The Season of Brotherly Shove

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. – John 1:1-2

It’s the reason for the season, isn’t it: getting the best deal on presents to stuff under the tree? And at what cost? What’s the latest fad to hit the streets in time for Christmas this year? How can I let my son go even one more month without one? What kind of father would I be? And especially at such an amazingly low price!

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. – John 1:3-5

My wonderful daily commute takes me along the I-80 corridor past the Solano Mall and then down I-680 where I pass the Sun Valley Mall and a host of fine retail outlets. On a normal day, as I pass by these stores at 5:00 AM, the parking lots are deserted. Only a street sweeper might be spotted making laps around the asphalt.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. – John 1:6-9

But not today: not on the day after Thanksgiving. This morning, parking lots were jam packed with cars and people. This morning, people actually alit from their warm comfortable beds…to go shopping! At five in the morning! Some of them camped there all night. What did they give thanks for yesterday?

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. – John 1:10-13

I don’t know why it amazes me. It happens every year. Tonight on the news, we’ll be treated to store security camera footage of otherwise normal men and women - seemingly decent human beings - trampling over each other, ripping items from each other’s hands, and pushing each other out of the way to grab that one last "thing" they just have to have for Christmas. The scene from our church Christmas play last year would not have been so funny were it not so grounded in reality. If we’re lucky, nobody will get shot. If we’re lucky…

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

Oh, that’s right…it’s Christmas. It’s the time we celebrate the birth of Christ. It’s the time we set aside to honor our Lord and Savior, the One who died on the cross so that we might live. He brought us grace, truth, and love. And He paid for it at the cross.

From what deprived materialistic state of mind did we create the day we proudly refer to as Black Friday? Yes, there were Christians in the crowds this morning. Materialism isn’t lost on us. I guess that’s what makes it sadder in my mind.

When the boxes are opened Christmas morning, and elation turns to disappointment, will it have been worth it? When we discover the electronic Tomagachi Pet we just had to have is as boring as watching the grass grow, will we be proud of ourselves?

Only 32 days until the after Christmas sales begin. Am I the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, or what?

Surely, our Lord wept at the spectacle we made of ourselves today.

Trash Talking - It's Still a Matter of Perspective

Ah, the season that could have been. Stupid tuck rule!

Okay, so I’m taking some heat about the Raiders this year. And I probably deserve it. Not that I would trash talk about any of your teams (yeah, right!). I’m no fair-weather fan, so go ahead and take your shots. I can take it. Just know what you’re talking about, that’s all.

I don’t know any Miami fans, so I’ll leave them out of the discussion. In case you don’t know, Miami still has the highest overall all-time winning percentage in the NFL at .594. But, even they can’t boast of a better winning percentage against the Raiders (the Raiders lead with a 17-12-1 record versus the dorsal fins).

That leaves the Raiders with the second highest winning percentage all-time in the NFL at .578. If you’re a Niner fan, you’re a paltry .561. Dallas? You’re at .574 (oh, so close!). Colts? .506 (ouch, barely above a losing record!). So, essentially, we can bomb the rest of the season (and we will), and you still can’t say you’re team is better – at least not historically.

Versus San Francisco we’re 6-4, versus Dallas we’re 6-3, and versus the Colts? Do you really want to know? Yep, we’re 8-4.

And we all know what’s going to happen for the remainder of the season…

…the Raiders will continue their losing streak and blow a great first round draft pick on a player they don’t really need. Sure, Michael Huff is working out great. It’s just too bad he’s not a quarterback or offensive lineman.

…Forty-Niner fans at 5-5 still believe they can make the playoffs (and win a Super Bowl?). Yeah, right! I’m looking for something positive to say about them, but it’s so hard! Okay, Frank Gore is playing out of his mind. I have to give you that. But even Jerry Rice moved over to the Dark Side of the Bay when he saw the light.

…the Raiders will set a record for most fourth quarter leads blown in a season.

…the Colts will look awesome going into the playoffs only to lose in the first round. Ya just can’t shake history. Truth be told, being as my team sure isn’t going anywhere this season, I’d like to see Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy finally win one. But, there are serious demons to overcome. Curse of the Edgebino?

…the Raiders will set a record for most consecutive games scoring 13 points or less. Ouch! That’s painful.

…and Dallas? Don’t get me started. Terrell Owens?? It’s only a matter of time for the implosion. Here’s an ironic prediction (tell all your friends you saw it here first). The Cowboys will be vying for a Wild Card birth only to be edged out by San Francisco who has the advantage of playing in the weakest division in the NFL (Arizona, Saint Louis, and Seattle – you know I’m not lying).

…and the Raiders? They’ll set single-season records for most sacks allowed, most interceptions, most turn-overs, and fewest yards of total offense. Just keepin’ it real.

I’m going to invoke Man-Law 1345:2345 – “Any man whose sports team is having a losing season may claim it as a rebuilding year whether or not any actual rebuilding is taking place.” There’s always next year, Raider fans. There’s always next year.

