Getting Ready for The Great American Race

This Sunday is the 51st running of the Daytona 500 and that means that there will be lots of smiling come race time on Sunday. Whatever day the Daytona 500 occurs on every year is like a holiday for me and my brother. I have lots of stuff to get ready and plenty of cleaning here in the basement as I prepare to welcome folks over to watch the race.

As I write this, I understand that not everyone is a NASCAR fan, so let me help you understand why you should watch the 500 on Sunday...

Everyone enjoys a big event. Whether it's a competition, an awards show, a brand new season of your favorite TV show, or even a reality television extravaganza, there's almost always a big television event that someone will enjoy.

Most guys and a lot of girls all across America enjoy watching sports. For many there is nothing bigger than the World Series, the Stanley Cup finals, the Final Four, WrestleMania, the Masters, the BCS Championship game, or the Super Bowl. All of those are examples of the biggest event that their respective sports have to offer.

Every February, there is a 10 day period of time that captivates millions of people known simply as Speedweek at Daytona. The event takes place at a magical place. This place is one where time can stand still, where history lives and breaths all around you. Here you can feel 50+ years of excitement, passion, triumph, and tragedy swirling around you as you bask in the glory of these hallowed grounds. This place is the Daytona International Speedway.


After the preliminary events have taken place over the first nine days, the main event is set. The greatest race in the world. The Daytona 500. Since it's inception in 1959, the Daytona 500 has become an annual tradition of great racing and great racing moments.

In the first Daytona 500, Lee Petty sped toward the finish line in a side-by-side battle with Johnny Beauchamp, a hiccup finish made even more complicated by the fact that Joe Weatherly, two laps down, was wedged in beside the two leaders. The three cars crossed the finish line in a dead-heat blur. Who won? Nobody knew. It was too close to call. It took three days of studying still photos of the finish before NASCAR president Bill France Sr. finally proclaimed Petty the victor. The margin of victory was determined to be 24 inches, give or take.


The 2007 edition of "The Great American Race" was another barn burner that came right down to wire. Kevin Harvick, driving for the same team who's driver died in the race six years prior to the day, edged out Mark Martin for the win in a finish that saw a major crash happen as the top 2 crossed the finish line. The margin or victory? Mere inches. Two or three at the most. NASCAR now measures the margin of victory using how many seconds it takes the second place finisher to cross the finish line after the winner. Using this formula, Kevin Harvick beat Mark Martin by 0.020 seconds. This was the closest finish in the Daytona 500 since Lee Petty won in 1959.


Last year was the 50th Daytona 500. In celebration of this race's history, NASCAR gathered all of the living winners of the 500 on stage to honor their status as Daytona 500 Champions.


Over the past 50 years, there have been many other memorable Daytona 500s. Each running is special in it's own way. As an event, you can't get any bigger. It's a brand new season of your favorite TV show since it's the start of the NASCAR season. It's a competition where drivers, cars, and crews are pitted against each other in an effort to be the best at managing all three well enough to beat the other drivers, cars, and crews. It's a reality television extravaganza where emotion is raw, tempers flare, and at any given moment someone could make a mistake and the consequences could be as little as an inconvenience or as big as the loss of a life. Finally, it's an awards show where the man who can survive and do it faster than anyone else rolls into Victory Lane and gets his name enshrined in immortality as the winner of the Harley J. Earl Trophy, signifying that he will forever be known as a champion of the Daytona 500.


As the days pass coming to the 51st Daytona 500, I will be watching lots of Speed Channel. I'm so ready for this race. It's time to reach up, pull those seatbelts tight, and brace yourselves for what could be another great Daytona 500! Wanna join me?

It is Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is upon us again. Personally I am celebrating my 24th Thanksgiving and it's been 387 years since the traditional first Thanksgiving at Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts.

As I reflect on the year and the years gone by I could compile a huge list of the people, places, and things I am thankful for and to. I'll not list everyone/thing, but here is a short list.

I am thankful to our sovereign God, not only for what He does for me, but what he does to me most of all. I am thankful for God's sovereignty over all things.

I am thankful for/to my earthly family.

I am thankful for/to my family that God has so graciously grafted me into.

I am thankful for my job. It's not much, but it's more than some people have.

Now for a short list of specifics...

I'm thankful for...
- my Dad: that he is still with us for another Thanksgiving and has always been a real life super hero to me. Even in all of his weakness, his strength and God's strength in him shine through brighter than ever.

- my Mom: for being strong when no one else can be and for holding everything at the home front together.

- The Young (Ryan, Hillary, Kenzie, Riah, and Truth) and the Edwards (Aaron, Danielle, Natalie, and the to-be-born/unnamed baby) families: for welcoming me into their lives and for being wonderful examples of Christ in this world and in my life.

