Calm in the Storm

Friends,

Jesus has fed the 5000 (John 6:1ff), so He compels His disciples to get into a boat and set out on the Sea of Galilee, because He knows that they are in great danger on the land from the crowds that want to make Him king. In sending the disciples out in the boat, do we believe that Jesus was aware a storm would be coming? Absolutely…but, why would He bring His friends out of danger only to send them into what would appear to be another dangerous situation? Well…it is not as dangerous as it might seem. The storm is actually the safer place to be, even though they cannot understand this at this time. The real reason for the storm is that the Lord wants them to gain perspective by learning to trust in Him.

Storms happen for a number of reasons – for Jonah, it came about because he had disobeyed the Lord. Other times, storms come up because we have obeyed the Lord -- we receive persecution as the result of doing the right thing. Finally, sometimes storms just happen for no apparent reason. There are actually a number of wondrous things that happen in this event. Jesus walks on the water (as does Peter in the Matthew account). Jesus also calms the storm instantly…and the overlooked wonder is that the boat immediately comes to land where they are going. One of the key phrases that Jesus uses to settle His disciples once He approaches the boat is “it is I (which literally means I Am), do not be afraid.” What can the I Am do? God, the Son, has control over the wind and the waves…in fact, all elements are under His control. He can allow the storm to come, bring the storm if He so desires, and calm it all just the same – instantly! Yet, how often do we react in fear like the disciples and not see things as they really are. The following story might help us to realize the difficulties that fear can create for us in situations that we do not understand.

In Barcelona, Spain, a truck was rolling along carrying an empty coffin. A tired traveler, who was hitch-hiking along the same road, caught a ride in the back of the pick-up. Suspiciously eyeing the coffin, he sat near the rear of the bed. After going down the road a few miles, it started to rain. Not wanting to get soaked, he examined the coffin, found it empty, and crawled inside to try to stay dry until the rain quit. In the meantime, he fell asleep to the hum of the truck as it moved along. Further down the road, the driver pulled over and picked up a couple more hitchhikers. They had not traveled too much further, but when the first traveler…unaware of having acquired some traveling companions…awakened from his nap, pushed open the lid of the coffin, stuck his head out and exclaimed, “Oh, it has stopped raining!” The two late-comers were so terrified that they jumped from the moving truck, injuring themselves.

Isn’t this all too human? We often react in fear to situations we don’t understand…and we end up getting hurt in some way. Sometimes, it may be as simple as getting out of our comfort zones, while at other times, the situations we face are much more serious. Too many times, the story of the traveler illustrates how it is that we deal with fear or stress – we run, jump, or hide. In short, we react, instead of act. We need not to behold the storms that come our way…whether they are minor trials or major hurdles…and react faithlessly, as if the Lord is not big enough to help us to overcome and to grow! Sometimes, we do have storms in life -- some that we may bring about…others that just happen. Remember, the peace of God is not necessarily the absence of trials, but the assurance of His presence in the midst of them. We don’t always know how things are going to be…but we should cease fretting, worrying, stressing…and just simply “be still and know that He is God.” We need to exercise faith and trust in Him who is able to help us. The more that we work at yielding ourselves, yielding our wills to the Lord, the more that we will be able to experience the joy and the peace of the Lord that He offers to us…and the more readily His answers will come. But, we need not fear – in faith, seek to allow the God who controls the storm to have control of your life. Give him your storms, and see the work that He can do to calm them down, and experience the blessings He has to offer.

"The peace of God is that eternal calm which lies far too deep in the praying, trusting soul to be reached by any external disturbances." - A.T. Pierson

Blessings,
Don

Mid-Major Madness

Friends,

Well...Kentucky and West Virginia are under way. This is the first game I have watched in this year's version of the NCAA Tournament, but I have been following it closely. I have each of these teams winning two of my six brackets, (I know, I know, I should have only one, but it's fun to spread the wealth :-). Actually Kentucky and West Virginia are the only two teams I have left to keep the dream alive of having a decent bracket, since Kansas is done (whom I had in two of my brackets), as well as Syracuse and Ohio State (who also have gone bye bye). I really like West Virginia...a scrappy team, even without their starting point guard. Yet, Kentucky should win the whole thing...as there is no team as talented as them. But, we just can't overlook Butler.

