NFL Controversy? Not here.

After watching the final 8 seconds of the Seahawks/Packers game the other night I was blown away with all the banter around the final play. Someone had said, "Well, this game is over." I replied, "It's football. Anything can happen in 8 seconds. That's like 10 minutes." Then it happened. A long bomb, hail Mary throw, into the endzone. It was caught. Ruled as a touchdown. The Seahawks won it. I couldn't believe it.

Let me peel back the honesty layers a bit and let you inside my brain for a moment. I love sports. I love playing them any time I can. I enjoying watching some sports, but I do not choose my TV provider based on what sports packages they offer. I like to watch my Red Sox play, especially when they play the Yankees (although this has been a VERY tough year). That being said, I do not watch a lot of Red Sox. Some of that has to do with time, some of it has to do with the lack of BoSox on west coast TV. Some of it has to do with, I have other stuff I want to watch. I usually watch the playoffs when they are in it. I do get updates on my phone every 3 innings. And then say, "Seriously?!?!? Ugh!" I also watch the Superbowl, but mainly for the commercials. (No thanks Hopper. Not for that game).

Occasionally there is a soccer game on, but it is pretty rare. The Olympics is a completely different animal. I am all in on that. I suppose if I were on a fantasy football league I would be more interested, but I think I would get too consumed with it that I would lose focus in other places. So I am a highlight watching guy and a "I'm in a room with a bunch of guys and a game is being watched and it is exciting" guy. That's what happened Monday night. It was crazy. I didn't even have a clue about the replacement refs. (Side note: I watched the last half of the Replacements the other night and enjoyed the idea of what that would be like. Second side note: I went to try out for the Braves during the strike but it rained and they cancelled it).

Today, I came across a video that is about 10 months old, but inspired me. There was no controversy. There were no angry words thrown around. It was just pure joy, love and inspiration. Check out this video about a down syndrome boy playing football.

Grace?

Today I was driving along the interstate. It was a beautiful sunny summer day and I hit some construction. There was a pick up pulling a pop up camper and it was swerving a bit. I decided to pass it and and get in front of it, as it made me a bit nervous. As I did, I saw the police officer off to the side on ramp pointing his speed gun right at me. I looked down and sure enough, I was doing 75 in a 65. I know I was done for. A disclaimer if you will. I typically do not really speed. I keep it pretty close to where I am supposed  to be, which irritates some people who follow me on a trip.

I watched as the police officer got in his car and pulled up behind me pretty quickly. He took a while to just drive behind me. I thought maybe he was going to run my plates and see if there were any warrants out for my arrest. Suddenly his lights came on and I realized he was just waiting fro a wider highway shoulder. He told me he clocked me at 77. Took my license and said he would be right back.

A few minutes later he walked back up to my window and said, "I see you have a pretty clean driving record so I am only going to give you a written warning. If I had ticketed you it would've been $00 because it is a work zone. Be careful as you pull out and have a safe day." I thanked him, took a huge sigh of relief and got back on my way.

I started to think about that moment for a while, as I was waiting for my heart rate to go down. He could have given me that ticket and it would have been completely fair. I deserved it, even if it was because I was nervous about the guy in front of me. I was breaking the law. I was speeding. It was in a construction area. I should have gotten a ticket. For some reason, I did not. That police officer chose to not give me a ticket. Typically when they are parked in a construction zone, they are giving out tickets, not giving grace. Today, he gave me grace. I have only had 2 tickets in my life. The last one was about 10 years ago.

I am very thankful for that grace. I looked up grace in Webster's dictionary and it said, "Pronunciation: \ˈgrās\ Function: noun

1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
2 a : approval, favor s> b archaic : mercy, pardon c : a special favor : privilege d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : reprieve" Thefreedictionary.com defines it as, "A favor rendered by one who need not do so."

I was given this act of kindness, this favor done by someone who did not need to do it. Allow me to get a little "spiritual"for a moment. The Bible is pretty clear that because of sin none of us deserves forgiveness or heaven. In the book of Romans (found in the Bible) it says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," which basically means that we can't earn our way into heaven. We don't deserve it. Also in Romans it says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Essentially what it is saying is that the payment (wage) for our sin (the things that we do that are wrong or the things we don't do that we should) is death (forever apart from God), BUT the gift (undeserved, free and given) of God is eternal life (forever, after we leave this earth) in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You may have heard of the Bible verse that is placed up in the end zones of many NFL games "John 3:16." That verse says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This is talking about how Jesus gave his life for us by dying on a cross (the method of "execution" in that day that was given to criminals) and gave us the opportunity to receive forgiveness for our sins. The Bible goes on to say in the next verse,  "¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." Jesus was not here to point out all the things we do wrong. He wants to save us from that life. If you have a Bible, open up to Romans chapter 6 and give it a read. It is pretty amazing. The whole book of Romans is awesome for that matter. 