- Boo: for being the best big brother I could ever have. Even though you prayed for me to be, you are just as much a blessing to me.

- Joe: for being my other "big" brother. It's an honor and a privilege to know you and to be considered your friend. Thanks for letting me share in so many of your life experiences and for having me over to play Rock Band all the time :)

- my nieces (Savannah and Jaclyn) and nephew (Jordan): for keeping things light and just being kids. They force us all to be a bit younger.

- my cousin Starla: for all of her prayers, love, and friendship. She's always been there when I needed her, regardless of the many distances between us.

- Brandon, Josh, Matt, Kat, Mel, and Johnny: you guys help me stay sane and have been the some of the best friends God could have given me. Even if we don't hang out and talk everyday, I know that I can count on you guys to have my back if I needed you to stand beside me in a fight or to catch me if I fall.

...and with slight humor I also add...

Harmonix: for creating such a fun game to play whether it's just me or it's with friends.

I'm thankful for you taking the time to read this, and till next time, be thankful...

Back Home

It's good to be back home after spending a week in the great state of Kentucky. Most of my time was spent reading. I finished Peter Kreeft's "The Three Philosophies of Life" and got started on "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola and George Barna. I also spent some time in Stanley Grenz' "Theology for the Community of God."

Two Saturdays ago, after traveling 286 miles to my Aunt and Uncle's place in Firebrick, KY, I watched Michael Phelps' win his 8th gold medal in the 29th Olympiad, thus surpassing Mark Spitz' record for most gold medals won by a single competitor in one Olympics.

Last Monday, my brother, my cousin and I went to North Bend, OH to visit the tomb of William Henry Harrison. It was an awesome and worth while trip as we paid our respects to the 9th President of the United States.

Tuesday we traveled 159 miles from Firebrick to Dorton, KY where my Mom and Dad spent the summer. Most of my time there was spent reading and watching the first 9 editions of WWE's Summerslam.

Thursday my brother and I traveled to Greenville, TN to go to the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site. Comprised of a visitor's center, two of Andrew Johnson's homes, and his final resting place. A wonderful experience and an amazing trip though 19th century American history. I was honored to pay my respects to the 17th President of the United States. He seemed like a decent and honorable man.

After spending Friday resting, we traveled back to our home here in Michigan yesterday. All in all, a good trip and one of my favorite end of summer trips to KY that I can recall.

That's all for today, tomorrow I may post something but Tuesday we'll certainly continue the journey through the Doctrines of Grace with a look at Limited/Unlimited Atonement. Till then...

Monday: On The Radar

After not posting last Monday for Music Monday I have thought about recalibrating my Monday blogs. I think that from now on Mondays will be for what I'm calling "On The Radar." This will not only be for posting music I have been listening to but also blogs I am finding interesting, sites I'm really digging, books I'm reading, and in general, what's on the horizon for the week. With that being said, here is what's currently on the radar...


Music:
Third Day - Show Me Your Glory



I've not been listening to much music this past week because I've been busy listening to my first audio book. Christianaudio.com has a free download each month and this month it is Confessions by Augustine of Hippo. Go to the site and click on "Free Downloads" and follow directions from there.

Blogs:
Fundamentally Reformed
The past few posts on this blog have been dealing with the alcohol debate and they have an interview with Kenneth Gentry, author of the book "God Gave Wine."

On The Horizon:

Tonight is going to be another great get together at the Young home. Last week we started this deal where anyone who wants to come by and hang out at the Young's is welcome to do so. When I get home, me and my boy Justin will watch WWE Raw on the DVR.

Tuesday will a fairly free day but I will be taking some time to prepare for Wed. night. What am I preparing for???

Wednesday night is "Theology Night w/ Ryan." We are going through Stanley Grenz's book "Theology for the Community of God." Should be a good start this Wed.

Thursday is fairly free right now.

Friday I am going to a wedding and getting things cleaned up around the crib before my folks get home from vacation.

Saturday I am heading down to the hills of Kentucky for a week to spend some more time w/ the fam there and to help my folks pack up and return home.

That's it for today. Check back tomorrow as we will dive deeper into the doctrines of God's sovereign grace by looking at why we need his grace, our totally depraved sinful nature. Until then...

One Year Ago Today

...I NEARLY BROKE MY FACE OFF!!

Most of you who know me remember that I tried to do the two-step across the rollers and I fell and busted my face.

Here is what my face looked like after they stitched me up.

I would like to take this time to thank everyone who was so kind to me during this time of facial trauma. I would like to thank my safety supervisor at work - Vivian Corbeil for all that she did (as far as taking me to the clinic and what-not). I also would like to thank Dr. Rampersuad for doing such a good job stitching me up and my dentist for fixing my two teeth that got knocked out of place. Most of all I'd like to thank Jesus for letting me heal up as well as I did and for not letting the accident be worse than what it was. I was truly blessed by God and others through this incident and looking back I can truly say that it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

I would also like to say a big hearty F U to the guy who wanted me to clean up my own blood immediately after the incident took place. I like you you and we're boys and all, but that was a shitty thing to do.

