Friends,
We are often enticed to look down at the ground so to speak, as if the earth or nature is going to provide answers to life’s questions and struggles. We also tend to look around at other people hoping for a solution to our insecurities and issues. What we need to do, rather than looking down or looking around is just take some time to look up -- not just because we need to see God’s beauty in creation or in the night sky, but to keep our spiritual focus on things above. Too often in life, we let our circumstances dictate our actions, our thoughts, even the way we see things. Too often we do not notice the beauty that we are surrounded by or the special heavenly gifts our Heavenly Father bestows upon us. We even forget about the answers to our morning prayers that are faithfully fulfilled during each and every day. We have blurry spiritual eyes, and we need to put on our heavenly eyeglasses in order to see reality. As long as we limit our view to an earthly perspective, we will miss the daily blessings bestowed on us from our Father in heaven. Only by concentrating on Jesus and walking with Him will our view be lifted up high. Only then will we be able to see our circumstances from God's viewpoint. All fear will leave us, as we will know that we have indeed a caring Father in Heaven. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Sound of Music
Friends,
This is no ordinary fare for me on the blog, but just coudn't resist. I saw a friend "like" the Sound of Music on facebook, and so I did the same, knowing that there are other "musicals" enthusiasts out there. Now, I have come to realize why -- today is the 45th anniversary of the release of the movie, and the lead cast made an appearance on Oprah today (imagine that :-). Anyway, for the sake of nostaliga, and with the promise that I wil get back to one of the main themes for this blog soon, here are some pics to ponder...
Blessings, Don
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Upside Down League
Friends,
Today is the beginning of the NBA season, and...it just doesn't hold much allure to me. As I have blogged before, the NBA is so predictable. We know that the same six teams or so are going to fighting it out to the end with the Lakers winning the title again -- boring. So, now we come to the NFL and the 2010 season where there is not too much that has been predictable. Most folks expected the Jets, Colts, Steelers, Ravens and Patriots to be atop the AFC, but the Chiefs have unexpectedly cast themselves into the mix The Texans and Titans, from the South, are also playing well, which creates some real drama for that division. It is the NFC that has analysts and common folks collectively scratching their heads. The Cowboys were supposed to be the first team to host a Super Bowl at home...and they find themselves 1-5, now, and do not have their starting QB, Tony Romo, for most of the rest of the season. The Giants started out an awful 1-2 in the East, but have reeled off four wins in a row in rather impressive fashion, and now may be the team to beat in the NFC. That is, unless the Seahawks (4-2), Buccaneers (4-2) and Redskins (4-3) do not have something to say about it -- you're kidding me right? These three teams have been bottom dwellers the past few years, but here they are atop or near the top of their divisions. Ahhh...gotta love the NFL, where parity is a reality. On any given Sunday, any team can beat another team...and in any given year, a bottom feeder can rise to the top, and a top dog can sink to the bottom.
The big drama for week 7 involved none other than Brett Favre. This week, the news was more related to on-field issues than off-field (which is good, I guess). Favre came out of yet another rough start...against the Packers, no less...and now has two small fractures in his already banged up ankle. He was also publicly criticized by his coach...and here I thought that Favre was the coach. :-) The big drama is whether his 291 start streak is in jeopardy. With 99 percent of NFL QBs, it most certainly would be, but...we're talking about the Old Gunslinger here. He will tell them that he is going to play and they will probably shoot his ankle with some painkillers and send him out there for week 8 against the Patriots. One begins to get the idea (which I have already pondered, actually), that Favre will not come off the field until they cart him off, once and for all...and it could happen this Sunday. I do believe that when this happens, that he will be finished...but, how can anyone say for certain(?).
It is apparent that the Saints aren't marching anywhere this year without running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. Thankfully, they are both slated to be back in New Orleans' lineup this week...and none too soon, since Sean Payton's bunch was thumped by the steadily improving, but perennially lowly, Cleveland Browns 30-17. Thomas' running style is the solid, pounding variety that backups have been unable to provide. Bush provides such an unpredictable element that opposing defenses have to plan for...and it keeps opposing coordinators off-balance. The Saints will be happy to have his shifty, quick bursts back in the offense.
