Courage Under Fire

I came across a horrific article today about a school shooting that occured yesterday in Colorado, eerily 3 miles away from where the Columbine masacre happened 11 years ago. A 32 year old gunman was walking through the parking lot of Deer Creek Middle School firing at students with a hunting rifle injuring two students in the process. Before he had time to inflict any more damage, middle school math teacher David Benke sprung into action and tackled the assailant to the ground, thwarting any chances for more damage. Luckily, the two students wounded survived the shooting, one remains hospitalized. This article brings to light two crucial concepts. One, that school safety is far from being a perfected science, and that everyday breeds the opportunity for disaster to happen. We truly live in a fallen world, filled with terrible suffering that occurs when people decide to act wickedly. The second is that the role of a teacher is definitely multidimensional, and may provide the opportunity to not only mold students lives, but save them. Mr. Benke did an extremely noble, and courageous act by putting his life on the line to save others. Fortunately, he was successful in his attempt at subduing the gunman, and all lives were spared. So when disaster strikes, are you a person of action or not, are you willing to put your livelihood in jeopardy to save another?
Full article: http://http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_colo_school_shooting

Gotta love the Underdog

Last nights Olympic Hockey game between the USA and Canada was awesome to watch, passion and raw emotion was clearly on display and each team played at incredibly high level. The game was pitched as the ultimate showdown a young and up-in coming USA team vs the Olympic hosting, experienced, talented Canadians. This was truly a David vs. Goliath matchup, with David like Daniel being in the perverbial lions den that was Vancouver Canada. Yet, the USA bold like David, charged right into battle and earned a hard fought 5-3 upset victory over their neighbors to the North. USA forward Patrick Kane said " We've come a long way and coming into this tournament we were probably considered underdogs but we have a good team and and a good mix of players". Canada who before the tournament was considered the favorite for Gold is now 1 loss away from being out of medal contention, whereas USA is surpassing expectations. This team is drawing comparisons to the up start 1980's squad who shocked the world with the "Miracle on Ice" by beating the USSR and eventually winning gold. In both circumstances, USA teams were young and lacked experience. This is true in our own lives, that no matter what age we are, we can still do great things, if we rely on God for strength and guidance. So theres still time to jump on the bandwagon and cheer on the mother land. As a life long hockey fan, I can attest to the awesomness of the game of hockey, give it a try. Hopefully, this USA team can keep the magic going and prove that miracles still happen today. What do you think do they have what it takes for Gold?

Indy Rocks

If you were expecting this to be a post where I divulge and expose my hardcore love for the genre of indy rock, i'm sorry to dissapoint but that is not nearly the case. Instead I want to take time to talk about the greatest trilogy ever and quite possible best character of all time none other then the wip crackin, fedora wearing, archaelogist/professor Indiana Jones. This blog really serves two purposes : (1) If you have been so utterly deprived and have not seen any of the Indy movies, it's time to get out from under your rock and live a little. Secondly the Indy movies flat out bring people together. People use monkey brains as joke material on a consistent basis. I've never ran into a person who did not like the movies, and the movies always are great conversation starters. The theme o my gracious is just phenomenal it just stirs up such wondeful emotions in me, and brings smile to anyones face. Indiana Jones just lives the coolest life half archaelogist, half professor, 100% man. As a kid it had me digging in my backyard for hours in search of the Lost Ark. I encourage you to throw on your imaginary leather jacket and enter the wild world of indiana jones, you won't be dissapointed. My favorite one is the Last Crusade, what's yours?

Break a Mental Sweat

Many options exist for us to stay physically fit: lifting weights, running, biking, swimming, sports etc. It's fairly easy to tell when we have slumped on our workouts and are in need to break a solid sweat and release some endorphins. But how often do we take the time to sharpen our mind and as the addage goes "break a mental sweat". For me, I love to do crosswords, yup thats right crosswords I said it I do crosswords, there not just for grown ups everyone should partake in the wonderful phenomenon thats is the crossword. Crosswords are a great oportunity to retrieve previous facts stored in memory, as well as insert new imformation. I do most of my crosswords online through yahoo at games.yahoo.com/word games, where they provide 3 different types of crosswords for all different skill levels. So no excuses about crosswords being to difficult, one of the versions even give hints. What I really suggest is doing the crossword with another person, that's what really makes the experience fun; working as a team leads to the satisfying feeling of conquering a crossword. Crosswords are a great stress breaker and fun maker, so go out there and show a crossword who's boss!