Also thanks to UPS and Liberty Mutual for paying all my medical bills that came with this incident and thanks to Mike and Joe for helping me find the humor in this situation at a time when it seriously hurt to laugh :)

Music Monday - July 28, 2008

It's been quite a weekend. I have had some great times spent with my faith family and I have had some rough times with my longest known and best friend. Regardless, one thing I can take comfort in is the blood of Christ. It's has purchased my salvation from sin (Glory be to God!), it has cleansed my soul, it has given me right standing before God, and it has sealed me in Christ forever.

Here is a little Matt Redman to express what I'm thinking.

"Your Blood"


"You Never Let Go"

A Quick Update...

First of all, it's good to be home in Michigan again after 18 days in the great state of Kentucky. I enjoyed much of my time there and can't wait to go back in August. In the days ahead I will blog about some of my experiences while in hanging in the Bluegrass State and visiting the state between Detroit and Kentucky (hint it starts with an O).

The past few days have gone by very quickly since I got back home on Wednesday. Mom and Dad have the grandkids at the trailer for a month and a half, leaving my brother and I to take care of the house here in Michigan.

Last night/this morning I spent some time hangin' with my boys at the AT&T store waiting for the new iPhone. I stayed with them from 9:00 last night until 3:00 this morning just shooting the shiz. Then I left to go to work and rejoined them at 7:15ish this morning to watch them complete their odyssey. We just chilled in lawn chairs and chatted it up. It was a great time. I really enjoy spending time with those guys.

As for future blogging I will not commit to a daily update but I do have some ideas to keep it fresh around here. Some of those ideas include:

• Music Mondays - Just a look at some of the music I have been listening to over the week and a chance for you to check it out.

• "What Happened When?" Wednesdays - I received quite a bit of positive feedback on my series looking at the real history that took place during the life and times of the fictional Indiana Jones. Since several folks seemed to like it, I was thinking of doing a blog every Wednesday profiling some of the historical events that happened on dates in the week ahead. This one is almost a sure thing and will begin this upcoming week.
  

• Thursday Thoughts - Just a look at what's been rattling around in my head for the past week. Probably not weekly, but often.

• Whatever Weekends - Taking a look at what's been going on in my realms of interest (ie: wrestling, NASCAR, television, world events, politics, ect.)
  

Future topics include:

• Salvation
• Christianity and Patriotism
• Bad Words and Sinful Speach: What is it, Does it exist, What does the Scripture say?
  
• Alcoholic Beverages: Use and Abuse, Is There A Difference?
• More thoughts about the church
• The Book of Romans
  

One other thing is a request. If you read this blog and see something that you like or don't, agree with or don't, or just something that you have any thoughts about whatsoever, comment on it. I would like to see this place as being somewhere that I can engage others and they can do the same with me. If we disagree or you think I'm wrong, let's talk about it on this blog. No matter if I know you or I don't, if we're close or not, I will treat you with respect as long as you do the same with me. Is there anything that you would like to discuss with me? If so, this is great place to do it. Is there something you'd be interested in knowing my thoughts on? Let me know, and if I have thoughts on it, I may dedicate a post to it. Point being, I'd like to generate some dialog and discussion but I would look insane doing it by myself. I want your help.

With that being said, I'm heading for bed. Let me know what you think of my ideas and if anyone likes them we'll see what we can do. Good night.

A Music Monday

I have something to tell you. It's something wonderful.

I am in the middle.

"Of what?", you may ask.

The answer is "a musical enlightenment."

I was born in 1983 and was raised by very southern, Christian parents. Growing up, I never was exposed to much music except country music while riding in the car and hymns & southern-gospel music at the church I was raised in. My parents never tried to convince me that rock music was the devil, but I wasn't really allowed to watch MTV or VH1 either.

I left public school after 6th grade and went to a small, pentecostal church-school from 7th - 12th grades. During this time I entered into a new musical phase of my life. A friend I went to elementary school with introduced me to "Christian" rock music in 1996/7. For the next 4 or 5 years, the only music that I would really listen to was dc Talk, the Newsboys, and other such religious rock acts. Looking back on that period, it's easy to see that most of that music was very bad. Most of it is not fit for anything other than a laugh. There were gems to found in that music for sure (Third Day, Bleach, Plankeye, and various songs here and there), but mostly it was just not that good musically.

