First of all, I'm a huge college football fan. I can't believe that Mike Leach, the coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team, got fired for putting a kid in a small dark room. After reading what little information is on the internet, I don't believe he did anything wrong. Even the trainers and the doctors said what the coach did was probably a good idea.
Here's what I think happened. "Baby boy" James couldn't live up to "big-daddy" James's standards and daddy couldn't take it. So daddy whines about it to the big shots at TTU and now the coach is gone. Now, if this would have been the run-of-the-mill daddy nothing would have become of this. But since daddy is a big shot all hell is breaking loose.
I personally never have liked to watch Craig James on TV. To me he is just another arrogant jerk that is full of himself. The human in me hopes that "baby boy" never sees the football field again while he's playing in a game. However, it's hard to want to punish the child for the sins of the father. Granted this "child" is not really a child anymore but he's been raised to always run to daddy when things don't go right and daddy will make it better for him because daddy is a big-shot and he always gets his way. This may or may not be true but it's what I think is the case.
Any sport, particularly football, is going to be brutal and extremely tough to compete at a high level. As a former athlete, I understand that coaches can go too far sometimes, but at some point these freaking parents have got to back off and let their children learn to handle things themselves. My oldest daughter had trouble with one of her teachers at school. She came to me, wanting my help but I wouldn't go help her out in this situation. I thought her complaint had merit and that the teacher was wrong. Had she been in grade school I might have gone and talked to the teacher, but she was in high school and it was time for her to stand on her own. Kids need to learn to "saddle their own horses, and kill their own snakes" at an early age. If I have to explain that to you then you are probably part of the problem.
To any of you parents out their that may read this blog. Your kid may not be good enough to make the team and you need to learn to accept that and get off the coaches back. If your kid goes out for a sport there will be pressure put on him to get him to perform at the highest level. That pressure will come from the coaches and the other players on the team. You might not like this but that's the way it is in any endeavour, not just sports. I've coached before, I wasn't very good at it, but I'd still be coaching were it not for a couple of parents that were complete jerks. I was a volunteer coach, trying to learn to coach effectively, and didn't want to put up with any "mess" since I wasn't getting paid. Had I been getting paid I would imagine I'd put up with a little more junk:) I can't imagine how hard it would be to be a head coach at some big time school or sports organization. Putting up with the owners/board of directors, fans, media, and the parents would have to be a huge headache!
Some people just need a good butt whipping to get their attitude into proper perspective. Craig James and his little primadonna son need the crap kicked out of them and get a dose of reality and a serious attitude adjustment. The parents in this country have so spoiled their children it's a wonder the children can even function. I've never been a proponent of getting to play just because your kid shows up. You can either do it or you can't! This is exactly what happened to this James kid at Texas Tech; he couldn't perform so daddy stepped in to save his poor precious son from the indignity of failure. We are a nation of a bunch of whining sissy's and it's no wonder we have lost the respect of the rest of the world.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Religious Zealots...give me a break!
This is going to be a post about something other than politics. This is the gospel according to Saint Richard:)
What makes some people want to be in complete control of everyone else? What is it that makes any of us think we have all the answers? I don't know, I'm asking any of you if you know?
Of course, I always believe I'm right or at least justified in what I do or I wouldn't do what it is I do. However, unlike some folks, I don't believe that my way is the only way. My way is the best for me but it may not be so for you. That doesn't make me more right than you it simply means I do what makes me comfortable or what I believe is best for me.
I was taught, from the time of my birth, that the religion my family practiced was the only true religion and that everyone else that didn't do what we did would surely be sent to hell. (sounds a little like the rag-heads we are currently at war with doesn't it?) As I've grown older I began to realize that I didn't agree with that sentiment and that knowledge has caused me no small amount of grief. It is a hard thing to go against my parents, especially when it comes to religion. I spent many years not going to any kind of "church" because I couldn't stand the thought of going inside and listening to what I didn't agree with. I've raised all my children to believe in God and to live by Christian principles and to use the bible as their moral foundation. Unfortunately, I didn't take my two older children to worship services very often and I think the missed out on a very good thing by not attending worship and participating in youth activites. The younger two don't remember a time when we didn't attend and take part in church activities.
