Touchdown Tuesday: Let me count the ways

So this week I want to take a look at wide receivers as we start getting into peoples fantasy drafts.  That first round can be make or break and I want to take a look back into our recent past to see how those top projected players actually fared ... did they live up to the hype or or let frustration and angst reign supreme!

Stop The Presses!

Before we get to that I sit here watching Monday Night Preseason football and what happens but Odell Beckham needs some attention ... and boy oh boy did Gruden and his crew grab on to it.  I think Beckham is an over grown child and the refs should have thrown a flag when he threw the football across the field but he can catch the oblong ball.  Best art of all is when he realized the camera was behind him and decided to lay down.  My ten year old does that when he "hurts" himself and wants attention.  Just sayin ... also here come the chants for "Get rid of the preseason!"

Whose on First?

The 2016 top ten Average Draft positions at ESPN are as follows ... 1. Antonio Brown  2. Odell Beckham  3. Julio Jones  4. DeAndre Hopkins  5. AJ Green  6. Allen Robinson  7. Dez Bryant    8. Jordy Nelson  9.Brandon Marshall and 10. Alshon Jeffrey.    

The top ten finishing wrs were ... 1. Jordy Nelson  2. Mike Evans  3. Antonio Brown  4. OBJ  5. TY Hilton  6. Julio Jones  7. Davante Adams  8. Michael Thomas  9. Doug Baldwin  10. Brandin Cooks.  (Top 10 in both are highlighted in blue)

Only 4 out of the top ten wrs selected finished in the top ten.  If I was a betting man , and I am, those are not cards I'm playing!  Brown, Beckham, and Jones are no surprise  Robinson, Hopkins, and Marshall had terrible team/QB situations and really should have been spotted before the year.  Green and Jeffrey really surprised me.  There is a time when a payer just falls off.  Green is one of my all time favorite fantasy players (Matt Forte is my all time favorite!) and I sure hope he has a slow and steady decline the way he should, since there's not much hope for a Peyton Manning triumphal exit.

What Have We Learned?

Ultimately there is a soft science to this.  Outside of injury there is a decent chance if you look at the entire team.  It is a team sport and that has to be remembered in these first round evaluations.  

I mentioned two of my all time favorite fantasy players.  I love how they play and their consistency and their determination.  I love having those guys on my team and that is a HUGE part of this point.  This is about fun so get players you like having.  I dabbled in a trade for Odell Beckham last year and regretted it the minute I made it.  I think he played on my team for about 2 weeks until I traded him away again.

Anyways, more news and fantasy to come and let me know what you want to hear about!

Touchdown Tuesday ... Same old story

Week 2 and this is the same old story already ... gonna talk about Elliott and Kaepernick because even after the first week of preseason there is nothing else to talk about!  Perhaps we jumped into this a few weeks early for great fun information!

To Play or Not To Play

Elliott has been suspended for 6 games, which is exactly what the policy says.  He is most likely going to appeal and that will be a very interesting timeline that is going to play out.  Tune in next week for more Ezekiel!

It will make fantasy drafts interesting though.  Where does a top 5 RB go if you know he is gonna miss 6 games.  You get the last 6 games which would include the fantasy playoffs so that would be great ... BUT ... What if he appeals and it's denied and he serves his 6 games later in the year.  This is a tough one in early and even any draft.

Cut the Kaepernick

I will say that unless there is legitimate news I promise to steer clear as much as possible but I really don't understand why people are not talking about the real issue here.  Colin Kaepernick is not good enough to start in the NFL and he brings too much drama.  Exhibit A was Brandon Marshall.  Exhibit B Michael Bennett.  Both players have made or are making the same type of stand but both are actually good!

I have not heard anyone mention this.  How is this being bypassed.  I'm just not following the lack of logic and I am completely willing to listen, but it doesn't seem that anyone else is at this point.

Preseason Playtime

I am really hoping the preseason reveals something interesting or these rambling thoughts are going to fall to an empty reader less nothing!  So here's to the next couple weeks and more things like Sammy Watkins and Jordan Matthews because those would be fun to talk about!

Next week we are gonna look a bit more into fantasy last year and where some of those top tens ended up.  You may be surprised where the winners really are!

Touchdown Tuesday ... The Return!

Many years have gone by since Touchdown Tuesday felt the need for a post.  There are countless other Football blogs and podcasts and pretty much anything you could want to get the rambling thoughts that will be plastered on this wall ... but it's time for the return, time for the ramblings, time for this plaster to hit the fan!

First Things First

Let me re-clear the air ... I am a Panthers fan so there may be some bias and lean towards my team.  I also don't believe in fair and take that across the board.  And lastly, I may not be consistent!  Just a warning ... I love writing this and talking about football but I love other things more that may take priority.

Now that all of that mess is out of the way let's talk some football!

Suffer the Colinsequences

Feel free to use that as your Fantasy Football name by the way!  The overarching news in the slow season of sports has been Colin Kaepernick.  I have no problem with his protest or how he went about it (I wouldn't have done it that way but it worked).  I have all kinds of problems with his pig socks, Castro shirt, and general disdain for police as a whole.  He is doing to cops what he says shouldn't be done to people ... judging them all by their group!