After you read that, read Psalm 139. This talks about how much God loves us and knows us. If he knows us so well that he knows what our thoughts are you would think he would never be willing to forgive us. We can be pretty ugly with our thoughts. Yet he will forgive us and does! Now check this last thing in the Bible in the book of John, chapter 10. "⁹That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

It's pretty simple. If you have never prayed a prayer like this and you want to, you can do it right now. You do not need to "clean up" before you do so. God stands waiting to forgive you. He wants to. All you have to do is confess your sin to him. OK, one more verse. 1 John 1:9 says, "⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." That's it. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart, confess your sin. God will help you with all the other stuff later. There is nothing like forgiveness. There is nothing like grace.

When I was 8 years old, I prayed a prayer similar to this, "Jesus, I know you died on the cross to pay for my sins. I know I have done things wrong. I know that you are alive today and want to forgive my sins. Today I confess that sin and want to start a life long relationship with you. Thank you for the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life in heaven after I leave this earth."

You can pray that same prayer right now if you want. I would love to continue to dialogue with you about this if you want. Feel free to comment below or send me an email or FaceBook me.

Wow, I did not intend this post to be so long when I started it and had no idea where it was going to go, quite honestly. What I do know is that Jesus has changed my life and I want others to know it. I want others to find what I have found. My life isn't perfect. Everything doesn't always work out in my favor. My Red Sox don't always win the World Series just because I "pray" for them to every year. I don't always make the best choices. What I do know, is that I have a God that walks besides me through everything I go through. I have a God who will ALWAYS forgive me. Those truths make me continue to move forward in life.


I wonder, are you someone who gives grace? When was the last time you received grace from someone? I would love to hear about it. Share in the comment section.

Dustin Pedroia AL MVP

Just a quick note. The Red Sox had the 2007 Rookie of the Year last year and now he is the American League MVP! AWESOME!!!

He's the first 2nd baseman in the AL to get this award in 49 years.

Read all about it here.

Days before...

It's 2 nights before our big fall retreat for our district middle schoolers. I am so pumped. The last few days has been filled with all the little detail stuff: buying snacks; getting game stuff; finishing up program ideas; shooting and editing video; getting costume stuff; watching my Red Sox get spanked (they have a history of coming back in the playoffs with a deficit like this, so it's not over). I actually got 8 hours of sleep last night. Went to bed at 10!!! That is a rarity.

Now I have just a few things left to do. Pick up the truck. Get a few things at SAC. Get a mustache that did not make it in my costume purchase for some reason. Pack the truck. Edit a little more video. Finish a powerpoint game. Love on my family. And go!

Looks like we will have good weather this weekend too. If you think of it, pray for us. Pray for Dave Underwood who is speaking and for the students who are coming. Oh yeah, I need to finish refining my purity talk for "Girls only" and "guys only." You can pray for that too!

Red Sox are Blowing it Up!

Holy Cow. It's a good week to be a Red Sox fan!

"A no-hitter, two grand slams in a game and two pitchers coming up from Triple-A to get wins—it couldn’t have gone much better in a four-game sweep of Kansas City."

Jon Lester, who is a cancer survivor, pitched a no hitter the other day and now 2 grand slams in one game! Love it. We are headed to Seattle and will catch a game against the Red Sox on Monday night!!! I am so PUMPED!

Red Sox tshirt in Yankee Stadium Concrete

Now this is funny stuff!!!


"Report: Boston Red Sox T-shirt buried in new Yankee Stadium by construction worker

NEW YORK (AP)—Say it ain’t so, George!

A construction worker on a concrete crew at the new Yankee Stadium secretly buried a Red Sox T-shirt under the future visiting clubhouse in an effort to jinx the Yankees, the New York Post reported Friday.

The paper cited two construction workers it did not identify, saying they were not authorized to speak with the media. One of the workers said the T-shirt was poured in a slab in the visitor’s clubhouse."

Ahhh,,,another season is upon us.

GO SOX!!!

Steal a Taco, Feed the Homeless

OK, so I was reading a blog of a guy I know and I thought, this is a fantastic idea!
The basic gist was that Taco Bell’s Steal a Base promo that they had on the World Series could be used for something great. According to the promotion, everyone in America would get a free Taco if any player stole a base during the 2007 World Series. Oregon's own Red Sox rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury did it in game 2 and we all get to “steal a taco” tomorrow!

Here is what Shane said...

"I’m making an appeal for like-hearted individuals to take this promotion a step further. Let’s steal a taco to feed the homeless!

If you live in an urban community like I do, you no doubt run across numerous homeless people on a daily basis. Maybe you pass by a few on your daily commute to work. Maybe you know of a street corner or park in your city where they tend congregate. Why not take advantage of Taco Bell’s free taco offer and use it as an opportunity to bless those in need of a meal?

