Three Brief Rants

OK, this first one is a bit overdue, but here goes. About a month or two ago, there was a game altering mistake by a referee during a World Cup Qualifier match between Ireland and France. I don't follow soccer, but this got so much press it was impossible to miss. Here's a video of the play.


Following the game, Ireland petitioned FIFA (soccer's governmental body) for a rematch because of this play. FIFA denied the petition. I for one am glad that they did. Was it a bad call? Absolutely. But, imagine the precedent set if FIFA allows an entire match to be replayed because of one bad call. I hate it for the Irish team, but referees, umpires, officials are part of the game and they make mistakes. Sometimes we have to live with other people's mistakes too. It's tough, but it's life.

Second rant. Climategate. I'm sure by now most of you have heard the story about leaked emails obtained by a hacker that would essentially prove to some extent that the data we've been fed regarding global warming has been manipulated to keep the panic alive. It seems that all the media and government want to do is find the hacker and punish him or her. Let me first say that they should. Hacking is a major problem and offenders need to be punished. However, no one seems to want to look into the content of those emails.

I think that we have fashioned enough of our energy policies around the concept of global warming that maybe it deserves a look into. It seems that some money could be saved if the data was indeed manipulated as we could lessen some of the regulations imposed on Americans by the government in the name of global warming. Problem is, it won't be looked into because the left has spent years building a large part of their platform on global warming and this kind of information could cripple their legislative efforts. If global warming exists, what harm does an investigation do?

Finally, Bobby Bowden. The man is a coaching legend as has achieved some incredible things as a head football coach. Also remember that he hasn't achieved it without some level of controversy. (Free Shoes University, 23 players missing a bowl game because of academic fraud). Now, the Gator Bowl wants to subvert the system in place and grant a 6-6 FSU team a spot in the Gator Bowl that should be occupied by a higher ranked ACC team simply to give Bobby his final game in the state of Florida.

If bowls were just about the game, I could deal with this. However, bowl games involve large payouts to the participating schools. If the ACC allows this to happen it will hurt every team ahead of FSU in the ACC with the exception of the conference champ and Virginia Tech (Chick-fil-a Bowl bound already). If Bobby wanted to finish his career in the state of Florida, maybe he should go ahead and step down so that the beating he took at the hands of the Gators could be his last game. Don't punish Clemson or GT, Miami, BC, and UNC just to be nice to 'poor old Bobby.'

Heaven's Kiss

There is a line of a song by John Mark McMillan that says, “Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss.” Upon a first hearing or reading of this lyric, the listener may be jolted by such a graphic description of heaven meeting earth. At the same time, I think the whole point of a lyric like this is to make us think.

The plan of salvation wasn’t neat and tidy. It wasn’t a picture perfect blueprint. It couldn’t be. Salvation required sacrifice. It required a blood sacrifice. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 NASV.

As we begin celebrating this Christmas season, let us not forget that while family, friends, fellowship, and food are all wonderful aspects of our celebration, the real reason for celebration is God sent His only Son to provide that perfect sacrifice. Our sin is now under the blood of Christ. I am so grateful that heaven met earth like a “sloppy wet kiss.”

For those that don't know the song, it is called "How He Loves". It has been recorded by John Mark McMillan, Kim Walker (great arrangement), Jared Anderson, and David Crowder. Note that Crowder altered the 'sloppy wet kiss' lyric and made it 'an unforseen kiss.'

Bohemian Rhapsody - Muppet Style

This is too great to not share. Enjoy!

Challenge From Scripture

It's been a while since I last posted on here. This will not be long, and probably not that profound. However, I came across this verse in Psalm 101 that really messed me up (in a good way). I don't think it needs any exposition to make its point. It's as simple and straight forward as it gets.

David writes in Psalm 101:3, "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;"

Are you challenged?

Night of Worship

The last Wednesday night of July, Crossroads Community Church presented a night of worship. The theme of this night was celebrating the holiness of God. These 2 videos show how we closed out the worship time. I hope you enjoy and that you are blessed.

Another Wedding Memory

Micah Tsakalas sings Israel Houghton's "The Weight of Your Glory".

From Our Wedding

Stacie Moore sings "Because You Loved Me". Video features Micah Tsakalas on piano and John Brockman on drums.