And media has taken their side ... That its just the kneeling that is causing no team to want him.  I'd disagree and I have proof!  The highest paid non-QB in the league is Broncos Linebacker Brandon Marshall.  Guess what ... he knelt during the anthem.  He is not wearing pig socks or arguing with reporters and people love him (me included!)

Plus, people have forgotten that he was a back up when all this got started, about to be cut in fact!  I was of the belief then that it was all a stunt because after that how could the 49ers cut him without huge outrage!  Now its turned into he deserves a spot ... no-one deserves anything and the weight of the problems he brings is higher than the reward of paying him.

By the way, remember that he was NOT a starter when all the kneeling started.  I said then it was a publicity stunt because rumor was the 49ers were about to cut him and how could they do that with him making this stand!?!  Just sayin ...

Phone Home

Elliott ... ELLIOTT (read that in your best ET voice!)  So many kids go crazy their first year of college, away from home with some freedom and a ton of people.  I believe that's what's happening

with Ezekiel Elliott.  Guy just went from being top dog and doing whatever he wanted with little to no consequences in college to being top dog and doing whatever he wants with little to no consequences AND having millions of dollars to support that!  He's gotta get it under control and pretty quick though, you're an adult man.  Call home and see what your mom says about your actions!

Side Note

I'm way confused how the NFL is handling this situation. There was a 6 game policy established when the Ray Rice outrage happened but it isn't consistent at all.  It would make more sense to have a case by case basis policy.  Now they are talking about 1 or 2 games for this domestic abuse issue, unless they are looking at something else ... which is entirely possible and in fact Jerry Jones alluded to that last night in the Hall of Fame game.  Ultimately who knows!?!?

Finally Fantasy

 I just finished finalizing the details with my co-commissioner for our league this year and I am super
pumped!  Also I may be starting a league with my wife which would also be super fun!  I get super excited about this stuff and there are a ton of great fantasy players that I'm excited about this year ... much more to come on that!



Let me know what you want to hear or any thoughts on Touchdown Tuesday moving forward!

Clothing and Binary Code

Who knits?  In a Walmart world where clothing can be cheap there are few who have grabbed this art form.  And those who have do it for fun, or craft, or to fuel their creative bone, not out of need as it was birthed originally.

There is a difficulty here, as yes, I was sort of taught as a child but have long forgotten in my immediate consumption mindset.  It takes time and skill.  It takes planning and preparation.  The result is treasured though, even with its blemishes and mistakes it is treasured.

Perhaps today's analogy of this is Binary Code.  The infinite combination of 0's and 1's to create, to produce.  It is ultimately what you read now, what you see in every aspect of our computer age.  No one ever started typing 1's and 0's and birthed a page.  It takes time and skill.  It takes planning and preparation.

And in this perhaps is a better way to understand something that has seemingly escaped our view.  The grasp of a truth that is used to both protect and destroy.  An attempt to eliminate condemnation and give us the sense of control.  But there is only pain in selfishness.

What if Psalm 139:13 read like this, "You had formed the most delicate, inward parts of me.  You had written the Binary Code of my heart and soul while I was still in my mother's womb."




Would this make more sense today?

If abortion has affected you there is hope, healing and forgiveness.  Life and love began long before conception.

A Dull Ache

I recently hurt my back.  I know it sounds old and terrible, it wasn't that bad.  A slight wrong twist, a pull, and then the dull pain of a damaged body in a broken world.  By the end of the evening I was stuck in bed doped up on ibuprofen laying on a heating pad.

I did not realize the depth this tiny little injury would reach.

Sleep evaded me for the night but I felt better in the morning.  Worked, played, fought (if you know my son you get this) and at bed time used a heating pad and did not sleep well.  For 4 nights barely visited the REM stage.

I have never been one who needed much sleep but the next day showed how this lack had compounded.

I had a knee ache, old battle injury flaring up.  I was hobbling down my stairs, slipped, crashed, and busted my other knee and both forearms.  It was certainly a spectacular spectacle I was privileged enough that no one saw

I had the illusion I was fine, just tired.

I'm good now, that night I slept great and I have caught up.  Sleep is like a bank by the way, you can take some out but you then need to pay it back with interest.  I was at a rate of about 20% I think!

This morning I look back through my journal of time with God.  My lack of consistency is staggering.  This, the primary way that my Savior has decided for whatever reason to reveal Himself to me and I don't seem to be able to go a day without skipping a day, go a week without missing a week.  It has grown better as I have loved Him more and me less, but it still lurks in the shadows.

This compounds in every area of my life.

How I treat my wife, my kids, my job.  How I lead my groups, my responsibilities.  There is a trickle down effect that is difficult to see in the moment is obviously revealing.  My love for ME and MY time trumps the One who loved me first.

And this is a resolution, a focus this year.  To know Him, not know the Bible or know His Word or what to do or how to live, but to know Him, His character, His love.  To let this compound over time.

He is most glorified when I am most satisfied in Him, in simply who He is.

Etch - Green Paint and Compassion

Etch - To Impress Clearly / Clarifying words and phrases we use, hoping to nullify argumentative semantics


I recently heard a story of green paint.  The soft kind of green, designed to be welcoming and open to those who enter its realm.The kind of green paint a man would coat his living room with to create a trusting, hospitable atmosphere.  The kind of green paint the God of the universe would instruct me to purchase to fulfill this endeavor.

