OK. I'll admit it. I've jumped on the Tim Tebow wagon.
I actually look for the Broncos games on Sundays, because I know the chances are good that the end is going to be dramatic and that somehow Tim is going to lead the Broncs to an unlikely win.
But I'm also smart enough to know that while Tebow is getting all the attention, it would not be happening if it were not for the other 23 guys. I know.... There are 22 positions on a football team. But you also have to count the punter and especially the Broncos' place kicker...whatever his name is.
Without the whole team charging forward together Tim Tebow doesn't win a thing. We'd never even know he was there.
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pro-choice Liberal Gets It! - Sally Jenkins, Washington Post
Sally Jenkins, a former Sports Illustrated writer, now writing for the Washington Post and a self-avowed pro-choice feminist has written a most excellent editorial on the Tim/Pam Tebow Super Bowl ad "controversy".
Finally someone who is pro-choice understands that one of the choices has to be to allow the unborn to live. Going against the flow of the river left, she calls out the abortion rights activists groups for their hypocrisy.
There are some superb quotes in this piece.
While she admits she disagrees with the Tebows' position, she at least argues his position is worth supporting.
Here's the link to the column.
And if you applaud her for having the courage to set herself up for criticism from her own side, send her an email and thank her for being a voice of reason and intelligence on a moral issue.
Finally someone who is pro-choice understands that one of the choices has to be to allow the unborn to live. Going against the flow of the river left, she calls out the abortion rights activists groups for their hypocrisy.
There are some superb quotes in this piece.
While she admits she disagrees with the Tebows' position, she at least argues his position is worth supporting.
Here's the link to the column.
And if you applaud her for having the courage to set herself up for criticism from her own side, send her an email and thank her for being a voice of reason and intelligence on a moral issue.
Monday, January 11, 2010
How Far Does Confession Go?
Today Mark McGwire came clean. Sort of.
He admitted what we all knew - that he was juiced back in the late 90's when he was busting the horsehide off the hardball. During those years he (along with Sammy Sosa) gave us a home run derby that was unbelievable. Maris and the Babe were left behind in the dust.
Records are made to be broken, right?
But in an interview today with Bob Costas McGwire denied that the "extra" physical prowess that comes with steroids enabled him to hit more homers.
The argument of the augmented (used by Barry Bonds and repeated today by Big Mac) is that steroids don't enable you to hit the ball - that's all about eye-hand coordination. But to say they have no impact on the distance of your hits? And the added strength you get from steriods does increase bat speed. And increased bat speed not only helps you catch up with a 95 mph fastball, but also adds to the distance of the hit. Right?
Right.
The Greek language and biblical word for "confess" is homologeo, which means "to say (logeo) the same (homo) thing. In other words to agree that I did whatever. But does confession fall short when we're still in denial about its ramifications?
Just wondering.
He admitted what we all knew - that he was juiced back in the late 90's when he was busting the horsehide off the hardball. During those years he (along with Sammy Sosa) gave us a home run derby that was unbelievable. Maris and the Babe were left behind in the dust.
Records are made to be broken, right?
But in an interview today with Bob Costas McGwire denied that the "extra" physical prowess that comes with steroids enabled him to hit more homers.
The argument of the augmented (used by Barry Bonds and repeated today by Big Mac) is that steroids don't enable you to hit the ball - that's all about eye-hand coordination. But to say they have no impact on the distance of your hits? And the added strength you get from steriods does increase bat speed. And increased bat speed not only helps you catch up with a 95 mph fastball, but also adds to the distance of the hit. Right?
Right.
The Greek language and biblical word for "confess" is homologeo, which means "to say (logeo) the same (homo) thing. In other words to agree that I did whatever. But does confession fall short when we're still in denial about its ramifications?
Just wondering.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Hey Blue! What Game Are You Watching?
Nobody's perfect. Let's start with that. We all make mistakes. Some are inconsequential, but some can ruin lives.
Baseball is a game. It's not life and death. But it is also a game of rules. Without the rules it would, like anything else be nothing but chaos. Last night's Yankees-Angels game got pretty chaotic.
I can easily understand an umpire missing a bang-bang play at a base, or calling a pitch traveling at nearly 100 MPH on the edge of the strike zone a ball happens. A throw arriving from 300 feet away to be caught and then applied to a sliding runner arriving at the same moment can be a difficult at best. Wearing blue can be a tough job.
It's even tougher when a stadium full of fans and millions more watching on television know that among the foundational rules of the game is that if you're not on the base you're not safe, and everyone in the universe sees it happen but the umpire standing feet away.
