Time for my yearly complaint

Every year at this time, I feel frustrated as a fan of College Football. Why? Simply, the system stinks. We let .500 teams go to bowl games to pad the bank accounts of corporations and deny College Football a true champion. Conferences like the Big 12 have been sucked into the system because frankly a team that goes to the National Championship game brings a lot of money to all the schools in the conference. So, today, Texas is left sitting at home because the pollsters like Oklahoma better. Texas...#3 in the nation will not get to play for a National Championship because someone needs to get richer. It's not right. I think the same could be said for many teams.

The argument for the current system is that more teams can participate in bowls and that it keeps the regular season meaningful. I'll use yesterday's Bedlam game as an example. Say, we have an 8 team playoff. You think that game is not meaningful for both teams. If Oklahoma State wins, they could get into the playoff. OU loses and they are probably out.

Here's my suggestion..(I would prefer a 16 team playoff, but will settle on Obama's 8 team playoff). Also, I think there should be no automatic bids....dumbest thing in the world. Let it be the best 8 regardless of conference.

According to the new BCS, here's the first round....#1 Alabama vs. #8 Penn State, #2 Oklahoma vs. #7 Texas Tech, #3 Texas vs. #6 Utah, #4 Florida vs. #5 USC. You could play all games at traditional bowl sites in traditional bowl games.

Who is with me and Obama?

Top 5 Things I'm most Thankful for

1. My God - No one else has done more for me in my life than God. He sent his son, Jesus, to die on the Cross for my sins. He leads me beside still waters. He guides me along life's journey. He comforts me. He encourages me. He is the everlasting God and I'm incredibly grateful for all he has done.

2. My wife and girls - Sasha is a fantastic mother and wife. She keeps us all going. She works hard at school teaching 3rd grade and oversees our Kid's Ministries at the church. She is kind, thoughtful and loving. My girls are the joy of my life. They make me laugh and smile. They are both sweet. I'm very grateful today for my wife and girls.

3. My family - I'm thankful for the Godly heritage that I have on both sides of my family tree. I'm thankful for my mom and dad. I'm thankful for my grandparents. I'm thankful for my aunts, uncles, cousins and neices. Oh yeah, I'm thankful for my sister too. :)

4. My friends - I'm blessed to have some of the best friends in the world. I'm thankful for each and everyone of them especially Brian, Darrell and Michael. Those three guys have been there for me numerous times and I'm grateful for them today.

5. Cornerstone - I'm thankful to God today for allowing me the honor of pastoring His church. I do not take it lightly. I'm also thankful for the leaders, workers and volunteers that make things happen. I'm thankful for Pastor John and Rachel. I'm thankful for every family and person that attends Cornerstone.

I'm blessed.

Thankful for days like today

1. We put up the Christmas decor today. Mackenzie was two weeks old last time we put up the tree. Last year, we were moving during the holidays. So, we didn't put up the tree.

2. I put up Christmas lights outside for the first time in my life. Suprisingly, it wasn't as much of a chore as I thought it would be.

3. We have photo frame stocking holders. Mady has a tradition of coloring a picture of each family member and putting the drawing in the frame.

4. My dad is here for the Thanksgiving holidays. Mom and Bill were here last week. The girls enjoy the grandparents being around.

Thankful for Teamwork

Teamwork makes the Dream work. Last night was evidence of great teamwork. We had over 20 people that came together to help decorate the church for Christmas. Pastor John made some incredible Gumbo. Several had gathered around 3:30 to pull out the decorations. By the time we ate at 6:00, we were well on our way to having things in place. After getting folks assigned during the meal, we had people working all over the church. Beverly helped us know where everything went and the church looks fantastic.

Thank you Cornerstone family for coming together and helping make the church look awesome for the Christmas season. :)

**EDIT: The above line "we had people working all over the church" was edited from "we ate people working all over the church." At Cornerstone, we do not practice Cannibalism. :)**

The Little Things

Over the next week, I'm going to take the time to blog about what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for the little things.....the times I look at my girls in a peaceful sleep....the unexpected monetary blessing...the moments when Sasha watches sports with me (like last night's Mavs victory over the Rockets)...a phone call from an old friend...

