Thoughts on the election

I did not vote for Obama yesterday. My main reason may surprise some of you. It was not because of his position on abortion, gay marriage or his liberal economic policies. I don't agree with any of those, but my primary reason was that he is from Illinois, specifically Chicago. Chicago politicians are corrupt. Period. Kick backs, bribes, nepotism...you name it, we do it. It's the "Chicago Way." Vote early and often (even if you are dead) is not just a funny line, it is a way of life around here. Don't believe me? Our last Governor is in jail, our current Governor is about to follow him, and Da Mayor has federal prosecutors on his tail. The old saying is that the people of Chicago ask three things from their mayor: that the pot holes are fixed, the garbage is picked up and the snow is plowed. If he does those three things we are willing to look the other way on corruption. That works great for the leader of the "greatest city on earth", but not so great for the leader of the free world. I'm not saying that Obama is corrupt, I'm just saying that all of his friends and mentors are. I don't trust that.

With that said, I'm not surprised that Obama won. He represents a change in direction and the people of our country want that (isn't that why Nixon and Carter won?) The question is do we want change for change sake or do we want things to get better? Our economy is in shambles. We have a small window of time to make this better or else things can get really bad. The way I look at it, there are more ways to mess this up then there are ways to make it better. My concern right now is that there is an unbalance of power in our country. All in the desire of change we now have a strongly left leaning President, House and Senate. There is no longer room for debate. Tradition tells us that when one of the two parties takes full control, ideology over-rides common sense. It is like putting a bowl of Halloween Candy on your step with a sign "Please take one". If you are lucky, the first kid will leave one!

Normally, these times of unbalance don't last long. Our country gets fed up pretty quickly and the pendulum swings back to equilibrium. It happened in 1994, it happened in 2006, it will probably happen again in 2010. During those times in the past the economy was stable and we could survive radical ideas (both from the right and the left). Unfortunately, we are not in the same position today. Our economy is unstable. Five-hundred point moves of the stock market are common place. There are talks of bail outs and major lay offs. Imagine what the drag on our economy would be if GM went out of business - it would have a domino effect across the nation. We would see other companies going out of business across GM supply chain and unemployment would skyrocket. This is not a doom scenario, this is a real possibility over the next nine months. How should we react?

I fear that the spirit of "finally getting our turn" will override common sense. That in the mad dash to make history we will not take the time to see what is best for our country and instead focus on what is the best for my party. When I was in college, I read John F Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage." There was one part of the book that really affected me. Kennedy describes true courage as voting for what will be best for your country, even if it goes against the people who sent you into office. Being willing to vote your conscious, even if it costs you your job. For example: voting against segregation in the south during the 1960's.

As I look across the political spectrum today, I do not see a lot of courage. Instead I see politicians tied into special interest groups, donors and parties. No one thinks for him or herself. Instead they are more concerned with what will it take to keep the money coming in to get me re-elected. A true lack of courage.

It is my prayer that our new President and Congress will stop and take some time to see what is best for our country, not just what everyone wants to hear. Big business is not the enemy. The rich are not the enemy. There are not two classes of citizens in this county, those who agree with us and those who are evil. We are all in this together. What happens to the rich will effect the poor and vice-versa...for both good and bad. We are Americans...all of us. It is time to remember that. It is time for courage.

Motivation

I'm supposed to be working on my sermon right now....but I'm blogging instead. I just can't seem to get motivated. I've checked my e-mails, read my blogs, talked to people, power washed the house, fixed a drain...everything but write a sermon. And it's not like I don't know what I'm going to be preaching on! I have my text and I have a rough idea of what I want to say. I just can't get it on paper. It's just one of those days.

Just sick....

That's what I said when I saw this live...and we were on the opposite side of the field with the sun in our eyes! It's even more incredible from this Tribune picture. Can you imagine what the two crew players are saying? "Hey, this is the MLS, we're not supposed to have that kind of skill!"

Luis seems to have some concerns in his blog if Blanco is going to return. He does seem to be slowing down a bit, but he was a big part of the first goal...."goal by McBride, assisted by Blanco." Although he is slowing down, he probably is the only one who can effectively serve McBride (Mapp certainly can't...unless McBride is sitting with Section 8!) From what I understand, we may be in a salary crunch next year when McBride starts to get fully paid. I figure we are going to loose Marmel and Frankowski. I really would love to see them resign Conde (doubtful though - Conde wants to be in Europe). The question really is can we afford to have McBride,Blanco and Conde without turing into the Galaxy?