In the year 2000, I happened to stumble upon VH1 Behind The Music profiling Lynyrd Skynyrd. I liked the rock sound of the band and loved the southern attitude that drove it. I had heard "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird", but until I watched this I hadn't heard much else. This planted the earliest seeds of my current enlightenment. Skynyrd was, for quite a long time, the only group I listened to as I pulled myself away from the religious rock scene. I also checked out emo (Taking Back Sunday, Saves The Day, The Get Up Kids), but I decided I'd like to not be so depressed all of the time and that the music was not all that good.

After a long period of time where I just listened to whatever was popular at the time, I met a new friend who is into a lot of music. He collects a lot of vinyl and also listens to some modern rock. After he learned that I like Skynyrd, he introduced me to the Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton. From there he brought me to modern times with the Killers and the Foo Fighters. On my own, I seriously discovered Elvis for the first time. Although I had heard his most popular stuff on the radio, I got to know alot of his more obscure material through Elvis Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Between this friend and games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band I am getting taken on quite a journey through the history of Rock n' Roll.

Back in March, I had epiphany as I sat here on my couch. I need to know the Beatles, and after I get those guys down I need to know Led Zeppelin. So I went out that night and bought the album "The Beatles" (better known as "The White Album"). Since then I have bought and soaked in 9 of their 13 studio albums and their Anthology discs. I also bought the Led Zeppelin Boxed Set but have yet to really sit down and let them saturate my ears. Before I go on vacation in a couple of weeks I plan on grabbing the rest of the Beatles' studio stuff and maybe a couple of other discs to listen to while I'm away.

Just thought I'd share my journey with you all as I get ready to sit back and listen to "The Beatles" some more.

Feel free to throw out some suggestions on music for me to check out. Not sure when or if I'll get around to it but if I do check it out I'll let you know.

Wednesday is the Slowest Day of the Week

Today is April 30, 2008. It's another Wednesday.

This day that is so inconveniently positioned in the middle of the week always seems to pass by as quickly as a snail crossing the road. Nothing usually happens on Wednesday. Every other day usually has SOMETHING going on.

Sunday - Body Gatherings (aka going to church); NASCAR races; occasionally wrestling PPVs; Mom's biscuits and gravy

Monday - No work; friends coming over to watch WWE Raw

Tuesday - New DLC for Rock Band; usually meet w/ friends at Starbucks;

Thursday - watch my friend's band play

Friday - Get paid; buy CDs; find out what next Tuesday's Rock Band DLC will be

Saturday - Weekend fun, Nationwide Series race

What day didn't I mention? Oh yeah...the one that has nothing happening to remember it by. Oh Wednesday, how I hope you go by quickly. Come Thursday, come.

Sitting in Christ

The God of our Lord Jesus Christ,...raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
(Ephesians 1:17-21)

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
(Ephesians 2:6-9)

I am reading a book called "Sit, Walk, Stand" by Watchman Nee. The book is a study of Ephesians, which breaks the book down like this...

I. Ephesians
A. Doctrinal (Chapters 1 - 3)
1. Our Position in Christ (1:1 - 3:21)

B. Practical (Chapters 4 - 6)
1. Our Life in the World (4:1 - 6:9)
2. Our Attitude to the Enemy (6:10 - 6:24)

In the chapter titled "Sit", Nee talks about our position in Christ (1:1 - 3:21). Nee says

"Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is a reversal of the true order. Our natural reason says, If we do not walk, how can we ever reach the goal? What can we attain without effort? How can we ever get anywhere if we do not move? But Christianity is a queer business! If at the outset we try to do anything, we get nothing; if we seek to attain something, we miss everything. For Christianity begins not with a big DO but a big DONE. Thus Ephesians opens with the statement that God has 'blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ' (1:3) and we are invited at the very onset to sit down and enjoy what God has done for us; not to set out to try and attain it for ourselves."

Later on, Nee says

"no Christian experience begins with walking, but always with a definite sitting down. The secret of deliverance from sin is not to do something but to rest on what God has done...when you cease doing, then God will begin."

With this revelation God has shown me some vital concepts. In discussing a particular struggle I was going through, my pastor explained that I had three options...

"Irreligiously--you can justify continuing in this struggle: (There are a) host of excuses that justify our sinful thoughts and ways. This, obviously misses the mark on reflecting God's glory."

This is the philosophy that so many who struggle with sin choose. Ultimately they are choosing to not deal with the issue at all. As fallen, sinful humans we would rather go on sinning than change. Change means that we will have to hand over a part of our lives to Christ where we have previously relied on something else (a functional savior) to provide a quick fix in that area. Trying to justify a sin shows that we don't want to place our faith in Jesus in this area of our lives.

"Religiously--you can just try harder. But this leaves you to do so only in your own power that leaves you with a cycle of disappointment or pride, both of which will not please the heart of God."