Unlike the NBA, the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament is exciting. Kansas took the University of Northern Iowa lightly, it seems, and the #9 seed in their region upset the #1 seed to get the round of 16. Butler, a mid-major school from Indiana won just a awhile ago to get to the Final Four...pretty amazing, really, as they have knocked off #1 seed in their region, Syracuse and the #2 seed Kansas State. Also, as mentioned the University of Northern Iowa, as well as St. Mary's from California and Ivy Leage school, Cornell all made it to the sweet sixteen. These mid-major schools certainly are pesky...as they seem to be gaining on their "major" brethren more so every year. One might wonder why. As a friend of mine pointed out, much of it may have to do with the fact that the talented young men that play college basketball only have to stay in school for one year, before opting for the NBA (which is a silly rule, in my opinion -- they should make it two years). Nonetheless, this is all something of an equalizer in many respects. This, and many of the smaller schools like Butler, Xavier, Gonzaga, and Cornell have really built up their programs over the past decade, so they have become solid places for good, young players to go and succeed. So, these smaller schools create more parity for the tournament...which I like, personally. I find myself rooting for the Gonzagas and the Butlers. Now, for the first time since George Mason made it to the Final Four a few years ago, another mid-major school has arrived. We'll see if they can keep up their magical run.

Blessings,
Don

Enthrone His Holiness

Friends,

Last fall, Emily and I had the opportunity to go to the Apple Cider Press Youth Rally in Cashmere, WA. We had been involved with this rally for many years in Washington before moving to Texas. One of the drawing points for this youth rally, is the actual cider press itself. The young people and adults have team competitions to see who can press the most apple cider. It is an interesting process to watch, particlarly as the crushed apples are squeezed and the cider is poured into a holding tank. As the raw cider is poured into the tanks, it goes through a strainer to remove all of the impurities. From there it is bottled up and dozens of the bottles of cider go home with people.

To me, and to most, the most important aspect of the process is the cleansing of the cider (especially if one can see how dirty it is)…in order to make certain it is pure. This is not unlike what needs to take place in our own lives. There needs to be a straining process to take out all of the impurities, so that we can be holy before the Lord. As we come to know the Lord, and begin the process of learning and growing, we should continue to grow in our understanding of God’s holiness…aside from love, the most important and reproducible of His qualities in our lives. After all, it is sin that separates us from God and it is that which is in need of being strained out of our lives. We need to continually live in a way that we seek to be rid of the bad attitudes and activities of the world that want to inhabit us, and allow God’s Spirit to fill us with what matters. We have the challenge, continually before us, “to be holy as God is holy” (Leviticus 19:2).

The ultimate reason that God sent His Son was in order that sinful, unholy man could have the opportunity to be in His presence. God was in Christ, reconciling us to Him (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Jesus, the Messiah, took the sins of humanity upon Himself so that we would have the opportunity to be in God’s presence. The Lord is mighty in His judgment and deliverance…He is just! His justice walks hand in hand with His holiness. Many believers focus on the love of God to the detriment of His holiness. They ask questions like, “How can a loving God send people to hell?” But, a loving God doesn’t send anyone, anywhere. The opportunity to choose life through His Son is granted to us by a loving God…and a holy and just God demands that we make a choice. A holy and loving God allowed His Son to come into this world to give us the opportunity to experience eternal life. It is sufficient for everyone, but efficient only for those who accept it. We humans “paddle our own boats,” so to speak…we can choose life or destruction, heaven or hell. He is mighty and just to deal with the pure and the impure…and he will reward each one of us according to our choices. It is for this reason that God’s people need to respond properly and worship His majesty with reverence and awe!

Another story relating to the message thought -- a couple fell in love with a vase in a shop window, which they bought, brought home and put on the mantel in their main room. For them, what followed was remarkable…the vase became a judgment on its surroundings. They had to clean up the room in order to make it worthy of the pristine vase. Dirty curtains, and an old chair would not do…and the room would also need to be painted. Gradually, the entire room was transformed! The couple’s mindset concerning the vase, should be the same mindset we have in relationship to the way we live our lives. We can’t dress up one aspect of our lives and leave the rest containing the dirt of sin and the world. We need to take care to recognize that we need to live blamelessly for the Lord. We should seek to be pure in our attitudes and our conduct. We have no business polluting our spirits and souls with things that the world deems is acceptable. We should have a significantly higher moral and spiritual calling than this. Once again, the question arises…how can or will we make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ if we do not look any different that the world? It’s not going to happen. When we surrender our lives, our spirits to the Lord…and allow Him to strain us of the impurities that cause to stumble and fall, then we become like Onesimus, and can be useful to Him and for Him. If we are filled with the Spirit of God, then there will not be room for the flesh or the sin of this world to take us captive.

