We Lose Again

Well to follow up my last post, in case you were at all interested, Philly lost again. I guess that shouldn't be too surprising though. Nick Lachey's choir from Cininnati ended up winning.

Some day, we will win something. I'm sure of it.

But hey, like I said, we still have our cheesesteaks...and Rocky!

Oh, yeah, we have Vince Papale (that's pa-pa-lay). So, yeah, we got that goin' for us. And cheesesteaks. Did I mention the cheesesteaks?

A Championship Coming to Philly?

It's been a long time coming, but could it be true that a championship is coming to the city of brotherly love? No, it wouldn't come from any of our 4 pro sports teams, but we could be celebrating a winner takes all victory in the near future.

Heard of "Clash of the Choirs"? It's a show that's running this week in the evenings where 5 "celebrities" go to the streets in "American Idol" fashion and choose the best singers they can find to form a choir. The key is that each celebrity goes to their own home town to find the talent.

Philly's own Patti LaBelle and her choir has made it to the second round. Could it be? Might Philadelphia finally win something?


Well, if not, we still have our cheesesteaks.

Classic

My thoughts exactly...

Reflections

Of course there's no real satisfaction with a win during a losing season, but this sure makes 6-8 a little sweeter (if that's possible).


5 celebrates.




Lito with a nice pick.


B Wes taking on Roy Williams.



B Wes breaks free.



Much love.


For the record, I still wish he was ours...

Bryant Mumbel

I hate to dog a guy, but if you saw last week's NFL Network game where the Cowboys hosted the Packers, you'd have to agree: Gumbel has been terrible. Besides the fact that he mumbles and speaks so low you can barely hear him, Gumbel called Tony Romo, Rick Romo, among other gaffs and blunders. If I'm not mistaken he called the 'Boys RB's Julius Barber and Marion Jones. There were so many gaffs that I had to keep clicking the 5 sec. rewind button because I couldn't believe my ears. It's been so bad that I'm thinking about doing a live blog on Thursday nights just to capture the gumbel stumbles as they happen.
Is this the best NFLN can do?

Manning's Mind

Think you can take Manning?

Try it out...manningsmind.com

Feeling Guilty?

Have you experienced this?

I tend to take a while making up my mind when ordering at a restaurant. Why is it when the waiter/waitress asks if I'm ready, and I'm not, I feel guilty when I ask for another minute?

That's one of the reasons I like going out to eat with Jason Fullen; we both like to examine the menu thoroughly, so I can blame him and not feel guilty.

Don't Faint

I was thinking, I should start a blog...and then I remembered.

After a long lay off, I've turned my brain back on, and am thinking again.

What Makes LifePoint a Great Place to Be

We had a great Community Group Leader's Meeting tonight. The topic of my skill improvement was, "Selecting Curriculum Made Simple". It was a real beneficial and productive night. After getting good feedback and encouragement (when I got home I recieved an email from a leader who wasn't there. If I told you the contents it would come off like I was bragging, it was that encouraging), I got to thinking about what an amazing place this is to be. So, here goes some of my observations...feel free to add your own.

·Jesus is the Head, He is supreme
·Joe Duke
·Dave Baldwin
·Lance Burch
·Jason Fullen
·Jodie Zorbaugh
·Our awesome Community Group Leaders
·Amazing worship team
·Passionate and loyal team of volunteers
·Incredible children’s ministry, from the Garden to Breakaway
·Make me want to build a time machine so I can be a teen again student ministry; I mean that. (I wish I had Lance and Jason building into my life when I was a student. On the flip side, I do get the benefit of them building into my life now--that's a good deal.)
·Fantastic elders (they didn’t pay me to say that; well, I guess they sort of do)
·We value C.A.R.E
·Influencing people to find and follow Jesus
·Super hot girl on the worship team
·Andrew Harrison on the drums
·The people who are LifePoint Church

I asked Melody this question, she said “Uh, a million things.”