As the catcher Napoli applied both tags I screamed, "Double play!" (I'm pulling for the Halos, but my hope level is pretty low right now). I thought I saw a most unusual double play. Two runners, neither touching third base were tagged out by the catcher. I know I saw it. So did you if you watched the game. And that's the rule. Both guys are out. It wasn't close. A Little League umpire would have made the right call.
But not last night. It was in so many ways a less than perfect game. But it's just a game.
There is an Umpire who gets every call right every time. He never misses a play. His strike zone is consistently the same. He not only knows the rules, He wrote them. Arguing His calls does no good because He always wins.
Grace is a great thing.
Baseball is a game. It's not life and death. But it is also a game of rules. Without the rules it would, like anything else be nothing but chaos. Last night's Yankees-Angels game got pretty chaotic.
I can easily understand an umpire missing a bang-bang play at a base, or calling a pitch traveling at nearly 100 MPH on the edge of the strike zone a ball happens. A throw arriving from 300 feet away to be caught and then applied to a sliding runner arriving at the same moment can be a difficult at best. Wearing blue can be a tough job.
It's even tougher when a stadium full of fans and millions more watching on television know that among the foundational rules of the game is that if you're not on the base you're not safe, and everyone in the universe sees it happen but the umpire standing feet away.
As the catcher Napoli applied both tags I screamed, "Double play!" (I'm pulling for the Halos, but my hope level is pretty low right now). I thought I saw a most unusual double play. Two runners, neither touching third base were tagged out by the catcher. I know I saw it. So did you if you watched the game. And that's the rule. Both guys are out. It wasn't close. A Little League umpire would have made the right call.
But not last night. It was in so many ways a less than perfect game. But it's just a game.
There is an Umpire who gets every call right every time. He never misses a play. His strike zone is consistently the same. He not only knows the rules, He wrote them. Arguing His calls does no good because He always wins.
Grace is a great thing.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Imagine that!
Growing up the love of my life was baseball. I lived for the arrival of spring and the smell of saddle soap being rubbed in my glove and the crack of the bat. (This was before the use of metal bats that “ping”). At night I would take my transistor radio to bed and listen to the broadcasts of the Washington Senators games (so you know imagination was crucial) until I fell asleep.
Baseball brought my imagination to life. I pictured myself striking out the side or making the spectacular play in the field. But my favorite “dream” was probably what every ball player imagines: being up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the last inning. The bases are loaded and my team is three runs behind. With a full count I hit a walk off grand slam, winning the game. It’s like the ultimate scenario on the ball field.
Maybe you watched it Sunday night, but in the College Softball World Series that’s pretty much what happened to Ali Gardiner of the Florida Gators. Against their fiercest rival Alabama, and against the nation’s top senior pitcher, with two outs in the bottom of the last inning she hit the walk off grand slam that eliminated Alabama and propelled her Gators forward. It was one of those almost unbelievable-can’t happen-but did moments in sports. I’ve watched a lot of ball games in my life – thousands I guess – and it ranks right up there as one of the greatest endings imaginable.
(Ali Gardiner rounds the bases after her game winning grand slam.)
What makes the story even a bit more thrilling is that the walk off game winner was Ali’s first hit in the Series. She had been hitless in her last 9 at bats and was only 3 of her last 34. As her team mates watched her last at bat they knew like she did that she was in a slump. But this was the opportunity every ball player dreams about. And this dream came true.
But I’m not a sports writer, so there must be a parallel here to living with God’s purposes. Do you ever imagine what God must be like? Or do you imagine what He might be able to do through you to make a difference in this world?
Job wrote that, “We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty, yet he is so just and merciful that he does not oppress us.” Isaiah quoted God as saying, “My thoughts are completely different from yours,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
That doesn’t mean imagining is pointless; it simply means no matter how great our imagination might be, God is greater still. Your ability to imagine or envision or dream – however you want to put it – is part of God’s creativity in your life.
Just because we can imagine it, of course, doesn’t mean it will happen or even that God approves. Our imaginations can “run wild” in the wrong direction, too. But still, it’s OK to dream about God doing amazing things in your life. Paul had this to say to the Philippian church, “But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.”
Could it be that people of faith never reach their full potential in fulfilling the purpose of God in their lives because we don’t imagine enough? Are our “dreams” so small that they stunt our faith?
In my lifetime I hope God allows me some walk-off grand slams for Him. I think that’s what this verse in Ephesians 3:20 means. “Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.”
Rick Lawrenson is the Lead Pastor of Nags Head Church.