Wait . . . Huh???


That was my response at least, why would someone pray about the color of their house?  Admirable, the desire to live out the call to hospitality down to the detail, but really?  "Dear Lord, The 'Bring Em Back Olive' has a nice tone but the 'Go Mango' could be both calming and fun.  Please illuminate the color You would desire my humble abode to be."

My initial reaction - God doesn't CARE about the color of my house, as long as it's not black with a deep red trim like some heavy metal band album, right?  He does CARE though about where I live and what I do, right?

Time to Etch:  "Care" as it relates to God.

We use this word to portray depth of importance or meaningfulness.  Does He CARE whether we are obedient to His Word, His Scripture, His leadings.  Yes, John 14:15, and the following speaking of the Holy Spirit helping us to obey, because we love.  He cares, it matters in the scheme of our relationship with Him, it is important.

Does He care about who my spouse is.  Don't hate me here, but our romantic comedical culture says "the one."  My wife is perfect for me, she is beautiful, exciting, fun, & I look forward to spending each moment I can with her, she is the one, she is perfect for me, because I married her.  Because we chose each other.  (This could be a blog itself, and it may be!)

Does God care about the color of my house.  Here's the point, it does not matter what I choose here so I can say that God does NOT CARE about the color of my house in that sense.  But saying that seems to take away from His love for me, right?

No, and this is why, because of how we used the word CARE.   IT doesn't really matter, it isn't important.

God DOES CARE about the color of my house in this sense . . . He created the colors for me to enjoy, he designed certain greens to be calming so when I thought through them I would see His love, His caring nature for me.  He cares in the sense that He wants me to joy in Him through His gifts, and this is one of them.

Now I know there is a depth I'm not touching here, I'm not writing a book, but the concept remains.  His love is beyond what we can imagine, beyond the vasts of creation, He loves us and desires our joy in Him, through His creation.  God's favorite color isn't green, but He loves if yours is!

So as we argue about words, try to etch meaning into each confusing part of our language.  He does care, but possibly not the way you are thinking.  I will not argue semantics in this way anymore.

Etch:  To Clearly Impress

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Backstory - Of Mice and Mickey

This is backstory on me, on some of the reasons why I think the way I think and some of the people and events that have helped to shape that. In other words these are the who's and what's you are to blame for me being me!

The English language is moronic!  We have all these letters that don't mean anything, or mean more than one thing, and some that are there to just look good.  That is where this embarrassing story begins!

As a child I heard people say Disney, I said Disney, and I read Disney.  But look at the picture, it doesn't look like it spells Disney does it?  Come on, be honest, I always believed that P at the end was silent.  Look at it!  Disnep!!!

I had several conversation, that I remember about why this spelled Disnep but pronounced Disnee!  I was distraught when I realized that the letter I was so sure was a P was only disguised that way to make me look dumb, I was the real life comic relief character in all of their movies.  Thankfully this happened before I took my trip to their world in Florida.

This trip happened during High School over an Easter with a group from church and a local school with a man who coached the HS football team and was the Youth Pastor . . . Coach A, Micky Atkinson.

While we were in the park once I got distracted, focused on something else (as if that ever happens) and the next thing I know I am alone in the park, the group had wandered away without asking me!  No problem for me, I knew where we stayed, I had a great day in the park.  When I met back up with them by chance later I learned that Coach A had yelled my name everywhere they went, continually searching for me.

This man did this for me far more often than I realized in the time we were together in church.


While there were others, this man directed me to think like a minister, he recognized in me that I would lean towards Strengthening the Souls of men (Acts 14:21 & 22) and pushed and encouraged me to fight for that.  It has played out differently than I expected but I can trace my heart for discipleship back to Mickey and that is where I will continue to focus.

No matter the circumstance or position this is where my passion lies and this is part of the reason why.  This is why I have coffee with guys, love small groups, believe in discipleship.  This is why I think the way that I do.  This is my backstory.

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Backstory - The Fairness of Grape Jelly

This is backstory on me, on some of the reasons why I think the way I think and some of the people and events that have helped to shape that. In other words these are the who's and what's you are to blame for me being me!


As a child there are few things I remember clearly.  I didn't have much focus or need to think intently on the moments so as to hold them deeply in the scrapbook of my mind.  No, my minds scrap is well unorganized.  I do remember one specific lunch though, very clearly.

This day my brother and I watched as my Dad made us some Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches!.

I feel as though I must have been standing on a chair as I can vividly see the peanut butter being spread on the bread smoothly, with the skilled hands of my craftsman father.  Then the jelly jar appeared.  There was a hue around it, a glow that screamed out, "I declare this sandwich, dessert!"  Probably just the reflection of stickiness around it but I envision heavenly grape jam.

The jar tilts, the knife is inserted, and a blob falls - like jello, formless but with shape, it splatters on the two pieces of bread awaiting its arrival with joy.  My keen eye spots a difference in the mass and my heart begins to race, what if I get the less jelly!  I become truly fearful that my lunch will not be as dessertish as my younger siblings!  So I speak, in my wisdom:

"Father, it appears that more of the delicious jelly has fallen on the one sandwich, I will gladly partake in said sandwich if it pleases you."  My dad responds, "So you want that one?"  "Yes Father, I will devour the greater sandwich."

