Life as Me

Thoughts through a Cold

I have caught a cold that has really thrown off my week. Honestly I feel like each night I am going into battle to see if I can sleep. However the light at the end of the tunnel is coming. I am feeling the best I’ve felt all week long today (Friday)! Which is good…but there’s one catch to it: I have lost my voice. You never appreciate the basics until they’re taken from you. That’s just one of the thoughts that came to me during this cold, here are some of the others…

#1: Kleenex with lotion may be one of the great inventions of all-time. Whoever figured out how to put moisturizers in a kleenex should be given the key to a city of their choice.

#2: Why does Kleenex have everything in both French & English? I’m sure there’s a reason for it…but I would think Spanish would make the cut as well. Unless there are a whole lot more people buying Kleenex that speak French than I know of.

#3: Talking like a person who has smoked for the past 60 years of life sure gives you sympathy. Seriously, I called a couple of people just as my voice was leaving and everyone thought I was on my death bed. I wound up with a couple of donuts this morning & people being extremely nice to me. Amazing!

Colds slow you down, but I have thought about things that don’t usually go through my brain…thanks Cold!

March Madness Predictions: Day 2

Yesterday, I wound up going 13-3. Which is respectful…unless your kid sister goes 16-0. Very humiliating…

Oh well, today is a new day…so on to the predictions!

Stephen F. Austin vs. Syracuse:Any university named after a man with around a 60-ft statue in his honor must be taken seriously. But any team that wins a 6 overtime game earns my respect as well. So Syracuse wins this one. 86-61.

Tennessee vs. Oklahoma State: These are both streaky teams, and I don’t particularly like either team. But the orange coat of Bruce Pearl should be enough to help the Vols beat the Cowboys. Way to go Bruce! 90-84.

Utah State vs. Marquette: I was watching ESPN yesterday and Dwayne Wade was on talking about the tournament. He may be the most fake person ever, but he sure comes off like a good guy. So I don’t care…any team of Wade’s is a team of mine…go Marquette. 76-70.

North Dakota State vs. Kansas: The Jayhawks are a team with a lot of talent, they are young…but they still won the Big 12 regular season. That fact deserves respect, especially for Bill Self. So this one is for my good friend Nate. Jayhawks win this one and move on. 82-56.

Temple vs. Arizona State: I really don’t know much about either of these teams, so when you don’t much about the players you go to the coaches. I don’t know of too many coaches that clean up as well as Herb Sendek. 66-60.

Eastern Tennessee State vs. Pittsburgh: Everyone in America should hope that Pitt wins this one. Why everyone in America? Because who really wants to have to write out “Eastern Tennessee State” on your revised bracket? No one…too long of a name, plus you shouldn’t want to abbreviate the name…then that brings up a whole new set of problems. Pitt wins. 83-64.

Cornell vs. Missouri: Missouri plays an ultra fast style of basketball that will be hard to be prepared for. Cornell and other teams may be able to keep with the Tigers for a half, but not for an entire game. Missou wins this one. 75-64.

Dayton vs. West Virginia: I have West Virginia going a long way in my bracket, mainly because I think the players are afraid to lose. If they lose, Bob Huggins get angry…very scary man. So with the fear of Bob in the players, the Mountaineers will pull this one out. 63-56.

Morehead State vs. Louisville: Morehead State is already 1-0 in the tournament, they have experience on the court, they have been ready for a couple of days…but it won’t matter. This will be a bludgeoning. 96-52.

Arizona vs. Utah: I feel like everyone in America is expecting Arizona to magically turn in on and start playing up to the talent on the roster. They haven’t played well this entire month, and there’s no reason to think that will start now. Plus Utah has to be sick of hearing everyone talk about Arizona. Utah wins. 69-60.

USC vs. Boston College: The Trojans have one of my favorite coaches, Tim Floyd. I hear him on the radio once a week and he just sounds like a solid coach. Not to mention that he was an assistant for the legendary Don Haskins, who led Texas Western to the national championship over Kentucky in 1966…which led to the film, Glory Road. Josh Lucas is no Don Haskins. Trojans win. 81-78.

Portland State vs. Xavier: Xavier is a team that is flying under the radar. They could be trouble down the road in this tournament. Which obviously means that they need to win today. Expect a better game than most think, but Xavier wins. 78-68.

Sienna vs. Ohio State: Sienna has tournament experience, plus Ohio State is not that impressive. Hopefully people saw Illinois stink it up last night, until Western Kentucky decided to give people a reason to stay up and watch until the finish. The Big 10 is weak this year, but this got several mediocre teams into the tournament. Sienna wins here. 73-60.

Cleveland State vs. Wake Forest: This game could be a blow out if Wake Forest plays up to potential. But that hasn’t happened too often over the past few months. Not to mention Cleveland State is better than people give them credit for. So I’m not going with the upset, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Wake in a close one. 73-72.

Robert Morris vs. Michigan State: Tom Izzo is one of the best in the business and he always seems to have his teams ready to go tournament time. So I expect Michigan State to do better than most of us think…Michigan State wins this one. 67-52.