I agree.

Another Bumper

Warning: i am about to vent for a minute...
Disclaimer: these are my opinions & thoughts. they may, in fact they very well could be, very wrong.


I came across another bumper sticker the other day. It read: “Jesus is the Answer”. Now I am sure the contents of that bumper sticker have changed hundreds of lives. The dude in that green minivan probably has had many roadside “bumper calls”—people coming down the aisle and finding God. It’s more than likely that people hungry for the answers to their deepest questions hunt him down to say thanks for providing the answers. So I’m probably treading on thin ice and shouldn’t question it, but what does that mean?

What does it mean to the average person who isn’t familiar with “Christian” clichés? Jesus is the answer—okay, let’s take the guy up on that: 2+2=Jesus? Nope. Oh, I know, what’s the capital of Maryland? Jesus. No, that’s not right. Wait, wait, wait…who was the first President of the United States? Jesus. That doesn’t work either. Hmm, maybe it would help if we knew what the question was.

Here’s my question: Why are we content to trivialize God? Why do we make it so easy at times for people to walk away thinking that Christianity is irrelevant and that Christians are odd balls not in touch with reality? And why, please tell me, why do we give nickel answers to million dollar questions?

Final Disclaimer: i am sure i am guilty of this myself, and maybe that's why it frustrates me so stinkin' much.

John Piper is Bad

Trust me guys, it's true.

Fire Passy

I know most would call this a pacifier. But, Elijah has a minor preoccupation with anything related to fire. So, he has decided that Addison's pacifier should be called a "Fire Passy".

Flowers and Allergies

Here's some spring flowers from our home. I love the sights but can't stand the itchy eyes!

My Time with the Royals

There was a time when yours truly played for the Royals. I know that may come as a shock, but it is true. As a matter of fact, there was a pivotal game in the season when I, get this, hit an inside the park grand slam. My distinguished play even led me to an all-star game. I'll always cherish my memories with the Royals. And, in true Nascar fashion, I'd like to thank Denny's Auto Body for putting a great team out on the field and for their support that year. Also, thank you to all those people who bought boosters to help pay for our hats and jerseys.

Actually, I've been waiting a long time to put Elijah in my old Jersey. You'll notice that number was later worn by one of my favorite Eagles ever, Randall Cunningham. Call it fate. Oh, by the way, we never won a championship either.

Obviously, I was older than Elijah when I wore this, but it fits him good.

Great while it Lasted

It's official, the king has fallen. The King of Queens has come to an end. The last episode was an hour long, and didn't end in a typical "end of series" fashion. Apparently there was still talk of another year when they shot the last episode. So, in lieu of an official ending they played clips of great memories and moments.

Thanks for all the laughs, and we'll see you on DVD and re-runs.

What if...

What if the 1980 Eagles played the 2007 Eagles, who would win? What about the 1985 Bears and the 1993 Cowboys? Now you can know... www.whatifsports.com

This has to be one of the best sports sites period. Enough of the regular debates about "Who would win" now you can know. Pick any two sports teams, from any decade, whether football, baseball, hockey, basketball, or college basketball, and find out who was the best. You not only get the final score, but complete box scores as well!! This site kicks!

The only warning, don't spend too much time at the site!


Pit some of the greatest baseball, basketball, football, hockey and college basketball teams of all-time against each other to settle age-old debates

A Lasting Impression

Our student ministries pastor, Lance Burch, gave an incredibly meaningful talk today--Mother's Day. Here's the link if you'd like to hear it: A Lasting Impression

"When God came up with the idea of "Mom", he really knocked it out of the park. He knew that there were going to be scrapes to be bandaged, lost toys to be found, broken hearts to be comforted, curfew breakers to be punished, and kids to be loved. But, there was something else. God knew that there was a side to Him that needed to be communicated and passed on to others. When mom can do that, she leaves an impression that lasts." -Lance

My Favorite Singer

My favorite singer is my wife, Melody. I know you're probably thinking she paid me to say that, but she really didn't.

