Another good one from that same article:
Running back Steven Jackson says that for months he has been getting issues of several handgun magazines that were mistakenly mailed to him instead of Stephen Jackson of the Golden State Warriors.
In fact, just read the whole article, I guarantee a few laugh out louds!
Friday, August 17, 2007
In case you are not familiar with Najeh Davenport, other than being an NFL running back he became famous a few years ago for this.
Which is why the following quote from DJ Gallo on EPSN.com is so funny:
New head coach Mike Tomlin has punished players who show up late to meetings or practices by making them share a laundry basket with running back Najeh Davenport.
Which is why the following quote from DJ Gallo on EPSN.com is so funny:
New head coach Mike Tomlin has punished players who show up late to meetings or practices by making them share a laundry basket with running back Najeh Davenport.
I LOVE this article by Gregg Easterbrook! You have to read it in its entirety (it's not nearly as long as his TMQ's). I particularly enjoy the following quote:
Some commentators argue that Vick must be dealt with severely to "send a message" about athlete's behavior. No: Vick must be dealt with fairly, to send a message about justice.
He goes on to say how Vick shouldn't be sent a message to right the wrong that happened years ago in the Ray Lewis situation, namely that he wasn't punished harsh enough.
I couldn't agree more. I've never been a fan of making an example out of someone (though I did watch a Dateline a few weeks ago about an abusive husband who was made an example out of the by the judge, but though it was stated in those terms, I actually believe the sentence fit the crime).
I've fought this as a coach and teacher, too often I hear that a student or player must be "made an example of." I disagree, let the punishment fit the crime, if the player is engaged in conduct detrimental to the team, she should be removed, not to send a message to the other players but rather for the best of the team and their goals.
Some commentators argue that Vick must be dealt with severely to "send a message" about athlete's behavior. No: Vick must be dealt with fairly, to send a message about justice.
He goes on to say how Vick shouldn't be sent a message to right the wrong that happened years ago in the Ray Lewis situation, namely that he wasn't punished harsh enough.
I couldn't agree more. I've never been a fan of making an example out of someone (though I did watch a Dateline a few weeks ago about an abusive husband who was made an example out of the by the judge, but though it was stated in those terms, I actually believe the sentence fit the crime).
I've fought this as a coach and teacher, too often I hear that a student or player must be "made an example of." I disagree, let the punishment fit the crime, if the player is engaged in conduct detrimental to the team, she should be removed, not to send a message to the other players but rather for the best of the team and their goals.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
I was just humbled as I was going through some old mail and looked at a recent International Teams newsletter with the following quote from a Refugee Ministry Leader.
It was great to pray with believers from all over the world. I saw a Filipino serving in Japan praying over a Nigerian who is a US citizen and married to a Filipina with whom he serves Somali refugees in Kenya. I started praying with my eyes open after I realized what was happening.
The Nigerian US citizen is my good friend and brother Akindotun Modupe, the Filipina is his wife Ami who I am blessed to know. They are dear friends and faithful ministers of the Gospel! They just went through some tragic times and could use any extra prayers that would be offered up to our Father.
It was great to pray with believers from all over the world. I saw a Filipino serving in Japan praying over a Nigerian who is a US citizen and married to a Filipina with whom he serves Somali refugees in Kenya. I started praying with my eyes open after I realized what was happening.
The Nigerian US citizen is my good friend and brother Akindotun Modupe, the Filipina is his wife Ami who I am blessed to know. They are dear friends and faithful ministers of the Gospel! They just went through some tragic times and could use any extra prayers that would be offered up to our Father.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Interesting stuff from the latest Koinonia House newsletter:
A large number of young people are leaving the Church after high school, according to a survey of 1,023 Protestants age 18 to 30. While 35 percent of those who leave generally resume regular church attendance by age 30, and another 30 percent attend sporadically, significant numbers of Christian youth are leaving and never coming back.
"Too many youth groups are holding tanks with pizza. There's no life transformation taking place," said Ed Stetzer, director of Nashville-based LifeWay Research, which did the survey in April and May 2007. "People are looking for a faith that can change them and to be a part of changing the world."