My dad grins and hands me the sandwich.  My glowing eyes watch it approach my salivating mouth.  As my teeth dive in to the gloriousness, I witness something that changes my enjoyment.  Mounds of jelly are scooped out on the other sandwich, far more than my measly "more" that once was.  I am horrified to the sound of my younger siblings yips and yeas as he receives his deliciousness.

My father in his infinite wisdom looks at me after a chuckle, smiles and says, "Son, life isn't fair" then gives me a hug and cleans up after the lesson he just made out of jelly.

I hold on to that to this day.  I comfort in it, I joy in it, and I stand content in it.  What I realize is I only want life to be fair when it is beneficial.  I can be happy when others receive because life isn't fair.  I can enjoy benefits of certain things because life isnt' fair.  I can LOVE to LIVE where and who I am because life isn't fair.

Ultimately life isn't fair, but it's not about me anyway so who cares if it's fair or not, who cares if I GET what I DESERVE or not.  I only want what I deserve when it is beneficial.  Love God, love people, forget myself.  I want Linc & Mason to know life isn't fair and that is good, and I want to explain it like my Dad did, in a fun way they can understand.

The truth is, I could not be more thankful for the fairness of Grape Jelly.

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Touchdown Tuesday - Is There Light at the End?

There is a song by a musical giant that utters the phrase, "Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel was just a freight train comin' your way." (No Leaf Clover Metallica)  That pretty much sums up my feelings about the current sports situation.  Admittedly the NBA finals are bringing in some interest and playoff hockey is always exciting but the sport for this man is football and it is year round, usually.

Lockout - Just as a note, this entire lockout section has been re-written this morning, it is still so fluid.  Does it matter, no, there's still no football!  I NEED PLAYERS!!! Teams need guys!  Now, just to understand me correctly here, I don't care how much money the players make, the coaches make, the owners make or the secretaries make.  I suspect when it comes down to it most would agree with me here, we just want to watch football.  The core of the issue seems to be that the owners want to put 10% more of the earned monies back into the organization, NOT necessarily their pockets.  Ok, fine.  I'm no financial genius, but both sides are going to have to give up their pride to end this on any happy terms . . . BOTH sides!  The players took a serious hit yesterday though, and there goes 3 more weeks of free agency down the toilet, what about hold outs from rookies, or players?  At this point the season is affected, and I don't like it.  


Everyone involved needs to man the freak up and realize they can do what they want to do because of us, without the fans there is no football and we are starting to get a bit upset.


18 Games - I've needed to speak to this for a while now but haven't had the chance, so here goes.  Give me 18 games.  This argument from the players whining about "we'll get hurt if we play more games" or "Our careers will be shortened" (hopefully you inserted your very best whiny voiced for those) is garbage!  Are you telling me that there is a player in this league who doesn't prepare and hope to play 18 games?  They better be hoping to play 19 games (20 if wild card)!  So there are 4 teams a season playing 2 extra games - hog wash, get over yourselves there!

Ocho - I love that he is trying stuff, because he can!  I wish he would have made the soccer team, I really with he would have ridden for 8 seconds!  He has no team, whether he plays for the Bengals or not, he has no QB if he stays, he has no rep lately (again probably the teams fault, but still) what does he have to lose?  Here at Touchdown Tuesday we are with you Chad, perhaps try Rally-cross next, or the paper rock scissor association, or even better, put together an NFL dodgeball team! Get 'em 86!


Ding-dong, the draft is dead - It's over and now I've got nothing football related to talk about.  I despise Andrew Luck for staying in college but happy with Cam.  It can't be worse that 2 and 14, except that 1 year we were 1 and 15!  I am very curious to see how the QB situations turn out though, Arizona and Cincinatti especially!


Game-Time - Who would have thought the massive guns of Peyton Hillis would beat out Vick for Madden?  I guess people love their dogs (insert animal loving or hating statement here).  What's the odds on him getting hurt, Madden curse anyone?

Finally Fantasy - Well, my only real statement here is that I would sure like to play this year, don't let me down Roger.


So that's it, that's where we are in the realm of the NFL.  We get excited about court rulings because it is news, we dream about trades that won't happen, and we hope for a season.  I never thought this would actually hurt football, I figure people will come back.  But with nothing grabbing me in the offseason, when that Thursday night comes along and I can play outside instead of watch, my interest is not as peaked as it should be.  When that Sunday comes and it's eat out or take home, a nice seat at a restaurant seems a nice alternative to a league that doesn't care about me, it's only source of revenue.


So this is Touchdown Tuesday signing off, and hoping for something fun to talk about soon . . . You stay classy, Planet Earth.

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Bear Hands and Hero's

I was reading a story to my son recently, a story filled with anger, lust, selfishness and deception, a story that he loves!  I came to the part where Samson kills a lion with his hands, his bare hands in the road.

Linc looks at me and says, "You be va lion and I'll be Samson and defeat you with my huge bear hands!"  He raises his arms at me showing the claws and the pads his imagination has now cloaked his tiny hands with and yells with a William Wallace style groan, "Veese are my bear hands and I will defeat you lion!"  

