COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

It is that time of year! The marching bands are ready to play. The cheerleaders are ready to, well, be cheerleaders and the tailgates are getting cranked up. Gotta love college football season!

1. USC
2. Texas
3. West Virginia
4. Wisconsin
5. Oklahoma
6. LSU
7. Virginia Tech
8. Florida
9. California
10. Michigan

Clearly the preseason favorite should be USC. They might even be able to beat an NFL team or at worst at least “hang in there” with a professional team. They are so deep at each position.

Whoever wins the Texas/Oklahoma game on Oct. 6 will have the inside track to playing USC in the BCS National Title game but don’t count out either West Virginia or Louisville out of the Big East. On paper LSU might have the second best team in the country but the SEC is too tough of conference to come through undefeated.

Games to Watch
Sept 8 – LSU vs. Virginia Tech
Sept. 15 – Nebraska vs. USC
Oct. 6 – Texas vs. Oklahoma & Florida vs. LSU
Oct. 20 – USC vs. Notre Dame
Nov. 8 – West Virginia vs. Louisville
Nov. 10 – Michigan vs. Wisconsin & California vs. USC

Heisman Race
Darren McFadden (Arkansas)
Steve Hart (Michigan)
Brian Brohm (Louisville)
Colt Brennan (Hawaii)
John David Booty (USC)
Steve Slaton (WVU)

2007 ND FOOTBALL

Just for the fun of it and because I live in South Bend, here’s my breakdown of the Notre Dame schedule:

Georgia Tech – Win
PSU – Loss
Michigan – Loss
Michigan State – Win
Purdue – WinUCLA – Loss
Boston College – Loss
USC – Loss
Navy – Win
Air Force – Win
Duke – Win
Stanford – Win

Final Record: 8-4

There are a couple of “swing games” in this schedule that could go either way. The Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Purdue and Boston College games are the toughest to predict.

On paper this team doesn’t have a lot of talent but they are coached by Charlie Weis and they are athletic so anything is possible. The expectations were low in 2005 and they had a break-out season and for some odd reason I get that same feeling this year. We’ll just have to wait and see.

PRAS ON SKID ROW

I was doing my daily reading through the L.A. Times this morning and I stumbled across this story about how Pras (former member of the Fugees) spent nine days along the Skid Row area in downtown L.A. to film a documentary called "Skid Row" that was recently released in major cities.


Fugees' Pras goes from suites to street

It is a pretty fasinating read. Pras is a really smart individual (he did, after all, attend Rutgers and Yales). Some of his experiences and thoughts were just amazing to read about.

Please feel free to check out the trailer for the movie - here. I really like his quote at the end of the trailer --

"I don't have a solution for this but the one thing that I'd like is to, at least, let people know it does exsists."

In so many ways I feel exactly like that quote. I don't know what to do to help the homeless, the under-resourced or margelized. I'm baffled in my attempts time and time again. However, what I do know is that sitting and doing nothing isn't going to do anybody any good.

QUOTABLE?

So I came across this quote - or maybe it is just a thought - they other day and wanted to pass it along. I have no clue of the context or anything it but it has my mind turning because there are so many different ways of taking it.

“All God does is watch us and kill us when we get boring.
We must never, ever be boring.”

WORK PLACE CHATTER

THINGS YOU'D LOVE TO SAY OUT LOUD AT WORK.....

1. I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.
2. How about never? Is never good for you?
3. I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.
4. I don't work here. I'm a consultant
5. I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
6. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
7. The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.
8. I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.
9. Do I look like a people person?
10. I started out with nothing and still have most of it left.
11. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.
12. If I throw a stick, will you leave?
13. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.
14. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality.
15. Can I trade this job for what's behind door #1?
16. Too many freaks, not enough circuses.
17. Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it?
18. Chaos, panic and disorder.....my work here is done.
19. How do I set a laser printer to stun?
20. I thought I wanted a career; turns out I just wanted a salary.

ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES

So this movie looks really interesting.

I'm not normally a big fan of western movies but when I finally sit down and watch them, they turn out to be very good. For example, Unforgiven and Tombstone were pretty much epic! I'm not saying that this flick will be as good as that but from the trailer, it looks pretty solid.