Finally, when I checked the scores around lunch-time Sunday, you know that I had to do a double-take when I saw the score -- Raiders 31-Broncos 0 -- with 13 minutes left in the second quarter. This was almost surreal. The Raiders have been nothing, if not terrible, on offense since Rich Gannon left nearly a decade ago. Meanwhile, the Broncos have not had that poor of a showing this year, even though they were 2-4 coming in o last weekend. There had to be much rejoicing for Raider nation when the final outcome was 59-14 in favor of the silver and black. A person just has to wonder...one, if the Raiders can possibly keep this up, and two, just how long of a leash does young Josh McDaniels have with Pat Bowlen's pride and joy? Well, there is much that remains to be seen as the final ten weeks unfold. I have to believe that major injuries, like Favre's and Romo's, are going to continue to play a major part as the season unfolds (and the higher-ups want to expand the season to 18 games???). At the rate that things have been changing this year...I am willing to bet that it is going to get very interesting before it is all said and done.
Blessings,
Don
P.S. Yes, Dolphin fans, you were robbed of a win...we Seahawk fans remember a Big Ben wrong call around the goal-line in Super Bowl XL painfully well...
Today is the beginning of the NBA season, and...it just doesn't hold much allure to me. As I have blogged before, the NBA is so predictable. We know that the same six teams or so are going to fighting it out to the end with the Lakers winning the title again -- boring. So, now we come to the NFL and the 2010 season where there is not too much that has been predictable. Most folks expected the Jets, Colts, Steelers, Ravens and Patriots to be atop the AFC, but the Chiefs have unexpectedly cast themselves into the mix The Texans and Titans, from the South, are also playing well, which creates some real drama for that division. It is the NFC that has analysts and common folks collectively scratching their heads. The Cowboys were supposed to be the first team to host a Super Bowl at home...and they find themselves 1-5, now, and do not have their starting QB, Tony Romo, for most of the rest of the season. The Giants started out an awful 1-2 in the East, but have reeled off four wins in a row in rather impressive fashion, and now may be the team to beat in the NFC. That is, unless the Seahawks (4-2), Buccaneers (4-2) and Redskins (4-3) do not have something to say about it -- you're kidding me right? These three teams have been bottom dwellers the past few years, but here they are atop or near the top of their divisions. Ahhh...gotta love the NFL, where parity is a reality. On any given Sunday, any team can beat another team...and in any given year, a bottom feeder can rise to the top, and a top dog can sink to the bottom.
The big drama for week 7 involved none other than Brett Favre. This week, the news was more related to on-field issues than off-field (which is good, I guess). Favre came out of yet another rough start...against the Packers, no less...and now has two small fractures in his already banged up ankle. He was also publicly criticized by his coach...and here I thought that Favre was the coach. :-) The big drama is whether his 291 start streak is in jeopardy. With 99 percent of NFL QBs, it most certainly would be, but...we're talking about the Old Gunslinger here. He will tell them that he is going to play and they will probably shoot his ankle with some painkillers and send him out there for week 8 against the Patriots. One begins to get the idea (which I have already pondered, actually), that Favre will not come off the field until they cart him off, once and for all...and it could happen this Sunday. I do believe that when this happens, that he will be finished...but, how can anyone say for certain(?).
It is apparent that the Saints aren't marching anywhere this year without running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. Thankfully, they are both slated to be back in New Orleans' lineup this week...and none too soon, since Sean Payton's bunch was thumped by the steadily improving, but perennially lowly, Cleveland Browns 30-17. Thomas' running style is the solid, pounding variety that backups have been unable to provide. Bush provides such an unpredictable element that opposing defenses have to plan for...and it keeps opposing coordinators off-balance. The Saints will be happy to have his shifty, quick bursts back in the offense.