Blessings,
Don

Infrared Revealed

Friends,

This fascinating shot contains a large nebula and two galaxies that were fairly shrouded by the Milky Way galaxy until revealed by a new infrared camera now in orbit. The nebula is shaped like a heart...and with some imagination, the heart can be discerned in the middle to right of the photo. The first galaxy appears as a white spiral in the upper left hand corner...and the second is the vibrant blue dot on the left side of the screen (falsely colored by the camera...but beautiful, nonetheless).

Blessings,
Don

Of Bayonets and Ministry

Friends,

Here is a timely message from my good friend, Stephen...shared with his permission...

It was one of my prized possessions for years. Crazy at it seems, in the 6th grade I found a genuine WWII bayonet at a garage sale and bought it. (Makes one wonder what the folks running the garage sale were thinking to let an 11 year old buy a nice, big knife. And what my parents were thinking to let me keep it, assuming they knew I had it. I conveniently can't remember if I hid it from them for a while.) Bayonets go back centuries, almost as long as there have been muskets.

According to an Associated Press story released March 16, 2010, this year the U.S. Army is beginning to drop bayonet drills. Although soldiers are still issued a combat knife that can attach to their automatic rifles, the truth is, the days of the bayonet charge are long gone. Today, soldiers simply don't find themselves in a situation needing them to use their rifles as spears. And yet recruits were still being trained in this irrelevant technique; until, that is, Gen. Hertling, in charge of basic training, decided to drop the drill in favor of combat training recruits would actually use. You might think that teaching soldiers how to fight in situations they will actually encounter, as opposed to methods from several wars ago, is a no-brainer. However, nostalgia and the comfort of the familiar often make people and institutions reticent to adapt to new situations.

Imagine the Old Testament character, Daniel and his friends. The Law of Moses (e.g. Deut. 16) commanded all Israelite males of age to meet at the Tabernacle/Temple three set times a year. However, in Daniel's day, the Temple had been destroyed. He and his friends had been deported to Babylon, no longer free to travel to their conquered homeland. What was a conscientious Jew to do under those circumstances? They adapted to the situation as best they could. There is some evidence that the concept of the synagogue, a weekly gathering of Jews to pray, read Scripture, give alms, sing, has roots in this era, replacing the razed Temple as the center of Jewish life. Psalm 137 is a lament sung by Jewish captives in Babylon over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. But life needed to go on, faith needed to be maintained and nurtured...they just had to find a different way to do it under their new circumstances.

All of this makes me mindful of the American church. Without question we are in the midst of Spiritual Warfare (2 Cor. 10:3-4; Eph. 6:10-20). But I sometimes wonder if we aren't more like the Army than we are Daniel and friends. As a lover of history and things old, I am as nostalgic as the next person, but sometimes it seems to me we are hanging on to strategies and methods that no longer reflect actual "combat" situations. Oddly, we no longer use mimeograph machines to print our bulletins, or rotary phones to make calls, but we hang on to other methodologies and approaches to ministry from a previous era that no longer speak to the realities of today's church.

We cannot move forward while looking backward, we simply end up stumbling. God-given doctrines we keep. His message does not change. But as the Apostles demonstrated in the book of Acts, methods for communicating that message and for ministry must change to address the local environment. That's what the meeting in Acts 15 was all about--how Jewish did Gentiles need to be to become Christians. The type of ministry and methods employed in the Jerusalem church (see Acts 21:17-26) would have been a church killer in a Gentile context, as Galatians demonstrates. Conversely, the type of ministry and methods done in a Gentile context like Philippi would have done quite poorly in Jerusalem. Compare Paul's evangelistic approach in a synagogue (Acts 13) with that toward a pagan audience in Acts 17. Note what's similar, note what's different.