It is the little blessings in life that I'm thankful for.

BTW, just checked and both girls are sound asleep.

Sunday Five

1. We wrapped up "The Power of Love" series. This week's message was from Luke 6. It was on "Loving our Enemies."

2. Huge props to the Staleys for doing Kid's Church to give Sasha a chance to be in the sanctuary. Thank you guys for your servant's heart.

3. Jake did a great job speaking last night. His message on obedience was fantastic. It's always great to hear from one of our Missionaries.

4. It was great having my Mom and Bill in service on Sunday Morning. I love having my family in service.

5. We had a great time at the fellowship after service last night. Several stuck around. Pastor John made an outstanding Calzone Ring. Tammy cooked some Chicken Casserole that was awesome. Plus, we watched part of the Cowboys victory over the Redskins. Most of us left about halftime. It was fun hanging with the Cornerstone family.

Friday Sports Musings

1. I cannot believe how bad the Mavs are. I in no way thought they would win it all this year, but I didn't think they would start the season 2-6. I really honestly think it is time to rebuild. This team, as is, will not win a championship. I just hope we're not in for another repeat of the 90s...that was Brutal for Mavs fans.

2. Romo is back for the Cowboys this week. Hopefully, he can provide the spark. I don't think I can handle losing to the 'skins twice in one season.

3. High School Football Playoffs start this weekend. I hate that Atlanta is missing the party, but am pumped that my Alma Mater, China Spring, is making another appreance (they lost in the finals last year). I'm also pumped that Brownsboro is headed to the playoffs as well....lots of great friends there.

4. Love having NFL on Thursday night. If you don't have NFL Network, sorry. :) Switch to Dish.

5. I'm looking forward to the Baylor/TAMU game. Baylor has a legit chance to win this game.

Happy Birthday Mackenzie

Today, our little baby girl turned two. Mackenzie is a very funny little girl. She has the funniest facial expressions. As much as I hate to admit, she is a Mama's girl. However, she is coming around. :) She likes to play with baby dolls and loves Dora. She loves to read books at night before bed, especially the wheels on the bus book. She loves music. If I pretend to cry, she will stop what she is doing and run from anywhere in the house to come and give me a hug. I know...that's a cheap way....but, it works. :)

She had to go to the doctor today because she has battled allergies/sinus since we moved from OKC to Atlanta, Texas. She never fusses about coughing, etc. She is so good natured.

Happy Birthday Mackenzie! Daddy loves you. :)

$1.99

"$1.99 are you out of your mind?" That was the old Denny slogan. In those days, you got two eggs, two pieces of bacon, two sausage and two pancakes for $1.99.

Today, the gas stations across the street dropped to $1.99. We celebrate paying $2 for something five years ago that we only paid a buck for. Crazy.

What is the cheapest that gas is where you live today?

Saturday Night Blog

1. I'm excited about tomorrow's message. We're continuing the series "The Power of Love" with a message on "Loving One Another."

2. I had a great weekend with the girls. Sasha and a group of ladies from Cornerstone went to a Ladies Retreat in Maypearl, Texas. So, it was me and the girls. We had a great time. They woke me up at 6:15 this morning. I don't remember doing that to my parents....if I did, much apologies to them now. :)

3. Sasha said that the ladies had a great time at the retreat. She enjoyed the speaker and had a blast with the ladies.

4. Was pulling for LSU to upset Alabama. It was a great game. If LSU had a decent QB, they would've won that game and Texas would've been that much closer to the National Title game.

5. I was not suprised that Tech won, but that Tech blew out Oklahoma State.

End of the World?

DC Talk covered a song by REM on its 1997 release "Welcome to the Freak Show." The words to the song state that "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine."

Tonight, America elected a new President, Vice-President and Congress. The Presidential campaign was a hard fought journey that ended tonight with Senator Obama being elected as the new President. I live in a county that went 70% for Senator McCain and Governor Palin to 29% for President-Elect Obama and Vice-President Elect Biden.