I will never ever tell someone that they are going to hell just because they don't worship the way I do. In fact, if you preach "Christ crucified" I will not attempt to convert you, you are my brother or sister in Christ already. The particular religious persuasion I was taught when I was a child teaches a very strict "5 acts of worship" or you'll go to hell doctrine. I've read the bible a lot in the last 30 years and I've yet to find those 5 acts of worship listed in the context they were taught to me. I can not find a Christian "worship service", as we know it, listed in the new testament anywhere! What I do see is rules for good, happy, clean living. I do see where we are to give up our sinful nature and to take up our cross and follow Jesus.
I am a Christian now. I don't think I really ever understood what that meant until recently. Yeah, some of you who know me know what my weaknesses are, and I'm working on them. I'm here to tell you this: I'm not perfect and I don't pretend to be, but I am forgiven.
I am still a member of the same kind of church I grew up in. I do agree with it's basic principles................... or at least a couple of them. Those couple of things are a big deal to me and are the reason's I haven't left the church. On a personal note, I am a singer and I do enjoy my ac capella singing. I love to lead singing during worship service and I don't believe I could ever enjoy doing that if there were instruments involved. I don't believe instrumental music is a salvation issue, this is strictly a personal taste. One of the basic doctrines my particular kind of church teaches is that instrumental music will send you to hell. HA! Yes, I still go to the church DESPITE that.
How many people in the history of the world have been killed in the name of religion? I don't know and neither do you. I do know that Jesus did preach love and for us to live a quiet peaceful life. I do know the bible teaches that we are to work out our own soul salvation. I do know, according to Romans 14, that even when the apostles walked the earth there were people that had differences of opinion and they were told to get along in spite of these differences. We are told to live at peace, as far as it's left to us, with all men. Yes, once again, I know I'm not that peaceful of a guy, but I'm working on it really hard. I could list book, chapter, and verse for all of what I believe and will do so if you ask. I say this in all honesty with maybe a little hint of sarcasm. Honesty, because I can. Sarcasm, because the "so-called" conservative branch of my particular church like to make the same statement but they mean it in the context of some "mythical" worship service. The "conservative" branch (LOL) of my particular religion base their entire salvation on whether or not a person worships in the prescribed manner. Of course they miss the entire concept of what it is to be a Christian, in my humble opinion. These folks will deny that they don't understand Christianity because they worship in the prescribed manner. I didn't understand how mis-guided and goofy this all sounded until a few years ago. A while back I told a member of this particular "sect" that the only difference between them and the muslim clerics we are at war with is that they didn't have beards and AK-47's..haha Sad but true.
By faith I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and I don't believe there is any other true religion other than Christianity. If you don't believe that then that's your right, just know that I don't agree with you. You and I may never completely agree on what the bible says, and that's ok; just don't come to me and tell me I'm going to hell because I don't worship the same way you do. There are things we all know that are wrong and our civil law was based on the very concepts of Christian principles and indeed what is just common decent sense( it used to be anyway!). On the other hand, there is just a whole bunch of things that are left up to the individual and are not heaven/hell issues.
