of leading some type of violent rebellion. This is about living differently. This subversion is to live an example of a better life, of freedom from the slavery of our culture. As John the Baptist said, use extremism in generosity, love, and forgiveness. Extremism in peace and respect for your fellow man. Extremism in compassion and selflessness, and justice for all.
Monday, January 17, 2011
NFL 10 Division round synopsis
Steelers-Ravens. Let me say that I was rooting for the Ravens mostly because I got sick of the Steelers fans trash talk (things like "Hey Baltimore, we'll give you the bird.") Mostly, I was just rooting for a good game. This game was hard hitting from two teams that respect and despise each other. This game started with Pitt challenging the spot of the ball of the opening kickoff. I thought "That's dumb. You don't get anything and lose one of your two challenges. What if you need the other?" Well, Baltimore's Suggs was in the Pittsburg backfield the entire half. He caused an early Rothlisberger fumble. Though it wasn't whistled dead, no one went after it, except one Raven who carried it back for a TD. Pitt challenged it, lost the challenge and was out of challenges for the game halfway through the first quarter (again I must say they should change the rule to let them challenge as long as they have time-outs). This is only one example of these teams knocking the heck out of each other. There were a combined 106 penalty yards in the first quarter. It would have been more had they flagged all the Steelers hitting guys after the play was over. The Steelers fumbled a second time in the first half and missed a field goal (stupid Suishum) to give the Ravens a 14 point lead going into the second half.
The second half started with a Ray Rice fumble that was a major momentum changer. Suddenly the Steelers poured it on. The Ravens had no penetration. Flacco had just as little protection at Big Ben. Flacco immediately threw an INT then fumbled the snap (actually it was the center's fault). The Steelers turned them all into points. A nullified punt return made a Ravens TD a FG instead. These are two teams that are very physical, but the Ravens defense was the most physical that day. It was too little. The Ravens had one too many turnovers, one too many penalties giving 1st downs, one too many blown coverages (the only one, really), one too many sacks allowed. Take away any of those and the Ravens have a chance to win.
I also have to say to all Steelers fans, I still think Rothisberger is overrated, but no where near as overrated as the Geezer.
Packers-Falcons. I like to watch Aaron Rodgers play football. You know why? Because he looks like he's having fun. He looks more like he's playing backyard football than professional. He's not like Ocho, who is out to be a celebrity. He's not a glory hog like Tom "We suck" Brady. He's not the hardened professional of Peyton Manning. He's just having a blast. And he had a blast on Saturday. I must say that I am a little disappointed because about midway through the season I predicted Atlanta as NFC champions. But I am not disappointed in the Packers win. They scored a franchize record for most points scored in a post season game. Eat that with your Cream of Wheat, Geezer. I bet your teeth fell out when you heard that. That's because you aren't that good. Your Super Bowl wins are a result of Reggie White and the Packers D, not your interception record. And that is why Brett Farve filled out retirement papers, today. Again. Anyway Pack, I'm rooting for you next week.
Bears-Seahawks. Now that was the game we thought we would see last week. And by that, I mean it wasn't much of a game. The wave of emotion fed by the 12th man last week was not there to carry the team this week, so the Bears are hosting the NFC Championship. It will be a tough division rivalry in professional football, Bears vs. Packers.
And now the game you've all been waiting for.
Jets-Patriots. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS! That's right. It is the new Jersey Jets, the team whose fan base sounds so excited to be able to spell the name of the team. I posted on facebook this morning a that my second favorite team won. My favorite being the Colts, and my second favorite being whoever is playing New England. Before we go on, let me add a quote from Week 2.
Bellicheck said after the game "We didn't score enough points. We didn't keep them from scoring. We just weren't very good. Brady said it better week 2.
Points to consider.
1. Both games are #2 hosting #6. Interesting.
2. The Jets have beaten 2 out of the three best teams of the previous decade and beat them in their houses. Now they have a chance to do the same to the third. What will happen?
3. Both Ravens @ Steelers and Jets @ Patriots were divisional games, as is the Packers @ Bears next week week.
Packers @ Bears for NFC Championship. Sunday 3:00 on FOX
Jets @ Steelers for the AFC Championship. Sunday 6:30 on CBS
The second half started with a Ray Rice fumble that was a major momentum changer. Suddenly the Steelers poured it on. The Ravens had no penetration. Flacco had just as little protection at Big Ben. Flacco immediately threw an INT then fumbled the snap (actually it was the center's fault). The Steelers turned them all into points. A nullified punt return made a Ravens TD a FG instead. These are two teams that are very physical, but the Ravens defense was the most physical that day. It was too little. The Ravens had one too many turnovers, one too many penalties giving 1st downs, one too many blown coverages (the only one, really), one too many sacks allowed. Take away any of those and the Ravens have a chance to win.
I also have to say to all Steelers fans, I still think Rothisberger is overrated, but no where near as overrated as the Geezer.
