Archive for November, 2007
First Day of Ski Season
This was taken by Thomas – our bud from Brazil – at Winter Park.
Major thanks to Grandad, Mame, and Big Tom. Skiing wasn’t great but the time together was awesome. This might be a good enough picture to avoid the dreaded Christmas family picture.
What do you think?
Deep Thoughts by Cayden
C: God’s our father, right?
G: Right.
C: He’s even your father, right?
G: Right.
C: He’s everyone’s father, right?
G: Not exactly. Only to those who want him to be their father.
C: Why wouldn’t you want God to be your father?
G: Good question…maybe because unlike earthly fathers – he’s never wrong. So if you ever argue with God…you kinda know who’s going to win from the start.
C: Never wrong???
G: Never.
C: That’s not fair.
G: I guess your right…it’s not fair.
C: Oh well. We love him anyway. I wouldn’t want him to not be my father.
As I’m walking downstairs, I just start laughing. I’m learning more good theology from 5 year-old daughter than I did in my systematic theology class.
It’s not fair, God’s not fair, the whole situation isn’t fair. While that is to our benefit, it doesn’t always feel that way. He’s good, dangerous, gracious, slow to anger, jealous, lovely, confusing, and mysterious…but not fair.
And I too wouldn’t want him to not be my Father.
Thank you, Caydo.
Speaking Jesus 2, Jesus and Islam
Here are my notes from yesterday’s session.
Again – same disclaimer as last one. The first 2 pages are the front/back of a handout I gave. The rest of the pages are talking points, not a script of what was exactly said.
Speaking Jesus, Session 1
Here are my notes (WARNING: It is NOT a script of the class but rather talking points).
Intro to the class, the teaching style of Jesus – parables over points.
Devin Who?
I have no words to even begin to explain…
1. Why anyone would punt to Devin Hester…
2. why anyone would kick-off to Devin Hester…
3. why anyone would purposely punt a ball into the stomach of your opponent…
This is proof that taking steroids makes you stupid.
Roll Tide and Nutt Screws It Up Again
Bama beats the John Deere Tractor Dealerships tonight…37-28.
I think Saban got a good hard look at the kind of players that are at ‘Bama over the last 3 weeks…and that look was not good. Can’t finish. Can’t finish games, can’t finish teams, can’t finish season.
******
I’m glad that LSU finally lost a game they should have lost instead of consistently pulling wins out of disaster. I’m even glad that McFadden had an awesome game on national television. I’m happy as a lark that once again the BCS is going to be a complete disaster this year.
I’m even okay that West Virginia has a chance to play in the championship game.
What is baffling to me is Houston Nutt. After he correctly assesses after the game that Darren McFadden is the best player in the land, you almost wanted to ask him – then why in the world did he fall off the radar screen in the middle of the season? How – as a coaching staff – did you not utilize 2 of the most dynamic backs in college football to something better than a 7-4 record?
******
Kansas-Missouri game today. Rock Chalk Jayhawks. Never thought I say that during football season. But Reesing is the real deal. The special teams are special. Besides that…I can’t stand Mizzou. Why? I really don’t have a good reason. Ever have some teams that you just don’t like? Mizzou is one of those teams. Now – they are definitely not at the same level as say Auburn, Notre Dame, or USC. A mild annoyance is more accurate.
******
Off to get out Christmas decorations.
Black Friday was actually White
We went skiing today. (Thank you Granddad and Mame!!!)
Yes, it was crowded.
Yes, there weren’t that many lifts or runs open.
Yes, it was a little chilly but not unbearable.
But not one time did I hear my kids say – “Ohhhh…I want that!”
Instead we laughed, played in the snow, and are now back home playing.
A great new tradition.
The Fried Thanksgiving
Some pics of yesterday and the fried turkey experience. I used an Emril recipe – a cajun marinade and rub. Great flavor with a little kick. Thanks to Wayne’s great advice, there were no explosions or tense moments with a fire extinguisher.
The Schneiders are here from Brazil. It was awesome to sit around and hear our prayer done in Porteguese.
Turkeys, Friends, and Football
Much to be thankful for.
Too much to put in a list, some of it deep, some of it shallow, all of it sincere.
But today, we’ll hang out with the Smiths, the Schneiders (Brazil), and I’ll fry my first turkey.
I’ll post pictures and interviews with the fire department later.
Da Donkeys, Cutler, Young, MNF
After the MNF game last night…this is what I think I know.
