Noah's Ark

Interesting find:




Still probably comes down to faith...

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Rom. 1:20

Grace & Peace

PLW

Dead Laptop, Twins Game, Heritage Integrity

I will take these in order:

My laptop decided not to run last week so I have been without blogging capability. I am now trying to return to some normalcy while I sweat out the impending doom of my laptop...

• Attended my first outdoor game at Target Field, where my AL Central Division leading Minnesota Twins now call home. One word: fantabulous! Considered among many to be the best outdoor baseball venue in MLB, Target Field will not disappoint. For those out-state Minnesota Twins fans, get your butts back for a game this summer- its well worth the price of admission





• Jim Furyk won the Verizon Heritage PGA event last weekend and pocketed a cool $1 million and change. The second-place finisher, Brian Davis, needs to be mentioned though. Davis, tied for the lead going into the first playoff hole, called a two stroke penalty on himself as he miss-hit the ball he was playing (technically, he touched a surface in a hazard before touching his ball which is a no-no). Davis, who has never won a PGA event, called this penalty on himself. How many people are like Mr. Davis today? Willing to forgo life's prize in order to maintain integrity? I am an instant fan and admirer. I have attached an article which does a nice job of telling the story. I agree with the author that Brian Davis shouldn't be called a hero because he played by the rules (as he mentions 'like being praised for not robbing a bank'). But I think attention needs to be brought to it due to the unfortunate infrequency of such an event among our 'sporting athletes'...

Grace & Peace

PLW

The prestigious University of North Dakota (my brother's alma mater) has finally succumbed to societal liberalism which seeks to eviscerate all traditions and history of this country. It was only a matter of time.

They have succombed to the minorty and have decided to re-name the 'Fighting Sioux' for something else.

Perhaps the UND Fighting Aryans...

RIDICULOUS RULING

PLW

The Masters

As I was watching the replay of the 2010 Masters golf tournament last night seeing Fred Couples lead after the 1st round (teeing off at 9:40am EST today), I was reflective at the response that Tiger Woods received t his first appearance after the whole affair and 'public trial'.

What struck me was the simple fact that the people at the Master's acted in the exact way Christ would want all of us to act: primarily, non-judgemental.

Its easy to pass judgement, point the finger and say 'Shame on You' Tiger. But what right do we have to do that really?

Aren't some of us (myself included) the same really? Running around with a smile on our face, living this false life but inside hurting because of a torn relationship, addiction or habit that controls us? And then, when we are exposed, we finally turn to help (God) to deal with the problem?

Tiger didn't enter marriage, I would think, to intentionally be unfaithful. Perhaps his lifestyle choices were due to the recent loss of his father in 2006 where he simply turned to something else to 'ease his pain'? Only when his issue was exposed was he forced to deal with it.

Jack Nicholas' father also died when he was 30, but to my knowledge didn't turn to infidelity or any other addiction to feed the hurt inside his heart (if indeed Tiger's run with the ladies was due to his father's death).

My Point: We all need to be more empathetic, less judgemental and transparent to the people close to us so that through sharing in our pain, they can help.

God offers up his son Jesus Christ to all of us for healing, peace, and forgiveness to get through anything. It's simply a matter of asking him for help.

Grace & Peace and War Freddy Couples and Tom Watson.

PLW

Easter

HT to Ben and to Rob Bell for this description of Resurrection...

Resurrection: Rob Bell from The Work of Rob Bell on Vimeo.

Grace & Peace...

PLW

PS: Coming soon...Hoops Church blog...

Good Friday

Reading a book by JI Packer, called The Sovereignity of God, I came across this quote:

1. The gospel is a message about God. It tells us who HE is, what His character is, what His standards are, and what He requires of us, His creatures. It tells us that we owe our very existence to Him, that for good or ill we are always in His hands and under His eye, and that He made us to worship and serve Him, to sow forth His praise and to live for His glory. These truths are the foundation of theistic religion, and until they are grasped the rest of the gospel message will seem neither cogent nor relevant. It is here, with the assertion of man's complete and constant dependence on his Creator, that the Christian story starts...

Packer goes on to say that the gospel is also a message about (2) sin, (3) Christ, and (4) a summons to repentance and faith.

This Good Friday, I hope my friends and family grasp the infinite love that He has for each one of us. May God Bless you richly as you continue your journey.

Grace & Peace.

PLW