Martin Luther King Jr.

Posted on January 17, 2006 by Jason


“When I went to Montgomery as a pastor, I had not the slightest idea that I would later become involved in a crisis in which non-violent resistance would be applicable. I neither started the protest nor suggested it. I simply responded to the call of the people for a spokesman. When the protest began, my mind, consciously or unconsciously, was driven back to the Sermon on the Mount, with its sublime teachings on love, and to the Gandhian method of nonviolent resistance.” — From Stride Toward Freedom

Posted in Devotional, Social Issues | 2 Comments

A Daddy Moment

Posted on January 16, 2006 by Jason

Last night was another one of those special moments for us as Abby Kate took her first steps. Daddy’s proud of you, little girl!

Posted in Blessings | 6 Comments

A Prayer Request

Posted on January 15, 2006 by Jason

If you read this, I ask you to join us in praying for Corey’s sister, Amy. She and her husband will welcome their son, Jaxon, into the world tomorrow. Amy has had a few complications this week, and Corey and his parents have traveled to North Carolina to be with Amy at the hospital. We’ll be praying for a safe delivery for both mother and baby.

Posted in Devotional, Prayer | 1 Comment

Just for the record…

Posted on January 14, 2006 by Jason

The past two weekends, Sunny and I have been making our NFL Playoff picks to see who’s the better prognosticator. Just for the record, here are my picks for the week (I beat her last week 3-1 to 2-2). I’ve got the Seahawks over the Skins, Pats over the Broncos, Colts over the Steelers and the Panthers beating the Bears. We’ll see if I’m right.

Posted in Football | 4 Comments

Odds and Ends

Posted on January 12, 2006 by Jason

Here are just some random thoughts on a Thursday morning…

My new favorite show LOST returned last night after a six or seven week hiatus. ABC’s serial hit continues to shine as both a critical darling and a fan favorite. Last night we were treated to the back story of the newly introduced “Mr. Eko”. I’m not sure any other show is as consumed with the theme of redemption as much as LOST. And what the heck is the deal with the black smoke thing? Next week will supposedly answer the questions we have about Jack & his former wife, so stay tuned.
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The Baseball Writers’ Association of America finally elected Bruce Sutter to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame this week, in Sutter’s 13th year of eligibility. Sutter becomes only the 4th relief pitcher to earn such a distinction, joining Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley. He is the first pitcher ever elected to the Hall with zero career starts. At the time of his retirement, Sutter ranked 3rd on the all-time save list (he now ranks 19th). Sutter is also credited with “revolutionizing” the game of baseball as the father of the split-finger fastball, a pitch actually taught to him by Fred Martin, a roving minor league pitching coach for the Chicago Cubs. After suffering an arm injury in the early ’70’s, Sutter, who previously had been a typical fastball-curveball pitcher, noticed a precipitous drop in velocity on his fastball. Martin, who pitched for the Cardinals in the late ’40’s and early ’50’s, taught Sutter a derivation of the classic forkball in which the pitcher uses his thumb to push the ball out from between his index and middle fingers, exerting a wicked forward spin on the ball. The tutorial changed Sutter’s career. He became a dominant closer in an era when many firemen were called on to pitch two and sometimes three innings at a time to preserve a lead. (Today, major league bullpens employ as many as four or five such pitchers to accomplish a similar feat.)

Many HoF voters have notoriously refused to vote for relief pitchers (as evidenced by the complete lack of support for the candidacy of Lee Smith, the all-time saves leader with 478 career saves and a 3.03 career ERA). And to their credit, time was, the bullpen was the place you were banished to when you couldn’t cut it as a starter. But with the induction of Sutter, perhaps the baseball writers are slowly embracing relievers as viable contributors to their teams’ success. Let’s hope they’ll also recognize the contributions of Smith, Rich Gossage and someday Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. But Sutter’s induction opens a potential Pandora’s Box with regard to relief pitchers. For example, if Sutter is a HoFer, then a case could certainly be made for Tom Henke, who has more career saves and a lower career ERA. A quandry, to be sure.
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Speaking of HoF’s, the NFL announced the candidates for their Hall. Troy Aikman, Reggie White and Thurman Thomas appear to be locks. Among these players, who should make the cut? John Madden and Rayfield Wright, defensive ends L.C. Greenwood and Claude Humphrey; linebackers Harry Carson and Derrick Thomas; offensive linemen Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg and Gary Zimmerman; quarterback Warren Moon; and wide receivers Michael Irvin and Art Monk.

Posted in Baseball, Random, Sports, Television | 3 Comments

Coach

Posted on January 11, 2006 by Jason

This season, the Indianapolis Colts have been the class of the NFL. After their 13-0 start, the talking heads and prognosticators came out of the woodwork to assess their chances of making a run at the ’72 Dolphins perfect season. Although they stumbled through their final three games (going 1-2), the Colts still clinched home field throughout the playoffs and are given 50% odds by Vegas to win the Super Bowl.