Cutler and Young – if they stay healthy – will be the next Manning-Brady debate. Cutler is shaking off the rookie “What the heck was he thinking?” moments, VY is learning when to stay in the pocket to fling it (Titans – get him some receivers…please.) and when to tuck and run.
Is there a team that has had more injuries than the Broncos? Darrant Williams and Damien Nash died in the offseason. Al Wilson gone because of his neck. Rod Smith, Ebenezar Ekuban, Jarvis Moss, and Nate Jackson hardly played a down this season and all are gone for the year. Tom Nalen and Ben Hamilton are gone for the year. Javon Walker, Tony Scheffler, Travis Henry, John Lynch, and Champ Bailey have all missed major time. Selvin Young goes down last night and Dre Bly has been seen hanging out with the Greek as well. I guess they’ll play 7 man football at some point in the season.
Broncos are getting hot when the rest of the AFC West looks pathetic.
Either I’m getting patient or they are getting better but the MNF crew didn’t grate on my nerves as much last night.
How cool would it be if Jeff Fischer ends up getting fired by the Titans (which would be a stupid move but they’ve hinted at it for years) and then comes works for Denver as Coach or GM with Shanny? Crazy, I know but I’d take it.
Fat Tire is the perfect compliment to a Brat. There is no debate to this fact.
I like the Titans logo…the stripes on the helmet bother me. If they can fix that, it’d be a top 10 look.
Shanny’s comments after the game were both funny and true – “Nobody question me about the timeout before the field goal. If you live by sword, you’ll die by it. It was going to happen eventually.” Talking about the timeout that allowed the Titans to retry a 56 yard field goal and make the second one.
Andre Hall was impressive in his run but more impressive after the game. He credited Marshall for a huge block that sprung his touchdown run. He immediately acknowledged his missed assignment that got Cutler sacked on a 3rd down blitz.
Any other thoughts?
Mom, Dad and Guitar Hero 3
Just got done finishing a week with my parents in town. It was awesome. It was short.
They got me…urrr, I mean, Cooper, Guitar Hero 3. I’ve been busy rocking my face off.
What a cool game. No aliens and no rocket launchers, but still a great game. I think GH 2 has better songs and I’ll be looking for a GH ’80′s for the Xbox as well. That would be awesome.
Only one minor issue…Camber now goes around the house singing…”I…Wanna Rock and Roll All Night…and party everyday…”
Amy kinda looked at me funny. I teared up.
“Camber…your first KISS song. [pause] I’m so proud of you.”
Wish I Was There
Len Evans is blogging about the National Youthworkers Conference this week.
So is Tony Myles.
So is Marko.
I wish I was there. It’s a fun place to recharge and reconnect. A place designed to feed and care for the soul of youthworkers.
Oh well…I’ll get to ski a lot this year. That’ll be my recharge.
Ugly Day For Baseball
Bonds is indicted. By now, you’ve heard that.
Here is what is sickening about the whole deal.
It took 4 years for the government to figure out Bonds was lying? It took this long to get proof enough to indict? Why did it take this long? Every sports figure, agent, and lawyer should seriously be worried at the answer to this question.
Think about it…the federal government may be a lot of things, but they are hyper-sensitive when it comes to big splash cases like this one. Just like the Vick case, there is no way the federal government is pushing forward unless it knows it can’t lose. In other words, they have proof beyond what is necessary. It’s too risky when you are spending tax payers dollars. You HAVE to win and you know going into the ordeal that everything is eventually is going to be made public.
The fact that the indictment is about perjury – which is hard to prove – makes this whole scene worse. That means that the federal government thinks they have enough evidence to prove that Bonds is lying about willfully using steroids AND that he obstructed the government from finding out about OTHERS who used.
This could splash out much larger than just baseball. Makes you wonder why all of a sudden Marion Jones admitted to steroid use and gave back all her medals, huh? A flash of morality or did she know what was potentially coming and decided to take her licks early and get it over with?
To further make the situation revolting, Bud Selig called ESPN to say this – that while he (Selig) hasn’t read the full indictment, “all people are innocent until proven guilty. Plus our testing policy is one of the best in sports in determining HGH use…” and he would stand by the MLB testing policy.
Selig can’t really believe that the public is that stupid, can he? I mean, who didn’t see McGuire, Palmerio, and Sosa dragged in front of Congress? Who hasn’t heard the clip of Congress telling Bud Selig – you do something about steroids in baseball or we will? Who didn’t notice that it took 8 years to get that done and even the policy that they have now is the weakest in professional sports?