I love museums. They are among my favorite places to go, much to the annoyance of my children. However, the Lord's Church should not be a museum, preserving the methods and means of the past. God's word is "living and active" (Heb. 4:12), not static and stale; his church needs to be living and active as well. One of the greatest shocks to my system was a tour of the Michigan State Museum. As you worked your way up from the first floor, you went through different eras in the history of the State--the stone age to the automobile age. There were mock ups of various living spaces: Indian dwelling; parlor from the late 1800's; a kitchen from the 1940's; living room from the 50's. It was all fun until we came to the den from the 1970's with items 'purchased' with S&H Green Stamps. Stuff that was new when I was a kid…that I played with…was in a museum! Boy did that make me feel old. But just because my toys and table lamp were in a museum didn't mean I had to live and think like I was back in the 70's. That era is gone. I'm called to live and minister in the here and now. So is the church.

The arrival of the New Covenant was quite a challenge to the people who heard Jesus preach, a significant adjustment for the Jewish people. Jesus once observed that a scribe familiar with the Old Law who became a disciple of the new was like a person who had both old and new treasures at his disposal (Matt. 13:52). We need to learn from the past, look to the future, but live and minister in the present. May God grant us the wisdom to know how to be able to do just this.

********************************************************************************

Thanks, Stephen.

Blessings,
Don

Responding to Teens Effectively

Friends,

As a follow up to "Proper Responses," I offer some great insights from Mark Gregston, teen counselor. He shares -- when a teen breaks the rules, he or she need a responsible adult to respond, not react. To respond is to offer calmness, honesty, love, grace and support while seeking to correct the misbehavior. However, to react is to become emotional, angry, hurt, quick to judge, and often harsh. Knee-jerk reactions are almost always counterproductive. It is not any different if you’re dealing with pre-teens. Reacting to your teen will probably never give you the change you intended or wanted. Responding properly can be difficult and takes lots of practice. Counting to ten is good, but then what?

Parents of teens must learn to stop their mouths, think about needs to be done, and only then should they speak or act. So, “Stop, Think, Act” is the plan. You cannot ignore or overlook inappropriate behavior. You must respond based on what you know is true – your faith, your own beliefs, and what you know is best for your child. You might be dealing with just an ice cube, or you might have just touched on the tip of the iceberg of what’s going on in your teen’s life -- don’t burn bridges with harsh reactions. Stand your ground concerning the boundaries, and follow through on consequences, but strive to get through it all with your relationship intact. It is the same with kiddos…you have to win the battle of the wills -- it is critical. Then your teen or child will learn to respect the healthy boundaries you’ve put into place in his or her life, and in the future will continue to come to you whenever he or she is struggling.

Blessings,
Don

Proper Responses

Friends,

In the Word, we see that Jesus is not the only child born to Mary. She and Joseph have other children. Matthew’s gospel (13:55) tells us of James, Joses (Joseph), Simon and Judas (Jude) in addition to unnamed sisters. As we come to John 7:1ff, it is incredible how His brothers could have lived with Him all those years and not realized the uniqueness of His person. Perhaps, this is simply a testimony concerning how quiet Jesus was up until the time of His ministry commission at age 30 (Matthew 3), but it is not possible to know. Certainly the brothers are aware of Jesus’ miracles to this point after His commission…especially since everyone else seems to be aware of them. Having been in close contact with Him, the brothers have had the best opportunity to watch Him and test Him…and yet, they still are unbelievers! Irony abounds in this situation. Here, we have these men going up to a religious feast (Feast of Tabernacles) with their brother, who is the Messiah...even though they are rejecting Him as their Messiah at this time.

Jesus' brothers display the world’s point of view – if you want to get a really good following, Jesus, use your opportunities to do something spectacular. This is similar to what many of the Jews thought with regard to Jesus. Jerusalem would be crowded with people and this would provide Jesus with the ideal opportunity to present Himself, and win disciples. The brothers likely knew that Jesus had lost some disciples…so this would be an opportunity for him to regain some of them. Unfortunately, we detect a tone of sarcasm in the speech of the brothers that also betrays their intentions (v.5). They are not really concerned about Jesus’ life and ministry…and, indeed, they see this as an opportunity to ridicule Him. Jesus has already turned down the crowds’ offer to make Him king (6:15), and He also sees through this sad charade. Jesus could certainly perform some miracles at this time, but like so many things in His life, as well as in the lives of others -- it is all a matter of timing. This is not the right time for Jesus to reveal Himself to the world. He is living and ministering on a divine time table that is marked out by His Father. He exercises caution at this time, because He knows that the Jewish leaders are seeking to kill Him.