Florida State vs. Wisconsin: Wisconsin has not been near as impressive this year as in previous years. I expect them to struggle against a long and athletic Florida State team. This is the year Florida State actually does something with their skills & athleticism. Maybe Bobby Bowden is going to lose some wins, but Florida State will gain a win here. 70-56.

Maybe I’ll pull out an undefeated day like my sister yesterday…but at the very least I hope she doesn’t…until tomorrow.

March Madness Predictions: Day 1

So here we go, another year and another time to shoot for perfection. I will be shocked if I don’t get 50 out of the 63 games correct for the whole tournament. I realize I’m human…so I’ll give myself a couple of mistakes. With all this in mind, let’s get started with Round 1, Day 1.

Butler vs. LSU: This game is about athletes versus team chemistry. LSU has the better athletes, it seems like athletes are all over the state of Louisiana! However I think that Butler and their ability to play together is going to win out. Butler 74 LSU 68

CS Northridge vs. Memphis: Granted Memphis hasn’t had to play a talented team in over 2 months, but I don’t think Cal State Northridge is going to be the team that takes them down. Too much talent on the Memphis roster, I’ll be surprised if CBS shows this game after half-time. Memphis 84 CS Northridge 52

Texas A&M vs. BYU: I am always suspicious of schools that are forced to abbreviate their school name. So I personally don’t like either team, but history tends to repeat itself, so I have to go with A&M on this one. Texas A&M 64 BYU 62

Northern Iowa vs. Purdue: I don’t have a lot of respect for the Big Ten, it could just be that this is the league that produced an exciting 38-33 game. So yes Purdue is the champion of the Big Ten, but that isn’t saying too much…however I can’t go with the upset in this one. Purdue 38 Northern Iowa 33

Radford vs. North Carolina: No Ty Lawson, no problem. Radford isn’t a basketball powerhouse, so I think the entire first string of North Carolina should sit this one out and just see if the 2nd string could beat Radford. North Carolina 90 Radford 64

Maryland vs. California: There is always an East Coast bias in basketball, and with Maryland being on the bubble for such a long time made them a team that the nation paid attention to. But this is also a Maryland team that could’ve been beaten by 100 at Duke. So are they entertaining and engaging? Yes. Do the Terps win? No. Hope I’m right on this one. California 82 Maryland 74

Chattanooga vs. Connecticut: I don’t know if a 1 seed will ever be beaten by a 16 seed. Though there is so much parity in the game, I still just don’t think it is very likely. Connecticut just has too much basketball skill, though Chattanooga has a cooler name. Connecticut 79 Chattanooga 59

Mississippi State vs. Washington: This has been a game that a lot of people have been calling for the upset, but Portland is so close to Washington…it will be a home game for the Huskies. Some people have said that Oregonians will come out to cheer against Washington, and that would happen if this situation occurred in the South. People in Oregon are too busy drinking coffee and having other people pump their gas, so expect a pro-Washington crowd and result. Washington 86 Mississippi State 79

Minnesota vs. Texas: Texas has consistently failed to live up to expectations. You just kept thinking that they would put it all together and go on a run. That hasn’t happened. Tubby Smith has turned around the Minnesota program in a great way, but you just have to think Texas is going to figure it out enough to win this one. This is one that makes me nervous. Texas 64 Minnesota 60

Michigan vs. Clemson: Clemson is a school over the past few years that has shown promise, but then somehow chokes. Is this the year that they live up to the promise? Michigan had the Fab 5 and baggie shorts, then went into exile for a decade. Now they are back and have a unique system. I think Michigan’s system will provide trouble for Clemson, enough to win it. Michigan 65 Clemson 56

American vs. Villanova: I love anything that has the word American in it, but this game is being played in our nation’s birthplace…and where a ton of Villanova fans will be cheering. So my heart says American U, but my brain says Villanova. Brains win out in this one. Villanova 82 American 56

Akron vs. Gonzaga: The Zags are the team that embodied Cinderella in the 90’s. In the 2000’s they have continued to build on their solid foundation. Akron is tough, but Gonzaga has too much talent and big game experience to lose this game. Though it should be close. Gonzaga 77 Akron 70

Binghamton vs. Duke: Duke has been incredibly mediocre in the tournament over the past few years, but that has been due to a lack of an inside game. I still think the trouble inside will doom Duke, but not here. Duke 89 Binghamton 64

Morgan State vs. Oklahoma: Let’s be honest, the Sooners have stunked recently. They haven’t won a big game away from home in some time…so there are valid questions about this team. I’m from Oklahoma, but don’t have much confidence once they get to teams with depth & inside play. Morgan State has won against a big name opponent, Maryland, and that was at Maryland. But I am optimistic that the Sooners will pull this one out, even though it won’t be impressive. Oklahoma 75 Morgan State 60

Virginia Commonwealth vs. UCLA: I think this is the best match-up of Day 1. Great guards are going to be all over the court, and it should just be an entertaining game to watch. You have to pick teams that are going to be potential Cinderellas, and so VCU is my guess. Virginia Commonwealth 58 UCLA 56

Western Kentucky vs. Illinois: This Illinois team scored 33 points in a game, I refuse to endorse a team that bad on any one night. Western Kentucky has tournament experience, so I’m expecting them to put it on the Illini. Though it will be a close game. Western Kentucky 71 Illinois 67

This Generation

I am feeling sort of old today, I’m wearing my new Sperry’s that are accepted by most older guys as cool…and surprisingly as of today accepted by high schoolers as being cool as well. With that in mind, I want to say a quick word about this generation of American high schoolers.