Pastor's Appreciation Month

It's 12:20 on Sunday morning. Like many nights, I am awake. Lately I find that I do not sleep very well. My mind tends to race. There are so many things that have my concern; that cause me anxiety. Personal issues, family issues, church issues, money issues...the list never seems to end. I went to bed early tonight and starred at my clock for close to an hour. During that time I tried to play the games that cause you to fall asleep. I counted up; I counted down; I thought of peaceful scenes; I thought of theology. None of it worked. I prayed for a bit. Perhaps the Lord wanted me to pray for something, for someone...no one came to mind. I prayed for my family, I prayed for the church, I prayed for my sick wife. Still, no sleep. So I got up and went downstairs.

I poured myself a glass of water. I checked my e-mails. I changed a burnt out light bulb in the living room. I contemplated reading N.T. Wright but the thought of reading some soccer stuff on the internet seemed more interesting. I looked for food but found nothing appetizing so I drank my water instead. I finally gave up and headed back for bed. But first, a stop in the bathroom.

I was looking through a Christian Bookstore flier that was sent to us this week. I am not a fan of most Christian Bookstores. First, they hardly sell books anymore and secondly, what they do sell tends to be junk (in my humble opinion). But it's late and it is either this or a scrapbooking magazine. It is here that I had an epiphany. All my anxieties are found right here in this flier.

Pastoring is one of the most difficult jobs that anyone could ever do. There are pressures coming at you from every direction. Everyone has some expectations of you. The problem is that those expectations are rarely ever defined and they tend to be constantly changing. You pour your life into people only to discover that whatever you've done for them in the past counts for nothing. Friends turn their backs on you. At times it feels like your completely isolated. You share with someone how you feel only to have your words used against you. After awhile you start talking to no one. It is not surprising that many pastors suffer from depression.

The funny part is that the majority of the pastors I know really care about their people. They want to see them grow in their relationship with Jesus. They want to see them walk in all of the things that God has for them. They want to see them set free of their junk. But it feels at times that some of their congregations don't trust their pastors. They are certain that their pastors are holding them back, are judgemental, legalistic, and abusive. I have heard these accusations spoken to me of many of the pastors in this town and I am certain that they have been spoken of me as well. What keeps me going is that fact that I am not here for the congregation...it is not their approval that I am looking for. I am here because of a calling from God. I work for Jesus first and foremost. It is his approval that I am striving for. I realise that I am called to love people, especially the people that Jesus has brought me. But loving them does not mean giving in to their every whim. Do we not rebuke parents for spoiling their children? The same is true for the pastor / congregation relationship.

This is where the flier comes into play. In the past, people were taught by their pastors. They had their bibles and some additional books, but for the most part the local church was their primary source for direction. Today it is a different story. We can download sermons from preachers from around the world. We can watch them on T.V. or on YouTube. We can buy books, go to conferences, or listen to the radio. You name it, we can get direction from a million different sources. I am not against people trying to grow and I don't want to hinder anyone...I'm not looking for a monopoly on teaching. However it seems like the more voices that are speaking out there, the less people have discernment...the less people actually know what they believe.

Here is what I mean. I open the flier, and there are books by a group of teachers that I admire. Most of these individuals are better preachers then I am, they have more degrees than I do, they have been doing this longer then I and they are probably smarter than I am. On the same page are a group of teacher that are better speakers than I am. They are more charismatic, they can gather a large crowd. They speak into what people want to hear. At times I wonder if they are actually teaching the faith. My own charisma, speaking abilities or personality can not compete with either of these two groups. Yet at times that is what I am doing, competing for the hearts of the people in my church. I turn the page.

Now there are a group of books explaining everything that is wrong with the church. How we have sold out and have overly adapted to the culture around us. Or how we are not misional enough and have closed ourselves to the culture around us. How we need additional programs or facilities or a better Sunday experience or whatever. Or how we have completely blown it because we have added the additional programs, facilities or better Sunday experience. Or how we have sold out to the world and become pagans because we meet in a building (instead of a house).

