TRT is always trending

I couldn't help to get a little disgusted the other day. I'm not sure of the timeline now, but it was less than a couple of weeks ago when I heard the first report. Tim Tebow (TRT) had been in Las Vegas to do his part in an upcoming Nike commercial. Of course, all the cameras followed him wherever he went (which was to the photo shoot-back to the room and out of Vegas). This would be one of those occasions where "what happens in Vegas" doesn't "stay in Vegas." There just happened to be an Adult Entertainment (Porn)Convention in town. So all the cameras were there (TMZ& all the others) prepared to nail Timmy for any misdoings. To no one's surprise, it was a non-story, because Tim did the shoot and got out of Vegas clean. He didn't gamble, smoke, drink, dope it up or anything. Ho hum! No story here. Keep moving. ---Here's what disgusted me. It was a few days after I had heard the non-story that a sports column was entitled something like "Tebow at Porn Convention in Vegas." This article was way-late, and turned out to be a non-story as well. It was just a headline hooker. (yeah, that would be a pun.) Then at the pre-Super Bowl festivities someone tried to make a big deal about TRT talking to all the ladies at some party. Of course, he was being respectable to all that wanted to talk to him. But the report tried to make a big deal that he talked to one girl more than the others. Whoopteedoo if he did! Of course, the Golf Channel had to make a little noise with TRT since he couldn't play a recent tournament due to a football injury. He was kind enough to do an interview. In the interview the guy asks if Tim would ever go into politics. I'm sure this will be used against him as soon as possible. But as usual he was just answering a question in front of him. He said it was possible. So, if we believed all the headlines we would believe TRT is a Porn-show going-lady-loving-politician. However, if you read the articles he's just a young guy trying to live the truth in a perverse world answering all the stupid questions people ask. Stay tuned to see how the media uses him to sell papers, radio and tv time via headlines. TRT is always trending. Get a life people.

Clearing Out My Locker

So the ending of another Football season comes upon us. [Turn away ladies, this blog is all about football. Except for a few of you.]
I have some thoughts that I must release. I will miss the analogies that aided and abetted many a sermon (not as many as I was tempted to use though.). The NFL started out in the mud from an ugly Player vs Owner battle, but the Shield (National Football League) managed to rise from the miry clay, because it is the best game. It pits speed against strength, skill against coaching, clutch against luck, veteran teams against upstart teams and rising stars against the guys headed back down the ladder. Where do I start? Ole Tom Brady, well, he is simply the best. Beauty overcame the beast (Ray Lewis&Co.) in this tough game of men that comes down to inches and split seconds (see: almost catch by Lee Evans or hook-shot by Billy Cundiff). They work hard and play hard all year, and then it comes down to clutch plays. A great year was had by guys like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, but even they fell short of the prize. Big Ben tried his best, and as Champ Bailey put it, "He's always injured when he plays." He got bested by the controversial (due to too much media attention) Tim Tebow who just wants to play football and represent Christ. The Indy Colts were exposed: without Peyton Manning they are a two-win team. Then there is little brother Eli who I'm assuming really can't get respect, because he looks like a third-grader. For goodness sake, the guy has a Super Bowl ring and is going for another. He plays in NY, give the kid a break. I really could go on and on, because it was a fun season. My boys got into Fantasy Football and we had some fun with that. Oh, I almost forgot, congrats to the Harbaugh brothers for making it to the AFC&NFC Championships. Pretty cool! I still don't know why one of these teams hunting a coach won't give Pops Harbaugh a call. Finally, I'm torn on how I want the Super Bowl to end. I'd like to see Tom Brady get one more ring and be done. I really don't like the Patriots, because I really don't like when one team just dominates like they have. But I love the intestinal fortitude with which Brady plays the game. I love the way he carries himself, and his story in college and in the pros to get to where he is. But I'm torn. I'm probably the only person that will make this next statement. I like Old Tom Coughlin, the coach for the Giants that everyone (often even his own team) loves to hate. Probably almost every week I heard how his job was in jeopardy. I kind of hope he wins the Super Bowl and tells the Giants he'll retire, or coach the Dolphins or something. I think it stinks that a good coach is said to be on the hot-seat every week...probably because he looks like he's mad all the time on the sideline. C'mon man, he's a good coach! Either way, I guess I want Tom to win. ---Now I'm done. No, I won't be watching the Pro Bowl, because that is too much like Reality TV.

