I Wish I Were A Birder

Here's a couple of pics in homage to my friend Josh, the self-proclaimed "dork birder." I couldn't find any birds, but I found this lovely nest.

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday. I will be leading our Children's Program on Wednesday nights during Lent. Tonight we will be discussing the Lenten season. In addition to learning about Ash Wednesday and participating in our church's service tonight, we, the leaders and children, will make a Lenten promise to do something loving, or to give up something we really like, in order to help us remember Jesus. I am going to give up eating fast food for Lent. During those times when I hunger for a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit from McDonald's or a Cheesburger from Wendy's, I am going to focus on Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us. I am hoping that through this experience I will not only eat better and lose weight, but I might be drawn closer to the Lord. I'll keep posting about my Lenten promise as the season progresses.

Here's a picture of me with my beard. I decided to grow a beard this winter just to see how it would look. I kind of like it - I just wish there were fewer gray hairs! Below is a picture of the motivation behind my Lenten promise. That scale says 248! That would be a great weight if I was playing fullback for the Cowboys, but it's not so great for a 37-year-old Youth Pastor. I hope to use this Lenten season to kick start a new focus on healthier eating and exercise, as well as a renewed spiritual growth focus. My goal is to grow spiritually as I shrink physically!

The Democratic Resolution Opposing a Troop Increase in Iraq

The Democratic resolution expressing disapproval of President Bush's troop increase in Iraq that the House will debate this week:

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), that —
(1) Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and
(2) Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to Iraq.
Source: The Associated Press

The problem with this resolution (other than it not having any teeth because it is non-binding) is that, once again, no alternate solution is advanced. It's one thing to criticize President Bush's decisions, but in not offering a viable alternative to his plan, all the Democratic Resolution is doing is piling on. And we all just love to be piled on, don't we?

Dixie Chicks Redeemed?

In the Tuesday edition of the USA Today Opinion Page, the editorial board shared a brief blurb about the Dixie Chicks winning five Grammy awards. Here's the quote that stood out to me:

"Whether the music industry professionals who awarded the Grammys were making a statement beyond artistic merit is hard to ascertain. What is clear, however, is how the trajectory of the Chicks' comeback mirrors the rise in anti-war sentiment. That sentiment has gone mainstream and is reflected even in once unquestioningly pro-war country music."

Did the Dixie Chicks win because their music was the best? I'm afraid not, and that is a shame for all parties concerned.

Super Bowl Ads

Our world has become too politically correct. Masterfoods USA has to pull what was one of the funniest Super Bowl advertisements because some gay organizations found it offensive. As a lover of Snickers bars, what I found most offensive was that the second mechanic felt it was okay to eat the candy. My wife can't even get away with that one. Don't eat my Snickers!

Other ads from the Super Bowl have come under attack as well, including the Nationwide ad featuring Kevin Federline. The National Restaurant Association criticized it for a "demeaning" portrayal of restaurant workers. Give me a break! USA Today featured an article that addressed the subject of interest groups complaining about ads. The last three paragraphs are telling:

Yet, when marketers back down, it creates a "very dangerous" environment for the ad industry, says Drew Neisser, CEO of the Renegade Marketing Group.

"The recent withdrawals will embolden every interest group to push their agenda and complain about any ad that doesn't jibe with their mission," he says.

"To create ads that offend no one is a fruitless endeavor," Neisser says. "To cut through, there must be an element of surprise … that someone, somewhere, might not like."

Spiritual Beltway?

I read an article in the Washington Post recently about McLean Bible Church, but the article was really more about the new growth strategy of megachurches - satellite sites. These churches use the strategy of opening multiple locations under the same name and considering themselves one church. Gone are the days of planting new churches that are independent entities, creative and unique in their approach to ministry in a specific community. There are advantages to this new strategy, chief among them being the ability to provide better and more affordable programs than a struggling small new church plant. But here's the quote from a pastor that embraces this strategy that got me thinking differently: "It's kind of like going to Starbucks. You know the product you're going to get." Skeptics and critics wonder if this new trend is more about bolstering egos than spreading the message. That, I feel, is a valid concern. My first reaction upon reading the article was, Are we really more concerned with creating a "brand" than we are about being the presence of Christ in a local community? And, is there such a thing as a church being too big? These questions have been around for awhile, but the need to address them is only going to get more urgent as more and more megachurches adopt this strategy of opening satellite sites, and in our case here in the DC area, spiritual beltways.