The modern pastor is attempting to balance these conflicting and competing forces that are all around him and are affecting his people. Unfortunately, he has no control over them. There is absolutely nothing that he can do to insulate himself or his church from them. So a typical Sunday looks like this: The pastor comes to church. Someone comes to him and demands that we do something about these unruly children, how he needs to speak to their parents and get things changed. Then someone else comes to him and complains that Children's Church is just to structured, it is constricting the children's ability to grow and truly discover their gifting. Next, someone comes and states that we need to change something in the building because it does not look like a real church, people must think we are a cult (this is a true comment that someone once had. They did not like the stage...real churches don't have stages!). Then another person comes and tells you that we are in sin by the way we do church. We need to sell everything, live with a common purse and meet in our homes. We need to do something about the homeless people, we should open a shelter. We need to keep the homeless people away from here, they smell and I am afraid for my children. Worship is too short....worship is too long. We need to dim the lights, we need more light. Your sermon really touched me but I really hated this part. And, oh yeah, are you pre, mid or post.

Balance on that the stresses of trying to balance the church's finances without appearing greedy. The sense of guilt for taking a salary, for taking a day off, for taking a Sabbath day, for having a life outside of the church. Now add your family to the equation. How do you minister to your wife and your children when you know that if your not careful, the church can become your mistress. The try to remember that your kids need a life outside of the church and ministry or else you risk saving the world and losing your kids.

This is where most pastors live. I am not writing this to vent, but the Lord really put this on my heart. The local pastor is one of the most highly regarded persons in the church but at the same time, the most forgotten. As this being pastors appreciation month, I felt like I need to write something.

Hebrews 13 tells us to remember our leaders, to look at their lives as an example. Most pastors that I know willingly pour out their lives for the church. We don't do it for the pay or the power. We do it because we love Jesus and feel that he called us to do this. Likewise, as we see the local pastors pour their lives out for the church we should pour our lives out for one another. When we begin to do this we tend to take our eyes off ourselves and begin to look at others. We loose the "What's in it for me?" mentality and take on the "What can I do for you?" mentality. Hebrews 13 goes on and says that we should obey our leaders so that things go well for us. This is not about a power trip. This is about the well being of the entire church. James 3 tells us that not many of us should want to be teachers because teachers are held to a higher accountability before the Lord. It is in that spirit that the author of Hebrews is speaking to us. The Lord has called some to lead, and it is not blind obedience that we should give our leaders, but perhaps the benefit of the doubt. We should pray for our leaders. We should bring our concerns directly to them in private. Sometimes it is difficult to see the big picture of what is going on and sometimes we need to realise that there is more to a story then even the pastor can tell us about. But most of the pastors I know would rather talk to you in private, answering your questions to the best of their abilities instead of trying to put out gossip.

Give your pastor a break. He may not preach like the guy on T.V. and the worship band may not be a tight as the group on the record but they are giving all they have for God's glory. You want your pastor to be a better preacher, your worship leader to sing better? Pray for them that God gives them the ability to do it. You will see more fruit from that then by complaining or changing churches. Love the place that God has planted you in. Pray for it. Become a healthy member of it. Bear fruit in itand for it. Do that, and you will find the fulfillment that you have been searching the bookstores for.

This month is pastor's appreciation month. Last week I received a check from a group within my church. It was an answer to prayer for Cindy and I. But it wasn't just the check that made us feel appreciated. It was the attitude of the people who gave it. Remember you pastor this month. Pray for him. Come along side of him. Bless him. Give him a day off. And as Hebrews says: "Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow." And the Lord will bless you for it.

Well, it's after 2:00 in the morning. I guess it's time to get some sleep.

Disinterest....

I was driving with Emily late last night and we were talking about the baseball playoffs. Both the Cubs and the Sox won their divisions this year. Both are in the playoffs at the same time for the first time in over 100 years. Chicagoland is buzzing about this. Emily and I came to the conclusion that neither of us really cared what happened. Yes, it would be cool if either team won, but it wasn't an important thing. Baseball was no longer a focus for us. We got home and told Cindy and she agreed with us. Wow, it's amazing what the beautiful game can do to you.