Today in church she sang Martina McBride's "Anyway" (I love LifePoint). I've never heard her sing so well, I got chills...both times. Since the first time I heard her sing (over 12 years ago) her voice has moved me. There's something about it. I told her today that, for me, listening to her sing is like eating a bowl of ice cream, or eating a cheese steak. I enjoy it so much I don't want it to end, and when it does I want more. Thanks Melody for being such a great singer, mom, and wife.

Toe to Toe

Should be a good one.

Weapon X

I have to admit that I was kind of bummed about the Eagles draft. As soon as the Birds play their last game each year (which is always too soon) I start looking forward to the draft--couting down the days. Needless to say, this year's draft was pretty uneventful, but I guess we'll see.

Anyway, like I said, I was bummed...until I saw this. Brian Dawkins is out of his mind! My blood is pumping, I have goosebumps, and I cannot wait until football season! Go Birds!!!!

Pants on Fire

Tonight Elijah and I played firefighters. He got dressed up in his fireman coat, backpack, and hat. I'm happy to report that all the fires in our house are now out. After about 35 minutes I explained to Elijah that firefighters need to take bubble baths to get clean after a long day of putting out fires. Melody was filling the bathtub for firefighter Elijah, and I was undressing him. In a moment of vulnerability I told Elijah, in Melody's presence, that when I was a little boy, my mom made us wear fire-proof pajamas. Melody laughed uncontrollably, so did Elijah. She said she never heard of them before, I guess I figured everyone knew about flame retardant pj's. Am I the only one?

Swimming to London

Try this! Follow the steps exactly…it only takes a few seconds...

1. go to google maps
2. click on "get directions"
3. type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box)
4. type "London" in the second box (the "to" box)
5. click on "get directions"
6. scroll down to step #23

A 24 Confession

I hate to say it, but I gotta. For the first time 24 really disappointed me. Last week's episode was closer to a day time soap than to what I've come to know and love from 24. This one was kissing that one, that one was betraying this one, who cares? But, in usual form, 24 came back this week and kicked tail with one of the best episodes this season. Jack was being Jack, and that's why I watch.

Love at First Sight

I fell in love on Wednesday.

Addison Reese was born on 4/4/07. 6lbs 9oz and 20 inches long. That's my girl.

Naturally7

Unbelievable.

Bumper Sticker Christianity

Top 10 Pseudo-Christian Bumper Stickers

Yes, these are real:

10. After the Rapture, Give this Car to My Mother-in-Law
9. Go To Church, Don't Wait for A Hearse to Take You
8. No Jesus...No Peace...Know Jesus...Know Peace!
7. Tithe if You Love Jesus
6. Try Jesus! If You Don't Like Him Satan Will Always Take You Back
5. Too Blessed to Be Depressed
4. For All You Do, His Blood's For You
3. This Car is Prayer-Conditioned
2. Got Jesus? It's Hell without Him
1. My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter

Excuse me while I go throw up...

The Wonder of Elijah

I love to see the wonder of Elijah, my son. I wish I had more of it. With giant eyes and a determined spirit he says, “Daddy, can we touch the moon?” Wow. I can’t bring myself to say no. I want his wonder. I want his simple belief. I want to see the moon as he sees it, as something that makes my eyes wide and my heart race. He’s not content to view it from a distance; he wants to experience it, to embrace it. Elijah has helped me to appreciate things I’ve taken for granted. He’s taught me more about myself in three years than I would have learned on my own in a lifetime. I want to marvel at the marvelous. I want the wonder of Elijah.

I'm Here

I seem to be thinking a lot of thoughts lately. After thinking these thoughts, I usually say to myself..."I should blog about that." Then I remember, I don't have a blog. Well, I have joined the world of blogging.

I know, big deal.