At this point in my life I just flat don't care if you and I agree about religious doctrine. I'm sick to death of arguing with people about traditions and other things that simply don't matter when it comes to the salvation of my soul. I'm tired of mere mortal men being arrogant and condescending towards others because others man not subscribe to their version of religion. If you are one of those folks out there that think you and your small band-of-brethren are the only ones that have the "truth" then I'm really sorry for you. Don't get up on your "high-horse" at me and tell me I don't study the bible enough or I've been led astray by some weak brethren! HA It's my opinion you old "hard-liners" are the weak brethren and I'm sorry that your life has to be so miserable. It's tough to live a happy life, and I know this to be a fact because I used to try to live it, when you believe God is sitting up there with the fires of hell in his hand just waiting for you to step over some line so he can doom your soul. Certainly we can loose our salvation but not for the reasons you people think and certainly not because I like to clap my hands during singing, or because someone plays a piano during song service. I don't like the piano either but I don't believe that God gonna send someone to hell for it.HA
Get off my back about having miked singers (praise team),hand clapping, hand raising,the Lord's Supper (actually a Catholic Sacrament we have to do every Sunday), and Sunday night small groups. I don't want to hear about any of that stuff because your arguments are based on simple tradition, not biblical doctrine! I lead singing at church quite often. It doesn't matter what songs I lead or how I lead them somebody is not going to like something about the song service. I have a certain way I like to sing (with some SOUL) and some people don't care much for that. I do, and if I lead singing that's the way I'm going to lead them when the mood strikes me just right. When I sing, it comes from my soul, and the singing moves my soul and nothing else moves me the way congregational singing does. You ought to be standing up in front of my church when I lead "This Little Light Of Mine"! Wow! How can someone not be moved by hearing that beautiful singing, I draw encouragement and strength from a good song service, just like the bible says we will over in Colossians and Ephesians.
If you don't like what I have to say you don't have to read my blog. If you disagree with me then by all means make a comment and we'll have a friendly discussion. These are my thoughts and it's taken most all of my 45 years to draw some of these conclusions or at least be able to state my beliefs.
What makes some people want to be in complete control of everyone else? What is it that makes any of us think we have all the answers? I don't know, I'm asking any of you if you know?
Of course, I always believe I'm right or at least justified in what I do or I wouldn't do what it is I do. However, unlike some folks, I don't believe that my way is the only way. My way is the best for me but it may not be so for you. That doesn't make me more right than you it simply means I do what makes me comfortable or what I believe is best for me.
I was taught, from the time of my birth, that the religion my family practiced was the only true religion and that everyone else that didn't do what we did would surely be sent to hell. (sounds a little like the rag-heads we are currently at war with doesn't it?) As I've grown older I began to realize that I didn't agree with that sentiment and that knowledge has caused me no small amount of grief. It is a hard thing to go against my parents, especially when it comes to religion. I spent many years not going to any kind of "church" because I couldn't stand the thought of going inside and listening to what I didn't agree with. I've raised all my children to believe in God and to live by Christian principles and to use the bible as their moral foundation. Unfortunately, I didn't take my two older children to worship services very often and I think the missed out on a very good thing by not attending worship and participating in youth activites. The younger two don't remember a time when we didn't attend and take part in church activities.
I will never ever tell someone that they are going to hell just because they don't worship the way I do. In fact, if you preach "Christ crucified" I will not attempt to convert you, you are my brother or sister in Christ already. The particular religious persuasion I was taught when I was a child teaches a very strict "5 acts of worship" or you'll go to hell doctrine. I've read the bible a lot in the last 30 years and I've yet to find those 5 acts of worship listed in the context they were taught to me. I can not find a Christian "worship service", as we know it, listed in the new testament anywhere! What I do see is rules for good, happy, clean living. I do see where we are to give up our sinful nature and to take up our cross and follow Jesus.
I am a Christian now. I don't think I really ever understood what that meant until recently. Yeah, some of you who know me know what my weaknesses are, and I'm working on them. I'm here to tell you this: I'm not perfect and I don't pretend to be, but I am forgiven.
I am still a member of the same kind of church I grew up in. I do agree with it's basic principles................... or at least a couple of them. Those couple of things are a big deal to me and are the reason's I haven't left the church. On a personal note, I am a singer and I do enjoy my ac capella singing. I love to lead singing during worship service and I don't believe I could ever enjoy doing that if there were instruments involved. I don't believe instrumental music is a salvation issue, this is strictly a personal taste. One of the basic doctrines my particular kind of church teaches is that instrumental music will send you to hell. HA! Yes, I still go to the church DESPITE that.