If I were king of the forest... (Part 2)

In a previous post I mentioned that I had thoughts on how to improve soccer here in America. As I was thinking about this I came to the conclusion that this is an extremely complicated proposal. Why do you ask? Because soccer in the US looks nothing like it's counter part around the world. When I say this, I am not talking about rules, or talent, or scheduling (perhaps I'll write about this later), or even interest. Instead, I'm talking about organization.

Soccer is a different kind sport. Most sports in this country live in a bubble. What I mean is that the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL rarely have similar competition around the world. With the exception of the Olympics for Hockey and Basketball, there are no national competitions, competing leagues, or even club events (I know there was a Baseball World Cup a couple of years ago, but that was somewhat of a flop.) The NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL are the top of the proverbial heap. This is not so for soccer.

Soccer is played in leagues around the world. Many of these leagues are at a similar talent level. Soccer also has a huge National Team segment to it. What is the largest sporting event in the world? The World Cup, a competition consisting of nation verses nation. With that in mind, internationally soccer around the world is managed by different national organizations all coming together under the banner of FIFA. No other major US sport has anything like this. Around the world, these national organizations are responsible for their countries national team, as well as some oversight into their club teams (be they professional or amateur). For example, the English FA (Football Association) is responsible for the England National Team as well as some oversight on the different leagues within England. The interesting thing is that they are responsible for teams in England, not the UK. There is a Scottish FA and a Welsh FA that are responsible for their territories. No Scottish or Welsh team plays in any of the English leagues. They play in their own leagues. The United States is slightly different, and this is where the first issue I want to discuss arises.

The United Sates FA is called the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). They are responsible for soccer in the US and therefore have oversight of the US National team and some oversight over our leagues (probably less than their counterparts around the world). Professionally, there are three leagues in the US. Major League Soccer (MLS) is our premier league. There are also other two league under the banner of the United Soccer League (USL-1 & USL-2). Technically, USL-1 is our second division and USL-2 is our third division. This seems pretty simple until you realize that the three leagues consist of teams from a total of four FA's. The majority of the teams are located in the US and are therefore tied into the USSF. There are a total of three Canadian teams in these leagues (one in the MLS and two in the USL-1) that are under the Canadian FA. There is one team from Puerto Rico (USL-1) under the Putero Rico FA and one in Bermuda (USL-2) under the (yes, you guessed it) the Bermuda FA.

Here is where the problem begins. One of the USSF goals is the development of soccer here in the United States. This is done through a network of clubs and development programs scattered throughout the country. The most visible elements of this goal are the US National Team and the professional leagues in this country. Unfortunately, the USSF and the professional leagues tend not to see eye to eye and definitely do not have the same goals. The professional leagues are looking to make money, and they seem to be willing to do it any way possible.

Now I'm not against the MLS making money. One of the ways that they make money is by expansion. Currently, three of the teams that are under consideration for expansion are in Canada (Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa.) Nothing against Canada, but by aggressively expanding into Canada, they are weakening the growth of soccer elsewhere in the US. It also minimizes international club competitions that US clubs are a part of. In a recent interview, Don Garber made it clear that growth of soccer in the US takes a back seat to making money. He really doesn't see a need to follow the international schedule, to have all of the MLS teams partake in the US Open cup, to even take the Champions League seriously. Of course, they love the Superliga because it makes a lot of money for the MLS (just not the players!).

We seems to not want to learn the lessons of the past. I fear that the MLS will grow under a similar model of the NASL. The NASL never saw a dollar it didn't like and was more then willing the modify the game to make a quick buck. What it didn't do was invest in the game and crowds began to fall. At this point the USSF needs to step up. I don't think that they need to take the leagues over, but they need to begin to lead. First question, what is the relationship between the USSF and the other FA's that have teams in our leagues? Secondly, how do the different leagues relate to one another? Finally, how does this develop the game within the US?

In the past, the USSF has spent it's time trying to figure out how to win the World Cup. While I would love to see that, under the current structure I can't see that happening. There are way too many individual concerns that seem to supersede long term goals. The USSF needs to begin to lead...they need to determine what is best for the health of the game, for the good of the game, not just what is most profitable.

Next time...how should the leagues relate to one another.

On the brink....