Through His character and His ministry, Jesus reveals the shallowness and the emptiness of the religious system of the Jewish leaders, and He is, indeed, calling them and all of the Jewish people back to the reality of life in and with God. As history reveals, the “religious system” often persecutes the very prophets of God who are sent to save it… including in our present day and time, which ought not to be. The Father has a plan for His Son, and nothing can spoil this plan…it is set in action. Jesus does not tempt the Father by rushing to the feast, nor does He lag behind when the proper time comes for Him to attend the feast. Spiritual discernment learns God’s timing. As we understand it, the debate rages on as to who this Jesus is – the religious leaders have an opinion, as well as the crowd…some of them believe He is a good man, others believe that He is a bad guy.

It is not an easy thing – to do what is right and be ridiculed for it. Many of us have probably been in this position. Several years ago, the Boy Scouts of America chose to take a stand on the basis of their principles against an Eagle Scout who claimed to be an atheist. One of the basic tenets of the Boy Scouts is the belief in a Supreme Being. Because some people do not believe in a Supreme Being, they believe that they are being discriminated against…yet, the Boy Scouts of America is a private organization and not a public entity. The Boy Scouts set their own by-laws and have every right to do so, and I admire them for this. Even though they may be persecuted by certain groups who do not agree with them, they continue to stand steadfast behind their by-laws and beliefs. To the present day...certain people, those of us who are believers, find ourselves in a similar situation, in some respects, but where the shoe is on the other foot, so to speak. A group of people have chosen to make a case regarding what they believe, and are facing persecution for it. With respect to the emotions involved in the situation, just as the atheists needed to (but did not necessarily) show proper respect and restraint in their particular situation and campaign, so we who are believers in Christ have an opportunity to respond in a different, yet forthright, manner. After all, if we react in the same way as the atheists…rather than respond appropriately...are we then viewed any better than them in the eyes of onlookers? Indeed, we are viewed worse.

At times, we find ourselves in the same position as the Lord, or as the Boy Scouts. How do we handle ridicule or rudeness when it comes our way? We can react in kind…and return ridicule for ridicule (which I have done, by the way...and contrary to popular belief...one doesn't necessarily feel better for doing so). This is the way that many folks deal with adversity. Jesus models for us how to respond. Be forthright, be steady – be yourself. Do the right thing. Continue doing what you do and don’t be deterred. It requires courage to stand up, forthrightly, as did the Boy Scouts…this sends the greatest and most positive message. It says, “I will be consistent in my belief and in my walk, come what may.” This is the definition of integrity. God will be pleased and will bless us if we do His will…no matter what seeks to throw us off course. Not only this, but He will give us the strength to stand. So, take a right and proper stand for your belief system…not in a reactive way, but proactively. Seek to make a positive difference for the Lord in your convictions…and positive things will happen.

Blessings,
Don

Mavericks On a Roll

Friends,

If you have read my sports posts...I do not do NBA messages very often. And when I have, it seems like it has been a lament about my former team, the Sonics moving to OKC. I have not truly been a big basketball fan since Jack Sikma, Gus Williams and the Johnsons were on the floor leading Lenny Wilkens' SuperSonics to NBA Finals appearances in the late 70s. Yet, it is pretty hard to ignore the 13 game (going for 14 tonight) winning streak of the Dallas Mavericks. Every since they made the trade to obtain guard Caron Butler, big man Brendan Haywood, and back up DeShawn Stevenson, they have been unstoppable. If they keep this up, I might just have to become a "fan," which would be saying something. :-) The last team that I found myself "sort of" rooting for was the Spurs teams of David Robinson (terrific fellow and basketball player) in the 90s. My only big hang up in following the Mavs...and I know it's probably blasphemy to Mavs fans...is that I am not a fan of Dirk Nowitzki. Nonetheless, I am impressed. I hope that they can ride this momentum into the playoffs. Nothing would make me happier in the sports Spring of 2010, but to have the Mavericks knock the much disliked Lakers out of the playoffs. So, for now, I am on the bandwagon...to a degree -- go Mavs!