After a moment of composing from my laughter my explanation began, "Samson didn't have hands like a bear buddy, it's just an expression (oops, big words just come out sometimes)."

With a voice that trailed up from the start he asked a question, "So the lion had bear hands?"  I'm not going to lie, the image popped in my head of a lion walking around on its back legs with the paws of a bear, that's a serious animal!  I love the logic of my son - Somebody in this story has hands like a bear because that would be freakin awesome!

After a disappointing conversation and a weak explanation of bare vs bear we continued the story, and yes we played Samson and the lion.  Of course I held what a miserable failure Samson was, the same way I hold on Noah's drunkenness, David's adultery, and the rest.  

Ahh the tempered story of death and disaster that we tell our children to teach them the Bible.  I'm not against it, I am the chief of it!  My son's favorite game, other than 'battle' is David and Goliath.  I bet a day hasn't gone by in the last year that I haven't fallen at the hand of his sling.

But everytime as I crash to the ground I wonder when I will shatter his hero, that David does not represent him slaying the giants that will arise in his life.  That Samson is not a story to teach me I can be strong in the Lord, but a picture that even with the gifts I've been given I am a failure and need a Saviour in Christ.

So tonight, as usual, I will take a stone between the eyes, ask him by whose strength he was able to defeat me, and then land on top of him with squeals of laughter and tickling fingers as he tries to shrimp out - hoping with everything I am that he will be a man after God's own heart and not just a hero in his own mind like his father.

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Blood, Sweat, and Tears - 55

Air cannot hold it back, driving with frustrating force


. . . BAM . . . one

Right on the head, struck with a marksman's accuracy

. . . BAM . . . two

Closer now, this steel will hold this wood in place

. . . BAM . . . three

The hammer lands on a different nail, one attached to a finger!

Here is the blood and tears accompanying the sweat.


Written for G-man at Flash Fiction 55 - Great writing in 55 words, come and see here!


This is a little calmer for me but for some reason it is what I was thinking, perhaps the anticipation of some construction coming up - it never fails to find my nails!

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Double Standard - Bin Ladin's Death

Jon Acuff recently had a post on his blog, "Stuff Christians Like," about a Jesus Juke.  When I read it I laughed and thought of times I had done this, trying to be the more spiritual person, pretty much like most of the stuff he writes.  This post really came back to me yesterday though.

You would have to be in a hole or a cave to not know that Osama Bin Ladin was killed by American forces by now.  This crack-head went down by a double tap to the left side of his brain by a Seal with a sick rifle!

The news broke on Twitter and spread like kudzu through the south when it hit.  At a Mets game I heard you could literally see the news "telephone" through the crowd which then erupted into chants of USA, USA!  People singing at ground zero & the White House, the speed of the news was incredible; the actual news itself - depends on which side of the isle you sit on.

If I'm completely honest, my initial reaction was only slightly more than complacent.  "Great, who's next," was more my thoughts than the war is over.  I am glad he is dead.  And there seems to be the problem, not with me (we could delve into my shortcomings and double standards at another time) but for those who decided to launch another attack.

Go ahead, stick out your toes - I might step on them.

It is not sinful for me to rejoice that a wicked man can do no more harm in this world.  Proverbs 11:10  I am rejoicing here!  Expressing my confusion and desires to the Father isn't about having the perfect thought through prayer, have you read the Psalms?  Was David sinful to talk about his enemies brains being bashed in for justice?

But we are in a new age, a new era, a new testament!  Christ said to love your enemies, pray for them (not for them to die probably though!)  Ok, this is true so lets think through it.  I am sad for Bin Ladin for where he is, but I rejoice for us that he is not here.  My prayer would be that Christ would save or bring justice, and there is love in both.

Come on now, since when did being a Christian turn me into a sniveling, whiny, weak, no-justice, fake, holding back, consequenceless weasel?  (maybe I went a bit far . . . with the fake.)

Actions equal consequences and LOVE DEMANDS JUSTICE.  Now my Savior has taken the eternal consequences away from me, He has taken the justice on Himself and asked me to follow Him & could do the same for you, because we deserve to be where Bin Ladin probably is.  But I won't taste that fire and it is not because of my actions but Christ.

Would I have rather he come to a true faith and belief in Christ, of course.

My friend Kyle Brennon expressed his thoughts (that I agree with) without being attacking very well on his Facebook page and there are other men I respect and love that have done the same.  There are ways to express whatever it is without attacking.

Look, opinions will differ, and that is fine, it is good but we have got to stop bickering amongst ourselves making us look like fools to the world so that our pride can be a little inflated or we can feel better when we don't talk to our neighbor about Christ.  Please.  I speak from a prideful heart that wants to debate to show spirituality.

We used to have these discussion and debates behind church doors or home walls but know we do it on blogs and social media.  Opinions are great, but attacks only need to happen when there are wolves around, and a sheep doesn't attack a wolf, the shepherd does.

So ultimately, I am glad Bin Ladin is dead, but sad for where he is, because he will feel the justice that has been paid for me by simply believing and confessing.