...that is what things feel like. We are on the brink of something good, yet also on the brink of total destruction. It is this way in all aspects of my life right now. In regards to the church, it feels like we are on the brink of a big breakthrough. Things are starting to come together. Yet at the same time it feels like everything is falling apart. The tithe is down and the economy is not helping. We are not bringing in enough to cover our basic expenses. Some people who told us that they would be there for us are leaving us (When someone leaves the church it always feels like I'm back in High School. "It's not you, it's me. We can still be friends." Ughhhhh!) I'm even thinking about shutting down the food pantry because we don't have the money to fund it.

Personally, it is the same thing. In one sense, things are looking good. Some issues have become smaller then we first thought, while others seem to be getting worse. It feels like for every step we take forward, we are taking at least one step back somewhere else. Net/net, it is just frustrating.

Heck, it is even happening with the sport teams I follow. The White Sox have given all of us South Sider's sleepless nights since the Minnesota series last week. Who knows what team is going to show up in the playoffs. The Fire are not sure what team they want to be. The team that destroyed New England three time, DC one time and LA twice, or the team that gets blown out by Dallas and Colorado. And lets not even talk about Newcastle United. They are the poster children for dysfunction! Things were so promising when we tied Manchester United back in August. Now I'm just praying that we are still in the Premier League next season.

I know that there are some Kingdom principles here. We live in the almost but not yet. And Cindy and I are experiencing that first hand. I just keep on believing that God is in all of this. That I can trust him....that I must trust him. That somehow, he will always provide and he will always bring us through all of this.

He has in the past, why should he stop now.

Baptism Sunday

We did baptisms today. I like to do baptisms, it feels like the church is actually accomplishing something. It also makes me aware that we are a part of something bigger than us...that the Church has been baptizing new followers of Jesus for close to 2000 years. That an interesting thought to ponder.

Congratulations to Hannah, Candice, Elaina and Kimberly.

Random Links

Scot McKnight and Dan Kimball are starting a new network. Scott really addresses some of the same struggles that I have been having with Emergent lately.

John Paul Jackson has a word about the future....and it ain't pretty. Problem is that it resonates with me as well.

ESPN Soccernet has a great article about life at the McBride house. Pity they couldn't spell Arlington Heights right.

Jose has the inside scoop on the Newcastle sale. Who knew Ameobi had that much power? "He's Denis Wiseing me!"...Classic!!!

If I were king of the forest...part 1

We took a group to see the Fire v. David Beckham game yesterday and everyone had a great time. The place was packed, Section 8 was rocking and we won. It has been interesting having tickets this past year. We sit in Section 125...some what decent seats on the East side near the North end. One of the things that has surprised me is the lack of season ticket holders around us. Every game it seems that we have a different group of people sitting either next to us or in front or behind us. Earlier on in the season, the people around us seemed to be knowledgeable about the game. Recently, it has been the complete opposite. We have been surrounded by the infamous "Soccer mom" (SM).

One thing that I noticed is that the "SM" is not necessarily a mom, sometimes it is a dad. The normal "SM" is someone who thinks that the Beautiful Game is simply a safe sport for her (his) child to play. One where everyone is nice to one another and there is little competition (thank you AYSO). Traditionally, these parents have spent very little time actually learning the game, instead simply going to cheer on there little one to "kick the ball", then giving everyone orange wedges and Capri Suns at the half. ("You know, your father and I love you and we're proud of you. Did you learn anything new today?" - taken from the official AYSO pamphlet explaining what say to your child after their game.)

After their child plays for a bit, the child decides that they want to go to a real soccer game. So the "SM" goes out and buys a ticket....usually right next to us. The stadium was filled with them last night. We had one sitting behind us that just drove me crazy. Mom was there...board to death. And her son was sitting there...in his official David Beckham kit (oops, Jersey for all you "SM's" out there.)