Here

BRAGGING RIGHTS

I wish that I had pictures to share this monumental event! On Saturday morning a group of seven guys got together to celebrate the end of Andy Gregar's bachelor-hood at Tradewinds restaurant in Mishawaka.

The place is known for their all you can eat pancake breakfast for just under $6.00. Thinking that my 6-1, 168 pound frame had little to offer against the "competition" I found myself more than just hanging with the "heavy weights" of the crew.

Somehow and in someway I managed to polish off six pancakes (rather large ones I might add) to go along with my two scrambled eggs and five strips of bacon. Yes, I claimed victory by one pancake over the soon to be married Andy Gregar! The bragging rights were mine. For a brief moment I was transformed back to my days in Senior High Youth Group when I knocked down 14 pieces french toast during our annual winter retreat! I still have my eating prowess more than 10 years after my first eating competition.

Although I would be remised if I didn't note that my metabolism was working ultra-fast during the morning after completing a 9.75 mile run earlier in the day. Just a minor detail!

SKY SCRAPPING

Would you live here? Officials in Japan are in the early stage (the very early stages) of constructing a building that would be taller than Mt. Fuji that would measure over 13,000 feet in height and would be the same as nine Empire State buildings on top of one another.

The cost? Say $300-$900 billion! - here

BONO: CONVERSATION ABOUT CHRISTIANTIY

I found this video a few weeks back and I've been meaning to post it. It's a bunch of quotes from Bono about his thoughts/beliefs on God, Christians, etc. and it's all put to U2 songs.

I found it to be very cool. You may find it to be boring.

L.A. EARTHQUAKES

Not that I am totally married to the idea of moving to L.A. but do you think these experts could be a little more specific. Either that or quit trying to predict these things.

From the LA Times Article --

Earthquakes that struck Southern California over the last century killed more than 200 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. But new research to be released today says the Los Angeles area may actually be in the midst of a prolonged seismic lull.

In a paper to be published today in the journal Geology, the scientists from the Southern California Earthquake Center argue that when the lull ends, metropolitan Los Angeles will experience significantly bigger and more frequent temblors

That could be soon -- or 500 years from now.

OFF AND RUNNING

Running is hard. Some days are better than others when I'm out pounding the pavement but to get better (i.e. faster) takes a lot of effort.

Quite simply, running is hard day-after-day. Yet, I am throwing that notion out the window during the first few days of September after signing up for three different races in a 15 day stretch. I'm actually fairly curious to see how my body reacts to what I am about to do it.

Sept. 3
15K (9.3 miles)
Blueberry Stomp in Plymouth, IN
Goal: 1:15:00

Sept. 8
Mighty Mississinewa Triathlon
(500 meter swim, 16 mile bike, 4 mile run)
Goal: Not sure yet. Probably 1:30:00

Sept. 15
10K (6.2 miles)
Salmon Chase in South Bend, IN
Goal: 0:50:00

While running is often hard, I have developed a problem with it. I'm slightly addicted to it (that and the "free" t-shirt that comes with running races). I guess there are worse things to be addicted to. If anyone wants to join me in these ventures (spectator, fellow runner, etc.) please feel free. I may need someone to drag me across the finish line.

MONEY DRAIN

There are just things in life that just "take away" our money more simply then others. A pack of gum or a magazine while waiting at the check-out counter inside the store or bag of pretzel along a rest stop during a road trip. Whatever the case maybe, there is now a study of the top 10 things that are "Money Drains" --

1. Coffee
2. Cigarettes
3. Alcohol
4. Bottled water from convenience stores
5. Manicures
6. Car washes
7. Weekday lunches out
8. Vending machines snacks
9. Interest charges on credit card bills
10. Unused memberships

At one point in my life I definitely contributed to the coffee drain until I wised up almost a year into my habit and started brewing my cup 'o joe at home. Trust me, it saved a lot of cash! According to the National Coffee Association, the average price for brewed coffee is $1.38. There are roughly 260 weekdays per year, so buying one coffee every weekday morning costs almost $360 per year ... ummm ... that's almost a months rent for me!