But a few weeks ago, the team was rocked with tragedy: James Dungy, the son of Colts head coach Tony Dungy, was found dead in his Florida apartment on Dec. 22, the result of an apparent suicide. Dungy took time away from his team’s storybook season to tend to the immediate and urgent needs of his family. This week’s ESPN The Magazine shares an article about how this coach and his team have dealt with this tragedy. Gary Brackett, the team’s starting middle linebacker, comments on the calm demeanor he’s come to expect from his coach. Brackett says, “We met with Coach Dungy before the funeral in a side room of the church, and that’s when most of us knew everything would be okay. He walked in with this big smile. That surprised us. Oh, the relief. He was so happy to see us, so grateful for the support. I know that when life knocks you off balance, you fall back on what you are at your core, and Coach Dungy was so full of strength and faith that it inspired many of us. It really did.”

Brackett goes on to describe the funeral ceremony. At one point during the service, Dungy approached the podium and spoke about “cherishing your loved ones and your life, about not taking anything for granted.” In life, nothing is guaranteed, the Coach said. Dungy spoke earnestly, calmly, from a place of strength. In fact, from the front of the church, Dungy was doing what he does best. He was coaching. To be sure, the opponent on this day was much more intimidating than any on-field competition. But in the midst of such tragedy and loss, Coach Dungy exhibited the same strength and poise that has become the hallmark of his team. It was a catharsis for coaches and players alike when Dungy re-joined the Colts for their final regular season tune-up before the playoffs began.

I don’t know how the Colts will finish up this season. They’ll no doubt face some formidable foes if they’re to make it to Detroit for the Big Game on Feb. 5th. But this much is certain: Tony Dungy has done so much more than educate his team about the X’s and O’s of football. He’s coached his team through a much greater game this season. And no matter how their season ends up, that makes Dungy a winner in my book. Class of the NFL, indeed.

Posted in Devotional, Football, Sports | 4 Comments

Vince Young

Posted on January 9, 2006 by Jason

It’s been a tough year for fans of Tennessee football. Much to my chagrin, my beloved Vols suffered through their first losing campaign in 17 years, making the bowl season quite ho-hum for those of us who bleed orange. (Can Cutcliffe resurrect our pathetic offense? Can he get Ainge’s head screwed on right? We can only hope!) My Titans suffered through yet another horrendous season after salary cap cuts left their roster depleted, especially on defense. However, there may be a silver lining in store, at least for the Volunteer state’s professional football team.

Vince Young has declared for the draft.

Young, who is reportedly still running circles around the USC defense, announced his intention to forego his senior season and declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft. Many are saying his performance in Wednesday’s Rose Bowl may have elevated his stock past Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush who, prior to Wednesday, was everyone’s consensus #1 pick. (It’s a testimony to Bush’s talent when he compiled over 200 total yards in the Rose Bowl, only to have everyone say he had an off night!) The Houston Texans, who hold the #1 pick, have already stated their intention to draft Bush, should he declare himself eligible. The New Orleans Saints hold the second pick, and they need — in addition to a running back, some wide receivers, an offensive line, a head coach and a city to play in — a quarterback. According to web reports, they appear to be leaning toward taking USC’s Matt Leinart, arguably the greatest collegiate quarterback of all time. That leaves my woeful Titans with the #3 overall selection, a prime place to draft our QB of the future. Although the Titans continue to need help on the defensive side of the ball, our problems are deeper than a one draft quick-fix. It’ll take a few more years to rebuild the Titans roster. But Young’s childhood hero, Steve McNair, has already begun pleading with Titans brass to draft the Longhorn’s signal caller to be groomed as his replacement.

That’s the best news this Tennessee fan has heard all season long.

Posted in Football | 7 Comments

On Evangelism

Posted on January 9, 2006 by Jason

I recently posted a comment on a friend’s blog about evangelism and the truth. So that got me thinking about these concepts and how we, as evangelicals, place such a premium on evangelism. I think it’s interesting that some in our brotherhood argue that evangelism is our purpose for living. While I would agree that evangelism is an integral component to the life of a follower of Christ, I would disagree that our purpose is to make disciples. Rather, our lives are given purpose and meaning in Christ. We exist to glorify Him — evangelism is merely one way we bring Him glory.

We surely are taught to live as much Gospel as we proclaim. So much effective “evangelism” occurs within the context of a friendship based on respect and trust. When I engage in spiritual dialogue with someone who knows me & the way I try to live out my faith, that person will be far more receptive to anything I might say than the guy on the street that I’ll hand a tract to.