Blessings,
Don

Addendum...ok, tonight has to be proof from above that I should not be a basketball fan, as the Mavs were spanked by the lowly Knicks to end their winning streak. :-P

Covenant for Peace

Friends,

James Strahan shares, “Men are not to be judged by the presence or absence of faults, but by the direction of their lives.” Abraham has made some mistakes in his life, but has learned from them. After being at odds with his neighbor, Abimilech, king of Philistia, Abraham enters into an agreement…he makes an oath with Abimilech that they should be able to live in an honest and trustworthy relationship with respect to one another (Genesis 21:22ff).

The fact that some of Abimilech’s servants have seized Abraham’s well comes to light, which wold violate their oath. Abraham brings the facts concerning the situation to his neighbor, but Abimilech knows nothing about it. Only the Lord understands whether or not Abimilech is telling the truth, but Abraham makes certain that it is a dead issue. This time the two leaders go beyond giving a mere oath to actually making a covenant which involves the slaying of an animal. This is where the expression “to cut a covenant” has its origin. Abraham and Abimilech do so, and by walking between the sacrificial animal, they are saying, in effect, that they should become as the slain animal if one of them should break their covenant. This signifies just how serious a matter covenant is, and how serious that this matter is for them. Another result of this situation is that a new name for God is introduced here – El Olam, “The Everlasting God”. Abraham has already known God as El Elyon, “God Most High” and El Shaddai, “God Almighty.” What an encouragement to know “the Everlasting God” as the result of this situation. The things of this earth -- wells, trees, treaties – pass away, but not God. He remains forever!

In a recent interview, actor Mark Harmon was asked, “what is the most mysterious thing about life?’ He said, “Peace” -- an interesting answer. Just as war comes from the heart, so does peace. We must not give our hearts and lives over to being in conflict with people…and certainly not our neighbors or our friends. A preacher friend of mine said one time – “if you want to know what kind of a person I am, go ask my neighbor…he will tell you the truth.” As much as it depends upon us, we all have a responsibility to make peace and to live in peace with one another. If Abraham, the great man of faith, could beat the odds with another despite sin and mistakes, far be it from us to think that we cannot also do the same. We all end up in this position from time to time in life…yet, the true measure of a man or a woman, spiritually, is whether we can forgive and make peace. How are we able to do this? Just as Abraham and Ahimilech covenanted before God, so God has covenanted with us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God gave up His Son so that He would come and give His life for us that we could have the opportunity for eternal life. This is why we frequently call the New Testament, the new covenant. God’s covenant with us guarantees us peace with Him...if we accept it.

Blessings,
Don

Has Nascar Sold Its Soul?

Friends,

As I have mentioned before...been a big Nascar fan since I was a young 'un. This year, the sport faces a host of issues. Attendance has been decreasing for a few years now since it's height at the turn of the millenium. The cause? There are a number in my estimation. One, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has not lived up to his potential or his name in the eyes of many and, for the most part, has been irrelevant on the track in recent years. Not having the most popular guy in the sport do well is, well...unpopular. Second, the same guy has won the Sprint Cup four years in a row...Jimmy Johnson, Mr Personality (being a little facetious, here). A lot of people have not been excited about Jimmy, because they say he is a boring champion (unlike Earnhardt Sr., Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart). And all of this, even though he and crew chief Chad Knauss have obviously had the best team, or they're at least running the best racket -- (you know...Nascar's unwritten code...if you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin' -- wink wink ;-). Nevertheless, folks are tired of him winning the whole thing all the time.

The biggest gripe from the fans is that the racing has become stale, boring -- "let 'em race like they used to in the old days," has been the cry...you know, rubbing is racing. So, this year, Nascar VP, Robin Pemberton said at the beginning of the year -- "Boys, have at it." Did the drivers have to take it so literal? The racing and the action have been more exciting to be certain...especially the always potential three tries for a green/white/checker finish. This past Sunday at Atlanta, Carl Edwards and the #99, purposely put the big hurt on Brad Keselowski in the #12 with seven laps to go, spinning him out. Kesleowski's car, then, went airborne and hit the wall upside down on the top of the car. Keselowski was unhurt, but Edwards was unremorseful for what he said was "retaliation...absolutely." Edwards and Keselowski have had a history of altercations, as Keselowski "accidentally" clipped Edwards last year, sending him flying into the wall and fence and stole a race from him on the last lap. Keselowski also hit Edwards early on in Sundays race and sent him to the garage for the better part of it, costing him any opportunity to win. Most of his fellow-drivers are probably patting Edwards on the back when no one is looking, as Keselowski has had on-track dust ups with a number of drivers.