It appears that the federal government will now do what Selig and MLB was either powerless or fearful to do – and that is pull the cover back on drug use in MLB and in so doing, will probably spill over into every other sports arena. And since the government is playing with tax payers money, you can be rest assured that it will be thorough. It may be slow, but they will not risk this much time, money, and public opinion on an endeavor that will fail.
And that alone should make MLB scared to death.
Letting Jesus Speak For Himself
I’m starting a new seminar this week at church called “Speaking Jesus.” This whole idea started because of my ongoing conversations I’m having with my LDS friends. (We meet tomorrow, by the way.)
As a youth worker, I’ve been forced to constantly re-examine how I present Jesus. For the longest time, I sold him like a vacuum cleaner – to steal a phrase from Donald Miller. A commodity, a piece of a pyramid scheme which if you act now, you can get in on the bottom level. I’m not sure what is more shocking – the failure rate of that approach or my cluelessness for continuing to use it for so long.
Of course, everything changed once my relationship with Jesus was an actual relationship. You know the kind that has conversations, arguments, fights, accountability, and vulnerability? Once that happened, I immediately found myself in a tight spot.
I knew there was no way in 15 minutes and 4 easy steps could I explain how complicated, beautiful, wonderful, confusing, and deep my relationship was with Jesus. But wasn’t that exactly what I was supposed to do as a follower of Jesus? Witness! Defend! Persuade! I couldn’t in good conscious use the “read the pamphlet and pray the prayer” method but I really didn’t have anything else in my toolkit.
I think that’s when I heard Jesus laughing at me. It was almost like he was saying – “I’ve got a novel idea for you. Why don’t you let me speak for myself. You be you, keep growing and allowing me to change you. I’ll start with that.”
So that’s what most of this seminar is about – learning to allow Jesus to speak for himself. The whole evangelism thing I think we’ve made a lot more complicated than it ought to be. Heck, the only instructions Jesus gave was – “Teach ‘em what I taught you. And you WILL be my witnesses wherever you go.”
Of course that’s not to say that Jesus is all nice sound bytes and loving language. But that’s a much longer post.
What’s More Likely – NFL Edition
Because I had yesterday off…I started thinking…
What’s more likely to happen…
Patriots go unbeaten or Dolphins go winless?
Let’s do some math, shall we?
The Patriots remaining games are @ Buffalo, Philadelphia, @ Baltimore, Pittsburgh, NY Jets, Miami, and @ NY Giants. Barring injuries – the Bills, Eagles, Ravens, Jets and Dolphins are all W’s. I think the Patsies can take it to the Giants – regardless of it being a road game. That leaves Pittsburgh at home. That’s the only roadblock for the Patsies.
Dolphins have @ Philadelphia, @ Pittsburgh, NY Jets, @ Buffalo, Baltimore, @ New England, and finally Cincinnati at home. All of the road games the Dolphins will lose. They’ve never traveled well and this year they are just terrible. That leaves the Jets, Ravens, and Cincy. All three times are bad. All three have shown up to games without realizing it wasn’t practice.
That means the Patsies are MORE LIKELY to go undefeated? No. It’s harder to go 16-0 than it is 0-16. Pressure is much higher and Pittsburgh and the Giants will be playing for a home playoff game. Patsies will already have had that sewn up by then.
So I’m going on record and saying that the Dolphins will more likely be WINLESS.
The Broncos (4-5) make the playoffs or the Tennessee Titans (6-3)?
It’s a situation that the NFL has avoided for a long time but won’t this year. The Titans will end the season with a better record than the Broncos and miss the playoffs. After watching the AFC West play this weekend – all of them are terrible. There is nothing scary about any of the teams and the Broncos have just as good of a chance as any of them. With Indy and Jacksonville in front of them in the division – the Titans will have a harder time getting in.
Broncos more likely.
Travis Henry gets suspended or gets cut?
Or both… Shanny said yesterday that if Henry failed the test and was suspended by the league, he’d no longer be a Bronco. After watching Selvin Young play, do the Broncs really need him? I think he’ll get suspended. But if he doesn’t – I’ll be shocked if he sticks around in Denver one more year. He’s brittle and comes with baggage.
More likely…both.
Final Fastbreak Thoughts
Weather was awesome.
