Midnight Flight

Last Friday night Amy and I (along with others from Redeemer Church) ran in the Midnight Flight. We had a lot of fun running together. Thanks to Josh Hardy (www.joshuaworks.com) for taking these pictures for us.

100 - 0

Last week, I posted a link to an article about a school that encouraged their fans to cheer for the other team. (Go here for that post.) This morning I came across another sports story dealing with a girls basketball team that beat the other team 100-0. In response to the victory, the board member of the winning school made the following comment:

It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened. This clearly does not reflect a Christlike and honorable approach to competition.

In contrast, the (now former) coach of the team made this comment:

In response to the statement posted on The Covenant School Web site, I do not agree with the apology or the notion that the Covenant School girls basketball team should feel embarrassed or ashamed...We played the game as it was meant to be played. My values and my beliefs would not allow me to run up the score on any opponent, and it will not allow me to apologize for a wide-margin victory when my girls played with honor and integrity.

So, who is correct? Could a case be made for both sides? How would you handle this ethical dilemma? Or do you even see this as an ethical dilemma? Should they have passed the ball around instead of scoring ? Or were their actions in the game appropriate? How would you wisely respond to this situation? The comment section is open for your reply...

Cheering for the Other Side

This is certainly not a common story in the world of sports. Very encouraging. Contrary to the opinions of people like Christopher Hitchens (i.e. author of God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything), Christianity is good for the world.

End of the Line

So, the Panthers lost on Saturday. Considering the number of turnovers for Jake Delhomme, I'm sure that it wasn't a very good birthday for him. Nevertheless, I'm not going to cast another stone toward Delhomme...he's probably had enough of those by now. But after the game was over I did find comfort in one thing: I am glad that my joy and happiness in life is not contingent on whether or not my favorite team wins or loses. There are probably people who are still depressed even as I write this. Yet, ultimately all things in this life (whether sports, money, relationships, etc.) are going to fail to live up to our hopes and aspirations. Yet, the true joy of life (both this one and the one to come) is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Don't get me wrong, I wanted them to win. I had Super Bowl expectations dancing in my head. But, there is more to life than football...or food or drink for that matter.

An Unusual Record

I played soccer for a number of years and had the misfortune of getting a red card before, but never quite like this.

2008 NFC South Title

After last weeks overtime loss to the New York Giants, I was hoping that the Panthers would dominate and win big over the New Orleans Saints. Well, they did dominate during most of the game bu the game was too close for comfort. Although they entered into the fourth quarter with a big lead, the Panthers fell behind the Saints during the fourth quarter. Fortunately, John Kasey's 42-yeard field goal gave the Panthers a 33-31 win over the Saints. With their win over the New Orleans Saints yesterday, the Carolina Panthers clinched the NFC South Division Title. This is the second time that the Panthers have won the NFC South (2003). I'm looking forward to the playoffs. Go Panthers!

Slow Start

Well, the NFL preseason is almost over, and the Carolina Panthers are 1-2. Hopefully, they can pull off a win against Pittsburgh before the regular season gets started. It would be awesome to see them get started with a couple of wins. But win or lose, I'll still be cheering them on throughout the season.

Abortions and Scholarships

This morning, I came across an online article--"Clemson criticizes ESPN story on student-athelete abortions"-- from the Anderson Independent-Mail. The ESPN report focused on student atheletes (some of whom were from Clemson) who fear losing scholarships if they become pregnant. Some of the women say that the school's policy (i.e. “pregnancy resulting in the inability to compete and positively contribute to the program’s success will result in the modification of your grant-in-aid money.”) made them feel like they had no choice. So, some of them had abortions. When one student became pregnant she said:

'How could this happen?' she told ESPN. 'My career was going to end. I’m not going to go to the Olympics or get to finish my four years. I was just like, This is a dead-end road. You’re not going anywhere else.'

I am not really interesting in debating over whether or not the policy was good. But I do want to say this: As the previous quote shows, our society has mixed-up priorities, to say the least. It is a sad indication of the state of our world when we are willing to hold careers, scholarships, or aspirations as move valuable than the life of a child.

But as believers, we cannot be satisfied with merely pointing out the problems of the world. We must also be ready to engage the world with the gospel. Let us point our neighbors, friends, city, state, nation, and world to a new way of living. Let's take them the message of the cross. "But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).

Red Bull New York Dominates Early in the Season

Red Bull New York (my favorite MLS team) continues to dominate this season as they share first place in Eastern Conference with the Chicago Fire. Both teams are are 3-0-1. Let's hope they keep up the momentum!

A Little Less Skin

I played in an alumni soccer match at my old high school last night. Before the game started, I was a bit worried that I would run out of energy within the first 15 minutes. Yet, I faired pretty good, especially considering that we didn't have any substitutes.

Fortunately, I didn't break any bones during the game, but I am extremely sore today. Most of the soreness is is due to a slide tackle that I did during the game. Unfortunately, the slide-tackle resulted in the loss of a couple of layers of my skin. (Blood, grass, and dirt are not a very pretty sight.) The pain didn't come until about 3o minutes after we stopped playing, and it really kicked in when I had to wash it with soap and water. Ouch! (I'd post a picture but I am sure that none of you want to see that much of my leg!)

Just in case you're wondering, the game ended in a 3-3 tie.

Football Disappointments

Well, it wasn't a very good weekend for football. The Tigers lost to the Gamecocks, and I'm still trying to pull my foot out of my mouth. (I guess this would have been a more appropriate picture to post.)

The Panthers didn't fare any better because they lost to the Washington Redskins yesterday. Next Sunday will be a new day and the I'm sure the Panthers are ready to go back to work in preparation for their game against the Eagles.

Clemson vs. South Carolina

Well, I for one can't wait to see Clemson beat South Carolina. Go Tigers!

Put Another Check in the Win Category

The Panthers just improved their record to (4-2) with their 23 to 21 win over the Ravens.

Panthers Beat the Browns

It was another good day for the Panthers as they defeated the Browns today 20-12. Watch the highlights here.

Panthers and the Saints

I just finished watching the Carolina Panthers hand the New Orleans' Saints their first loss of the season. The final score was 21 to 18. It looks like the Panther's are finally building up the momentum that's going to carry them all the way to the Super Bowl! (Well, at least I hope they make it there this year.) Go Panthers!