So it's somewhere early on in the 1st half and LA get a corner. David comes up to our corner of the pitch (oops again...field) and sets up. Now remember...we are in the North East corner....you know, the Harlem End....right by Section 8. Now, if we were in Columbus or Toronto, Mr Beckham would be covered in streamers (or bottle caps, or beer, or whatever else the fans could throw). But this is Chicago. We don't throw stuff....we let you know how we feel with our voices. The entire section began to boo him. It was loud. David Jr. behind me was appalled...and his mom was upset. "That just is not nice what they are doing to him. They shouldn't boo like that." EXCUSE ME....YOU ARE IN CHICAGO, NOT LA. If this was any other team in Chicago, it would be accepted. But this is soccer...you know, the passive sport (excuse me for a moment, I think I'm feeling sick.......................OK, back again)

About the 35 minute, "SM1" talks to her friend "SM2" and asks when the half is over. SM2 says that she thinks there are four 45 minute quarters while SM1 disagrees with her and says that she thinks that there is something about 60 minutes. This goes on for a few minutes until I turn around and tell them there are two 45 minute halves. (As much as it appears that I am I soccer snob and that I hate all those who are beneath me, I actually enjoy telling people all about the beautiful game and educating them.) SM1 looks at me and tells me that I am wrong, that there is something important about 60 minutes in this game. What makes this even more interesting is the fact that I am dressed to the hilt like a supporter. I have my Blanco Fire kit on, I am wearing my "Season Ticket Holder" scarf, I am singing all the songs, I am doing all the hand motions, I am screaming at the ref that he doesn't know what the off sides rule is. One would assume just by looking at me that I might know how long the stinking game is! (but I digress...)

So, it is now the 70th minute. SM decides that she has had enough and announces to David Jr that they are leaving. "Look at this crowd, they are all going to leave at the same time and you don't want to be a part of that, do you?" David Jr starts to cry, SM starts to yell. They stand up and leave. Sitting next to me is my friend Niels. He explains to me that we show the players disrespect by leaving early. They are giving it their all for 90 minutes, we should do the same (spoken like a true Football (oops, Soccer) supporter (fan)). I look at him and comment how I have seen Newcastle blow a two goal lead in less time then is left on the clock (Niels breaks into laughter, I break into tears). Any thing could still happen!

I tell this story, not to make fun of the SM out there, but instead to show the state of the game here in the US. The MLS is a side show to many people in this country (no comments from the true Euro-Snobs...I agree, the MLS is not the EPL). A large percentage of the crowd in the stadium do not take the games very seriously. They do not know about tradition. They do not understand what makes this game beautiful. They do not see why it can become so addicting. I put the blame for this not on the MLS, but on the USSF. The game in this country has been in their hands for over a century now and they seem to have done everything in their power to muck it up (see the book "Soccer in a Football World" for more information).

I am a realist. I know that soccer in the US will never be like it is in the rest of the world. It will never the the dominate sport. I am OK with that. Hoverer, there is a lot that we can learn from the world that might make soccer here in the States more compelling and more intriguing. All the elements are here. All that is needed is some decent leadership, and the only one who could do it is the USSF.

Over the next few posts I want to discuss some ideas that might make soccer more intriguing in this country, for the true supports, the casual fans, and the curious. Let me start with this: It is not the game that we have to change, it is the way we organize it. The rules work, the organization is broken. With the right organization, perhaps SM1 & SM2 know how long the game is. Perhaps David Jr. is wearing a Fire shirt, instead of an LA shirt. Perhaps they stay for the entire game. And most importantly, perhaps they come back to another game when David is not playing.

I'm not sure who is still out there, but I would love to hear others ideas. Feel free to comment. Let me know if you think I'm on to something, if I lost my mind, or if I need to keep to theology.

More to follow...

Duch Sheets on Lakeland

Interesting comment's from a Dutch Sheets article on Lakeland:

These things were frightening, very frightening, to others and me.
When something has the potential of setting precedent, birthing a
movement and being reproduced as a prototype, we are no longer
simply endorsing good brothers, good intentions and miracles.
Doctrine and foundations will be built on these events. Teachings
and paradigms for future ministries will be formed-in short, the
next generation of the church and the move of God in the earth
could be greatly impacted. This is why I stopped short of endorsing
everything at Lakeland. Just as importantly, I could not ignore the
"check", the uneasiness, the sickening feeling deep in my spirit
telling me something else was wrong-terribly wrong-in this
situation. Like other leaders I tried to push past my uneasiness
with the showmanship, the "bams," the head butts and kneeing,
along with certain experiences and doctrines, all in order to
embrace the good. Like many of my friends I tried to be-and
believe I was-gracious, accepting, ready to think "out of the box",
etc.. But try as I may, the uneasiness in my spirit just wouldn't leave.