Packers-Falcons. I like to watch Aaron Rodgers play football. You know why? Because he looks like he's having fun. He looks more like he's playing backyard football than professional. He's not like Ocho, who is out to be a celebrity. He's not a glory hog like Tom "We suck" Brady. He's not the hardened professional of Peyton Manning. He's just having a blast. And he had a blast on Saturday. I must say that I am a little disappointed because about midway through the season I predicted Atlanta as NFC champions. But I am not disappointed in the Packers win. They scored a franchize record for most points scored in a post season game. Eat that with your Cream of Wheat, Geezer. I bet your teeth fell out when you heard that. That's because you aren't that good. Your Super Bowl wins are a result of Reggie White and the Packers D, not your interception record. And that is why Brett Farve filled out retirement papers, today. Again. Anyway Pack, I'm rooting for you next week.
Bears-Seahawks. Now that was the game we thought we would see last week. And by that, I mean it wasn't much of a game. The wave of emotion fed by the 12th man last week was not there to carry the team this week, so the Bears are hosting the NFC Championship. It will be a tough division rivalry in professional football, Bears vs. Packers.
And now the game you've all been waiting for.
Jets-Patriots. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS! That's right. It is the new Jersey Jets, the team whose fan base sounds so excited to be able to spell the name of the team. I posted on facebook this morning a that my second favorite team won. My favorite being the Colts, and my second favorite being whoever is playing New England. Before we go on, let me add a quote from Week 2.
Jets-Pats. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS! Good job Sanchize. Now you're living up to expectations. Like the Colts, I have to ask, where was this team last week? Gotta love Rex Ryan and his ablility to motivate this team no matter what. Tom "the Chump" Brady in a statement after tha game said that they couldn't do anything in the second half, ending with "we just sucked." I couldn't agree more. I've been saying that for years. Now if he would just admit that not only do they suck, but he is a chump and they cheat too, I would be even more happy. But for now, I'll take "we suck." Maybe that will be his new nickname: Tom "we suck" Brady is a chump.This game started with a bad omen for New England, the INT that ended the streak. I was hoping for that even more than a win. But the Jets were fired up. They were embarrassed week 13. Kinda like the Patriots built a winning season off of being embarrassed by the Browns week 9. Football is an emotional sport, and Rex Ryan and the Jets D were fired up. They held the Pats to 3 points in the first half, scoring 2 TDs of their own. The second half wasn't much different, though they kept score for score for the most part. I think people should think back to a few years ago, when the Pats went on 4th and 2 against the Colts and didn't get it. People said Bellicheck (aka "The hoodie) should have punted and trusted his D, not giving the Colts easy field position. He should have kicked deep and trusted his D yesterday. Instead, he did an onside kick which Cromartie ran back, leading on the next play to a TD. While it is true that the Jets scored "too quick" and gave the Pats another chance at an onside kick later, if he would have kicked it deep he would have stood a better chance of winning.
Bellicheck said after the game "We didn't score enough points. We didn't keep them from scoring. We just weren't very good. Brady said it better week 2.
Points to consider.
1. Both games are #2 hosting #6. Interesting.
2. The Jets have beaten 2 out of the three best teams of the previous decade and beat them in their houses. Now they have a chance to do the same to the third. What will happen?
3. Both Ravens @ Steelers and Jets @ Patriots were divisional games, as is the Packers @ Bears next week week.
Packers @ Bears for NFC Championship. Sunday 3:00 on FOX
Jets @ Steelers for the AFC Championship. Sunday 6:30 on CBS
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Why I care
I was asked today why I care about abortion. It is complicated. To me, this is a social justice issue. It is about defending those who cannot defend themselves. This is the same as caring for the poor, the immigrant, the bullied.
Let me start by saying that where most people address this issue is by thinking either of the mother or the baby. It is almost mother vs. baby. To care for one, you must hate the other. This is where psychos come out of the woodwork. They hold up protest signs and yell at each other from across the street.
I believe that to be truly pro-life, and not just anti-abortion, you must hold a sanctity of all life. All life. The baby, the mother, the doctor, those that agree with you and those that disagree.
The main problem with others who call themselves pro-life, is that they want to outlaw abortion without addressing the issue. The issue is women who feel hopeless, who feel that they have no choice and don't really understand what they are doing. Everyone considers this issue emotionally. So let's look at it seriously.
"It is my body." "When does life begin." Actually, from the time that the sperm and egg join together, that person has a unique DNA code, one that has never existed upon the earth before. If that isn't amazing, I don't know what is. But that is beside the point. You can look up for yourself the stages of development, like when eyes, fingers, and a heartbeat start. Just go Google it.
What is needed is alternative. I know that women in my family have a tendancy toward infertility, as did other women that I was close to growing up. Within the next month, I will have more adopted cousins then "natural born." With that in your family, you see adoption as a real option, because there are many couples desperate to have children. There are also organizations that will help financially support women who wish to keep the children.