Trainable, Coachable, Hungry

What's missing? I watched a short segment on the making of a great Quarterback. It was a pretty cool behind the scenes look that went all the way back to when the guy was in college. He was tall, skinny and slow. Worst of all, he was seventh on the depth chart when he started college. (That means 7th string! Not second or third, but seventh!) He got appendicitis and lost almost thirty pounds, but didn't give up. In a time when most young men would have just quit, he took counsel with the on campus adviser. He would go many days to this man seeking counsel and encouragement. He told him that he wanted to be the Michigan QB. His sophomore season, Tom Brady went on to become the UM quarterback. (He has since done some pretty good things in the NFL.) ---But what got me about the story was what the counselor said about Brady. He was trainable, coachable and hungry. He went to that (in this case)emotional resource for strength and encouragement almost every day. ---I couldn't help thinking about what goes in to being a champion. Are we trainable? Can a person listen and follow instruction, and adapt? Are we coachable? Will one submit to the leader of the team?---For me, these were easy checks since I grew up in sports and following the leader, listening, learning. One of my favorite sayings has been "A good player always adjust." But the third thing was "hunger." In my spiritual life how hungry am I? Can I not wait to wake up and spend time with God? Can I not wait to hear from God? This was a tougher box to check. I sought God out in prayer. I had to confess that I had fallen into default status of sometimes going through the motions. God heard my simple prayer and answered. He restored my hunger for Him instantly. ---Perhaps, you have been distracted or knocked off course for some reason. Seek God and you will find Him. Give Him the choice time of day. ---I read a very sad commentary on Israel in Isaiah 43:22 where they had gotten tired of God. Whoa! If we are not hungry for God, then that is problematic. If you're not hungry, then you're not eating. And if you're not eating, you're not growing.
LORD, I am hungry for You and I want more of You.

Who Cares?

Warning: this is a sport's take so if that's not your bag you can pass on this one. (I just have to let it out every now and then.)
We just kept battling...we just kept chipping away...we just kept working...---just a few words you often hear from champions. (recently NBA, CWS)
It's funny how the NFLPA and the NFL representatives keep meeting secretly in different cities to solve their CBA (Greed Agreement). They would save time by staying in one city, in one hotel and carving out an agreement. Fans aren't going to stay loyal.
Who really cares, but Tiger ought to just sit out this year and get his head together and let his knee heal.
Play like you mean it.
Preach like you mean it.
Pray like you mean it.

Hoop there it is

It doesn't get any better than that! One second left on the clock...your team is down by two. People are getting ready to head to the exits. Why haven't they left though? One second is like only time enough to catch the ball and hoist it quickly and probably blindly to the rim because someone is going to be in your face. The fans stayed because they had hope...they had a prayer. And swish just like that the new MJ...LBJ was crowned as he nailed a sensational three-point shot. They needed two to tie and three to win---Ball game. Gotta hate it for that fan or two that had to be the first in the parking lot and gave up hope only to hear the roar of the faithful.

NBA Playoffs

In this forum, no one may care, but this is my only forum. The NBA finals are now at the semi-final level. So, I'm going to give my take on the Showtime Lakers from LA featuring Kobe, the Rejuvenated Nuggets from Denver led by veteran Chauncey, the New Kids on the Block Cavaliers led by Lebron, and the Surprising Orlando Magic led by D. Howard. My thoughts are from the series thus far. The Lakers seem to feel like they are entitled to something, so I feel like they will get left out in the cold. Denver is fired up by a great leader and are very deep and tough. The Cavaliers feel like their time has come and they are very good. Some analysts feel the Orlando team is the best team on paper. However, the games are played on the court and focus, attitude, will and other things figure in on the court. I think the Lakers are going down. I'm not sure Orlando can finish. That leaves Denver and Cleveland. It will come down to leadership. Is Lebron ready? Does Chauncey have something left in the tank? Yes, to both of those. So something else factors in. From what I've seen both teams are pretty deep on the bench. Denver looks real lively, but it's hard to tell because Cleveland wasn't challenged. Their subs could finish. Then it comes down to "will." Who wants it the most? I can't answer that. That's why they play the game. From what I've seen so far, Denver looks like they really want it. With four teams left I will pick the upset. Denver. If they lose to the Lakers, I'll get back with you.