Looks can be deceiving...

John Calipari... the coach of the #2 ranked Memphis Tigers reminded me... that looks can be deceiving. It all happened when I was down in Huntington, WV this past weekend visiting some good friends... Josh & Sarah Perry. Josh landed us some tickets to Saturday's Marshall - Memphis basketball game. How often can you see a #2 ranked team play in person. Going into the game... Marshall had no chance... but that just makes the game that much more exciting.

And we have a blast... because this is how college basketball should be watched. We stuff into the 8,000 capacity gym to see if David can knock off Goliath. Not wanting to sit in our nose-bleed seats we stand in the "unofficial standing" section. But on this night Mr. Security Guard is taking his job very seriously... and chases us off to find seats 2 or 3 times. Not wanting to be on the run all night... we look for options.

It is at this time that we notice that there is a block of open seats... right in the middle of the Memphis section. It looks like none of the parents have traveled with the team to the game. So we decide to sit in among the Memphis fans until the rightful owners of the seats come and kick us out. But they never come.

So we enjoy the entire game... from the sixth row... as Memphis fights off a couple of runs and eventually blows out Marshall by 23 points. We have been cheering our lungs out for Marshall the entire time. I'm even starting to lose my voice a bit.

So after the game... I put on my sea-blue parka and we head down to the court to cut across to our exit. I notice that they are blocking off the passage and the Memphis team is getting ready to pass right in front of us... so I stick out my hand. That is when John Calipari... seeing my Memphis blue jacket, in the midst of the small crowd of Memphis fans... grabs my hand, puts his other hand on my shoulder and then says to me and the crowd behind.... "Thanks for traveling down to the game to support our boys!" How hilarious is that.

But it proves a point doesn't it. Looks can be deceiving can't they? You can't tell the character of a man by the color of his skin. You can't tell the status of a persons heart by their external appearance. You can't really know a person... if you base your knowledge by what you see on the outside... because there may be an entirely different person inside.

Coach Calipari... saw my blue-jacket... the Memphis crowd... my outstretched hand... and thought I was part of his team. But under that coat... was a full-blown Marshall fan... who had rooted on the thundering herd to a dismal defeat.

Congrats Coach on a superb win... and a timely reminder.

Run...Forrest...Run

I went for a run today. It has been nearly 8 months since I've steadily run. I was training for the Columbus marathon last fall and was forced to quit once I got up to 16 miles because of "runners knee" (I know no guts, no glory).

I have felt way out of whack lately and one of the reasons is that I have not been exercising. So I got up today at 6:15 and went for 3 miles with a friend. I think my life is better when I exercise. It brings a balance to my life.

I have found that exercise is easier with others. If I did not have a friend waiting for me... I might have hit snooze.

Exercise helps me feel better. I tend to drink more water and eat less junk when I am in an exercise regimen.

Exercise helps me sleep better. I let off some stress and am more tired and thus sleep better.

Exercise helps me think better. My days tend to more organized and more productive. I feel like I accomplish more and I feel less like a slouch. Creative thoughts come easier and I become much more decisive.

And strangely enough when I exercise I am more spiritual. Weird isn't it. I think that taking care of my body helps me to connect with God and as I look back I tend to pray more and read the Bible more when I am in a season of good health.

In general my physical laziness is directly proportional to spiritual laziness. So I think that if my boss would buy me a gym pass or have staff meetings in the weight room that I would be a better pastor.

Gut Check

This weekend the NFL draft happened. I've never watched it and probably never will... but I love picking up the Monday paper and seeing where my beloved Buckeyes were chosen. It was no surprise that Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith was not chosen in the first round. They say he is too small and not accurate enough.

This must be quite a gut check for a guy that was riding high just a few months ago. Here's the high. He led OSU to its 3rd straight victory over rival Michigan (only QB to do that as a starter). Led OSU to undefeated regular season and national championship birth. Secured the Heisman trophy in the 2nd most lopsided vote in history. Then went on a whirlwind celebrity tour.

Now for the low. He was the 174th pick overall by the Baltimore Ravens. He was the 9th Quarterback picked overall (23 picks behind Jeff Rowe of Nevada). He was the 7th Buckeye picked. Before he was picked were three receivers (Gonzo, Ginn & Roy Hall) that he made look good all year and his running back (Antonio Pittman) whom benefited from his double threat as an opportunistic passer/runner.

Talk about a gut check. Going from award stands to afterthoughts. So now we get to see how he responds. Can he prove his critics wrong? Can a "small" quarterback succeed? Can he overcome the Heisman QB jinx?

Smith commented on the situation in the Baltimore Sun today.

"The critics are going to be here for the rest of my life. There's nothing I can do about them," Smith said. "In a lot of ways, they make people stronger or they take people under. My whole life I've been fighting that battle. It turned out positive right now, and I'm going to continue to stay the course and fight the critics. They're not going anywhere, and I accept them for who they are."

I guess it is not the size of the man in the fight, but the size of the fight in the man.

Wear what suits you to church

****I am alive. I have been alive and actually well during the last 2 weeks of my blog hiatus. But sometimes I get in a thinking funk and don't have anything to say. Sorry to Todd & Matt (the two guys that I know read this)... I'm back. So here is something light to get me back on track.***

I was on Mark Cuban's blog today for the first time. If you don't know him he is the controversial owner of the Dallas Mavericks (that is an NBA team for those who don't know). I lived in Dallas when he bought the team and he was always in the headlines. I remember the time that he said he would buy every person in Reunion Arena (the old home of the Mavs) a gordita if the Mavs scored over 100 points. The Mavs were crushing somebody and kept in their starters so that the could hit the century mark... yummy.