Finally, when I checked the scores around lunch-time Sunday, you know that I had to do a double-take when I saw the score -- Raiders 31-Broncos 0 -- with 13 minutes left in the second quarter. This was almost surreal. The Raiders have been nothing, if not terrible, on offense since Rich Gannon left nearly a decade ago. Meanwhile, the Broncos have not had that poor of a showing this year, even though they were 2-4 coming in o last weekend. There had to be much rejoicing for Raider nation when the final outcome was 59-14 in favor of the silver and black. A person just has to wonder...one, if the Raiders can possibly keep this up, and two, just how long of a leash does young Josh McDaniels have with Pat Bowlen's pride and joy? Well, there is much that remains to be seen as the final ten weeks unfold. I have to believe that major injuries, like Favre's and Romo's, are going to continue to play a major part as the season unfolds (and the higher-ups want to expand the season to 18 games???). At the rate that things have been changing this year...I am willing to bet that it is going to get very interesting before it is all said and done.
Blessings,
Don
P.S. Yes, Dolphin fans, you were robbed of a win...we Seahawk fans remember a Big Ben wrong call around the goal-line in Super Bowl XL painfully well...
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Rangers' First World Series
Friends,
It has to be a dream come true for two groups of people that the Texas Rangers have reached their first World Series...die-hard Rangers fans who have waited for 39 years for their team to finally arrive, as well as the Dallas Cowboys, who have to be pleased that the Rangers are taking a lot of attention away from them and their underachieving season. In fact, I think Jerry and Co. should send a big thank you note to Nolan and Co. signed by all in the Cowboys organization. ;-) But, seriously...it is a wonderful things that the Rangers have left the short list of team never to play in a World Series...with the Seattle Mariners and the Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos being the only other teams not to make the big stage. So, as a lifelong Mariners fan before I moved to Texas, and now a die hard Rangers fan...one has to know how painful a baseball journey it has been for yours truly, and how much of a joy it is to see Texas arrive at baseball's pinnacle series.
Now, the wait is over...it is show time! The Rangers will play the San Francisco Giants, a team that has not been to the World Series since 2002 in the middle of the Barry Bonds era. It should be an interseting matchup between a power pitching team (Giants) and the power hitting Rangers. The old adage is that good pitching will always beat good hitting, but those people didn't play the 2010 Rangers who have been just tearing the cover off the ball in the postseason. I will say this...if the Giants pitch like the Yankees, this will be a short series in favor of the Rangers. If they pitch well, I still like the Rangers' pitching ace in the hole, Cliff Lee to carry them to their first World Series title. It may take six or seven games, but I do like the intangibles of Nolan's group. They have an awful lot of momentum and team spirit right now. As I mentioned in a recent blog, it is hard not to credit the dramatic and positive influence that Josh Hamilton has been on this team's success. Josh has an incredible story...and what a story book finish it will be if he can do his part to help lead Texas to the baseball promised land. Go Rangers!
Blessings,
Don
It has to be a dream come true for two groups of people that the Texas Rangers have reached their first World Series...die-hard Rangers fans who have waited for 39 years for their team to finally arrive, as well as the Dallas Cowboys, who have to be pleased that the Rangers are taking a lot of attention away from them and their underachieving season. In fact, I think Jerry and Co. should send a big thank you note to Nolan and Co. signed by all in the Cowboys organization. ;-) But, seriously...it is a wonderful things that the Rangers have left the short list of team never to play in a World Series...with the Seattle Mariners and the Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos being the only other teams not to make the big stage. So, as a lifelong Mariners fan before I moved to Texas, and now a die hard Rangers fan...one has to know how painful a baseball journey it has been for yours truly, and how much of a joy it is to see Texas arrive at baseball's pinnacle series.