So, the dilemma is this -- the Nascar purists love this...the "let 'em smack each other around" mentality and resulting action. The Pemberton dictum has made certain that this has been the case. Others are saying that this is setting a very bad and dangerous precedent, as we now have Nascar drivers with short memories and fuses delivering the equivalent of a 95 mph fastball to the chin...only in cars going 190 mph. They say that this is going to lead to the death of a driver or fans in the stands as the result of a car or its parts flying into them. It is, indeed, a sticky wicket. Well...the cautious fans have been saying that Edwards should be suspended for at least four races and lose points. The purists have been saying...no suspension or fine -- leave 'em all alone. It seems that the Nascar higher-ups have chosen to side with the purists (and did they really have a choice...having set themselves up for such with their preseason proclamation?), as Edwards has received a three race probation, but no fine or suspension...hardly even a slap on the wrist, really. Well...Nascar and its fans are getting what they have bargained for...and wanted. It has made the racing and the rubbing more exciting (which I like...within reason), but at what ultimate price? I guess...and I'm afraid...that we will see. Blessings,

Don

Neighbors...You Gotta Love Them

Friends,

A person tells this interesting story...
My sister has a small 60 acre family farm that was annexed into the city about 15 years ago. While she still maintains it as a horse farm most of the adjoining property around her has since been sold for residential development. For the most part she gets along fine with her neighbors but she has one neighbor who took it upon himself to cut a barbed wire fence, fill in a perimeter drainage ditch and extend his lawn another two acres into her field. The property has twice been officially surveyed and the neighbor was served with a written notice for encroaching on her land. On top of that she has twice taken him to court for property damages for cutting the fencing, yet he continues to extend his lawn more and more. One day in early spring, I was at the farm and sis was at wits end as to how to deal with this character. I said, "No problem sis, I will get his attention today"

I went and got the trusty, old John Deere farm tractor out and gave the horse barn a thorough spring cleaning, removing about 4 tons of manure, which I loaded on the manure spreader. I, then, hauled it to the back of the property where the neighbor was happily puttering along on his little Craftsman riding mower. I went right up close to the property line and dropped the manure spreader in gear, then I ran parallel to the fence making sure that nothing was being thrown over the fence but making a good ground cover at the state mandated maximum rate of two tons per acre. I made one pass and when I turned around to come back on the parallel track the neighbor walks out in the fields and asks "What on earth do you think your doing?" I said, "Simple buddy, I am just spreading all the manure you’ve been passing on to us?"

The neighbor then pulled out a cell phone and called the police. An officer came and asked me what I was doing? I said, “I am spreading horse manure in preparation for plowing this field, it’s technically called ‘organic farming’…you don’t have a problem with that, do you?" I then got off the tractor and walked the officer over to the property line and showed him the survey stakes and where the neighbor had actually cut the fence. The officer then went over to the neighbor…who was livid…shouting all kinds of stuff about health regulations, and other things. The officer then pulled out his pad and asked the neighbor for his ID. The neighbor thought the officer wanted his information to file a complaint against me, so he immediately handed his license to the officer, all the while still pointing at me and shouting obscenities and nonsense about health laws and such. Imagine the neighbor’s surprise when the officer handed him a citation for cutting the fence, filling a drainage ditch and trespassing, then telling him that what I was doing was perfectly legal and normal functions for a working farm. The officer then waved at me and hollered "have a good day, and by the way, if this guy gives you any more problems call me, next time I come out here, I'm gonna haul him in."

I love it when a plan comes together, don’t you? :-) More about neighbors later...

Blessings,
Don

City in Space

Friends,

Here are two shots of the International Space Station from the space shuttle Endeavor when it visited last month. It is the largest man-made creation ever to orbit above the earth and can easily be seen with the naked eye if you happen to catch it going by. As I have mentioned previously, it is due to be completed in the next couple of years. There is currently an international crew of five astronauts aboard. There will be just a few more shuttle flights, as the fleet is due to be retired at the end of this year, but the ISS will continue to be supplied by

Russian rocket ships that will rendezvous with it. The bottom picture is of an astronaut working outside of the station on the same mission. I would love to be able to see the Earth from this point of view.