Volunteer staff was incredible. They really engaged with the students.
Students really became a team and started trusting each other.
It was the first retreat Pinecrest ever had. Matt said it was awesome.
Here are some of my favorite pics. I’ll post our video on Wednesday.
NINJA GRANT
I was climbing on this element to show the students how to do it and Sarah clicked the pic right as I was stepping up. It really does look like I’m walking in the air…like a ninja.
The Log Exercise…it’s a love-hate relationship with our youth ministry. They love the idea, it’s the execution that is frustrating.
Just a great pic…Chris looks like Neo…
During the “Log” Exercise, Darren decides to commune with God.
Next two pics are special. The biggest reason for doing ziplines and challenge courses is to put students in situations where they have to trust each other OR overcome fear.
Brock, Matt, and Lian are deathly afraid of heights. Just getting the harness on and walking up to the tower was an achievement. All three went off the tower and did the zipline. It was a great example of how a group can encourage without shaming, push without humiliating. I’m very proud of the whole crew.
Fastbreak Started
It’s kinda weird having internet access but no cell service. Really weird to be blogging on a retreat.
So far, it’s been awesome. We had some late night laughs and some morning fun.
Here some pics of time so far. Our cabin – the Winter Lodge.
The view from our front porch – that would Long’s Peak right there.
This is from the morning low rope element. Yes, we are learning to get close as a youth group.
I’m Not Stuck…Just Busy
Preached, taught Wednesday night, Confab tonight, Fastbreak this weekend….
Crazy fun. I love it but it hasn’t left a lot of time for blogging – fun or otherwise.
I’ll try to blog from the Fastbreak – we’re going to Estes Park. Pray for our students and staff. Going to be a great weekend.
Fire Shanahan?
I love the Donkeys but sometimes I really wonder what most of our fans have been drinking.
The facts are these – the Denver Broncos are done. Well done. Stick a fork in them. However, I do need to point out that NOBODY wants to win the AFC West right now. They all are terrible and as bad as the Broncos have been…here’s the reality of the situation. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO TO GET IN THE PLAYOFFS IS WIN THE AFC WEST. Beat the Chargers, beat the Chiefs, beat the Raiders and they’ve just punched their ticket to the playoffs. How sad is that? They are one win behind the Chargers in the AFC West. Ridiculous.
Want to complain about Shanny as a GM? I’ll go there with you. He’s had some horrible drafts in the last 5 years. Even worse free agent signings and even worse than that assistant coaching hires. But gameday…he’s still one of the best. Anyone who can minimize the Plummer effect to one game of the Super Bowl…that’s coaching. The bottom line – the defense is confused, banged up, and talent-short. The offense is just banged up. Cutler, Rod Smith, Javon Walker, Tom Nalen, and Travis Henry are all hurt. There isn’t a team in the league who could lose 2 of their starting WR’s, the starting RB, and the starting center and win. Throw in losing John Lynch, Al Wilson, and moving DJ Williams to middle which essentially meant you lost your outside linebacker and you have the same situation on the defense.
Besides that, Shanny isn’t going anywhere. Bowlen is way to smart for that, he’s not reactionary. There will be no bar scene firing like with Jones and Johnson. Pat Bowlen knows that no one has more games in the last 8 years than Shanny, that record plus 2 Super Bowls has earned him some grace this year.
“Well he wouldn’t have won those without Elway.” Elway didn’t win many Super Bowls without Shanahan either. (That number would be ZERO.)
More importantly – who would you replace him with?
Schottenheimer? Aw H…E…Double Hockey Sticks No. There is no universe where he is a better coach than Shanny. I promise you now…if Schottenheimer EVER becomes the coach of the Broncos, I will become a Browns fan.
Some young offensive/defensive coordinator? Jason Garret of Dallas is really the only guy that MIGHT be able to pull it off, but there’s no way Jones lets him out of Dallas. Plus as a rookie head coach, new system, new coaches, new vibe – it would be a complete culture change and that would mean another year or two of average football. (Which honestly right now would be an improvement, but I digress.)
Bill Cowher? Possibly. Lots of positive here. He’d fit the culture here. He’d resonate with the team, runs a similar style game, demands smashmouth defense, and every player that has ever played for him would run through a wall for him…(except maybe Kordell Stewart). Same sort of set up that he had in Pittsburgh – an owner that is steady and is committed to putting a winning team on the field.
