Wednesday, October 29, 2008

How Low Can You Go? (Updated)

Friends,

It is not a pleasant time to be a football fan in the NW, or a fan of NW professional sports this year in general. The Seattle Seahawks, Washington Huskies and WSU Cougars are a combined 3-19. Oh, to be living in the glory days again of Don James with the Huskies and Mike Price with the Cougars...and even up to last year with the Seahawks. At least the 'hawks have an excuse, since they have been decimated with injuries. But, things are compounded by the fact that the Mariners lost 100 games this year... frighteningly like waaaay too much of their history, hearkening back to the 70s and 80s. The biggest blow was that the Sonics vacated Seattle and will begin play this week as the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. (Didn't see that one coming -- not ;-). Something has to give, right? Well, at least the Trail Blazers are still doing well in Portland. They are no longer the Jail Blazers, having revamped their image. And now they have Greg Oden back this year after he missed all of last year with injury. He is supposed to be the second coming of Bill Russell...except that he is hurt yet again and is beginning to look more like the second coming of Sam Bowie. As if to add insult to injury, ESPN interviewed Sam Bowie about Oden...an ominous sign. Hopefully, he will be more like the Blazers' Bill Walton, at least as far as his production goes. (Warning: you are now about to enter the satire zone -- why do they even play 82 regular season games in the NBA...we could just do the dozen or so that is necessary to get to the Lakers, Hornets, Celtics and Cavaliers, who are likely going to be the final four anyway, right? :-).

Speaking of Portland...on a seriously sad note, news came out yesterday that Cascade College is going to be shutting its doors after the Spring 2009 commencement. Having graduated from Columbia Christian College, before it reopened as Cascade College, it is unfortunate news, and a huge setback for Christian education in the NW. Thanks goes to OC for sustaining Cascade for the past 15 years, but with the economy and other factors, it made it so that CC could no longer stay operational. I have a lot of great memories of my time spent there and cherish the friends that were made. I thank the Lord that Cascade has made it possible this year for alumni to connect up through their connections website. It has been great to get reconnected with many friends that I had been out of touch with for quite awhile.

At least there is some good news :-)...for the third week in a row, the #1 Texas Longhorns are playing "the game of the century." This week they "lock horns" (pun intended) with the Red Raiders from Texas Tech. Both are undefeated and have the #1 and 2 QBs in the Heisman trophy race. So, it should be an exciting weekend. I am betting that whoever loses the game will still have over 40 points...we'll see.

An update on the World Series...although I have said very little about it (in fact, this is it...after all what is there to say -- it was the Phillies and the Rays (of sunshine) ;-), I have to give a shout out to one of my all time favorite players. Congrats to Jamie Moyer of the Phillies, a long time Mariner who carried the M's pitching staff for a number of years. Jamie is on or around 45 years old, which is like Methuselah in baseball terms. I remember when Jamie came up with the Cubs organization back when I was a late teenager and he has pitched so well for the past 15 years or so. It is just great to see one of the good guys in the game get rewarded for a job well done.

Blessings,

Don

Monday, October 27, 2008

Live Long and Perspire :-)

Friends,

Dan Vergano of USA Today shares…Star Trek fans, take heart — Mr. Spock's fabled home star, the nearby Epsilon Eridani, could harbor an Earth-like planet. NASA astronomers today report that the triple-ringed star has an asteroid belt and a Jupiter-like giant planet in roughly the same orbits as in our own solar system. Only “850 million years old” (in humanist years ;-), a fifth the age of Earth's sun, Epsilon Eridani resembles a younger twin to our solar system. About (only...ha ha) 62 trillion miles away, it is the closest known solar system.

It was borrowed by the creators of the TV series 'Star Trek' as the location of Vulcan, the planet that gave us the super-logical science officer Mr. Spock. "We certainly haven't seen it yet, but if its solar system is anything like ours, then there should be planets like ours," say astronomer Massimo Marengo of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass.