This is the state I was previously in. I hated my sin and I agonized over it constantly. I fought, and wrestled, yet I never gave it to Christ. I tried to overcome with my own power. Each time I fought, I lost sooner or later. Never once when asking Christ to take it did I actually let Him have it.

Finally,

"Repentance--this is the only way to live in line with the truth revealed in the gospel. To confess where we do not live in line with the truth and to understand that if we walk after the Spirit we WILL NOT fulfill the lust of the flesh (Paul to the Romans). Seek strength and change from God alone because with him, all things are possible and you CAN DO all things through Christ that strengthens you. Simply confess and reckon your life in light of the truth. In true repentance you will grow to reflect the Savior."

I had already heard this alot in my life but I never got what it meant to stop trying and just walk in the Spirit. The part I was missing was SIT and REST!

Nee goes on later in Chapter 2 to explain

"The Christian's secret is his rest in Christ. His power derives from his God given position. All who sit in Christ can walk, for in the thought of God the one follows the other spontaneously. We sit forever with Christ that we may walk continuously before men. Forsake for a moment our place of rest in Him, and immediately we are tripped and our testimony in the world is marred. But abide in Christ, and our position there ensures the power to walk worthy of Him here. If you desire an illustration of this kind of progress, think, first of all, not of a runner in a race but of a man in a car, or better still, of a cripple in a power-driven invalid carriage. What does he do? He goes--but he also sits. And he keeps going because he remains sitting. His progress follows from the position in which he has been placed. This, of course, is a far-from-perfect picture of the Christian life, but it may serve to remind us that our conduct and behaviour depend fundamentally upon our inward rest in Christ."

This has helped me to just chill out in Jesus. As He moves, I move in Him.

To a people with a very "religious" way of life, commanded by very "religious" teachers, Jesus made them an offer. He said

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
(Matthew 11:28-29)

Jesus, I appreciate Your offer and I accept. Thank You. I Love You

Message In A Blog...

I've not really been good at updating the blog as I might should be. My last two posts were kinda draining and with no feedback to respond to I just decided to let those stand for a while as a marking of how I felt. No need to go down that path here on this post though. There will be one final post on that topic but I am waiting for the officials to say "case closed" before I really am ready to discuss that again.

I watched Live Earth on Saturday and watched quite a bit of the stuff I cared to see on YouTube. I was particularly interested in seeing what The Police, Genesis, The Smashing Pumpkins, and the Foo Fighters would bring to the table and I was pleased with all of the above, except for the Police allowing Kanye West butcher Message in a Bottle. Other than that it was good to see the old guys like Phil Collins and Sting getting the job done like it was 1980, lol!

Yesterday and today I was granted opportunities to express my commitment to following Jesus and spreading redemption wherever I go. One person really was interesting to talk to. I was told that I was denying the power of God after I quoted Scripture to prove his legalism wrong. Another couple I spoke with really uplifted and encouraged me and really made me smile because it showed that the changes God is making in me are outwardly visible and I am happy that I am changing before people's very eyes. Sometimes you and the ones you're around all of the time don't notice when change is taking place in your life and it helps to get an outsiders perspective on what the situation looks like.

Well, let me leave you with something I was reading over the past few days from the book of Joel...

Joel 2:12-13 "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

Totally Different

As I sit here in my cousin's room at my Aunt and Uncle's home in Firebrick, Ky I reflect on the changes that have taken place in my life over the past year. Although I am still a bum living at home with my parents, and although I am still only employed at UPS working less than part time, I have changed alot over the last year.

Some of the changes are as trivial as the fact that my favorite show on Monday nights is not WWE Raw anymore, but has been replaced by '24'.

Other changes are more politically minded seeing as I no longer will base my votes as much on who is anti-gay but more so on who is serious about immigration reform.

My concern no longer is as much with people who say four letter words like hell, damn, shit, and fu...well you get my drift...but is more so with people who say four letter words like love and care yet show none to anyone who doesn't eventually benefit themselves.

I am still bothered by abortion and evolution but now more equally bothered by people who blow up abortion clinics in the name of Christ and those who defend the literal six day Creation story by obnoxiously shouting Bible verses in judgement and screaming that the evolutionists are going straight to hell.

I am also more bothered by me. I am the worst offender at times and I fail God on a daily basis, but instead of begging and pleading for God to rapture me out of this old world or let me die, I am asking God to change me daily to make me more of who He wants me to be and thanking Him for the oportunity to serve in His kingdom and live life in faith that no matter how bad it seemingly gets I am in my Father's hand and He will work everything out to where He gets the glory regardless of how bad my circumstances may seem.

Thank you Jesus for your continuous work in the redemption of my outlook on life. Let me always be Gospel minded, spreading redemption, and busy representing your kingdom, rule, and reign.

CHLOE! STOP DOWNLOADING THOSE SCHEMATICS FOR JACK AND GIVE ME A FREAKIN' HUG!