Censorship

Spirited public debate puts ideas and concepts on the table. All sides of a topic are free to be explored. Our country was founded on that premise. And that’s the beauty of the blog world. Everyone has a voice – everyone has an opinion that holds some value, even if only for themselves. Even me.

Locking people out of a discussion only leads to mistrust. Shutting down someone’s voice only leads to dissension and lines drawn in the sand.

I don’t apologize for giving you a headache and I don’t apologize for “exhausting” you with my debate. Nor would I expect an apology in return.

I accept you and love you for who you are – for who God is leading you to be. Can you do the same?

There it is. It’s out in the open. I’m not ashamed of who I am – of who God is leading me to be. And I’m not afraid of listening to other people’s viewpoints and possibly learning from them. Anything less is pretty shallow.

When ideas can no longer be shared... when concepts can no longer be explored... that's when we've reached the end.

The only one with all the answers is God. The rest of us are left to sort it all out and make sense of it.

Of God and Football: What's the point? It's a quest for truth. Because in everything that is, there is purpose - God's purpose.

You might participate in the discussion. Or you might not. The latter ends without learning. The latter ends without teaching. I find that pretty shallow. And I don't see the transparency in that.

Dialogue

Dialogue: An exchange of ideas or opinions on a particular issue, especially a political or religious issue, with a view to reaching an amicable agreement or settlement. (Websters.com)

You say you want dialogue, but you only want to hear one side. That’s not dialogue. That’s dangerous.

That’s hypocritical: A person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements. (Websters.com)

I couldn’t possibly make this stuff up.

Luxury Suites, The Raiders, My Baby, and Me

God could not have provided a better day. Well...okay...there could have been world peace, an end to poverty, and everyone on earth could have come to know Him. But, on a purely personal level, I could not have asked for more.

On an absolutely gorgeous Sunday afternoon, my wife and I made our way over to McAfee Coliseum after church. While everyone else was forced to park in the fields across the freeway and walk back to the stadium, we breezed into the VIP parking lot (following a limo) to park right next to the stadium.

"Yes, officer. I have a VIP pass."

"Oh, right this way, sir. Just bypass around all the traffic and disregard the signs advising the parking lot is full."

After a very brief walk into the stadium through the VIP entrance, we checked out the VIP concourse. In addition to sports bars and upscale restaurants, we watched as former Raider greats Gene Upshaw and Greg Townsend met some fans and were interviewed on TV.

From there, we went up to our Luxury Suite. It's like entering a hotel, complete with a plush lobby and a lounge area.

Our suite had a private bathroom (with granite counter tops), a full kitchen, lounge area (with couches, chairs, and four TV monitors to watch games around the league), and plush seats overlooking the 40 yard line. The view was amazing.

As the game began, we dined (in luxury suites you don't eat; you dine) on tri-tip sandwiches, garlic mash potatoes, and slaw.

Oh, you're too hot in the sun? Well, then let me turn on some air conditioning.

The game was awesome! The Raiders looked like they knew what they were doing and crushed the Cardinals (Okay...so it was the Cardinals - a win is a win! Next week, we could play Vanden High for all I care.). And Randy Moss actually caught some passes including one for a touchdown. And he dropped some too.

And then, shortly after the half, the door to our luxury suite opens and in walks former Raider wide receiver Cliff Branch! He just walked right in! "Hey, everybody! I just stopped by to say hi!" Cliff Branch! He hung out with us for 20 or 30 minutes!

Man...What a day!

But the best was sharing it with my wife. I don't know that we'll ever have that experience again. But, God sure blessed us on that day. We hung out, ate good food, enjoyed each other, enjoyed a Raider victory, and had a fantastic time! I thank God for the opportunity. And I thank God for her. There's nobody else I would have rather spent the day with.

ADDENDUM:
My dad was at the game as well. He and his cronies from the vets home in Yountville were up in the nosebleed seats at the back of one of the end zones. I called him on his cell to rub it in how good we had it in the luxury suites. My dad is no longer speaking to me.

Hit and Run Commentary

Remember the golden rule of multiple choice tests? Don't change your answer. Your first choice is almost always right.

Being a consumate people watcher, I find it a bit odd the amount of hit and run commentary my blog receives.

It's those who make comments in a fleeting moment of intestinal fortitude I'm referring to. They get hyped up about something that was written and respond with what they really want to say.

And then reality sets in.

So they delete their truth, sometimes replacing it with something softer. Or, sometimes they don't replace it at all. Either way, their real thoughts are lost.

I don't know why I find that sad. When I go back and read some of my comments on other blogs or my postings on this blog, I often cringe at what I wrote. Did I really write that? Yeesh! What was I thinking?

But my preference is to leave my original thought. Let the world know what I was thinking at that moment. I've been wrong before. And, mathematically, the chances are I'll be wrong again. I'm okay with that. No sense in hiding from the truth.