The NASA Spitzer space telescope results, which measure the infrared heat given off by dust and ice rings circling the star, suggest Epsilon Eridani possesses three jumbo worlds, revealed by dust-free circular lanes in its asteroid belt and more distant comet belts. The circular asteroid belt that, like ours, orbits within 300 million miles of the star is particularly surprising, Marengo says, because earlier studies had suggested the star's Jupiter-like planet followed a looping path that would have destroyed the narrow belt. Instead, it must follow a nearly circular orbit.
Because Epsilon Eridani is smaller, dimmer and younger than the sun, the "habitable zone" for Earth-like planets there is closer to the star, says planetary theorist Sean Raymond of the University of Colorado-Boulder. "An Earth-like planet could actually form in the (star's) habitable zone," he says, if the report of a well-behaved Jupiter-sized planet bears out. Another planetary theorist, Alan Boss of the Carnegie Institute of Washington (D.C.), is doubtful, suggesting such a planet is "likely to be too massive and too close to allow Earth-like planets to form in the habitable zone." Jokes Marengo: "Of course there is disagreement among Star Trek fans about whether the planet of Mr. Spock could be at Epsilon Eridani, because it is such a young star and Vulcans are supposed to be an advanced civilization." (Truth is stranger than fiction... or in the case of this article, perhaps it is the other way around -- science fiction can certainly be stranger than truth :-). Blessings,

Don

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Freedom to Love

Friends,

This thought occurred to me some time ago(?)...and for some reason I found it, so I thought that I would share...

True love cannot be the result of decree, force or manipulation. Anything that I do to deprive someone of the right to choose is a violation of his or her personhood. When I sense that my own right to choose is being threatened, then I know that I am not being loved...and the doors to ministry are not open. Paul tells the Corinthians that "love does not seek its own" (13:5b). Most times, the best solution is to yield until I feel free to make the right choice. Many in our society, and even some believers, see submission as a sign of weakness. I think that all we have to do is look to the life of our Lord and Savior to understand that submission is indeed a sign of grace and strength. Blessings,

Don

Monday, October 20, 2008

Light Bulb

Friends,

You may have seen this...but it's worth repeating ;-)

After considerable research by the Barna group, the age-old question has been answered: How many people does it take to change a light bulb? --

Charismatic: Only one. Hands already in the air.

Pentecostal: Ten. One to change the light bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Catholic: None. Candles only.

Baptist: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.

Epicopalian: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks, and one to talk about how much better the old bulb was.

Mormon: Five. One man to change the bulb and four wives to tell him how to do it.

Methodist: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely burned out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb or tulip bulb. Church-wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring the bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church guide on lighting policy.

Lutheran: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.

Church of Christ: They do not use light bulbs because there is no evidence of their use in the New Testament.

Unitarian: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey, you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your bulb for next Sunday's service, during which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life, and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Amish: What's a light bulb?

Blessings,

Don

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Trouble in Paradise 2

Friends,

At the beginning of the week, it appeared that all four wheels had come off of the Dallas Cowboys wagon...as well as the spare. Ahh, but that was before the Cowboys savior came...Roy E. Williams, the wide receiver, not to be confused with Roy L. Williams, the injured defensive back. Speaking of injured...is there anyone on the Cowboys who does not have an injury after last week's game? Tony Romo was out with a broken pinkie finger, and now may be back in if he is needed -- and I think that they are going to need him. No big offense to backup Brad Johnson, (who has won a Super Bowl), but if Tony is getting hurt behind the all-of-the-sudden shaky O line, what are defenses going to do to a tree like Johnson? Anyway, back to the injured list...Terrence Newman, Felix Jones and even the poor punter, Mat McBriar are also hurt -- in fact, McBriar is out for the year. Tell me, how often does a punter get put out for the year(?)...crazy. Yes, but UT alum, Williams is back where he belongs...out of that wasteland of a team that is the Detroit Lions. And how do we know that he is the Cowboys savior? Jerry gave up a 1st, 3rd and 6th round draft pick for him. That is nuts. Are we sure this isn't Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss or even our very own T.O.? Roy Williams??? Granted he has gone to the Pro-Bowl in the past, but he hasn't even been the favored QB target on the Lions this year. Nevertheless, I wish Roy all the best...and that he is a Cowboys pro-bowler for many years to come. Speaking of T.O...he says that he is excited that Williams is on the team. Uhh...yeah, but for how long? He may be able to take a defender or two away from T.O as he goes down the field from time to time, but T.O.'s problem has been getting off of the line of scrimmage. He has been getting manhandled of late by physical corners and has not been getting into his routes. So...it's just a matter of time before the T.O. bomb goes off. And my bet, is that Jerry is hedging his. Maybe, just maybe, he is at long last learning a lesson about bringing troubled players to the Cowboys. With Pacman gone (for good, it appears), I think that with another, younger #1 receiver now on board, it is just a matter of time before the 'boys cut ties with their current #1. I love the Cowboys...but if there was ever a time in the regular season when they needed to step up over the past few years, (last year's playoffs notwithstanding), this is it! We will all know after Sunday's game with the lowly Rams which direction this season is going to go. If they can put it all together in the midst of the injuries and turmoil and make an against the odds run...wonderful! If not, goodbye Wade and hello Jason. The rrrest of the story...is that I have to admit my affections as a Saints lover, as well. (How can a believer not love a team called ...the Saints? :-) As NFL player of the year to this point, QB Drew Brees is second to no one. And no one questions the explosiveness of Reggie Bush. Now, if they can only quit committing foolish penalties and get their defense to play halfway decent, they stand a chance to make a good run, as well. One thing is certain, they ain't the Aints anymore. Blessings,