So today I saw his post entitled "Why I Don't Wear a Suit and Can't Figure Out Why Anyone Does !" I just love the conversation that this post can start. I've noticed that at our church few attendees wear suits, yet we pastoral leaders almost always wear suits. Why? The answer that I have landed on is purely cultural (not biblical). The challenge that we in the ministry face is how to not let church cultural expressions get in the way of being an access point for all to hear/see/experience the message of the gospel.

And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Acts 15:19

So why do you wear what you wear to church? What do you think I should wear?

Wizardly Wisdom

I devoured a recent article about John Wooden in my March 19 edition of Sports Illustrated. The story, "Birth of a Dynasty", tells the story of the coach's first basketball National Championship team ('63-'64). After that win he went on to win 9 of the next 11 National Titles. Wow!

What I didn't know is that he didn't win his first championship game until the 16th year of coaching. I had always thought that his rise to success came much quicker... 16 years, talk about patience and persistence. Another wow!

Ala Yogi Berra... he became know for saying very quotable things, like the following.

When you’re through learning, you’re through.

It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.

He’s admitted his stubbornness kept him from winning sooner. (not really a quote, but an honest and humble confession)

Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you.

As a young pastor, new father and growing Christian... I need this type of wisdom to guide and direct me as I navigate the turbulent waters of life.

I'm sore

Physically. I can't remember the last time I have been this sore. For the last 72 hours ibuprofen has been my friend. And I have the 2 guys in this picture to thank.

My buddy Bob, the tall one, invited to come up to his gym for a kick-boxing workout. I was truly excited about the chance to go into Bob's world and see where and how he spends a good portion of his life. So I can thank Bob for part of my soreness... he got me there.

Then there is Jason, the other shortish guy. He was the class instructor. He was the one that put me through 45 minutes of non-stop kicking, punching and calisthenics. And I can thank him for helping me to get my "money worth" out of the free class. Thanks Jason!

You know it is quite a humbling experience when you are physically pushed to a point where you have to stop and let your burning lungs suck in enough oxygen to keep you from passing out. And it is doubly humbling when you realize that the entire class could literally kick your butt, especially when half of the class is women. These were some tough girls.

And if I ever get in a street fight I want Bob and Jason on my side.

O-H-I-O

My friend (Todd) and I went to the Ohio State vs. Penn State basketball game last night. We had a blast. The Bucks looked uninspired, tired and just plain flat. They did surge in the second half and held on down the stretch to preserve a 68-60 win.

Todd and I were very disappointed at how quiet the arena was for most of the game. We took it upon ourselves... all the way up in section 303 to be the 6th man and stir up the crowd. We had a blast in the second half screaming and yelling and cheering. And... if you ask me... I think we were the difference in the game.

It was a great break in the week for me. Although exhausted from all the cheering I really enjoyed the interruption. My brain and body needed the break from the week, from church and from home. Thanks Todd... I had a blast.

Mad about the Buckeyes

After the BCS Championship game I was mad. Mad about the Buckeyes… because when it comes to the Bucks I’m a Superfan. Da Buuuuuucks!. Mad at Florida, mad at the SEC, mad at Urban Meyer, mad at the Buckeyes. My blood was boiling…my pulse was high… I couldn’t sleep until 2am. Sometimes I get mad about the buckeyes. And I’m not alone… we often get mad about the strangest things, don’t we. For some its sports, for others its traffic, and for others it’s waiting 5 minutes in line at the grocery store.

The things that move us to place of deep emotions are quite powerful things if you think about it. Think about the things that make you mad… or sad… or guilty… or happy. Are they silly little things like sports or do they have some social value like racism. The things that move us to the place of strong emotion are powerful things… whether they are silly or weighty.

And if you think about it we are probably defined by the things that move us. We are defined as shallow people or deep people… as selfish people or generous people… as thoughtful or flaky… by the things that move us to emotion. They define us.

Consider what moved Jesus…
Jesus became angry when merchants desecrated the temple of God
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. Matthew 21:12

Jesus was moved to compassion by the physical and spiritual needs of a neglected people
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

I hate some of silly things that feed my anger or joy, because they are small or petty or simple things. In the end they reveal how shallow I can be, for in the end they are meaningless pursuits. It’s ok to be a Superfan… as long as it does not define us. Life is too precious to be defined by such simple things.

Blue day for the Scarlet & Gray

Along with the rest of Buckeye Nation I am mourning the trouncing of my beloved Buckeyes by the gators. The Bucks were pushed, pummeled and pounced. They were out-coached, out-huscled, out-schemed and out-played. They lost miserably to a team that on game day was far superior.

If there is any saving grace, I don't think they were out-classed. I see class is how your speak about the event and your opponent. From the gators I heard only disrespect and adrenaline fueled back-handed comments about the Bucks, the Big Ten and Tressel. From the Bucks I heard nothing but positive comments about their opponent while taking full responsibility for the loss.

They don't hand out trophies in football for class... that is not how life works. But at the end of life people don't line up to walk by your coffin because it is surrounded by trophies. So how do I end my mourning and take something positive from this embarassing loss...by philosophizing of course. For you see, sport is not life, it simply prepares you for life. We Buckeyes know how tragic life can turn for a rising champion when he believes too many of the headlines (Mr. Clarrett). So win with grace.... lose with grace.... and good guys don't always end up first.