Valentine's Day

I've been away for awhile working on my youth group's blog and group page and calendar (isn't technology great). For my first post back I would like to declare my undying love for my wife Randa. We have been married for a little over 7 1/2 years. We have three children. And we are tired! We don't look as young as we used to, as thin as we used to, or as energetic as we used to, but we still love each other! And I would dare to say that we love each other more now than we used to. Our relationship isn't perfect, but who's is? We keep trying and that's what I like about us. We declared our commitment for each other years ago and that commitment is what keeps us going through the great times, the terrible times, and all the times in between. So here's to my wife -- the love of my life now and always! Happy Valentine's Day Randa! I LOVE YOU!

Catching Up

Well, I was just over at my friend Josh's blog and I realized that I haven't posted in quite a while. So here's a quick update on a variety of things:

FIRST:
Here's my FINAL RANKINGS after the College Bowl season. (It would sure be nice if they'd just 'man up' and go to a playoff and settle things on the field like every other sport does! But that's a whole separate post for another time.)
1. FLORIDA
2. Boise State They won all the games they played and would have played more if allowed, so they get the #2 spot.
3. Ohio State Dotting the "i" before the game was their highlight of the night.
4. LSU
5. USC
6. Louisville
7. Wisconsin Maybe they were the best Big 10 team?
8. West Virginia
9. Auburn
10. Rutgers

SECOND:
A&M follows up pivotal victory over t.u. with a terrible showing in the Holiday Bowl.

The Cowboys limp to a 9-7 regular season finish and then give the playoff game away to Seattle.

Maybe 2007 will be better? There's always hope! And the 5-11 Redskins!

THIRD:
My two Fantasy Football teams were disappointing in the playoffs. I finished the regular season as the number 1 seed, with the best record, and the most points in both leagues. I finished third in the league I won last year and fourth (this hurts the most) in the youth group league. At least I'm still undefeated when facing my pastor!

FOURTH:
Enjoyed a great family Christmas vacation back in Texas. Travel with three kids is so awesome! It's always great to see family and friends, but it is nice to be back to a normal schedule and to be able to sleep in my own bed!

FINALLY:
Church work is so nice. Those of you who work in the church can use your imagination here!

Final Top Ten Update

Final Top Ten
1. Ohio State
2. Florida
3. Michigan
4. LSU
5. Louisville
6. Wisconsin
7. Oklahoma
8. Southern Cal
9. Boise State
10. Wake Forest

Week 12 Results
Dallas 21
Indianapolis 14

Week 13 Results
Texas A&M 12
t.u. 7

Dallas 38
Tampa Bay 10

Week 14 Results
Dallas 23
NY Giants 20

Records
Georgetown 5-5
Texas A&M 9-3
Dallas 8-4

Top Ten Update (Week 11)

I missed a few weeks due to the birth of Ainsley, so I'll just jump right back in.

Top Ten
1. Ohio State
2. Michigan
3. Rutgers
4. Florida
5. Southern Cal
6. Arkansas
7. Wake Forest
8. Wisconsin
9. Notre Dame
10. Boise State

Week 9 Results
Georgetown 22
Leander 29

Texas A&M 31
Baylor 21

Dallas 35
Carolina 14

Week 10 Results
Georgetown 24
RR Stony Point 16

Texas A&M 16
Oklahoma 17

Dallas 19
Washington 22

Week 11 Results
Georgetown 24
RR McNeil 21

Texas A&M 27
Nebraska 28

Dallas 27
Arizona 10

Records
Georgetown 5-5
Texas A&M 8-3
Dallas 5-4

Baby Gray Is Finally Here!

Ainsley Arden Gray arrived on Thursday, November 2, 2006, at 4:19 PM. She was 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and 20 inches in length at birth. She was born in Falls Church, Virginia.