Blessing, Don

See You in Sochi

Friends,

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver are officially over...and so now we wait four looong years before we get to enjoy the excitement of certain sports that we only watch and enjoy every four years...unfortunately. As we saw in the closing ceremonies last night, the next games will be in Sochi, Russia, which prompted the question (for me) -- where in the world is Sochi, Russia? I have to confess that I am having to struggle with a place name that sounds like something I eat at a Chinese Buffet. Nonetheless, I had to map it and find out that it is on the NE edge of the Black Sea...just north of Georgia (the country, that is :-).

This allows for a sad segue. I believe that these Olympic Games will forever be shadowed and remembered, in large part, for the death of the Georgian luger before the games even began...which was tragic. Yet, that sobering moment may also have some ultimate good in a sense, as it gave the world a moment to consider the bigger picture as it relates to athletics. Perhaps, it gave pause to consider how we are all humans, and that we're all in this "life and death struggle" together...not just as Americans, Canadians, Russians, Chinese, etc.

Some other moments that were memorable for me. Though I turned to the Big-Hockey-Game-for-All-of-North-American-Bragging-Rights just in time to see the medal ceremony, it obviously had a lot of build up...especially since the U.S. pulled off such a huge upset of the Canadians in preliminary play. I did see the highlights, and it certainly lived up to its billing, even if the Canadians did win it in overtime.

What can I say...curling rocks (pun intended :-). The only other sport where the Canadians really defeated the Americans in an event (national pride, you know). The American curling team, which won bronze in 2006, was a woeful 2-7. Curling is a game of inches...and, even though you have to respect these ordinary Joes who seem like genuinely good guys...they didn't get it done in the clutch. Oh well...hopefully, they will have a better showing in Sushi (Sochi).

Bode Miller made a dramatic return to form after partying out of the 2006 games. I am thankful that he had the will and the skill to come back and redeem himself, so to speak. I like these kind of stories. I am not really a big Bode Miller fan, but I am proud of him, nonetheless. I was glad that Lindsey Vonn won the gold and the bronze in two of her premier events, but she was something of a disappointment in failing to complete her other three events. She was really the poster child of these games, which was not her doing...but, she was NBC and the media's darling. She did show some courage to race while wounded, but, to be honest, she just wasn't as classy or real as Julia Mancuso, who won two skiing silver medals in these games to go with her gold in 2006.

As I have said in a previous post, I love all of the speed events...bobsled, luge, speed skating, and the aforementioned skiing. A shout out to the U.S. men's four man bobsled team...and to Geoffrey Bodine, former NASCAR driver for building a sled...that could win the gold medal. The Americans hadn't done anything in this event in 60 plus years, which makes me wonder what those bobsleds looked like. The ladies also won a bronze in the two man (woman) bobsled, which was great. I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to say congratulations to Emily's fave, Apolo Ohno, who finished his career with an American record eight total Olympic medals. Apolo got robbed in one race, but got a gift in another, so I guess everything evened out. And not just because he is from my home state of Washington, I think Apolo is a genuine guy who has been a good ambassador for our U.S. Olympic team for three Olympic Games now. Way to go.

Even though I, generally, haven't been into figure skating...the best story of these Olympic games was the bronze medal performance of Joannie Rochette of Canada. Sadly, she had lost her mother to an unexpected heart attack two days before she was going to perform. She did an amazing job in both her short program and long program. It took a lot of fortitude and will to do as wonderfully as she did...and there were few dry eyes that watched her perform her short program. She was able to cap off her Olympics by carrying her Canadian flag in the closing ceremonies.

But, I really am going to save what was the best for last for me...and you're going to go -- really? I absolutely loved watching the men's nordic combined team do something that had never been done by anyone on an American Olympic team...and that was win team and individual medals in the nordic combined (ski jumping and cross country skiing). Maybe it is because the cross country aspect works, in so many ways, like cycling, (which I also love watching), but Bill DeMong and Johnny Spillane just made these games for me. Thanks and congratulations to them...as they did such a remarkable job of getting medals in events where we simply had done very little before -- very cool. Til 2014...au revior.

Blessings,
Don