Love, Truth, Fire, and Elephants

"What are you afraid of?  It's time for brother in Christ to act like brothers!  No more sectarian Jesus where brothers act like sisters in a cat fight.  No more sentimental Jesus where brothers get all weepy and sing Kumbaya when the Truth is on the line.  No more watered down Jesus where the approval of pagans comes before proclaiming the truth.  We are brothers."

The Elephant Room from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.


In all seriousness I don't think I could be anymore excited about this! I am already looking for ways to buy this.  (Side note:  If anyone needs anything done call me and I'll do it for about $50 bucks, and then you can borrow these too!)  All of these men I really respect, a couple have shaped me spiritually in ways they will probably never know, and they all do ministry so differently.  I feel connected to almost every member here in some way, either through sermons or books or even geographically.  I can see and experience the Oneness of the Gospel and the church in how I feel towards them and their congregations.

I feel a background story coming on!


I am bent towards debate, and without the guiding of Christ and me leaning completely on Him this becomes contentious.  I know that now, wish I would have realized it when I was about 5 though!  The interesting part is that I want to please people, I want them to like me but the argumentative side loves putting that me in the back seat.

They both need to be locked in the trunk!


Thankfully, through all sorts of arenas this has been made known to me and over the past several years I have learned that through Christ it can be tamed and aimed in directions like these.  I think a lot, and I am drawn through Acts 14:21 - 22 to Strengthen the Souls of believers.  This does not allow me to disregard making disciples, as I have done in the past, but the passion that I am drawn to is opening Christ followers to the depth and truth of His character through His Word to love and therefore obey Him more.

I'm out to sharpen the iron and I have been and continually need to be careful that the fires that start are from these sparks and not the ones coming from my sword beating my shield.  I am a servant of Christ and I will love my brothers in Him but I am not after their approval, direction maybe, but not approval.

I think Perry Noble said it very well in his blog yesterday, disagreement . . . yes with love at its base.  Vicious attacks because of different thinking . . . this is us allowing spiritual warfare to bring us down and degrade the name of Christ in societies eyes.  They win.

So let the iron sharpen the iron, let the sparks fly, let the fires burn, but let it be done in love to further the gospel of truth not to win or lose a prideful argument.


So what are you afraid of?  That love isn't true or that truth doesn't love?  Because ultimately these go hand in hand or they are worthless.


Truth not founded in love is a lie and love without truth at its foundation isn't love, it's selfish.


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What Did You Hear?

Bedtime in a crowded bunk looking at books and Bakugan is where I sat with my son.  Hysterical laugher followed by, "stop please!" as he gripped to remove my tickle fingers from his chest.  "You are va blue guy & I am va red guy and you say . . ." simple directions in order to be a part of the fantasies he dreams making his reality more real.

It quickly changes, " You are Goliath & I am David & you say who will fight me."  I respond to his request with a deep raspy voice and a battle ensues with a sling and a fallen giant . . . but right in the middle . . . a creak outside the door!

He freezes and ears perk up like a dog after a treat, eyes wide as his flashlight pierces the darkness towards the door.  "Did you hear that?" he asks, more excited about an adventure than afraid.  "No, I was Goliath," I respond, but he stands confident that his ears did not fail.  And sure enough, the door flings open and he yells, "Mama!"

This past Sunday I heard a pretty clear presentation of the Gospel and saw evidence of response.  I was excited and encouraged.  Since then I have heard at least 4 different variations of how this related to other people, Christ followers, which is incredible to me!

The news that Christ paid the debt for my freedom in Him is unfathomable, it boggles my mind and yet I can get wrapped up in the idea that it is for those who do not believe and the rest of the Bible is the manual to guide me.  This is ignorance, based in my pride.

The Bible IS the Gospel!  Every story, every word, every do and every don't is guiding me to Christ, His character, His love.  It is not about me and what I should do, this is a bi-product of a book to show me who He is.  That is the Gospel and I need to hear it everyday, that these words are His redemptive story for a people He loves in order to bring glory to Himself.

Listen for the creak and shine the light towards the door, this message isn't for them, it's for me . . . it is the power that keeps us in Him.

So, what did you hear?

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Vision Clarity

It has been a month since I have posted here.  I left it purposefully.  Seeing the busyness of the month that was coming and deciding to set certain things aside so others would no get neglected, as well as getting a little too wrapped up in the number of comments and views, that I self inflated by accident.

So to restart I will clarify the title and in doing so the vision for what and why I write.

Rambling - This is what I do, I am currently being very challenged to have a point that I am headed to with every thought, sentence, phrase, utterance, both written and spoken.  I have a tenancy, and those who know me are probably smiling and laughing as I write this, to not just chase a rabbit trail but create them and down play the point of my original speech.  This is in the midst of being stopped.

Thoughts - I do this far to often, with the work I do I have the ability to process through all sorts of things throughout the day.  My mind doesn't seem to like the idea of turning off, as much as I would sometimes like it too!  This has been and I suspect will continue to be both satisfactory and troublesome in the future.

Inconsequential - I am a drop in the ocean, a single sand on the beach, a dew here in the morning and gone in the morning.  In the grand scheme I am inconsequential.  Do I matter, certainly!  Don't here me say insignificant.  I am very important to my community, this world and my God as He has created me to change it.  I am inconsequential for 2 reasons:  1.  At times I choose to ignore how to change the world, and  2.  The world will change for His will without me, I am who He DESIRES to use, NOT who He MUST use!