Now, the wait is over...it is show time! The Rangers will play the San Francisco Giants, a team that has not been to the World Series since 2002 in the middle of the Barry Bonds era. It should be an interseting matchup between a power pitching team (Giants) and the power hitting Rangers. The old adage is that good pitching will always beat good hitting, but those people didn't play the 2010 Rangers who have been just tearing the cover off the ball in the postseason. I will say this...if the Giants pitch like the Yankees, this will be a short series in favor of the Rangers. If they pitch well, I still like the Rangers' pitching ace in the hole, Cliff Lee to carry them to their first World Series title. It may take six or seven games, but I do like the intangibles of Nolan's group. They have an awful lot of momentum and team spirit right now. As I mentioned in a recent blog, it is hard not to credit the dramatic and positive influence that Josh Hamilton has been on this team's success. Josh has an incredible story...and what a story book finish it will be if he can do his part to help lead Texas to the baseball promised land. Go Rangers!
Blessings,
Don
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Bigger...Stronger...Faster
Friends,
There has been a lot of talk this week about the safety of NFL players by those who are administrators for the league. After four highly visible, devastating helmet to helmet hits this past weekend that resulted in concussions, it was decided today that there will be immediate fines and suspensions for such hits...even for first time offenders. This has, predictably, created an uproar among NFL commentators (many of them former players) and current players. Many of these former and current athletes believe that the rules changes that are being implemented today are going to cause the NFL to become "softer" and make guys "let up on their hits." They claim that this is antithetical to what football and the NFL is all about...and that is -- the goal for the defender is to try to separate the offensive player from the ball. This may be true, but some wiser heads are saying that the enforcement of the safety rules that are already in place concerning helmet to helmet hits is necessary for the short term and long term well-being of the players.
The NFL does have a problem. Players today are bigger, stronger and faster than those who played even ten years ago. When these guys collide with one another going umpteen miles per hour (which seems to have the impact of a car wreck, in my estimation), concussions continue to mount. In fact, there are twice as many concussions this year than there were at this same time last year. Those players who made the controversial plays this past Sunday, James Harrison of the Steelers, Brandon Merriweather of the Patriots and Dunta Robinson of the Falcons have been fined ($75,000, $50,000 and $50,000 respectively) by the league for their hits. They have complained that the penalties are unfair...in fact, Steelers linebacker, James Harrison, who has already had a reputation as a player with questionable tactics, has even hinted that he will retire rather than change his ways. (To this, I say -- go ahead and retire...perhaps this will make a contribution toward cleaning up the game). This is going to be a difficult process and it is a challenging and controversial subject...there can be no doubt. Yet, contrary to the fear-mongering, I do not believe that the purpose of the NFL higher-ups is to "soften" the game at all, but it is to take away that cheap shots that threaten players' careers...and to this, I applaud them. I want to see my favorite sport...and the favorite sport of millions of Americans...continue to grow and prosper. If this is going to take place, then there are going to have to be some necessary adjustments. I really hope that the leaders of the league do not disturb the integrity of the game, but they do need to keep their own integrity intact by making these necessary changes.
Blessings,
Don
There has been a lot of talk this week about the safety of NFL players by those who are administrators for the league. After four highly visible, devastating helmet to helmet hits this past weekend that resulted in concussions, it was decided today that there will be immediate fines and suspensions for such hits...even for first time offenders. This has, predictably, created an uproar among NFL commentators (many of them former players) and current players. Many of these former and current athletes believe that the rules changes that are being implemented today are going to cause the NFL to become "softer" and make guys "let up on their hits." They claim that this is antithetical to what football and the NFL is all about...and that is -- the goal for the defender is to try to separate the offensive player from the ball. This may be true, but some wiser heads are saying that the enforcement of the safety rules that are already in place concerning helmet to helmet hits is necessary for the short term and long term well-being of the players.