Last, women that have abortions are prone to lives of guilt and depression. Norma McConnell was the woman who filed lawsuit under the pseudonym Jane Rowe in the lawsuit Rowe v. Wade that made abortion legal. She was racked with guilt. A neighbor shared Christ with her, and she and the daughter that she sued to have aborted worked together for a pro-life organization, trying to keep women from living with guilt. I love the fact that where I live there is an organization who specializes in counseling for women who had abortions and are suffering with guilt. God is a God of mercy and grace.
Let me start by saying that where most people address this issue is by thinking either of the mother or the baby. It is almost mother vs. baby. To care for one, you must hate the other. This is where psychos come out of the woodwork. They hold up protest signs and yell at each other from across the street.
I believe that to be truly pro-life, and not just anti-abortion, you must hold a sanctity of all life. All life. The baby, the mother, the doctor, those that agree with you and those that disagree.
The main problem with others who call themselves pro-life, is that they want to outlaw abortion without addressing the issue. The issue is women who feel hopeless, who feel that they have no choice and don't really understand what they are doing. Everyone considers this issue emotionally. So let's look at it seriously.
"It is my body." "When does life begin." Actually, from the time that the sperm and egg join together, that person has a unique DNA code, one that has never existed upon the earth before. If that isn't amazing, I don't know what is. But that is beside the point. You can look up for yourself the stages of development, like when eyes, fingers, and a heartbeat start. Just go Google it.
What is needed is alternative. I know that women in my family have a tendancy toward infertility, as did other women that I was close to growing up. Within the next month, I will have more adopted cousins then "natural born." With that in your family, you see adoption as a real option, because there are many couples desperate to have children. There are also organizations that will help financially support women who wish to keep the children.
Last, women that have abortions are prone to lives of guilt and depression. Norma McConnell was the woman who filed lawsuit under the pseudonym Jane Rowe in the lawsuit Rowe v. Wade that made abortion legal. She was racked with guilt. A neighbor shared Christ with her, and she and the daughter that she sued to have aborted worked together for a pro-life organization, trying to keep women from living with guilt. I love the fact that where I live there is an organization who specializes in counseling for women who had abortions and are suffering with guilt. God is a God of mercy and grace.
NFL 10 Wild Card synopsis
(Yes I know it is 2011, but it is still the 2010 season.)
Seahawks-Saints. Of course. The one game I called, and I got it wrong. If I would have told you one team scored 40+ points, you would have said "that figured." If I would have told you that it was the only team to make the playoffs with a losing record, you would have called me nuts. It was the second most points allowed in Saints history. Moreover, Seattle said they knew they were going to win going into the game. They said they just knew. Well, they were right. I don't know if N'Orleans thought it was an easy win so they forgot to bring their defense on the plane or what, but this game was nuts. And the defending champs are no longer defending.
Jets-Colts. Yeah, I was afraid of that, but not how that happened. The Colts just never had any offense. Manning only threw one ball in Wayne's direction, a wide reciever screen that blew up in their faces. Rex Ryan said he took it personally that Manning was able to out think his defensive schemes. I hope he took it personally that his team got his butt kicked 45-3 this season and gets revenge on Tom "We Suck" Brady and the Pats. By the way, both of last years Super Bowl teams got knocked out on the same day.
Ravens-Cheifs. Ray Rice, the Ravens Running back from Rutgers, ran all over Kansas City. Ray Lewis well, he did his thing.
Packers-Eagles. The team that used to have the Geezer played the team with the Dog-Fighter. That's some matchup. I didn't get to watch this game so um... yeah the Packers won. I like the Packers, mostly because they look like they are having fun when they play, especially Aaron Rogers.
Seahawks-Saints. Of course. The one game I called, and I got it wrong. If I would have told you one team scored 40+ points, you would have said "that figured." If I would have told you that it was the only team to make the playoffs with a losing record, you would have called me nuts. It was the second most points allowed in Saints history. Moreover, Seattle said they knew they were going to win going into the game. They said they just knew. Well, they were right. I don't know if N'Orleans thought it was an easy win so they forgot to bring their defense on the plane or what, but this game was nuts. And the defending champs are no longer defending.
Jets-Colts. Yeah, I was afraid of that, but not how that happened. The Colts just never had any offense. Manning only threw one ball in Wayne's direction, a wide reciever screen that blew up in their faces. Rex Ryan said he took it personally that Manning was able to out think his defensive schemes. I hope he took it personally that his team got his butt kicked 45-3 this season and gets revenge on Tom "We Suck" Brady and the Pats. By the way, both of last years Super Bowl teams got knocked out on the same day.
Ravens-Cheifs. Ray Rice, the Ravens Running back from Rutgers, ran all over Kansas City. Ray Lewis well, he did his thing.
Packers-Eagles. The team that used to have the Geezer played the team with the Dog-Fighter. That's some matchup. I didn't get to watch this game so um... yeah the Packers won. I like the Packers, mostly because they look like they are having fun when they play, especially Aaron Rogers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)