Super Bowl Sunday: I feel a cool Brees!!

The day has finally arrived Super Bowl Sunday and this should a very good game with two outstanding QBS going at it, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.I'm rooting for the Saints to come out on top 38-35. Drew Brees statistically and arguably has been the best quarterback in the league over the past 3 years, despite lacking ideal height (6ft) and arm strength. In fact, his lack of arm strength is what made many teams pass on in him, feeling he was too much of a risk, but the Saints were willing to go all in and take the gamble, and wow what a reward. Although Drew may not look the part, is work ethic and leadership is unparrelled. Yet most importantly, Drew Brees is a follower of Christ and attributes all of his success to Christ. It's awesome to see a man at the top of the sports world being salt and light. In a recent Sports Spectrum interview Drew said "I see God's hand in everything that happens in life, God does things to strengthen us". Well I hope everyone enjoys the game!

Road Less Traveled

Something i find extremely amusing is the way food is arranged in my dining hall, especially the dessert table. The dessert table is ironically situated next to his polar opposities the fruit basket and the flavored water dispensers. Here we see a true clash of the titans kind of showdown which pits man against his conscience, well being, and health. After the meal is over the real fun starts, and it's time to make a descision. This is no easy descision because based on which course is chosen drastic diffrences will ensue. I must add that it's really not a fair fight, the dining crew does a tremndous job of providing a vast array of delicous delectables hearty enough for even the most diehard sweet tooth. On the contrary, the David to the dessert's Goliath, lie crowded on top of one another, virtually safe from the onslaught of passer byes. One provides immediate satisfaction, the other lasting benefits. One gets you hooked right away, the other takes time getting used to. One is very popular, the other is only followed by a few. Yet the opportunities exist for individuals to sway on both camps. Doesn't this sound a lot like choosing to live a life for God or not? We love immediate gratification, like those provided by sweets and sin, but are never truly satisfied. Bad choices seemingly always outweigh the good. Living for God is not all that popular or easy but the greater gain down the road is worth it. Sin always starts small just like 1 cookie becomes 2,3,5,6. When we choose God, we tap into the ultimate living water and the fruits of the spirit. Our peers play a big role in developing either lifestyle, or changing from one to another. The dessert tables of life will always exist, but so will God's fulfilling basket of fruit. We either get hooked to sin or hooked to God, developing habits along the way. So give the road less traveled a try, your waistline and soul will thank you.

Hey Baldy!

Respect your elders. On the surface it seems like a simple, innocuous task but in reality it's quite difficult to put in practice. For starters it involves getting over the stereotype that the elderly are intellectually deficient, out of touch with reality, and socially inadequate. It takes a leap of faith into the realm of the unknown and uncomfortable, it could be uncomfortable. With age comes life experience which leads to the accumulation of invaluable wisdom. Elderly who are Godly are even more of a treasure ans should be revered. This is clearly evident in a bizarre passage I came across today in 2 Kings 2:23-25. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20kings%202&version=NIV
We clearly see what happens when we disrespect elderly Godly men. Now in this day and age something as extreme as that wouldnt take place, but it's the principle here that matters. Rejecting the Word of God brings serious consequences to our lives. It may not be an attack by bears ,instead a slow degeneration away from God which will eventually lead to spiritual death. Elisha was a prophet sent by God, to set the people of Bethel (Center of Idolatry) straight. These lads decided to mock God's messenger and were wiped out. We must take advantage of the people God places in our lives, regardless of their age. In my life I've been extremely blessed and encouraged by elderly men of God. So save the insults, some of these geezers are actually great. Just give them a chance, or watch out for wildlife!