The whole bottled water thing is tough for me. Drinking out of the tap makes me somewhat ill so I buy a pack of 24 bottles once every two weeks for about $5. Not too bad considering that 20 oz. bottle from the convenience store is about $1. I continue to contend the smartest person ever is the one who put water in a bottle and told people to buy it. After all water is free.

Oh, lastly, I highly recommend packing your lunch for work. It saves massive amounts of money!

HAPPINESS FOR AMERICA'S YOUTH ...

For some reason I found this survey that was conducted by the Associated Press and MTV rather fascinating.

They asked 1,280 people between the ages of 13-24 about Happiness. You know, that sometimes elusive entity that can haunt people for their entire lives. In order, here are the top things that make the youth of America happy:

1) Their Parents
2) Time with Friends
3) Time with Significant Other

Nearly three-quarters of young people say their relationship with their parents makes them happy. That's a breath of fresh air considering the day and age that we live in when video games, drugs and other things take up our time.

The poll also went on to talk about Sex, Alcohol, Safety and Religion among other things - here.

SIMPSONS MOVIE

I saw this movie on the day it came out but a trip to India kind of "interrupted" my review of this movie.

This is one funny movie from start to finish. It also has some pretty good plot lines as well. From Homer trying to save Springfield (and his marriage) to Bart's struggle of finding a father figure in his life or Lisa looking for the love of her life there is this massively funny comedy inter-woven among all of that.

Without a doubt the funniest part of the movie is Homer's spiderpig moment. There is only one another time I laughed so hard in a movie theater (during a scene from Something About Mary was the other time). Whoever comes up with that kind of humor is brilliant.

If there is one thing that the Simpson's crew does well, it is throw in their two-cents on issues currently happening in culture and there is some great commentary on society (shocking I know!). There's Arnold as the U.S. President, a few pokes on those "tree huggers" and religion among numerous other.

This movie is a definate must see for anyone who enjoys a good comedy!

EAST VILLAGE OPERA COMPANY

Who would have thought that rock music and opera could co-exist? Well, not only co-exist but sound pretty freakin' good as well. It's this cross between the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Queen or Josh Groban and Switchfoot. I know it sounds odd but it really sounds quite good. The East Village Opera Company has this amazing blend of rock and opera.

One of the bands founding members, Peter Kiesewalter, said something to the effect of, "if Mozart or Bach were alive today we believe they would use the electric guitar, drums and other 'modern instraments' in their music."

I believe he is correct! Give a listen - here.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

I'm pumped! Three days before my birthday The Boss will be releasing his new studio album "Magic" that reunites him with the E Street Band! It's his first album with the band since recording "The Rising" five years ago. Track Listing:

1. Radio Nowhere
2. You'll Be Comin' Down
3. Livin' in the Future
4. Your Own Worst Enemy
5. Gypsy Biker
6. Girls in Their Summer Clothes
7. I'll Work for Your Love
8. Magic
9. Last to Die
10. Long Walk Home
11. Devil's Arcade

There are rumors of a tour that will start in early October with a stop planned for Chicago in mid-October. Seeing him live would be amazing!

SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS

The book is essentially about the steps that need to be taken to bring “Heaven to Earth” on a daily basis in living a life that God centered. From the complex to the simple every action we take is essentially advancing one kingdom or another. The question is – who kingdom is being advanced with each respective action I take?

A few thoughts that stood out to me:

* Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was more of a manifesto than anything else.

* The Lord’s Prayer needs to be more of action oriented entity than just something said for religious purposes. We need to allow that prayer to transform us, shape us and really believe it and it can change everything.

* A person who is “spiritual” brings “Heaven to Earth” but a person who is “religious” has little to no action in their “faith”

* When Jesus said to have “Childlike Faith” it was an understanding that we need to rethink the way we live. Like a child has to learn how to do “normal functions” (walk, eat, talk, etc.) we need to relearn and redevelop our normal functions whatever stage in life we are at.

* The phrase “Eternal Life” as written by John doesn’t refer to a “life in heaven after death” (as many current Christian understand it) but rather to have an interactive relationship with God and son Jesus. The One True God.

* C.S. Lewis describe The Kingdom as one thing – beauty. Each of us find beauty in different things.