Get the whole office in on the action and pool your free tacos. Stop at each nearby location on your way home form work. Map out your route and make it a family scavenger hunt to gather up as many free tacos as you can. Then seek out the homeless in your community and donate your plunder!

Steal a Taco. Feed the Homeless. Let’s use this opportunity to bless others. Spread the word!

Think outside the buzz…"

Red Sox New World Champions!

Ok, this will be one of my last Red Sox blogs for a while and back to the regular life stuff.
But this team is amazing! I am soooo pumped! We did it again. Where are the stankees? Hmmm. I bet there will be a brand new crop of Sox haters that come out of the woodwork, because surely that will be the thing to do, like the Stankees of old. They were the team to love because they were the underdogs, but now its all different. People are funny.
Anyhow, Pitching. Rookies. Veterans. It's all there. And they did it again.
It feels good.

I had a soccer game tonight so I paused (dvr) the game and went to play. They had the game on at the soccer center and I asked them to change the channel. After the half they finally did. My teammates were trying to tell me the score. I was ready to kill em. haha. Dud kept yelling it was 104-4. She's funny.

Here are some highlights of game 4. Hope you enjoy.

One more to go.

Tonight we had a bunch of friends over to watch game three. What a night. Lots of noise. Lots of kids. Lots of hits (in the game, that is). Lots of excitement. What a good game is all about.

Still, my boys pulled through and took game three 10-5. Felt good. I will try to post a pic of my art work on my car tomorrow. and also tell u about our fun costume party last night.

that's all.

YES!!! Another Sox update.

Some of you may be sick of my updates on the Red Sox, but this is an exciting time for a Sox fan! My house went nuts tonight as Josh Beckkkkkkkkkkett tore it up and Dustin Pedroia started off with a home run in the first at bat. Leading the Sox to a 13-1 victory of the tired Rockies in game 1 on the World Series. It was a if every player was just on tonight. Thankfully this is not a game that sits on one players shoulders.

Tomorrow some friends will be over for some more Sox action as Curt Schilling attempts to lead the team to victory number 2! This team is on fire and their fans can feel it!

I love that my entire family is into this. Jeanne-Ann makes me laugh, cuz she ordered Sox gear for all of us. (we are apparently a little low). I will toss up some pics when it arrives. Hopefully b4 the series is over.

Most analysts are saying the Sox will take it in 6. It's always nice to be at home when you win, but I will take a World series where ever we take it.

Headed to the World Series

In January I watch Prison Break and 24 right in a row. It is 2 hours of gut wrenching action. I get out of those 2 hours and am completely wiped out. I love it.

Last night was much of the same, except that I was watching The Red Sox and the Indians play. It was a close race through the 6th inning. Then the Sox began to blow it out!

They finished with a 11-2 victory! And this Wednesday they start the first game of the World Series against the Rockies. from a 3-1 game deficit! They came back and won 3 games straight. So the whole week was much like last night.

What a time!

Red Sox vs. Indians

It's been a while since I have felt this deep pit in my stomach. I came home from work today and sat down with my family for dinner and game 4. All the way till the 5th inning it was 0-0. Then the walls broke down and the Indians got 7 runs in one inning. Ouch. The Sox came back with back-to-back-to-back home runs. The first time ever in the League Championship Series ever. That was exciting, but that was all there was.

I know it's just a game. I just want to see them go all the away again.

I do remember 2004 very well. 3 games down to the Yanks, 2 outs, 9th inning. They came back and went on to win the world series!

They can do it again.

I just don't like how I feel inside at this moment.

Lost and the Red Sox!!! but this is about the team winning, not their miserable season

Man...the last episode of Lost kicked my butt. There are times when I watch something that I get so pulled in that my emotional strings are played well. Sometimes it's a moment where an extra-terrestial is trying to get home and the tear ducts are opened a bit; from time to time there's the Boy named Tommy who wears a coat that's too small and causes my gut to hurt from laughter; and then there are the OTHERS!!! My ire rose quite high tonight. I wanted to yell, "If you really are just normal then why do you treat them like animals."

I know what you are thinking. Well, yes, I have never denied that I am a bit too into TV. I guess I just drop my "thinking" when I am being entertained and allow myself to be entertained. Sounds a bit weird, but I love watching something that will take me on a journey.

The end of Lost had Henry or Ben telling Jack Shepherd that if he plays nice he will take him back home. Jack didn't believe that Ben had any contact with the outside world. Ben told him that in the 69 days they had been there (it's apparently 2004) Bush was re-elected, Christopher Reeves passed away and the BOSTON RED SOX won the world series. Jack laughed and told him he should've come up with something more believable. Then he showed him the video of the final game.

Ahhhh...it's good to relive one of the greatest moments in baseball history again. Seems soooo long ago and yet seems like it was just yesterday. bitter sweet moment...