Sure, they won just today by a score of 3-1 over Australia, but this video shows just how well our team is representing our country off of the field while in South Africa for the World Cup. Thought I would post the video below to remind us (as Americans) that we really do have the opportunity to bring joy to other countries. I’m looking forward to doing that in a few weeks when I travel with Marla to Cambodia! Thanks for the reminder guys!

Definitely not a fan of golf (won’t go into describing that), but I usually will watch The Masters each year. Thrilled that Mickelson won, and that his wife (battling breast cancer and being in bed the entire rest of the tournament) got to enjoy the victory with him.

Tiger Woods has been through quite a bit the past few months, so I wasn’t surprised at all to see the cameras following his every move. After he messed a tee shot up, his voice raised with “God! Tigurrrrrr…….Jesus Christ!”. Obviously he could have replaced “Tiger” with “Holy Spirit” and the discussion across the web would have been entirely different. Maybe?

I’m fairly certain Tiger’s not a Christ-follower, but at some point Christians need to ask – what’s the point in using our Father’s name like this? Really…..I don’t get it? I’m glad I don’t play golf, primarily for this reason. I’m not above getting competitive and letting my stress show during athletic events. I’ve struggled with that. From my understanding and little experience out on the golf course, many golfers are known for this. The sport requires focus, perseverance and perfection. And it’s not the only sport where we hear this, I’m sure of that.

You find it offensive? Does freedom of speech protect this? Should athletes not be confronted for their words while in the spotlights? Thoughts?

I’m ready to start my new job on Monday at 104.9 The River, but I think this weekend will help quite a bit! Bright and early tomorrow morning, I’m heading to Tennessee with my Dad for three days to hang out with rednecks and racecars. Not sure if you’re aware of it, but I’m a big NASCAR fan (rooting for #29 – Kevin Harvick). He just happens to be leading in the standings this year, so we’ll see if he can hold onto that.

I’m most pumped to just get away from work a bit and hang out with my Dad. Something I don’t get to do too often. He and I will be hanging out in the first row up in the section above the “BRISTOL” area in the photo. Great seats for sure!

What things do you enjoy in life that would recharge you? Have you had an opportunity to escape and relax recently?

This one might step on some toes, but here we go! Surely you’re aware that football season has begun here in America? Obviously, by the hat I’m wearing in this blog’s header image, you can guess that I’m a pretty big fan of sports. My favorite two are college football (go Virginia Tech Hokies) and NASCAR racing (go Kevin Harvick).

Living here in Columbus, OH it becomes pretty obvious how dominating sports can be in people’s lives. But I get it……competition has always been interesting for centuries. But something I REALLY don’t get now is fantasy sports. After years of being sucked into being a part of online fantasy sports leagues, I can finally say that I don’t see the need to be in one ever again.

What don’t I get about it? I already feel like I don’t have a life watching countless hours of a race or football game. I’m guessing you’d have to take that time and double it when you add in the “studying” and “preparing” people put in with managing their fantasy sports teams. And at the end of the week, they have a 50-50 chance of being the lucky one and out-guessing their competitor. Here’s the challenge! Is there something better you could be doing with the time God has given you? When you have to look back on life, are you going to regret things like fantasy football? Is it just me, or have we become numb in more areas like this with our time as our culture shifts?

PRAYING that you and I find a balance of leisure and responsibility. PRAISING God for giving us things to enjoy, while also commanding us to never prioritize anything above Him.

Many of the victories I have had in life have resulted in letting go of something. We’ve all heard the phrase before….”Let go and let God”. That’s the way it was with me and all of the time I spent playing video games. I let go and God moved in miraculous ways. The large amount of time that I spent was transformed into moments where I could proclaim God and more clearly glorify Him. There are groups that take this to the extreme and end up appearing creepy or getting called names. But is that their fault, or ours for thinking of them like that? This is an extremely touchy subject, as I saw from the comments in the recent post here about the video game addiction.

How far do you take it? Do you get rid of everything that pleases you? I don’t think that’s what God would want. He intends for us to enjoy this life. One thing I am struggling with right now is television. Watching Virginia Tech football or NASCAR (I know – tech guy and redneck do not usually go together) are the only two things that I care to watch. I don’t watch anything else. Sometimes I get more thrilled about the days those sports are on than I do about spending time with the Lord that day. Or taking time to encourage someone in their walk. There’s nothing questionable about my ethics while watching sports. It’s good, clean fun! But then scripture like this one always come to mind.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as his own life, he can’t be my disciple.” Luke 14:26

God didn’t just make a mistake and let that slip into the Bible, did He? Not a chance. Hate your own family, if that’s what it takes? Are you serious? And I’m struggling with football and racing on the tube. That’s when I start to re-think things. I’m just beginning the journey with this one. The racing season starts in two weeks. Are there things like this that you’ve seen be stepping stones in your walk with the Lord? Do you regret something you’ve given up in an effort to have your focus on what He wants with your life?