BUT…he’s not coaching until his daughters get out of high school…which is in 2009. That’s two seasons away.
So…Shanny is staying. Lots of things can happen in 2 years. Shanny could retire…he’s been a head coach for 15 years, 13 of them here in Denver. He could move into the front office somewhere. I guess another season like this one might make Bowlen think about replacing him. But I promise you, that is the LAST thing on his mind this year.
Gospel of John E-vos
Today I finished a long, long, journey through the Gospel of John. Here are all the posts. I’m going to take a week or two to think through what to do next. Any suggestions?
John 1:1-18, Knowing the Unknowable
John 1:19-28, I Can’t Untie His Thongs
John 2, Water To Pinot Noir
John 3, Jesus The Philosopher
John 4:1-42, You Are Talking To Who??
John 4:43-5:15, What Do You Really Want?
John 5:16-47, Say What?
John 6, An Inconvenient Truth
John 7, The Real Secret
John 8:1-11, Often Preached, Seldom Done
John 8, Son of Satan
John 9, What If There’s No Reason?
John 10:1-21, Polarizing Jesus
John 10:22-42, Someone Has To Be It
John 11, But The Smell…
John 12:1-11, More Than You Bargained For
John 12:12-50, Unbelievability Of It All
John 13, You Don’t Know The Power Of The Dark Side
John 14, I Can’t Wait Till I Grow Up
John 15, What Grows On This Vine?
John 16, Doing God A Favor
John 17, Ruin Them Then Send Them Back
John 18, Is That Your Own Idea
John 19:1-14, More Like Pilate
John 19:15-42, The Death Of Hope
John 20, Unexpected Appearances
John 21, Let’s Try This Again And See If You Remember Anything
Let’s Try This Again And See If You Remember Anything
This is the last leg in our e-journey through the gospel of John. This week’s from John 21.
The greatest fear facing the disciples post-crucifixion was being found by the religious leaders and sentenced to the same fate as Jesus.
The greatest fear facing the disciples post-resurrection was Jesus himself.
Think about it…you just deserted, denied, and betrayed a guy who can’t be killed.
If this were a movie, Jesus would have shown up in black, like a ninja, and had a revenge tour. “You doubted me. You must die.”
Instead, this is what we see – Jesus showing up on the shore after the disciples had fished all night and not caught a thing. He hollers at them: “Put your nets on the other side of the boat.” What the heck does that mean???
Then it hits me…at the beginning of their ministry together, he told the disciples the same thing after a similar night of failed fishing. The first time, the disciples argued a bit. “Hey Jesus, you may be the Son of God but we’re fishermen. And we haven’t caught a thing all night and we are in shallow water.”
“Just trust me.”
So they did, reluctantly. And the boat sank with the weight of the fish.
Fast forward to now – “Hey – put you’re nets out again.”
They didn’t argue this time. Did they remember? Did they know? Were they laughing and smiling this time instead of grumbling? A do-over. A “Okay, let’s try this again and see if you remembered anything” moment.
153 large fish. Only fishermen count like that. Peter couldn’t wait to get to shore – he just jumps in and swims. He knows.
Then Jesus does it again. The number of questions to Peter match the number of denials which now matches the number of restorations. Three. I’ve heard it preached that Jesus did this to remind Peter of his failure. I completely disagree.
There was no way Peter would ever forget his denials. Especially with the living Jesus in front of him. I think Jesus did it so that Peter would never forget the number of times Jesus restored him.
The final lesson in following Jesus – when you fail, let’s try this again and see if we remember anything.
Dancing With God
Evan Almighty is a pretty decent flick. I never got around to seeing it in the theater…but renting it and watching it with Cammy and Coop was fun.
Coop’s favorite scene – (same as mine) – SHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!
Cammy’s – when God says at the very end – “I have another commandment. Do the Dance.”
I think the scene that was a “A-ha” moment for me was the very end. Evan and God are under the tree. God is smiling. Evan is telling him how he fought with God and how he failed and God is still smiling.
“Yeah, but you did it……..It’s time…..to do the dance.”
And they dance together, with God laughing hard.
How cool is that?
What Color Is God?
My kids and I were watching Evan Almighty today and this conversation happens…
Camber: Hey Dad…what color is God anyway? Think he’s black?
G: Hmmm. Maybe. I’m guessing Jesus was like brownish but God…I guess he could be any color.
Camber: Like PURPLE! That would be cool….