Over half of church dropouts cited problems with the pastor or people at church, with over 40 percent saying they saw church members as hypocritical or insincere. Fifty-two percent of those surveyed said they had philosophical, religious, or political reasons for leaving.
What do we do to keep young adults engaged in Christianity?
Former atheist-turned-Christ-apologist Anthony Horvath argues that one of the biggest issues is that Christian youth are not being taught to defend their faith. Kids have major questions;
-Why is there evil and suffering in the world if God is good? -What is the evidence for God's existence?-What makes the Bible different from any other religious holy book?-Are the events of the Bible historical?
Horvath argues that kids do not simply need to be taught what the Bible says, they need to know how to defend their faith, as 1 Peter 3:15 says:
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
Older Christians and Christian parents need to research and do their homework so that they can be ready to answer the questions of their young people. Churches should make sure that their youth groups do more than hang out, sing, and eat pizza. While youth ministries should be a lot of fun, they need to be places where kids are trained in the knowledge of God, not simply entertained.
Just as important, both Christian youth and Christian adults need to shun hypocrisy. The teen years can be the hardest years of a person's life. They are often years of insecurity, filled with longings to be loved and accepted. If the Church fails to embrace these young people and demonstrate the true love and nurturing character of Christ, kids can be deeply hurt. It's tragic when people feel safer and freer to be themselves in a tavern than they do in a body of believers.
Only by being filled with the Spirit and in touch with the true heart of God can we be the models of Christ that we need to be to the next lost and dying generation. Only by building up our young people to be warriors of the faith can they be prepared to battle the world's philosophies as they grow into adults.
I really like the balance he lays out when he says that youth groups should be a lot of fun but should also be places where kids are trained in the knowledge and ways of our Lord.
Another great quote was the need to shun hypocrisy, which is so evident in the church that it makes me puke! Why can't we just be honest and admit that we are all sinners who are freely redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Is it that hard? Why do we need to play the game?
Any arguments?
A large number of young people are leaving the Church after high school, according to a survey of 1,023 Protestants age 18 to 30. While 35 percent of those who leave generally resume regular church attendance by age 30, and another 30 percent attend sporadically, significant numbers of Christian youth are leaving and never coming back.
"Too many youth groups are holding tanks with pizza. There's no life transformation taking place," said Ed Stetzer, director of Nashville-based LifeWay Research, which did the survey in April and May 2007. "People are looking for a faith that can change them and to be a part of changing the world."
Over half of church dropouts cited problems with the pastor or people at church, with over 40 percent saying they saw church members as hypocritical or insincere. Fifty-two percent of those surveyed said they had philosophical, religious, or political reasons for leaving.
What do we do to keep young adults engaged in Christianity?
Former atheist-turned-Christ-apologist Anthony Horvath argues that one of the biggest issues is that Christian youth are not being taught to defend their faith. Kids have major questions;
-Why is there evil and suffering in the world if God is good? -What is the evidence for God's existence?-What makes the Bible different from any other religious holy book?-Are the events of the Bible historical?
Horvath argues that kids do not simply need to be taught what the Bible says, they need to know how to defend their faith, as 1 Peter 3:15 says:
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
Older Christians and Christian parents need to research and do their homework so that they can be ready to answer the questions of their young people. Churches should make sure that their youth groups do more than hang out, sing, and eat pizza. While youth ministries should be a lot of fun, they need to be places where kids are trained in the knowledge of God, not simply entertained.
Just as important, both Christian youth and Christian adults need to shun hypocrisy. The teen years can be the hardest years of a person's life. They are often years of insecurity, filled with longings to be loved and accepted. If the Church fails to embrace these young people and demonstrate the true love and nurturing character of Christ, kids can be deeply hurt. It's tragic when people feel safer and freer to be themselves in a tavern than they do in a body of believers.
Only by being filled with the Spirit and in touch with the true heart of God can we be the models of Christ that we need to be to the next lost and dying generation. Only by building up our young people to be warriors of the faith can they be prepared to battle the world's philosophies as they grow into adults.