I think it’s important for us to articulate that our claims about Jesus come from Him. He claimed to be the Way, the Truth, the Life, the only way to the Father. It’s such extreme claims like this that led Lewis to posit Jesus as either Liar, Lunatic or Lord. But make no mistake…the claims we make about Jesus are merely echoes of His own claims about Himself. Wouldn’t you expect such declarations from Deity-in-flesh? He is the full embodiment of truth. Pilate’s question in John 18:38 is so indicative of our human predicament. Jesus says, “Everyone on the side of the truth listens to me.” Pilate’s response: “What is truth?” If we think of truth as an abstract concept, we miss the point. Truth isn’t an idea, it’s a Person! Truth is right in front of Pilate’s nose, and he misses it!

Our charge is to lovingly express our convictions in the current marketplace of faith, to speak of all that God has done, to encourage others to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” (Ps 34:8). It’s my job to introduce others to Jesus through my character, my person, and (sometimes) even my words. But this is effective only to the degree that my character, person and words are increasingly being conformed to the image of Christ. It’s up to Him to grant the increase by doing what He always does: prick the hearts of men and change their lives.

Posted in Devotional, Theology | 2 Comments

Rose Bowl

Posted on January 4, 2006 by Jason

Who you got in tonight’s big game: the Trojans or the ‘Horns? I don’t really care, but I suppose I’ll be pulling for Texas. I have a feeling my Titans will be drafting Vince Young with the #3 pick in April’s draft, so I better start rooting for him now. I actually think Texas has a pretty good shot at winning. Their defense is much better than USC’s…although I pity anyone trying to stop Leinart, Bush and the boys. Any prognosticators out there?

Posted in Football | 3 Comments

Resolute

Posted on January 2, 2006 by Jason

Resolute – possessing determination and purposefulness.

The word “resolute” is a term of strength and resolve. It’s funny how the word “resolution” has a much weaker connotation in our vernacular today. I once read that by February, most people can’t even remember what New Year’s Resolutions they made. For many of us, it seems the lifespan of our determination and purposefulness is about two weeks.

I’ve never been big on New Year’s Resolutions. Some would say I lack the determination to see my goals to fruition. Some would say I fail to set proper goals for myself. I guess I consider myself a realist; I’m not going to make some far-fetched goal for myself that I know I have absolutely no hope of achieving. Plus, I’m just lazy.

But this year, after talking with Sunny and some good friends about their resolutions, I’ve come up with one. Just one resolution. But this one resolution is a multi-faceted with far-reaching implications for how I will live the next 12 months. And as I sit here on the second day of the year, I already have my doubts about how well I’ll fare. Nonetheless, here’s my resolution for 2006:

To be healthy.

That’s it. Healthy. But make no mistake: I’m not merely concerned with improving my physical health (although that’s definitely part of the motivation). Like I said, this is a multi-pronged resolution. The goal is to be healthy in all areas of my life. In 2006, I’m making a commitment to being more physically, socially & spiritually healthy.

The physical health goals were pretty easy to come up with. I want to be more active. I want to take more walks with Sunny and the kids. I’m not going to eat any fast food. I want to drink more water, less Mountain Dew. (I’m not going to get too crazy and give up soft drinks altogether!) I’m going to try for 50 push-ups a day. And I want to run (a yet to be determined distance) at least twice a week. I don’t have a definite amount of weight to lose – I simply want to be more physically healthy this year.

Let me define what I mean by social health. I want to contribute toward making the world a better place. I want to be more socially active. I’ve used this page to talk about the great ministry of organizations like World Vision, an entity committed to creating opportunities for the orphaned and abandoned of the world. Other organizations like Amnesty International and the One Campaign champion causes I similarly believe in. For me, being socially healthy means continuing to be active in causes that create better lives for the less fortunate members of our world.

Being spiritually healthy is my primary concern. I’m talking about more than a cursory resolution to pray more or read my Bible more. I’ve tried that before, reading Genesis and Exodus with a furious voracity only to hit a wall in Levitucs and Numbers. In my experience, such resolutions have more to do with my ability to pull myself up by my own spiritual bootstraps than anything else. There’s no grace in that. The quantity of Scripture we read is important, no doubt, but I crave an experience of the Living Word, too. It’s less about how much Scripture I read and more about how much Scripture I live. I want to know God more in ’06. I want to come to a deeper understanding of His will for me and my life. I want to see Him at work in even greater ways. I want Him to become a real presence to my children. I need His Spirit to lead me to finally embrace my role as the spiritual head of my family. I need the strength only He can provide to keep me from any spiritually unhealthy conversations. I want to be His vessel, that He would use me for His purposes for the glory of His name. I want to model Kingdom living for all I come in contact with. These are the indicators of a spiritually healthy individual.

Whatever your resolutions are, may you be resolute in your commitments to live more healthily in the upcoming year. But I know that no matter how resolute I am, my weaknesses and inconsistencies and lack of self-control will continue to be obstacles for me. And yet, in those moments, we lean on I AM to give purpose to our lives, to be our strength in times of weakness. May this year honor you, O Lord.

Posted in Devotional | 2 Comments