The NFL does have a problem. Players today are bigger, stronger and faster than those who played even ten years ago. When these guys collide with one another going umpteen miles per hour (which seems to have the impact of a car wreck, in my estimation), concussions continue to mount. In fact, there are twice as many concussions this year than there were at this same time last year. Those players who made the controversial plays this past Sunday, James Harrison of the Steelers, Brandon Merriweather of the Patriots and Dunta Robinson of the Falcons have been fined ($75,000, $50,000 and $50,000 respectively) by the league for their hits. They have complained that the penalties are unfair...in fact, Steelers linebacker, James Harrison, who has already had a reputation as a player with questionable tactics, has even hinted that he will retire rather than change his ways. (To this, I say -- go ahead and retire...perhaps this will make a contribution toward cleaning up the game). This is going to be a difficult process and it is a challenging and controversial subject...there can be no doubt. Yet, contrary to the fear-mongering, I do not believe that the purpose of the NFL higher-ups is to "soften" the game at all, but it is to take away that cheap shots that threaten players' careers...and to this, I applaud them. I want to see my favorite sport...and the favorite sport of millions of Americans...continue to grow and prosper. If this is going to take place, then there are going to have to be some necessary adjustments. I really hope that the leaders of the league do not disturb the integrity of the game, but they do need to keep their own integrity intact by making these necessary changes.
Blessings,
Don
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Magnificent Lee
Friends,
After Cliff Lee's remarkable pitching performance in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, people are beginning to talk. After Lee shut down the Yankees, allowing two hits over eight innings...and following two stellar performances against the Rays in the ALDS...some are beginning to speculate that he may be on the short list all-time of great playoff pitchers. In fact, there are a lot of prisoner-of-the-moment sports folks who are already saying that he IS already the all-time best playoff pitcher. I don't know about this just yet, but I will say this -- when your name is being mentioned with the likes of Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax and Christy Mathewson, as well as Mariano Rivera, you have entered into some mighty elite company. Lee has a 7-0 record and a miniscule 1.26 ERA over eight career post-season starts. It just so happens that he is pitching for the Texas Rangers who have had zero post-season highlights in their history...that is, until this year. Now, thanks to him and his teammates' marvelous efforts, Nolan Ryan's team is but a couple of wins away from their first World Series. Now, this isn't going to be a cakewalk. After all, the Rangers are playing the Yankees...they of the 27 World Series Championships in their history, and defending MLB Champions. It may not be easy, but I do like Texas' chances. Here's to hoping that Mr. Lee gets the opportunity to pursue and win his first World Series title so that he may remove all doubt as to who is the most dominant playoff pitcher of all-time.
Blessings,
Don
After Cliff Lee's remarkable pitching performance in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, people are beginning to talk. After Lee shut down the Yankees, allowing two hits over eight innings...and following two stellar performances against the Rays in the ALDS...some are beginning to speculate that he may be on the short list all-time of great playoff pitchers. In fact, there are a lot of prisoner-of-the-moment sports folks who are already saying that he IS already the all-time best playoff pitcher. I don't know about this just yet, but I will say this -- when your name is being mentioned with the likes of Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax and Christy Mathewson, as well as Mariano Rivera, you have entered into some mighty elite company. Lee has a 7-0 record and a miniscule 1.26 ERA over eight career post-season starts. It just so happens that he is pitching for the Texas Rangers who have had zero post-season highlights in their history...that is, until this year. Now, thanks to him and his teammates' marvelous efforts, Nolan Ryan's team is but a couple of wins away from their first World Series. Now, this isn't going to be a cakewalk. After all, the Rangers are playing the Yankees...they of the 27 World Series Championships in their history, and defending MLB Champions. It may not be easy, but I do like Texas' chances. Here's to hoping that Mr. Lee gets the opportunity to pursue and win his first World Series title so that he may remove all doubt as to who is the most dominant playoff pitcher of all-time.