© 2009 Rick Lawrenson
Baseball brought my imagination to life. I pictured myself striking out the side or making the spectacular play in the field. But my favorite “dream” was probably what every ball player imagines: being up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the last inning. The bases are loaded and my team is three runs behind. With a full count I hit a walk off grand slam, winning the game. It’s like the ultimate scenario on the ball field.
Maybe you watched it Sunday night, but in the College Softball World Series that’s pretty much what happened to Ali Gardiner of the Florida Gators. Against their fiercest rival Alabama, and against the nation’s top senior pitcher, with two outs in the bottom of the last inning she hit the walk off grand slam that eliminated Alabama and propelled her Gators forward. It was one of those almost unbelievable-can’t happen-but did moments in sports. I’ve watched a lot of ball games in my life – thousands I guess – and it ranks right up there as one of the greatest endings imaginable.
(Ali Gardiner rounds the bases after her game winning grand slam.)What makes the story even a bit more thrilling is that the walk off game winner was Ali’s first hit in the Series. She had been hitless in her last 9 at bats and was only 3 of her last 34. As her team mates watched her last at bat they knew like she did that she was in a slump. But this was the opportunity every ball player dreams about. And this dream came true.
But I’m not a sports writer, so there must be a parallel here to living with God’s purposes. Do you ever imagine what God must be like? Or do you imagine what He might be able to do through you to make a difference in this world?
Job wrote that, “We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty, yet he is so just and merciful that he does not oppress us.” Isaiah quoted God as saying, “My thoughts are completely different from yours,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
That doesn’t mean imagining is pointless; it simply means no matter how great our imagination might be, God is greater still. Your ability to imagine or envision or dream – however you want to put it – is part of God’s creativity in your life.
Just because we can imagine it, of course, doesn’t mean it will happen or even that God approves. Our imaginations can “run wild” in the wrong direction, too. But still, it’s OK to dream about God doing amazing things in your life. Paul had this to say to the Philippian church, “But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.”
Could it be that people of faith never reach their full potential in fulfilling the purpose of God in their lives because we don’t imagine enough? Are our “dreams” so small that they stunt our faith?
In my lifetime I hope God allows me some walk-off grand slams for Him. I think that’s what this verse in Ephesians 3:20 means. “Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.”
Rick Lawrenson is the Lead Pastor of Nags Head Church.
© 2009 Rick Lawrenson
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Olympic Fever
Around our house the Olympics dominate TV viewing. Friday night my wife combined my birthday celebration with the Opening Ceremony and Nathan shaving his head. Big night! For Gail, the rest of the world can just take a back seat. The Olympics are on!
Last night I was the only one still up when the US men beat France (so much for the trash talking) in the 4x100 swimming relay. I'm surprised I didn't wake everyone up with my cheering!
There are some Olympic events that I love to watch. Some don't interest me at all.
What about you? How much of the Games do you view, if any? What impresses you most about the Olympics?
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Hail to the Redskins: Green and Monk thrill once more
Maybe you got to watch the induction ceremony of the National Football League Hall of Fame tonight. I hope you did, but probably you didn't. Two of my favorite past players from my favorite (and hometown) team were among those enshrined in the Hall.
Now, if you're not a football fan, please don't give up on me just yet. What was said by these men was little about football and much about faith and character.
Darrell Green (#28) was for 20 years a starter at cornerback. Twenty years at the position demanding both speed and the ability to make a hit when it counts. For many of those years Darrell Green was the NFL's fastest man. I'll never forget the Monday Night game against the hated Cowboys when, in his first game, he ran down Tony Dorsett from across the field, preventing a touchdown. I'll never forget listening to a NFL playoff game in 1988(?) against the Bears when he returned a punt for a TD, hurdling over a Chicago player. And he was hurt while he did it.
Art Monk (#81) was the most solid, consistent wide receiver who never show-boated; never embarrassed his team; who quietly played the game with dignity, commanding the respect of everyone on the field. How many times did I hear Frank, Sonny or Sam yell out "First down Monk" or "Touchdown Art Monk"? Today's ego-centric gangsters who seem to be the typical NFL player today could learn much from Monk. And after 8 years of not being elected to the Hall, tonight's induction was especially sweet. The standing ovation he received was over 4 minutes long.
But if you heard their sons present them to the Hall and then heard their acceptance speeches you heard beautiful testimonies of their faith in Jesus Christ. Gail was listening from another room and commented, "I'm hearing sermons!". Talk about powerful.
Here were two black men boldly telling of their Lord, their love for their wives, their roles as fathers to their children and their calling by God to use their gifts for His glory. Talk about role models.