How many people in the history of the world have been killed in the name of religion? I don't know and neither do you. I do know that Jesus did preach love and for us to live a quiet peaceful life. I do know the bible teaches that we are to work out our own soul salvation. I do know, according to Romans 14, that even when the apostles walked the earth there were people that had differences of opinion and they were told to get along in spite of these differences. We are told to live at peace, as far as it's left to us, with all men. Yes, once again, I know I'm not that peaceful of a guy, but I'm working on it really hard. I could list book, chapter, and verse for all of what I believe and will do so if you ask. I say this in all honesty with maybe a little hint of sarcasm. Honesty, because I can. Sarcasm, because the "so-called" conservative branch of my particular church like to make the same statement but they mean it in the context of some "mythical" worship service. The "conservative" branch (LOL) of my particular religion base their entire salvation on whether or not a person worships in the prescribed manner. Of course they miss the entire concept of what it is to be a Christian, in my humble opinion. These folks will deny that they don't understand Christianity because they worship in the prescribed manner. I didn't understand how mis-guided and goofy this all sounded until a few years ago. A while back I told a member of this particular "sect" that the only difference between them and the muslim clerics we are at war with is that they didn't have beards and AK-47's..haha Sad but true.
By faith I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and I don't believe there is any other true religion other than Christianity. If you don't believe that then that's your right, just know that I don't agree with you. You and I may never completely agree on what the bible says, and that's ok; just don't come to me and tell me I'm going to hell because I don't worship the same way you do. There are things we all know that are wrong and our civil law was based on the very concepts of Christian principles and indeed what is just common decent sense( it used to be anyway!). On the other hand, there is just a whole bunch of things that are left up to the individual and are not heaven/hell issues.
At this point in my life I just flat don't care if you and I agree about religious doctrine. I'm sick to death of arguing with people about traditions and other things that simply don't matter when it comes to the salvation of my soul. I'm tired of mere mortal men being arrogant and condescending towards others because others man not subscribe to their version of religion. If you are one of those folks out there that think you and your small band-of-brethren are the only ones that have the "truth" then I'm really sorry for you. Don't get up on your "high-horse" at me and tell me I don't study the bible enough or I've been led astray by some weak brethren! HA It's my opinion you old "hard-liners" are the weak brethren and I'm sorry that your life has to be so miserable. It's tough to live a happy life, and I know this to be a fact because I used to try to live it, when you believe God is sitting up there with the fires of hell in his hand just waiting for you to step over some line so he can doom your soul. Certainly we can loose our salvation but not for the reasons you people think and certainly not because I like to clap my hands during singing, or because someone plays a piano during song service. I don't like the piano either but I don't believe that God gonna send someone to hell for it.HA
Get off my back about having miked singers (praise team),hand clapping, hand raising,the Lord's Supper (actually a Catholic Sacrament we have to do every Sunday), and Sunday night small groups. I don't want to hear about any of that stuff because your arguments are based on simple tradition, not biblical doctrine! I lead singing at church quite often. It doesn't matter what songs I lead or how I lead them somebody is not going to like something about the song service. I have a certain way I like to sing (with some SOUL) and some people don't care much for that. I do, and if I lead singing that's the way I'm going to lead them when the mood strikes me just right. When I sing, it comes from my soul, and the singing moves my soul and nothing else moves me the way congregational singing does. You ought to be standing up in front of my church when I lead "This Little Light Of Mine"! Wow! How can someone not be moved by hearing that beautiful singing, I draw encouragement and strength from a good song service, just like the bible says we will over in Colossians and Ephesians.