Yesterday was a big day for the city of Trenton, MI. Arguably it's biggest native star came back for a very special homecoming. Last night the mayor of Trenton proclaimed June 4, 2007 as Mary Lynn Rajskub Day to honor the actress who plays Chloe O'Brien on the Emmy Award winning TV series '24'!

Since I love 24 so much I went and was the first person there (along with my two friends Spears and Decker). Because we arrived earlier than anyone else we were interviewed by our local Fox affiliate and were rushed to the front of the line to meet the hometown star. All in all it was a fun day. Thanks to the Mayor and City Council people of Trenton for treating "the five o'clockers" like stars and thanks to Mary Lynn for being so down to earth and a genuinely nice person.

Click here to see me on the news...

Sam's Town and Dale's Nation

Sam's Town

--------

Wednesday night I went to Sam's Town. By the time my visit was over I was definitely a Victim. Of who you may ask...? Well the Killers of course.


The boys were one of the best concerts I've ever seen and I would go back again even if I was by myself. Thanks to Joe, Douche bag, Mike, "Monique", three random homeless guys, possibly Nick Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, the cute blonde from Chelli's Chilli Bar & Grill, and of course, the Killers for providing the ingredients for a great day in the city of Detroit. Honorable mentions for Arthur, the "Harp"ist, and the Bell's for aiding in the fun of the day :)

--------------------

Dale's Nation
----------

Thursday morning, the rumor I heard Wed. night was confirmed. At 11:00 AM, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. announced that he is leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. After negotiating for months in an attempt to receive 51% ownership of the company along with extending his driving contract with them, Junior made the announcement that he is a free agent after this year. He made this decision so he could put himself in a position to start winning races and championships. So far DEI has not been able to provide him with the tools to get a championship on the mantle.

Only one thing is known about Junior's ride for next season: it'll definitely be sponsored by Budweiser. Other than that, it's open for speculation on the future of the sport's most popular driver.

Car Number: There is a good chance that he will not be the #8 because the car numbers are leased by the teams from NASCAR on a yearly basis, with the number's previous owner retaining first dibs on it's number(s) from the previous year. With Theresa Earnhardt being a bitch about giving Dale, Jr. his birthright, there is no reason to expect her to let him take the #8 with him wherever he goes.

Car Make/Model: Although Junior stated that he would prefer to continue driving Chevys, he refused to limit his options to only Chevy teams. That opens the door for him to drive for any championship level team, regardless of what car make that particular owner supports.

Race Team: While the possibility remains that Earnhardt could wind up in a Dodge (which is not horrible), a Ford (which is not desirable), or a Toyota (which is blasphemous), he will likely race for a top tier Chevy team. That would narrow it down to Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Richard Childress Racing.

Joe Gibbs Racing is a respectable organization that has won three Winston/Nextel Cups in the past 7 years. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. would compliment this organization nicely in that all three of it's current drivers are young, hard racers. Tony Stewart, who has won two of the three championships for the team, is good friends with Junior and seeming would fit together well as teammates. On the other side, Joe Gibbs is a Christian. As some Christians believe it is a sin to partake in the consumption, sale, or advertising of alcoholic beverages, I speculate on Joe Gibbs position on this issue and if would cause him to not let Dale drive a Bud Chevy for Gibbs racing. While unfortunate if this is the case, I would respect Gibbs for standing on his personal convictions.

Hendrick Motorsports is another high level Chevy team which houses not only the teams of current Nextel Cup Champ. Jimmie Johnson, but the 4x championship team of Jeff Gordon. The only positive from this fan's perspective to a Junior/Hendrick marriage is a good championship caliber organization pushing a championship drive for this championship-less driver. The downside for me is him being a teammate to the three drivers I wish the worst of racing luck to (Kyle Busch, Gordon, and Johnson). The main problem Junior would have getting a ride with Hendrick is that Hendrick already fields 4 cars each week on the track, the maximum number of cars NASCAR allows for any owner to field. It is unlikely that Hendrick would get rid of any of his drivers to make room for Junior.

Finally there is Richard Childress Racing. The Childress organization has been around since 1968 and has won a total of 6 NASCAR Cup Championships, all won by Dale Earnhardt, Sr. . The elder Earnhardt drove for Richard Childress Racing from 1984 until his death in 2001. Of course RCR is the fans emotional pick for Junior to race for. Nothing would be more fitting than to see an Earnhardt driving a #3 again. Childress has always had an open door for Junior and it seems like a marriage made in racing heaven.

There could be an announcement as soon as today but only Junior knows what lies ahead for sure.

Just a beautiful day...