* The Book of Revelation is not written as literal as it taken in today’s current context but rather it was possibily written using imagery to trick those in power in Rome. To speak of another Kingdom other than the Roman’s Kingdom would lead to instant death.

* Two great quotes for Frederick Buechner near the end of the book:

“The Kingdom of God? Time after timer Jesus tries to drum into our heads what He means by it. He heaps parable upon parable like a madman. He tries shouting it. He tries whispering it … What He seems to be saying is that the Kingdom of God is the time, or a time beyond time, when it will no longer be humans in their lunacy who are in charge of the world. It’s the time above all else for wild rejoicing – like getting out of jail, like being cured of cancer, like finally, at long last, coming home. And it is at hand, Jesus says.”

“We shed tears not because we caught a glimpse of the Peaceable Kingdom, and it had almost broken our hearts. For a few minutes we had seen Eden and been a part of the great dance that goes on at the heart of creation. We shed tears because we were given a glimpse of the way life was created to be and it not … Joy is home, and I believe that tears that came to our eyes were more than anything else homesick tears.”

INDIA - CLOSING BLOG THOUGHTS

While I will probably never stop thinking about my trip to the otherside of the earth, this is the last time I'll blog about it.

So many stories and not enough pictures to tell them with:

* Sleeping on a marble floor
* Riding on a motorcycle in India traffic
* Praying for literally hundreads of people
* Eating to much
* Travel on seemingly countless planes
* Running to catch our train to the village
* The children
* The contentment amid poverty
* Sunday Service
* Rock Fort
* Shopping for my Cricket Paddle!

Our purpose for going was to encourage and edify the church planters in the southern region of the country. I feel like that purpose was accomplished on many different levels at in the places that me and Don went. Pastor Solomon, the main pastor we worked with, was very pleased and happy with our presence. So if he was happy, then so am I!

I would go back sometime but I think I would go back to help in a different capacity. I would like to get "more hands on" with the poverty in the country. Clearly, it is a problem and I would certainly be interested in going back to help.

INDIA - CULTURAL STUFF

This idea of doing things because it is culturally expected/accepted has really been turning in my brain since returning (well, that thought has been in my brain from the first day there). I still don't know how to totally describe my thoughts but I did type out an e-mail to a friend of mine that seems to capture some of my thoughts.

-------------------------

This could be a tough thing to un-pack because I am still trying to un-pack in fully. So let me see where I can go with this ...

... OK, in every culture in this world there are things that are just socially acceptable and even socially expected. For example, let women go first (or at least we should), patiently wait our turn in a given line, cover your mouth when you sneeze, etc., etc.

There were things done or things the Indian people wanted us to do regardless of consequences. There are two things that I really took issue with that were culturally correct for people in India.

1) Trash -- all over the place there were just large amounts of litter and garbage everywhere. All Indian people I saw just threw it on the ground because it is "culturally acceptable" and no one would be upset/angry over it. However, I am sure that the God I serve doesn't like the way His earth is being treated when people do that. I might have saw three trash cans in my time over there and not one person cared if I tossed a piece of garbage (no matter how big or small) in any street. It was kind of frustrating. I'm not some huge "green" person but I do know that taking care of the environment is a big thing and God has entrusted us with that.

2) Stewardship -- this is an issue I am totally wrestling with. The people in India would not (and I mean would not) stop feeding us during a meal. It was to the point of gluttony. Seriously, I was 100% full in my stomach but it was culturally excepted to eat at least three plates full of food. I wasn't hungry but you want me to eat, why? Please go feed someone who needs the food. There are lots of hungry people all around so please feed them not me. You have the food so use it more wisely. Don't get me wrong I totally appreciate the generosity and hospitably but I don't need more. But yet they take offense to me stopping at one or two plates of food. Doesn't make sense.

Now, with that being said, I think about the gifts I give at Christmas. Does my friend or family member need another "toy" to play with? I could use my resources much better than giving more to a person who already has plenty.

OK ... that's enough rambling for this e-mail and all of it my make no sense. If it doesn't make sense, it is probably because I am still trying to make sense of this crazy situation.

