Obama's Losing His Mind

I'm not into all the "conspiracy" theories being espoused about the Pres, but this is idiotic and some of views of his toadies are down right scary.

Must read link!

Two Sets of Jones'

Hey you married folks, check this out. This 4 minute video may be better than any marriage book you read or sermon you listen to. Take a few minutes to watch. You won't be sorry.

Obama's School Speech

I had planned to write an opinion about Obama's speech today to public school students around the country but yesterday I read Al Mohler's piece about it and decided I couldn't say it any better.  So I simply refer you to his blog today.  

Cliff Notes:  In case you don't want to read it and just want the main point:  I read the text to the speech and have no problem with it.  In fact I would wholeheartedly endorse it and believe it could be very helpful.  

Weird!

continued reflections on our trip to Mississippi for a family wedding...

Here are a few random things that I found weird.  Not good or bad just weird...

1.  Driving through Atlanta on I-20 at 1AM Friday morning and I was literally the only car to be seen on the 6 lane highway.  

2.  The look I got from the gas station attendant at 4Am when I stopped for gas/coffee.  

3.  How I felt when I got out of car at Jackson Rest Area at 6AM and couldn't walk straight after driving all night.

4.  Going to sister in laws wedding in Natchez MS and staying less than 2 miles from the B & B where Amanda and I spent our wedding night together almost 12 years ago.  

5.  Being able to travel from Starkville to Brooksville in 15 minutes when it used to take 30-40.  

It's Back!!!!!!

Back by popular demand, the Dawg Pound Rock returns to the field this year. Hopefully we'll have a few reasons to do it.

Racism and the Cross

Continued reflections on our trip back to Mississippi last weekend for a wedding....

So here's the situation, the family wedding was to be held at a gazebo in Natchez Mississippi overlooking the MS River.  When it came time for rehearsals on Friday night another large group was already there rehearsing for their wedding which they had planned for the exact same time on Saturday as ours.  Uh-oh!  Both parties thought they had "secured" the free location by going through proper channels within the city only to find out that the city does not reserve the gazebo and it is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Well after some "discussion" an apparent compromise was reached and our wedding would be held immediately following theirs on Saturday night.  But did I mention that the other wedding party was African-American?  Double Uh-oh!!

I could understand the frustration some had with things not going according to plan.  If blame is to be assigned it surely rested on the town for their policy or lack thereof in reserving the facility.  But what burdened me the most were several comments I overheard from SOME - not all, not most, just some - of my family members describing the people of the other party in, well,.....less than flattering ways if you get my point....It was almost as if we should have been given priority based on the color of our skin and they be made to take a back seat.  Wow, its not 1869 anymore folks!  Heck its not even 1969.  Let's move on.  They had just as much right to conduct a wedding there as we did.  Get mad at the city, feel like you got the short end of the compromise, that's fine, but leave out the racist remarks and attitudes.  

We have come a long way in the South, but I'm afraid we have a long way still to go.  I believe with the death of one or two more generations this problem will continue to improve, but it shouldn't take that.  All one has to do is come face to face with the saving grace of Jesus Christ and you will instantly learn two things:  1- I'm no better than anyone else, and 2 - Other people have just as much access to the cross as I do.  Galatians 3:28 still means something.  Always has, always will.  Heaven won't be a segregated place.  I look forward to worshipping God elbow to elbow with people from "every tribe, tongue, and nation."  And if it is like that in heaven, shouldn't we start getting ready for it on earth?  And for the record, I grew up in MS and yes I was raised with the same racial prejudices I just spoke of and believed them for a long time.  But something happened one day.  That something was the unconditional love Jesus had for me irregardless of the color of my skin.  He changed everything at the cross!  

SEC Power Rankings (Preseason)

Can you believe football starts tomorrow?!  Yes!  So here is my preseason ranks and predictions.  I'm sure they're worth something....

#1 - Florida  

Got to start them here, but trying to repeat...impossible.  They will slip up somewhere, somehow.

#2 - Alabama

If new QB gets it going this could be their year.  

#3- LSU

Same as above.  If QB's don't lose games for them look for big things.

#4- Georgia

Tough non-conference schedule +losing talent, but still think Coach Richt pulls some miracles out of his hat.  Plus they don't bear the weight of preseason #1 this year.

#5 - South Carolina

Either this is the year they make their move or its Spurrier's last cockle-doodle-do.

#6 - Ole Miss

Expectations are super high.  I smell a choke coming on.....I hope a choke is coming on:)

#7 - Tennessee 

Has there ever been a first year coach as much on the hot seat as Kiffin?

#8 - Arkansas

This may be the sleeper team of the league.  Could be in the championship mix at the end if the big boys falter.

#9 - Vanderbilt

Good talent returns from bowl season.  

#10 - Mississippi State

Figure out this spread and we may win a few.  Brutal schedule could put them in cellar even if they play decent.

#11 - Auburn

Long way up for the 2nd best school in Alabama

#12 - Kentucky

Reality sets in.  

Predictions:

SEC Champs:  Alabama over Florida

BCS Champs:  Oklahoma over Alabama   (if I'm wrong, still think it will be Big 12 vs. SEC)

SEC Bowl Teams:  Alabama, Florida, GA, LSU, SC, TN, Ole Miss, Arkansas

Mississippi State record:  5-7

So we'll see.........

Hometown Heartache

Just got back from a whirlwind trip for a wedding back in Mississippi.  Had some reflections I needed to air out from our weekend adventures.  Hope to share them periodically on the blog this week...

 

Driving home Sunday we detoured and went through my old stomping grounds in Mississippi.  We had all the kids and I figured this may be my one chance to show them where I grew up and give them a picture into their Dad's upbringing.  It was cool to take them down my old dirt road and past the house I grew up in.  For 20 years I was a superstar ball player of all sports, champion BMX dirt biker, and President of the world in that yard.  It was neat to tell them those stories.  

We also went to the cemeteries where my parents are buried.  It was humbling to be able to tell them the reason for the Army Air Corps patch engraved into my Dad's marker as well as recalling the folding of the flag from his coffin and watching it be handed to my mother.  As I told them the stories I stood in the exact spot I sat in that day as a 15 year old boy.  Those vivid memories never seem to die and maybe that's a good thing.  There is a season......  As I returned with my family to visit his grave I could only hope he would be proud to see us now.  

Well, it gets worse......we went next to the cemetery where my mother has been buried now for 10 years.  Again we were standing around the marker letting the kids read it when my wife realized that it was my mother's birthday that very day.  "Lump" cannot describe what I felt in my stomach and throat.  I lost it and still haven't totally recomposed.  Two of my girls went back to the car and got their flowers from the wedding and we stuck them in the ground next to her marker.  Could there have been any better way to celebrate her birthday than by bringing her 5 grandchildren she never got to meet to her grave?  I find myself thanking God for bringing that together and allowing us to realize the magnitude of that moment.  Even in your pain and grief He is always good!