Mind - Because this is where all this mess rattles around forming, shaping, sometimes into a logical argument, sometimes into faith, sometimes into a golden calf.

My ultimate vision is to inspire, encourage, and even entertain a little.  I am after His glory, not my own.

I realize this post is less what I usually write and much more focused, less story, more content if you could call it that!  I will write that way, that is what flows from me, part of who I am, but here I wanted to be intentional and purposeful.

And with that, as my Pastor says, "Go Change the World!"
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Check the Fan Pulls

Is it shaking or is it me?  Another dizzy spell spawning from the depths of my vertigo?

Or is this more?

The room spins, but this time things are falling (look up, look up, see the fan pulls shaking)

The earth rocks

This time it's not me, I'm dizzy but this time for different reasons

This is an adaptation of a facebook feed from my cousin in Japan over the past couple of days / before the 8.9 hit.  She is all right but they are out of power for an unknown amount of time.  

Tell a story in 55 words and post the link here with G-man for Flash Friday 55!  Come and play.

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A Love Story - Part 3

(Part 1 is here.) 
(Part 2 is here.) 

Grayson could feel the cold of the floors through his shoes while he waited for her to enter.  Before long she would appear from the back and walk down the aisle towards him, then stand opposite as the proceedings began.  Cameras crowded the room along with so many men in suits.  He waited with a nervousness he hoped to subside but would not fade, even with this days end.

Through the sea of jackets he heard the rear doors open.  He stood and turned, eyes that had seemingly been dried out began a flood of salty emotion again.  Amidst several escorts she stood, hair straight back, dressed in a white suit, belly protruding at the seven month mark.  Back-lit from the hallway she seemed to glow, head down, eyes swollen and red.

She walked down the isle with every intention of not looking in his face, forcing her stare to stay on the floor but as she passed through the small gate that separated crowd from participants she was burned by his glare and glanced his direction.  Their eyes met for an instant that hung momentarily until an attorney swept her to her position behind the opposite desk.

"All rise" was the next call as the judge entered the room and proceeded to his bench.  "Be seated."

"Today a ruling will be made here that will spark criticism and controversy for decades," the Judge began, " it has only been three years since the landmark decision of Roe vs Wade in this very Supreme Court and the progression to a decision like this came much faster than anyone anticipated I suspect."

The judge rambled on about regulations and laws but Grayson's thoughts hurried to the end.  Get too it, is this our child or just hers to do with what she pleased?  He found it incredible that the progression to this high court had happened so speedily but the rush when government officials got wind of the original argument forced it to the public spotlight on the biggest stage.  He just believed this child was both his and hers.

MaryAnne ran from her thoughts.  This could finally be the day after 7 long and excruciating months that it could be over, she could begin her recovery, and continue with her life.  She continually reminded herself she could not handle this fetus, not now, not ever, and she was forgiven.  She hated it, but she longed to do what she believed was best for her and her world.

The Judge concluded his speech and asked the court to rise for his ruling.  Crowds outside waited, the country clung to its radios and news outlets waiting for how feel, and both Grayson and MaryAnne were being held up by their surrounding cast, both facing forward in agony.

"I find in favor," the Judge took a deep breath feeling the weight of the moment, "of the female, MaryAnne.  It's your body, it's your choice."

The eruption of cheers and protests was instant and overwhelming.  Silence that had lived in this room seconds before had vanished into the victorious screams and devastated cries of those around but Grayson and MaryAnne heard nothing.

Grayson immediately began swimming through bodies to get to her for one last pleading and though his progress was swift upon reaching the isle she was halfway down being flown away by her brigade.

"MARYANNE!" he bellowed with every ounce of breath he could find, "PLEASE!"  She turned, hair in her face with a confused look of suddenness.  "SHE is OURS!  BELLE is MINE TOO!" he screamed at her as she was pushed out the door. "NO! PLEASE!"  Guards and friends both restrained and held him up.

Their eyes met faintly, just as in the beginning, as the hallway turned, and for him she was gone.  MaryAnne's entourage rushed her to a vehicle waiting among the raging crowd and took her immediately to the clinic for her surgery, a minor procedure.  Their paths together had ended.  Their worlds could never be the same.

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Rockets and Wings - 55

"Hang on" he thought. "This is going to be a rough ride!"

Grasping the sides attempting to keep his seat while the rockets fired below.

In these moments regrets and memories flood like swollen rivers - eyes redden - sweat beads.

The evening before rushes in and he thinks:

"Why did I eat 23 wings last night!?!?!?"

Sorry, this just flowed out of my 7 year old mind this morning, my bad to all.


Tell a story in 55 words and post the link here with G-man for Flash Friday 55!  Come and play.

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Groupless - Without a New Start

Just over a month out from being without a Brentwood Community Group now and I don't like it.  I could end this right now and be completely satisfied but it would defeat the purpose of writing the steps in this 6 month journey.  I suspect this could go many ways over the next months but we will just have to see.

Twelve weeks before time to launch our 3rd Community Group I began to feel a little hesitant.  I wrote this off, figuring it was me trying to deny the end of an incredible run with amazing people.  Talking through God's Word, wrestling through some hard books & studies, and pushing each other to Christ in life through everyday situations.