Don

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The BIG Big 12

Friends,

What a year for the Big 12. The SEC is always the power conference out of all the major Division 1A conferences year in and year out, and yet, it would be awfully hard not to bestow the honor to the Big 12 this year. The Big 12 has had multiple teams in the top 5 all year long. The Red River rivalry on Saturday was an instant classic, especially if you are a Texas fan. Colt McCoy had a sensational game as #5 Texas kept coming from behind and ultimately knocked off #1 Oklahoma. Now it appears that Texas will be #1 this week...hopefully not the "kiss of death" as it has been for other #1s this year -- especially with an angry Missouri up next (at home at least). McCoy is in the drivers seat for the Heisman trophy with his performance against Oklahoma. Yet, has there ever been a better conference for QBs than the Big 12 this year? You have McCoy and Bradford from Oklahoma, who was the Heisman front runner until yesterday, and will still be in the top 5. Chase Daniel at Missouri was also top three for the Heisman until yesterday when Mizzou lost to Oklahoma State. He will still be in the top 5. Then there is Graham Harrell at Texas Tech who has broken all of the Red Raider passing records. And you hear little about Todd Reesing of Kansas and Zac Robinson of that undefeated OK State team that knocked off Mizzou...who would be at the top in stats of any other conference if not for the big boys ahead of them in their own conference. Come the draft next April...and depending upon who enters the draft, there could be two or three QBs picked in the first round from the Big 12 conference alone! This would be amazing. Nevertheless, we will continue to see what unfolds as the season goes along, but to this point, I do not remember a more exciting season for any conference...and there is so much hanging in the balance. All that matters at the end of ther year is that the Big 12 have the National Champion (preferably Texas :-) -- this would be wonderful. A final shout out to the Colorado Buffaloes, who are not one of the upper echelon teams in the Big 12 North, but who should finish around .500. My high school friend Ron Collins is their D coordinator, so they earn some sentimental points. Blessings,

Don

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Success

Friends,

I received this from a senior friend of mine...and thought this was too good not to post here, as I close up shop on the etc. blog --

SUCCESS:
At age 4 success is........not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is......having friends.
At age 17 success is......having a drivers licence.
At age 35 success is......having money.
At age 50 success is......having money.
At age 70 success is......having a drivers licence.
At age 75 success is......having friends.
At age 80 success is......not piddling in your pants.

:-)

Don

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Election Encouragements

Friends,

*Don't buy into all of the fear-mongering regarding any or all of the candidates.
*Don't trust polls.
*Trust God.

Blessings,

Don

Monday, October 6, 2008

A Matter of Major League Perspective

Friends,

Playoff time in the major leagues always reveals some biases. It is interesting to note that the Cubs, who were the prohibitive favorites in the NL after having the best record all season, were expected to do well. On the other hand, the Brewers, who barely made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, were expected to lose to the Phillies. So, here we are a week later and for the second year in a row, the Cubs are gone in the first round -- huge disappointment...unmet expectations...downright failure. And what is so tragic about it is that many were rooting for the Cubs to lose...with the thinking being, after all , why break 100 years of bad karma, etc. The Brewers? They are gone too, but not with the same level of fanfare, disappointment and the like. After all, they weren't really supposed to be there anyway. So, they slink away with the same disappointment and unmet expectations if you are a Brewers fan, but just not the same outcry as with the Cubs. The winners -- Dodgers and Phillies. The Dodgers are the underdog, and the Phillies are the favorite...but should anyone bet against Joe Torre and troops in the playoffs? Yes and no, I suppose. But, once again, win or lose -- even for these teams -- it will be a matter of perspective. My underdog for the year has to be the Rays. As I shared before, once they were able to be rid of the bad influences in their name, they have done quite well. Go Tampa Bay. But, the Angels aren't dead yet either, although they are on life-support, so to speak. But, how can believers not feel pretty good about the Angels, even if you are a Sox fan? :-) Blessings,

Don

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Sideways

Friends,

We have seen many shots of galaxies face on. Spiral galaxies are particularly beautiful. Here is a shot of a galaxy that is literally "on edge" toward us...


Blessings,

Don