I am afraid for this generation. They seem to be characterized as a generation that has little knowledge of the gospel, nor many avenues to be able to hear the gospel. I talk to so many students that have backgrounds where they are never really exposed to the power of the gospel. Instead they are filled with images on TV and in reality of a weak, cheap, and shallow Christianity that they realize can’t be worth much…and is definitely not worth their lives! 

At the beginning of Judges we see a tragedy: “All that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” -Judges 2:10. It appears that the same tragedy is occurring once again.

May we pray that God will be gracious to this generation: to open their hearts to the beauty of the gospel, to give them avenues to hear the true gospel, to give them a passion for the glory of God.

Looking Forward to the Week...

This is shaping up to be one of the more entertaining weeks of 2009. A lot is going on…

1. St. Patrick’s Day: I may not be Irish, but I still think a day where you can pinch people for not wearing clothing with a certain color is a great idea. I think we should have more holidays that follow this tradition. Maybe we should beat people who don’t wear brown on Arbor Day…just a thought.

In addition to the whole pinching thing, I will be participating in an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage fundraiser at school on Tuesday. I have been mentally training for this challenge for about 2 months, I will have 1 hour and 15 minutes to put as much food in my body as possible. I expect to eat quite a bit, so I think I’m going to buy elastic banded pants for that day.

2. Spending time with my Sister: Getting to spend time with family becomes more and more of a treat as time goes on. Living in California is wonderful for the most part, but nothing can beat some quality time with my family!

3. The Big Dance: The whole David vs. Goliath thing is overhyped, the people at CBS get a bit cheesy at times, and the fact that so much money is wasted to get schools across the country to play in front of half-filled arenas…in spite of all that it is March Madness. Crazy, entertaining games are on all day, the games seem to consistently go down to the wire, and you go from one game right into the next on TV! My prediction for the championship game: OU vs. UCONN. I’ll get into predictions round by round as they come later in the week…

Like I said, it looks like a promising week is ahead.

The Canonicler

I have recently been reading more Dr. Seuss in the evening just to relax and re-appreciate how creative the whole idea was. Now I’m thinking that there needs to be a new one about the Canonicler. The person, or group of persons, that compiled the Hebrew Bible in structure and editorial work and this was to direct the reader of the Hebrew Bible to particular theological understandings. I think this book about the Canonicler could be a hit with the kids…what kid doesn’t want to learn about the compilation of the Hebrew Bible?

The ESV Study Bible is not Perfect

I have found an error in the ESV Study Bible and now I’m trying to figure out how to let someone know that can actually change this is the coming editions…

I always knew I was pretty sharp, but never in my wildest imaginations did I think I would be able to pinpoint an error in this sucker. Turns out this Bible is not perfect. By Bible I am not talking about the actual text, but the study notes. 

In Acts 17 Paul is on his 2nd Missionary Journey. As most of you know, Paul had Barnabas with him on the 1st Journey but they split up. They did this because of a disagreement about whether John Mark should be able to go on the next one or not. Paul said no way, Barnabas hits the road with John Mark. So Paul then takes Silas with him and they go on their way. In Acts 17:10-15 Paul & Silas are in Berea, but if you look at the study notes on Acts 17:10-15 it says that Paul & BARNABAS flee to Berea!!! That’s right, I found an error in the study notes…now I wonder how many other errors there are in this edition…my guess is that there are 7. So now I’m trying to find them…

This should help me to be disciplined in reading the Bible…unless I just start reading the study notes all the time instead. Hope that doesn’t happen.

We are still in a War

Watching the news it seems that nearly all of the focus is on the U.S. economy and the stimulus package (or its inability to stimulate if you’re a Republican Congress person on national media), and this is such an important topic to discuss. After all we are about to have signed tomorrow by President Obama the largest economic package in our country’s history. So it deserves great attention. However it does frustrate me that our media, and country at large, has little to no ability to multi-task. We should concentrate on the economy, but we should also continue to be thinking about the two wars that we as a nation find ourselves in.

Looking at the latest numbers on icasualties.org, there have now been 58,684 people killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. This number includes both military and civilian deaths. It scares me that I can look at that number and not feel anything at times. It also terrifies me to think that one day we will have to offer an answer for our reasons for these wars, the cost in human lives for these wars, and the ultimate outcomes of these wars. I hope that the economy improves and that jobs are saved or created. Yet I also hope that we as a nation can think about what it looks like to be a humble people and a responsible, accountable government in the present and for the future while learning from what seems to be a more and more painful recent past. We are still in a war, don’t grow numb to that reality…