The thrill of victory...

It's been an amazing weekend in sports for Tennessee....

The Titans just came back to beat Baltimore to remain unbeaten.
Vanderbilt came back from a 13-0 deficit to to beat Auburn 14-13 to remain unbeaten.
The Cubs, who had the best record in the regular season, gets swept in the division series.

Amazing stuff....


Oh, for those of you that aren't in Tennessee, you need to hear some of the jokes going around about UT.

1) The rumor is Phil Fulmer will be leaving at the end of the Season to work for FEMA. They have found that he can move 100,000 people quicker than anybody.

2) The City of Knoxville has decided to Neyland Stadium (UT's home field) as a tornado shelter. They have found that a touchdown is very unlikely there...

My Favorite Shirt

My current favorite shirt (estimated age 11 years)

It's potential successor

I don't know if all guys are this way (or girls for that matter) but for me significant events are typically marked with the purchase of a t-shirt. When I was younger, and went to a lot of concerts, I always bought a shirt to commemorate the event. By wearing the shirt you were making a statement: "I like group X and yes I went to see them in concert".

I know it isn't just me, t-shirts are used to make a statement. Sometimes, in the IT world (and I assume others), significant projects or teams are bonded together by someone having t-shirts printed.

Although I don't buy nearly as many t-shirts as I used to, I still have many from the past. T-shirts are ranked in my mind, on the weekends, I pick out the t-shirt that makes the statement for the day.

As new t-shirts are added to the collection, they start out very low on the totem pole, I'll wear them every once in a while. But, over time, shirts earn there spot at the top of the pecking order. After many years and many wearings, they reach the lofty status of being the "Favorite Shirt".

Today, I was folding laundry and came across the current "Favorite Shirt" (picture to the right). I bought that shirt in Daytona Beach on vacation some 11 years ago. I liked it because of the denim look it has. For a fleeting moment I thought, "You know, this shirt has had it, I should throw it away". Once that thought passed through my head, I recoiled in horror. I can't throw that shirt away, its my "Favorite Shirt".

Due to the apparent wear and tear (I think it probably only has another 2 or 3 years left in it) I decided that I needed to open up to the concept of letting another shirt become the "Favorite".

A few weeks ago, The Eagles came to town on their last final tour (we'll see). I have wanted to see them for years, but for one reason or another was unable to attend. I was able to attend thanks to a gift from a dear friend. I had to buy a shirt. They had many to choose from, one with the cover from their greatest hits album was the easy winner.

I need to work on it, but it has the potential of replacing "The Favorite". It'll take some time, but maybe it will get there.

Hey buddy, can you spare a dime?

People are always asking me for money. I don't know if I just look like a soft touch, or what, but I can't go out on 2nd ave without being approached several times a night for cigarettes or money or food or something.

Because of the way I was raised, this always presents a challenge for me. The words of Jesus always go through my head...

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

At the same time, Paul tells us

"If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

So what is your opinion? How do you apply these scriptures when someone asks you for money?

Years ago, my counselor told me that when God gives seemingly contradictory statements like this, he is giving us permission to apply each concept as we see fit. My opinion is that we are commanded to help the needy, but don't be an enabler.

I have adopted this policy, If someone asks me for money for some specific purpose, my response is "I won't give you cash, but I will get you what you need". If someone asks for money for food, I take them somewhere and buy the food. If in fact, they need food, they will be appreciative, if they were wanting the cash for some other purpose, they will walk away.

Just about any night of the week, you can go out in Nashville and find those on the sidewalk who are begging for change. It is very difficult to walk away. However, the Union Rescue Mission posts signs asking you not to give to panhandlers. I guess this is where giving becomes enabling. It's a difficult problem, but one all Christians should consider.

I'd like to introduce you....

Since I was in high school I have been a fan of musicians like Jeff Lorber, Kenny G, David Sanborn and many others. Within the past few years, I've begun hearing the term "Smooth Jazz".

Many times, when people hear the word Jazz, they immediately say "I don't like Jazz..." The reason is that when you hear jazz, you think of a quartet who seem to be playing different songs at the same time and are oblivious to each other.

Smooth Jazz is much more melodic, there is not so much improvisation. I appreciate improvisational jazz, but when I listen to it, I listen for a totally different reason than when I listen to Smooth Jazz.

A few years ago, I somehow came across the web site or myspace page for an artist named Euge Groove. He was the first self-promoted artist I'd ever listened to. I immediately liked his work, though sadly I didn't keep up with him.

A couple of days ago, I remembered the name and downloaded some of his work. He's now with the Narada label which is a big jazz label. I was listening to his albums yesterday and came across the song "Get 'em Going" This is the kind of song that really does get me going. I thought I'd share it with you. You just might find yourself a jazz fan as well..

Now I'm certain the Cubs are going to win the World Series...

My my...the relative placement of Vanderbilt and Tennessee is absolutely amazing.

On the subject of politics.....

I read a news story about this speech this morning...

Proof more than ever that the more things change, the more they stay the same...

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Commencement Address at Oglethorpe University May 22, 1932

Labels....

I had an experience yesterday relating to politics. I had a friend that is going through a bit of a rough time. His political views are quite different from mine. Anyway, I copied the Theodore Roosevelt quote from my last post and sent it to him. Every time I read that quote, it charges me up and prepares me for the battle of the day, I thought it might do the same for him.

Well, I don't remember the exact response, but it was something about Theodore Roosevelt being a Republican. Apparently, the quote didn't do anything for him because of Teddy's political views.

To be honest, I had no idea if Teddy Roosevelt was a Democrat or Republican when I sent the quote, I had to look it up to see if he was serious. I said something like, regardless of the man's political views, its a great quote.

If someone has different views than you do, does it mean everything they say is worthless? This relates to politics, religion and everyday life. If you listen to a preacher from a different faith, is their sermon worthless because they see God differently?

I realize that this is the political season and that nothing polarizes people like religion and politics, but if you use labels to put people in a box, then you are very much over simplifying the situation. I heard someone say "Eat the meat and spit out the bones" that is very true. In the words of the sage of the age Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"