Many in our neck of the woods and in other parts of the Bible belt will be disheartened over the outcome. Some will be ecstatic that their candidate won. Others will treat it like it's the end of the world. For me, I feel fine. :)

Why? First, My hope is not in a man. My king is still on the throne tonight and will be on the throne come January. John McCain was not the Savior of America and neither is President-Elect Obama. Secondly, God is not suprised by the outcome of today's elections. Romans 13:1 (NKJV) states "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." God's not suprised. He is still in control.

We may not like the outcome, but there's nothing we can do to change that right now.

So, I urge you to do several things.

1) Pray for the elected officials - 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT) "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. 2 Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity." As I watched the exception speech and I saw the Obama's two little girls, I prayed for protection for him and his family. We must pray for God's mercy upon them. We should pray for wisdom and that God's will be done.

2) Cast off worry and fear - Tonight, I went to Wal-mart right before 10:00 p.m. The cashier asked me who was winning the electoral college. When I had left the house, Obama had a commanding lead. After I told her that, a look of worry and fear came over her. Worry and Fear are not tools of a political party. They are tools of the enemy of your soul. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) states "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." Don't worry....God is still in control. EDIT: I just checked my Facebook account and scrolled down the Status updates of many of my friends. It just confirmed the thoughts of worry and fear. Many were talking of sackcloth and ashes, hoping this was a bad dream, etc. God is still in control. One more thing, for all those fearful and threatening to move to Canada, I'll be happy to purchase your American soil for pennies on the dollar. ;)

3. Use Restraint Please - The liberal media has bashed Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin. The conservatives have been outraged by their unfair treatment. However, there are many on the conservative side or in the religious right that are just as guilty. Every time one forwards an e-mail about Obama or Biden that are filled with unsubstantiated rumors and half-truths, that person is guilty of practicing the same unfair treatment. I would take that a step further....it is called spreading lies and gossip....both which are sins. I urge you to get the facts before you push send on your e-mail. Remember: Just because it is on the web or in an e-mail doesn't make it true. There are several websites out there to check rumors....I personally use Truthorfiction.com It is very valuable. :)

The real change we need in America is not a shift in political parties. The real change is that we need to turn back to the faith of our founding fathers. That is the only way America is truly going to change.

2 Chronicles 7:14 "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."

Happy Monday!

1. Historically, in most churches in East Texas at least, the first Sunday of November is a down attendance day. Why? Opening Weekend of Deer Season. I don't know how many deer hunters we had out, but we were down from what we have been running, but were still up over our September average. So, that was really encouraging.

2. Friday Night, our student ministry, CSI:, hosted a Tailgate party before and after the High School Football game. I went and cooked a few burgers and dogs (and ate a few too) before the game.

3. On Saturday, we attended a 50th Anniversary party for the Grandersons. They are an incredible example of a Godly couple. Bro. Granderson has started driving our van on Sunday mornings.

4. Saturday Night, I watched the Texas Tech/Texas game. The Big 12 south is tough. I don't see Tech going undefeated and everyone else already has losses. Tech did a great job against Texas and deserved to win.

5. Don't forget to get out and vote. Someone gave their life so you would have the opportunity to vote. So, Pray and then vote. :)

Connected

I got a new phone. Lucky for me, I had insurance. The phone was dead. Time of Departure was somewhere between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Wednesday night during the Family Fun Fest. Since my contract hadn't run out, I had to stick with a Palm. However, they gave me the new Palm Treo 755. So, I guess I can live with that.

I got the phone Thursday night, but it took me until last night to sync it to my computer. I wanted to update names and numbers with our current church directory.

So, I'm back connected. There are a few numbers that I lost. Vista wouldn't always let me sync with my old Palm. So, I hadn't tried in a few months. The new Palm software and new Treo seem to work a lot better with Vista. So, if you call and I don't recognize the number, then it is because it got lost in the transition.