Blessings,
Don
Monday, October 18, 2010
Into the Light
Friends,
Some thoughts for my friend, Jim, :-) and anyone else that may be blessed... At this point, you are aware of the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who had been trapped for 70 days about a mile underground. It has been a joy to see the footage of the reunions and just to know that these men who could very easily have perished far underground are now safe above ground. It has also been interesting to hear and read some the parallels that have come about as the result of this story. How similar is this experience to our own experience in coming from the darkness and into the light? It is hard not to see how God can use this event in this way. It is interesting that it took a steel encased tube to be the conduit by which rescuers could lift up these men out of the ground and back to safety. In a like way, Jesus is our "conduit" who leads us out of the darkness and into the Light. It was hard not to notice the miners' sunshades provided to protect their eyes. To come from such darkness as the depths of the earth into the light of the sun would be an incredibly bright prospect, indeed. Jesus Christ was lifted up on a cross so that we could come out of the darkness of this world and into the marvelous light of His life. I am sure that for many, the transition from the world to the Light is at first blinding, but as we get accustomed to seeing with spiritual sight, we are able to "see" the darkness for what it is...and appreciate and enjoy the Light of Him who came to rescue us.
Blessings,
Don
Some thoughts for my friend, Jim, :-) and anyone else that may be blessed... At this point, you are aware of the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who had been trapped for 70 days about a mile underground. It has been a joy to see the footage of the reunions and just to know that these men who could very easily have perished far underground are now safe above ground. It has also been interesting to hear and read some the parallels that have come about as the result of this story. How similar is this experience to our own experience in coming from the darkness and into the light? It is hard not to see how God can use this event in this way. It is interesting that it took a steel encased tube to be the conduit by which rescuers could lift up these men out of the ground and back to safety. In a like way, Jesus is our "conduit" who leads us out of the darkness and into the Light. It was hard not to notice the miners' sunshades provided to protect their eyes. To come from such darkness as the depths of the earth into the light of the sun would be an incredibly bright prospect, indeed. Jesus Christ was lifted up on a cross so that we could come out of the darkness of this world and into the marvelous light of His life. I am sure that for many, the transition from the world to the Light is at first blinding, but as we get accustomed to seeing with spiritual sight, we are able to "see" the darkness for what it is...and appreciate and enjoy the Light of Him who came to rescue us.
Blessings,
Don
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Saturn's Rings Distortion
Friends,
If you thought that tsunamis were particular only to our home planet...not so. There are enormous, mile-high tsunamis of ice particles that are moving around the interior of Saturn's rings...and it makes for an interesting spectacle. The waves are created by the largest of Saturn's moons, Titan, whose gravity provides for the dynamic effect of huge peaks and gaps. Below is an graphic rendition of what this looks like...
Blessings,
Don
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The Rangers Do Things the Right Way
Friends,
There is a pleasing story running on AOL Fanhouse concerning the Rangers. The Rangers celebrated their ALDS clinching win with Ginger Ale instead of champagne, so as not to cause teammate Josh Hamilton stumble. (He has battled substance abuse in his past). Rather than ask for heads to roll when people make mistakes, as would many leaders and organizations in our pragmatic society, the Rangers organization chose to help Hamilton and Manager Ron Washington through their struggles this past year. So...is the ALCS opportunity as much about blessing as talent and strategy? Some may laugh, but one has to wonder... Yet, I will say this -- God rewards those who try to things the right way, and from all appearances, Nolan Ryan and the Texas Rangers baseball club are setting a good standard for other clubs and businesses to follow. We need more people today to show that it is not all about #1, but that selflessness and service are a route to blessing others...and as the result, blessings flow back.
Blessings,
Don
There is a pleasing story running on AOL Fanhouse concerning the Rangers. The Rangers celebrated their ALDS clinching win with Ginger Ale instead of champagne, so as not to cause teammate Josh Hamilton stumble. (He has battled substance abuse in his past). Rather than ask for heads to roll when people make mistakes, as would many leaders and organizations in our pragmatic society, the Rangers organization chose to help Hamilton and Manager Ron Washington through their struggles this past year. So...is the ALCS opportunity as much about blessing as talent and strategy? Some may laugh, but one has to wonder... Yet, I will say this -- God rewards those who try to things the right way, and from all appearances, Nolan Ryan and the Texas Rangers baseball club are setting a good standard for other clubs and businesses to follow. We need more people today to show that it is not all about #1, but that selflessness and service are a route to blessing others...and as the result, blessings flow back.
Blessings,
Don
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