INDIA PHOTOS

India Photos

Here's the photos that I took from my time in India. They are all fairly random. Once I get more from the rest of the crew on the team, I'll post more.

INDIA - SUNDAY SERVICE

On the final day in Tiruvallur (the village I was in) I was able to experience a worship service and, not to mention, give part of the sermon! It was one of the most exciting experiences of my trip.

There was lots of singing. I mean a lot of singing! It was really very, very cool to be apart of that. Think about it, how often can you experience a foreign worship service in person? I felt very fortunate.

They wanted me and my partner, Don, to speak for a total of one hour. Kind of a scary thought we only two days to think and prepare about what we are going to say. However, we were able to manage (very easily I might add) a 60 minute sermon. I gave my "talking points" from three separate passages (there was no "real structure" to my talk):

* Psalm 71:23 (because people India know how to sing!)

* Matthew 11:12 (my "life verse" and they wanted me to share)

* Romans 6:22-23 (we are set free from sin so live holy lives)

After the talk we were able to serve communion to the people. Also a very awesome moment. The entire morning of praise and worship was very moving and "educational" all the same.

INDIA - DRIVING

I have driven in every major city in the U.S. -- New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, L.A. -- but that doesn't come close. If you want to take a glimpse (albeit a small one) at what navigating the streets of India is like – here.

On one side of the street you have some cattle just wondering around and on the other side of the street you have some dogs, maybe a goat to go along with all the people just walking around. There isn't an amusement park in America that would "entertain" you as much as driving around India.

There is no center line on the road and people just weave in and around other vehicles at their own leisure. At one moment you are just a few seconds from a head-on collision before avoiding a nasty accident. Plus there is the consistant sound of car horns. It's not a real peaceful experience but on some odd level it is fun.

Amid all that chaos I didn't see one, not one, accident! I should have seen at least four dozen of them but not even one!

During our trip to a village I had to ride on the backseat of a motorcycle! Now, it's one thing to drive around in car that offers some level of protection but to ride around without a helmet on a "donor"-cycle was a level of nervous-ness I have never experienced. However, once I got comfortable it was a blast!

INDIA - CHILDREN

Normally I do whatever I can do to steer clear away of children. Please don’t get me wrong but, for the most part, I just don’t “click” with kids.

During the few days in India I really did what I could to try and spend with the children. They were absolutely beautiful. Seriously, the smiles that they have can bring a light to the darkest of environments. Each of them had this energy and extra excitement about life that you rarely see in America. They are just a bunch of happy and go-lucky kids that love life.

In each of the final two nights we were able to meet and interact with a large group of these kids. One night we spent 45 minutes in a rather warm “heat box” of a room listening to children recite from memory chapter after chapter from the book of Psalms. It was very moving and exciting to see and hear.

On another evening, the kids put together about an hour program with some dance, some song and some memory verses. Once again, just amazing as these children were making their joyful noise to God in the middle of the street inside a village.

Those memories of watching and listening to those kids on back-to-back nights will be burned in my brain for a long while to come. There is just something about the simplistic nature of these children that was very inspiring.

In this western world that I live in, I too often get caught up in “extra things” but these children found tremendous amount of joy and contentment in just being alive each day. I mean, you got the impression that these kids felt that each day truly is a gift and that was very cool.

INDIA - FIRST THOUGHTS

It would be easy to put a few cliche' words on this post and say things like "what a great trip" or "the experience was worth all the effort" but that would do absolutely no justice to what I just went through on the other side of the world. At this point I have so many thoughts but here's what I got for now.

India is such a unique place. Yeah that sounds like a typical cliche' statement but there are just so many aspects of that place. The smells, the food, the traffic, the people (especially the children), the education, the lifestyles, the business, etc. ...

There are so many stories and different adventures that I got to engage in during my short stay that it would take numerous hours to unpack and re-tell. Of course, with that being said, I look forward to telling them!

I have more questions about the Kingdom of God then ever before. Some of that thinking has to do with the fact that I have never been outside of North America. Bringing "Heaven to Earth" never felt so complicated until now.

Before the trip I felt at total peace with whatever happened. I leave there feeling like I made a positive difference in the lives of the people I interacted with. At least I hope I made a positive impact because they made a positive difference in my life.