I'm sure their speeches will be up on Youtube pretty quick. It's worth watching. Heck, I'm tempted to show them in church instead of preaching myself!
In the background was their old coach, Joe Gibbs. I know he had to be busting his buttons with pride, not only because two of his players were joining him in the Hall, but because they represented his Lord Jesus so well.
The burgundy and gold never was better than tonight.
Now, if you're not a football fan, please don't give up on me just yet. What was said by these men was little about football and much about faith and character.
Darrell Green (#28) was for 20 years a starter at cornerback. Twenty years at the position demanding both speed and the ability to make a hit when it counts. For many of those years Darrell Green was the NFL's fastest man. I'll never forget the Monday Night game against the hated Cowboys when, in his first game, he ran down Tony Dorsett from across the field, preventing a touchdown. I'll never forget listening to a NFL playoff game in 1988(?) against the Bears when he returned a punt for a TD, hurdling over a Chicago player. And he was hurt while he did it.
Art Monk (#81) was the most solid, consistent wide receiver who never show-boated; never embarrassed his team; who quietly played the game with dignity, commanding the respect of everyone on the field. How many times did I hear Frank, Sonny or Sam yell out "First down Monk" or "Touchdown Art Monk"? Today's ego-centric gangsters who seem to be the typical NFL player today could learn much from Monk. And after 8 years of not being elected to the Hall, tonight's induction was especially sweet. The standing ovation he received was over 4 minutes long.
But if you heard their sons present them to the Hall and then heard their acceptance speeches you heard beautiful testimonies of their faith in Jesus Christ. Gail was listening from another room and commented, "I'm hearing sermons!". Talk about powerful.
Here were two black men boldly telling of their Lord, their love for their wives, their roles as fathers to their children and their calling by God to use their gifts for His glory. Talk about role models.
I'm sure their speeches will be up on Youtube pretty quick. It's worth watching. Heck, I'm tempted to show them in church instead of preaching myself!
In the background was their old coach, Joe Gibbs. I know he had to be busting his buttons with pride, not only because two of his players were joining him in the Hall, but because they represented his Lord Jesus so well.
The burgundy and gold never was better than tonight.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Giants win!
No, I'm not a Giants fan. In fact, the Giants are a hated rival of my team (who like me was watching from home). But neither am I a Pats fan. And there's just something about them that had me pulling for the underdogs to win.
I missed a good part of the game. We had our commuion fellowship tonight. But then, the only part of the game that really matters is the end, right? When I tuned in it was 7-3 NE.
Great game! Really. I think probably the best Super Bowl ever.
Now I'm listening to my pager in case some fool driving home drunk doesn't get there. Let's hope for radio silence.
I missed a good part of the game. We had our commuion fellowship tonight. But then, the only part of the game that really matters is the end, right? When I tuned in it was 7-3 NE.
Great game! Really. I think probably the best Super Bowl ever.
Now I'm listening to my pager in case some fool driving home drunk doesn't get there. Let's hope for radio silence.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Coaching 101: Learn the rules of the game
How many ways can the Redskins come up with to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. If you've read previous blogs, you know I'm not enamored with the coaching. And it hurts to say that, because like all real Skins fans, I'm a Joe Gibbs guy. But this year I'm thinking Joe needs to go back to NASCAR. Today was the worst.
The look on his face when he realized he made a bonehead timeout call that sealed their defeat was sad to see.
And if you can't play with more heart than that this Sunday in particular, something's bad wrong. I'm guessing the Dolphins could use a new fan.
The look on his face when he realized he made a bonehead timeout call that sealed their defeat was sad to see.
And if you can't play with more heart than that this Sunday in particular, something's bad wrong. I'm guessing the Dolphins could use a new fan.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Football's not rocket science
If you can't stop a guy from catching passes or keep him out of the end zone, you can't win. It's that simple.
I should be a defensive coordinator.
I should be a defensive coordinator.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Beantown Bonanza
Sometimes things just can't seem to go wrong. Take Boston, for example.
Last night the Red Sox put the broom away after taking the Rockies to school in the Fall Classic. (Wouldn't a Red Sox/Cubs series have been great? Fenway and Wrigley...) That's series MVP Mike Lowell taking a cut to the left.
And their NFL behemoth, the Patriots gave my Redskins their worst whipping since 1961. They seem unbeatable.
Top it off with Boston College's #2 ranking in NCAA Div. I, and there's more excitement in New England than they've had since tea was dumped in the harbor.
Some people just seem to always get the corner piece of the cake.
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