I haven't really followed Dutch much in the past several years other then knowing he is involved in putting on The Call and writting a book on intercession.

There is some really good insight in this article, things that as leaders we need to take heed of. I am curious to see how this all shakes out over the next few months. My prayer is that people step up and take responsibility, that they would repent for knowing things were wrong and not doing anything about it. That is my prayer, but I am not optimistic. I have seen way too much spin in the past 20 years. I pray that this time is different.

Cornfest '08

Well, I tried to put it off most of the weekend, but I finally took the kids to Cornfest. We missed the big corn give away yesterday and by the time we got there after church, it was almost over. This year they moved it to the airport since there is some construction downtown.

We got there in time to watch a B-17 bomber take off. It had been flying over our house all weekend (you can't miss the noise...made me wonder what it would have been like to have a squadron of them fly over your town in WW II. I would be pretty terrified!) and it was pretty impressive up close. We walked over to the midway and walked through most of the booths. All the same vendors were there as last year. When it is downtown it feel like you are a part of something. At the airport it felt pretty lame (Emily agreed with this observation!).

The main stage was much larger then usual and Travis Tritt was preforming when we were there (I would have never know if it wasn't for the fact I needed to go the the Cornfest website to steal the above graphic!) We then went to the midway and dropped $20 for the four of them to ride one ride. They were upset that I didn't have more money but got over it fast when they found that the bouncy things were free.

One hour later, we were on our way home. They are supposed to do it again next year at the airport again because of construction. I hope they bring it back downtown after that. Community festivals are supposed to be in the community.

Hope spring eternal.

Here are highlights from today's Newcastle v Bolton game. Check out Given's save at the 1:20 point. Incredible! Last year that would have gone in and the lad's would have fallen apart (especially since they were not playing that well up to that point). But not this year! First a tie at Old Trafford, then a fantastic save on a penalty shot, then Owen back to form. I realize that we are only two games into the season but could it be??? I'm just saying....might this just be....

A 1 to 0 kind a week

I have watched a lot of football this week. Both the women's and men's Olympic gold medal rounds, the Guatemala v. US World Cup qualifier, L.A. v. Fire game and the Newcastle v. Bolton game. Amazingly, all the games ended 1 - 0 for the team I was rooting for. All the games were in question till the end when a goal was miraculously scored. The teams that I was rooting for seemed to be stuck in the mud for most of the game. Either they were being outplayed for the majority of the game (all three national games), or they just didn't seem to have what it took to break the deadlock (both club games). But the old saying turned out to be true....it ain't over till it's over.

Perhaps that is something that I need to remember. This has been a difficult year. At times I have felt like I was being "outplayed" but the events around me. At other times I just didn't feel like I had what it takes to break out of the deadlock. But there is still time on the clock...

It ain't over till it's over...

I'm back

I feel like it is time to start writing again. I've been thinking about revamping this blog a bit for the past year now. I have two passions in life and I want to write about them. First, I am passionate about Jesus. For the past five plus years I have been writing on this blog (on and off) about him, the church, and my own spiritual journey. I really don't want to stop that. The other thing that I am passionate about is football (soccer for most of my friends). I thought about creating a second blog to discuss football, but life is a holistic kinda thing. I preach about living your faith 24/7. So why can't I write about things of faith and things of football at the same time.

I really don't know how this is all going to work out, or even if it will ever make any sense. One thing that I am pretty certain about...I don't think anyone else out there is do this.

So, grab a cup of coffee and hold on tight....it might actually get interesting around here.

Welcome Back

It's been a long time.

I'm starting to feel the pull to blog again. No promises on how long I will do this or how often I will post...only time will tell.

A lot has happened since I posted regularly. My father pass away right after Easter. It has been a tough time since then trying to keep everything straight (truthfully, it was a tough time prior to that). I praying that starting to write again will help me get my head on straight.

A few years ago I posted about my love for soccer. Well it has since grown to a full blown obsession. We are now season ticket holders for the Chicago Fire and I am an avid Newcastle United fan. With that said, I will probably have some comments a bout soccer (or is it football?)

Well, this is a good start for now. I'm planing on cleaning this place up a bit over the next few weeks. I am curious about one thing, is anyone still out there???

Tap, Tap, Tap.....

is this thing on????