Top Ten Update (Week 8)

Top Ten
1. Ohio State
2. Michigan
3. West Virginia
4. Southern Cal
5. Rutgers
6. Louisville
7. Tennessee
8. Cal
9. Auburn
10. Boise State

Week 8 Results
Georgetown 19
Round Rock 41

Texas A&M 34
Oklahoma State 33

Dallas 22
New York Giants 36

Records
Georgetown 3-4
Texas A&M 7-1
Dallas 3-3

Top Ten Update (Week 7)

Top Ten
1. Ohio State
2. Michigan
3. Southern Cal
4. West Virginia
5. Louisville
6. Rutgers
7. Tennessee
8. California
9. Auburn
10. Boise State

Week 7 Results
Georgetown 20
Round Rock Westwood 36

Texas A&M 25
Missouri 19

Dallas 34
Houston 6

Records
Georgetown 3-3
Texas A&M 6-1
Dallas 3-2

Top Ten Update (Week 6)

Top Ten
1. Florida
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan
4. Southern Cal
5. West Virginia
6. Louisville
7. Missouri
8. Rutgers
9. Boise State
10. Tennessee

Week 6 Results
Georgetown 30
Pflugerville 26

Texas A&M 21
Kansas 18

Dallas 24
Philadelphia 38

Records
Georgetown 3-2
Texas A&M 5-1
Dallas 2-2

Apathy

NYWC Austin is winding down. It's Sunday morning and we're being challenged by a representative of the IJM to confront the stark reality of slavery in our world. Why is there slavery in our world? Because of our apathy. How sad and shameful that slave owners can laugh because, as we are told, we do not cry! But there is hope. God has a plan to rescue those who need justice and he wants to do it through his church. Will we--God's people, his church--step up?

NYWC-Austin!

I leave for Austin tomorrow to attend Youth Specialties' National Youth Workers Convention. I am so excited to have this time of refreshment and nourishment. Plus, I get to go back to God's country - TEXAS! I also look forward to seeing my friends and maybe even my parents - who knows? It should be a great few days away from the office!

Top Ten (Week 5) Update

Top Ten
1. Auburn
2. Ohio State
3. Southern Cal
4. Florida
5. Michigan
6. West Virginia
7. Louisville
8. Georgia
9. Missouri
10. Rutgers

Week 5 Results
Georgetown 12
Cedar Park 21

Texas A&M 27
Texas Tech 31

Dallas 45
Tennessee 14

Records
Georgetown 2-2
Texas A&M 4-1
Dallas 2-1

A Christian View of War

I read this great article in USA TODAY last week entitled "A Christian view of war." It is a part of a religion series that the paper runs every Monday. I think the subtitle by the author, Oliver "Buzz" Thomas, says it all: What would Jesus do in Iraq? He'd offer compassion, he'd feed the hungry, he'd even pray for the enemies. What he'd really do is give American Christians--Republicans and Democrats alike--something to think about. Are we as Christians ready to get serious about following the teachings of Jesus?

Top Ten (Week 4) and Update

My Top Ten
1. Auburn
2. Southern Cal
3. Ohio State
4. Florida
5. Michigan
6. West Virginia
7. Louisville
8. Iowa
9. Georgia
10. Virginia Tech

Week 4 Results
Texas A&M 45
Louisiana Tech 14

Records
Georgetown 2-1
Texas A&M 4-0
Dallas 1-1

My Top Ten (Week 3) and Update

My Top Ten
1. Auburn Best team in best conference.
2. Southern Cal Impressive win over Huskers.
3. Ohio State Can they survive until Michigan?
4. Florida Dashes Vols dreams again.
5. West Virginia On track for showdown with Louisville.
6. Michigan Crushes Irish on the road.
7. Louisville How much deeper is their bench?
8. Georgia Tough conference to be in.
9. Iowa Finally defeats in-state rival.
10. Virginia Tech Best team in weak ACC.

Week 3 Results
Georgetown 34
Belton 0

Texas A&M 28
Army 24

Dallas 27
Washington 10

Records
Georgetown 2-1
Texas A&M 3-0
Dallas 1-1