Today I was work when the sun came up. As I walked outside to finish up at the job, the sun hit my eyes. When it did I had to shield my eyes because it's radiance was to much for my eyes to look on. Then I thought about the glory of God and His radiance. I thought about Revelations 21:23-25, which states,

"And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there."

Then after I came home from work I stepped out on the front porch and looked at the beautiful creations before my eyes and how nice my street looked at that time of day. I thanked God silently for the beautiful world He made and the wonderful sights I had seen this morning.

Jesus Saved My Cell Phone

Last night, while goofing off in the Texas Roadhouse parking lot, my cell phone wound up on the hood of my friend's car. My friend pulled away and moments later I realized that I probably would never see that phone again. I prayed and asked God to let me find my phone. I drove around the parking lot and looked around for it but it was gone for sure. I then asked God to let it bee hung between the hood of the car and the windshield wipers or something weird. However I got it back, I knew it would be because God allowed me to keep it. I drove down Eureka looking along the road hoping that I would see it in one piece, but that was not to be. I got home and called my friends and told them I thought I left my phone on the hood of the car. They said they didn't see it at first, but then with sheer amazement, it was announced that while they drove it was still sitting on the hood!. It had survived Kat's erratic driving and sat right where it probably lay the whole trip!

During a time when I have been wondering about why I feel so far from God and I have felt so guilty concerning my inability to get rid of some sinful habits and gain some holy disciplines, God came through for me. He let me know in a very small way that he hasn't abandoned me and more importantly that he is truly with me.

Thank You Lord for this little blessing, this tiny token of Your love. I ask that You would work more miracles for me, larger ones that concern some sin in my life that, without Your help, I cannot overcome. I ask that You would help me and empower me to not let sin reign in my mortal body but help me submit the offending desires and parts of my body to You for You to use for Your glory. I pray this not only for myself, but also for my brothers and sisters who struggle with bringing their desires and bodies under subjection to You. Thanks, praise, and glory to You again and Amen!

Thoughts While Reading Romans

I want to preface this with a thank you...

God, as a boy and then a young man, being raised in a Christian home, I learned a lot about You. I heard about You all the time. I was taught about You from birth yet I did not seek You out in a real, personal way. Even though You gave me the faith for salvation at age 6 and I was constantly hearing about You, learning in Sunday School about You, sitting in during preaching about You, singing songs about You, listening to music about You, reading things about You, talking about You, and enjoying You while doing those things, I never enjoyed or put much effort into reading and studying Your Word. Even when I did force myself to read or study Your Word it was usually so I could answer a question, or win an argument/debate, or show somebody else what the Scripture said about whatever at the time. I thank You so much for changing me in this area of my life. Now, because of Your continued work in me, I enjoy reading and studying Your inspired Word. Now I read Your Word not only so I can get an answer for a question, or so I can show somebody else what You have to say concerning any and every subject, but I read it so I can hear from You and communicate with You. I read it so You can teach me Your ways, teach me Your precepts, and teach me how to live life in such a way that I can most glorify You and live, preach, and teach the gospel of Jesus in such a way to be faithful to Your truth and be culturally relevant at the same time. Thank You and Amen.


A little less than a year ago, while studying the "doctrines of grace", I decided to take a little trip (lol) through the book of Romans. If your wondering why I laughed it is because Romans, while only 16 Chapters in length, is so theologically packed that a little trip could take a while. Anyways, a little trip I took. By making an outline in a notebook, I went through and unpacked everything that Romans had to say in about four weeks...or so I thought. I though "OK, I can just check that right off...I have read through Romans. I got all that down..." Boy, was I wrong!

In the past month God has been revealing to me some of the areas of my life that I have not surrendered to Him. He has been showing me those areas where I haven't let go of sin even though He has has broken sin's power to hang on to me. During this "Fatherly trip to the woodshed", He has taken me to Romans 6:1-14 for the past two weeks and parked me there so I can chew on what He has to say concerning His grace for me when I do sin and why I should not sin so I can use more grace. He has shown me that in Christ I am free from bondage to sin even though my flesh may still try to convince me otherwise. He has shown me that life is a war against the deeds of the body and that I must passionately and violently put them to death. Finally, he has showed me that the reason that I cannot let sin reign in my mortal body is because He reigns as King over the kingdom of my heart and I must fight to keep Him central in my life. I have got to present my body parts (my eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, and more) to Him as instruments (or weapons) of righteousness and not allow sin to use those weapons for unrighteousness. My sin controlled existence was crucified on the cross with Christ and I was given a redeemed, resurrection existence when Christ was raised from the dead. Thank You God!

Romans is a huge book of the Bible from a theological perspective, and I believe that if we all chewed our way through the contents of Romans that God would reveal to us things that we have never thought of or focused on in the way that He had Paul present it to us.

Putting to death the deeds of the body...