I really like the balance he lays out when he says that youth groups should be a lot of fun but should also be places where kids are trained in the knowledge and ways of our Lord.
Another great quote was the need to shun hypocrisy, which is so evident in the church that it makes me puke! Why can't we just be honest and admit that we are all sinners who are freely redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Is it that hard? Why do we need to play the game?
Any arguments?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Yesterday I received an email from a person who will remain unnamed that she had changed her email address. Today I received the following email from the administrator at a church that will remain unnamed:
Thanks -----. I’ll be sure ---’s database is updated. Coming soon!!!...you’ll be able to change your own general information in ---'s database from the web!!!!
WOW! How great. What did we do in the past when we couldn't change our own general info from the web...what a great selling point for any church, I'll have to sign up San Damiano.
Thanks -----. I’ll be sure ---’s database is updated. Coming soon!!!...you’ll be able to change your own general information in ---'s database from the web!!!!
WOW! How great. What did we do in the past when we couldn't change our own general info from the web...what a great selling point for any church, I'll have to sign up San Damiano.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Wallis seems to want to praise Gordon Brown for the following speech made at the US last week. I find it to be great, but empty rhetoric. How about something specific to address these needs:
And so my argument is simple: The greatest of evils that touches the deepest places of conscience demands the greatest of endeavor. The greatest of challenges now demands the boldest of initiatives. To address the worst of poverty we urgently need to summon up the best efforts of humanity.I want to summon into existence the greatest coalition of conscience in pursuit of the greatest of causes. And I firmly believe that if we can discover common purpose there is no failing in today's world that cannot be addressed by mobilizing our strengths, no individual struggle that drags people down that cannot benefit from a renewed public purpose that can lift people up.
To find that common purpose, he said:
Our objectives cannot be achieved by governments alone, however well-intentioned; or private sector alone, however generous; or NGOs or faith groups alone, however well-meaning or determined—it can only be achieved in a genuine partnership together.
After addressing governments and businesses, the prime minister went on:
Let me say to faith groups and NGOs—your moral outrage at avoidable poverty has led you to work for the greatest of causes, the highest of ideals, and become the leaders of the campaign to make poverty history. Imagine what more you can accomplish if the energy to oppose and expose harnessed to the energy to propose and inspire is given more support by the rest of us—businesses, citizens, and governments.
And so my argument is simple: The greatest of evils that touches the deepest places of conscience demands the greatest of endeavor. The greatest of challenges now demands the boldest of initiatives. To address the worst of poverty we urgently need to summon up the best efforts of humanity.I want to summon into existence the greatest coalition of conscience in pursuit of the greatest of causes. And I firmly believe that if we can discover common purpose there is no failing in today's world that cannot be addressed by mobilizing our strengths, no individual struggle that drags people down that cannot benefit from a renewed public purpose that can lift people up.
To find that common purpose, he said:
Our objectives cannot be achieved by governments alone, however well-intentioned; or private sector alone, however generous; or NGOs or faith groups alone, however well-meaning or determined—it can only be achieved in a genuine partnership together.
After addressing governments and businesses, the prime minister went on:
Let me say to faith groups and NGOs—your moral outrage at avoidable poverty has led you to work for the greatest of causes, the highest of ideals, and become the leaders of the campaign to make poverty history. Imagine what more you can accomplish if the energy to oppose and expose harnessed to the energy to propose and inspire is given more support by the rest of us—businesses, citizens, and governments.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Oh-oh - TMQ is back a few weeks earlier than I thought, that's spelles TROUBLE for me:
But before Tuesday Morning Quarterback rises to a full defense of the NFLPA, let me just say: I'm back and I'm bad! Well, at least I'm back. TMQ has returned and will appear in this space through the Super Bowl. Start blocking off 1-3 hours of downtime every Tuesday to read the column!
But before Tuesday Morning Quarterback rises to a full defense of the NFLPA, let me just say: I'm back and I'm bad! Well, at least I'm back. TMQ has returned and will appear in this space through the Super Bowl. Start blocking off 1-3 hours of downtime every Tuesday to read the column!
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