If you don't like what I have to say you don't have to read my blog. If you disagree with me then by all means make a comment and we'll have a friendly discussion. These are my thoughts and it's taken most all of my 45 years to draw some of these conclusions or at least be able to state my beliefs.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Our un-American President
This picture is worth a thousand words! Notice that the military men are all saluting and the civilian who has his hand over his heart? Notice the communist/Muslim second to the left who is standing there in arrogance and defiance of United States custom? This is our president! You know, you can ignore things only for so long, but if things keep happening a person must eventually look to see if there is any substance to things that go on. This is not the first time BO has been seen not rendering proper respect to our flag or to our military. We already know he's not a citizen of our country. We already know that he bows and scrapes to foreign leaders. We already know he's a Muslim, or at the very least, a man that associates with people who do not have the best interest of America in their hearts. We already know he's a communist/Marxist. God help the United States of America if this man is elected again as our president.We spent how many billions of dollars,during the cold war, to defeat the ideology that our current president believes in? If you voted for this man then you are my enemy and you are an enemy of the very idea of the United States of America. The vote the senate is working on this very minute, at the direction of BO, will just about seal the deal for the death of the USA and the principles it was founded upon. I'm speaking of the health-care reform bill of course. We are no longer a democracy but a socialist/communist country. If you don't believe that then you have your head buried in the sand. If you don't believe we have lost our freedom of self-determination than I'm sad for you and thanks to people such as you, we've lost our country.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Old Man Status: Hearing Aids and Pace Makers
It is amazing how some people change after a life altering event. This past week I was told that I'm going to be needing a defibrillator/pace-maker implanted in order to prevent sudden death if my heart were to stop. My doctor told me that my heart is functioning at about 35%, maybe a little more. Apparently, if you get below 45% you are at risk of sudden death from a heart stoppage.
I always wondered how I'd react to getting news such as this. So now I know. I've got to tell you that I'm a little afraid but I am going to go ahead and live my life just like I've been doing and not worry about death. I know where I'll be heading if I die, there is no doubt in my mind that I've got a better home waiting on me when I pass from this life. I certainly don't want to go anytime soon, I've got two children at home that I home school who need their daddy really bad. I've got a wife and two grown children that would probably like to see their daddy/husband stay around a few more years. I've got so much to look forward to whether or not it's here on earth or on the other side.
Any of you who know me know that I smoked for many years. At this point in my life I'm not going to go on a pity-party and start feeling sorry for myself. I've done this too myself and cannot now start the "oh-poor-me" act. I'm also a type A personality and am really intense. I've been told that this is not good for the heart either. I'll say this much. I will get the pace-maker/defibrillator installed but I'm not going to quit living just because of that. My hope is to die while I'm doing something I really like to do; leading singing at church,coaching basketball, watching an OU football game, or at some other equally exciting event. I figure we all have a finite time on this earth anyway and so we must try to enjoy our short life as much as we can.
I will keep posting on my blog until I have no more to say. I've been really busy with basketball season and work these last few weeks and have not been able to post like I normally do. I've got lots to say about lots of things and I'll be getting to those things just as soon as I can. Each of you please keep me in your prayers, Lord knows I could use all the help I can get:) I've got a lot to do and I plan to keep doing everything I can till the Lord calls me home. Hopefully, that will be when I'm about 85 or so. I'm to ornery to go out now!:)
I always wondered how I'd react to getting news such as this. So now I know. I've got to tell you that I'm a little afraid but I am going to go ahead and live my life just like I've been doing and not worry about death. I know where I'll be heading if I die, there is no doubt in my mind that I've got a better home waiting on me when I pass from this life. I certainly don't want to go anytime soon, I've got two children at home that I home school who need their daddy really bad. I've got a wife and two grown children that would probably like to see their daddy/husband stay around a few more years. I've got so much to look forward to whether or not it's here on earth or on the other side.
Any of you who know me know that I smoked for many years. At this point in my life I'm not going to go on a pity-party and start feeling sorry for myself. I've done this too myself and cannot now start the "oh-poor-me" act. I'm also a type A personality and am really intense. I've been told that this is not good for the heart either. I'll say this much. I will get the pace-maker/defibrillator installed but I'm not going to quit living just because of that. My hope is to die while I'm doing something I really like to do; leading singing at church,coaching basketball, watching an OU football game, or at some other equally exciting event. I figure we all have a finite time on this earth anyway and so we must try to enjoy our short life as much as we can.
I will keep posting on my blog until I have no more to say. I've been really busy with basketball season and work these last few weeks and have not been able to post like I normally do. I've got lots to say about lots of things and I'll be getting to those things just as soon as I can. Each of you please keep me in your prayers, Lord knows I could use all the help I can get:) I've got a lot to do and I plan to keep doing everything I can till the Lord calls me home. Hopefully, that will be when I'm about 85 or so. I'm to ornery to go out now!:)
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