Good by Bleach

What goes around, comes around
And I can’t breathe
What holds me up is what holds me down
And I am more unstable than I seem

My heart is bare
There’s not much there

But I believe you’ve given me
More than I could know
But I know this
You are good

I’ve fought the fight against myself
And I’ve lost the fight again
My body’s broke from falling down
Just give me one more chance this time I’ll win

My heart is bare
But I know that you’re there

My eyes are weak I can barely see
A glimmer of your gold but its enough to know
You are good

And through it all you’ve given me
A peace that overflows
Oh how I know
That you are good

So good to me
You are good 

Good Friday

This morning as I sit and reflect on the significance of what is celebrated today I think about some of the misconceptions I always had about the Crucifixion of my Lord Jesus. At one time I thought that when Jesus died He did most of all for me. He did it to purchase my salvation, no doubt, but I used to think it was all about His love for me.

How arrogant of me!

How could I think that when Jesus died he was doing it most of all to obtain for me the benefits of salvation, or that He let Himself undergo such excruciating pain most of all for me to be able to live a pretty good life until I die? How dare I reduce the shed blood of Jesus to a payment for my "mansion" in glory? How self worshiping of me to think that He allowed those people to put Him through all of that humiliation so most of all I can get goosebumps when I get blessed through a sermon, song, movie, good meal, fun times with friends, a peaceful nights rest, or whatever? God, please forgive me for such arrogance!

Don't get me wrong, I believe that:

1. Jesus Died in Our Place (1 Corinthians 15:3)
2. Jesus Died to Crush Our Enemies (Colossians 2:13-15)
3. Jesus Died For Our Freedom (Titus 2:13-14)
4. Jesus Died as Our Sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2)
5. Jesus Died For Our Unrighteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)
6. Jesus Died to Forgive Us (Romans 3:23-24)
7. Jesus Died to Take Our Wrath (1 John 4:10)
8. Jesus Died for the Church (Ephesians 5:25)
9. Jesus Died to Pay Our Debt (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
10. Jesus Died as Our Example (1 Peter 2:21)
11. Jesus Died to Cleanse Our Filth (1 John 1:7)
12. Jesus Died to Reveal God (John 1:18)

But more than all of these things Christ died to glorify the Father and His name (John 12:27-28).

John 12:27-28 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."

John Piper, the Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church has this insight into what Jesus is saying here. Piper writes, "He refused to ask the Father to spare him from his hour. He went on through to face his hour for you and me. "The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me." But supremely, according to our text, he did it for the glory of his Father. He prayed, "Father glorify thy name." He knew that God would be glorified through his death, for his death would open the way for his Father to have mercy on sinners without denying his justice. The glory of his Father demanded the death of Jesus. And in the final analysis, when push came to shove, Jesus loved his Father's glory even more than his own life. And so he prayed, "Father glorify thy name." And the Father confirmed the decision of the Son and showed his approval with a voice from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The voice signified to all who had ears to hear, especially in the crowd, that what lay ahead of Jesus was crucial business for it would glorify the Father. The cross, far from showing the Father abandoning Jesus, in reality shows the Father glorifying himself through Jesus. The Father glorifies himself through the death of his Son and the mercy he extends to sinners through it. The Son is glorified through the cross because it reveals him as one who loves the glory of God more than his own life."

So as we reflect on all that Jesus did on that day so long ago, let's not forget that we should follow His example and put glorifying God above everything else we do and not forget to glorify God in all that we do.

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

----------------------
Dominus Novo

WrestleMania 23 - My Take

On Sunday morning I woke up with a magical feeling inside of me. I knew that today was the day that one of greatest childhood fantasies would be realized. I was preparing to attend my first WrestleMania.

We left the house at about 3:00 PM and were stuck in traffic for about 2 and a half hours until we finally got of the freeway and parked. The vibe of something big was in the air. People flocking from all over the world and converging in one place, for one purpose: to celebrate the history of wrestling and the hard work that today's wrestling superstars have put in over the last year to entertain us fans each and every week.

As we entered the doors of Ford Field, I purposely kept my eyes lowered so as to not see anything inside the arena area until I got to my seat. I wanted the first time my eyes viewed the stage and the ring to be a special moment...and it was.

Between the sound, lights, pyro, and of course the wrestling it was truly an awesome experience. I was a part of the largest crowd in Ford Field history and the second largest crowd in WrestleMania history with 80,103 fans filling every possible place from wich the show could be seen. Folks from all 50 states, 9 of the 10 Canadian provinces, and 25 different countries attended the twenty - third annual edition of the "Showcase of the Immortals".

Although the outcome of every match was not what I wanted to happen, the night was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was well worth the money I paid for the show and even knowing that John Cena would make my favorite wrestler of all time tap out I would still go again if I had the chance.


I will go to another WrestleMania someday. My only vow is to get better seats :)