The depth of need for this goes back to creation (perhaps I'll delve into this at some point) and thus my initial write off.  Then my brilliant wife had questions and so we began to explore.  I'm a concrete kind of guy so I wanted a verse saying to breathe or wait or something, all I got was a consistent feeling over several weeks to wait until next time.  I am usually quick to act, but I slowed down for this one, because I knew if it was direction from Christ it was going to be painful for me.

"The Lord's voice is always gentle calling you to His home.  He is not forceful or hurried but soft.  By contrast, Satan's voice is rushed and immediate."

After weeks of talking and working this through we agreed, for the next 6 months, no C-group.  I approached our Community Life Pastor about not leading the group and he was disappointed but accepting, with a challenge to lead a week later.  (I would have done the exact same thing.) 

The new launches came and went and here I sit, groupless, searching for a reason, hoping I don't miss it because only a month out I'm not sure how long I'll last.  I have some ideas of why, explore community outside of groups, find a new place to serve, spend more time pouring into people who are not in groups, etc. but as I start to delve into these already some doors have been closed.

I know that I breath this stuff, it consumes my thoughts, the how's the what's the who's & when's.  So for the next six months I'll do what I can where I can to be involved with Community Life as it is where my thoughts sit.  I'll attempt to journal through the process here as I hopefully learn and ultimately press even more into Christ through whatever He presents to me.  We won't be alone, but we won't be weekly grouped either and I will dearly miss that.

So here's to true biblical relationships based in Christ . . . and here's to the journey, right?

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A Love Story - Part 2

(Part 1 is here.)

That faithful freshman class with a professor who liked assigned seating, busy work and facebook more than new students was where it began. Grayson, raised to be confident and strong, began wooing his table partner almost immediately.  MaryAnne was more hesitant, not wanting to fall victim to a first year hyped love, but throughout the semester, her walls fell.  They began a relationship that would carry to the halls of the courts.

MaryAnne was not the typical Pastor's kid, she had not had a wild streak and didn't hate the church or her family because she had seen the love that came from them and from her Lord.  She said yes to Grayson's dating requests because she saw a relationship within him that mirrored her own.  They would press towards Christ together.

After these years it was concluded they would be married when the time was right.  They spoke of times and dates, usually after finalizing the college years to avoid the difficulty of student marriages.  It saddened MaryAnne, but fell to the plan of Grayson, who, without her knowledge had already spoken with her father about uniting them in the upcoming winter, 8 months away.

As the second year ended they both stayed for an extra week of class.  The evening before they were to part for the summer he had a beautiful evening planned.  They had dinner, talked, laughed, enjoyed the company of each other, knowing it would be the last face to face for 8 painful weeks.  The flickering of the candles gleamed in her eyes as they ate the meal he had prepared for them.

He had been careful within their relationship to steer clear of moments of weakness, times when they would be alone.  Grayson knew where he could fall, where he could fail.  But this night different, it was special, and one night alone could be resisted.

They shared memories and stories of the year and what was to come in the summer.  Finally, Grayson stood and took her hand.  He brushed her hair back and said, "I love you."  He reached into his pocket, she gasped, taken back by the thought of a small box appearing.  Out comes his walkman!  A look of confusion and slight disappointment, grazed her face, hidden quickly by a giggly smile.

"Oh, you thought . . . wait!" Grayson smiled and said, showing he had set that scene intentionally.  He took his earbuds and placed one in her ear and one in his, shuffled through his songs and pressed play.  As soon as the music started, he removed his bud and placed it in her other ear.  She was surrounded by the soft music, watching Grayson tap his leg, trying to keep what he thought was time with the song.

The artist began to sing in her ear, but her eyes saw him, slightly behind, but singing the song to her, about love, and truth and trust.  She smiled and giggled as his timing was off, not being able to hear the music, but was overwhelmed with emotion.  As the song was closing, he dropped to a knee and revealed a round object, he slipped on her hand.  "Will you marry me?"

Shocked she squealed "Yes!" instantly a embarrassed by her girlish reaction.

"It will be this winter," Grayson said, "I've talked with your dad, it's all set if you are up for it."

Joy boiled up from her soul, no more waiting, it was time to be a family!  An impassioned embrace followed, faint tears welling in her eyes at the thought of being his wife so much sooner than expected.  His hand, softly grazed upward on her spine, interlacing his fingers with her silky straight hair.  His head lowered to her cheek and left arm squeezed tightly on her waist.  Her arms that had been wrapped on his neck released slightly, allowing her to fall back enough to probe into his eyes.

The glimmer from the candle had turned to a fire from deep within, and it burned in his eyes as well.  He stepped back, revealing a painful look from her.  "This has to stop," he groaned with every bit of discipline he could muster.  He walked to the table and began clearing it.  She followed and helped both hurt and happy for his leadership.  But shortly the fire lit again.

On this night the lust for physical love and intimacy would prevail.  Shortly afterward, the joyful tears turned to conviction and watery eyes of repentance.  Both to each other and the Lord they served.  It did not happen again, and it would not.

Five weeks and a pink line on a wet stick later the drama was about to unfold.

(Part 3 is here)