Stay With What You're Good At

I heard Bennie and the Jets on the radio tonight. I've always liked the song and it reminded me of how talented Elton John was back in the day (I guess he still could be but I don't listen to much "new" music).

While I've always liked a lot of Elton's songs, I've never been a big fan of him personally. I suppose his recent foray into controversy doesn't really help. Recently, John stated his opinion that Jesus Christ way gay http://bit.ly/bYQTZD (warning - The Sun posts some objectionable content).

While John knows a lot about music, his comment shows that he knows very little about Jesus and His Father, whom Jesus came to make known. While I used to really get angry about such comments from public figures, I'm starting to view them with sympathy. We should pity their blindness. On a lighter note, I think the third verse of Tim Hawkin's parody of Imagine speaks well to the situation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_pzd_w1sS4

Super Bowl Ads

In addition to rooting for Peyton Manning to win his second Super Bowl title in a couple of weeks I, like most people, will anticipate each commercial advertising spot. There are usually a handful of memorable ads during the game each year that generate almost as much discussion as the game.

I've noticed a lot of activity on Twitter this week relating to an ad CBS plans to run. Most of the tweets that hit my filter were requesting that people sign a petition complaining about CBS taking an ad described as "pro-life" from Focus on the Family, while evidently not electing to take an ad from the United Church of Christ. I don't know the purpose of the planned UCOC spot, but I would assume it would speak to their embracing of the homosexual lifestyle.

I didn't really know much about the FOF ad until I read a short piece in The Tennessean this morning. The planned ad tells the story of a missionary expecting her fifth child. Due to an illness contracted during the mission trip, she was advised to abort the child. She ignored the doctors and gave birth to a health baby. The story of Tim Tebow and his mom should be inspirational to many. Who knows what a child may accomplish, given the opportunity to live?

The article lists several groups protesting the ad, including Women's Media Center, NOW, Feminist Majority and others. Jembu Greene, president of WMC said, "An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year -- an event designed to bring Americans together." She, and other critics are concerned that the ad will convey an anti-abortion message.

I freely admit that people like Greene rub me the wrong way. She, and others like her, use the language of reconciliation while promoting division and murder. I am beginning to see, however, that what she and her followers need is pity and prayer. They have pursued a life goal that seems admirable and worthy in their sight; failure and destruction are their actual legacy. Paul spoke to their condition in Romans 1:18-25:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.

The next time we're tempted to be bitter toward promoters and supporters of evil, may God help us to offer a prayer on their behalf and demonstrate true compassion toward them. Without a change of heart and life, they face a hopeless future.

Buh Bye Kiffin, Welcome Coach Dooley

As a Tennessean and UT fan, I embraced Lane Kiffin. In some ways, his bravado was a welcome change after a few years of decline. There was always an underlying sense of uneasiness, however. I think you should be able to battle your neighbor on the field, but still be able to shake hands when the game is over.

Shocked would be a good word to describe my initial reaction to hearing he was leaving. Anger soon followed (partially due to feeling jilted, primarily due to the proximity of signing day). After watching the initial press conference of new coach, Derek Dooley, I feel blessed. I was ready to take the field myself after watching the presser! There is no comparing the quality of the two men. We now have a winner on The Hill!

While it is possible that our 2010 recruiting class will suffer a few losses, I can't help but feel UT has found the man who will lead us for quite a few years to come. It might take a year or two longer to get back to where the Big Orange should be, I think it will be far more gratifying when we get there. I'm not a prophet, but I have a feeling this will be a good ride.

Let all Big Orange fans get up, "dust off our britches," and get to work. Go Coach Dooley! Go Big Orange!

Where Does The Time Go?

It is hard to believe we are already starting another calendar year. I'm not really sure where 2009 went. 2010 will likely be a blur as well. There is certainly truth to the "life is a vapor" analogy made in Scripture.

During today's sermon at Old Hickory, a 2010 calendar was displayed on-screen. My initial thought was just how quickly the year will pass, bringing us to a similar point next year. Yet, the more I examined the calendar, I noticed a couple of things:

• The big rectangle forming the calendar was divided into 12 monthly squares. Each of the months was then divided into 28 - 31 daily segments. There are actually quite a few blocks of time that we call "days" in a year.
  
  
• Today is January 3. We are still very early in our journey of 2010. If we are granted life for all of 2010, there are many days of opportunity remaining, each with unique promise and possibility.
  

I'm as guilty as anyone of looking ahead to upcoming dates and scheduled events. One resolution needed by most everyone is live each day fully, responsibly and thankfully. There is no better time to start than today.

Tiger

I have viewed the recent saga of Tiger Woods with mixed emotions. Having grown up when Jack was king, I have been shocked at how quickly Tiger has whittled away at Nicklaus' record of major tournament titles. I guess we naturally tend to hold on to the past as having been better and view upstarts with some disdain (I felt the same way as Jeff Gordon, and now Jimmy Johnson approach Richard Petty's record of 7 NASCAR championships).

While admiring his skill at playing golf, I have never been a fan of Tiger. I have often pulled for the field, especially in the majors. I have, however, gained a measure of respect for him over the past couple of years especially as he dealt with injury, even winning the 2008 U.S. Open on a bum knee.

Currently, Tiger is facing something more daunting than he has ever faced on the golf course: the loss of his earnings potential, his reputation, and potentially even his family. This battle is one of his own making. When the failings of a public figure are exposed, one can choose to:

• ignore or excuse the behavior,
  
• gloat or take some sense of satisfaction in the problems of others, or
  
• learn from the situation

The only good that can come from a situation like Tiger's is if important lessons are learned. Here we see a man possessing seemingly what everyone would want to be happy:

• great wealth
• health
• a beautiful wife and children
• an exciting profession
• and on and on

Yet, he wasn't satisfied. If the process of seeking satisfaction, he may have lost it all. It reminds me of the words of Solomon, king of Israel who, after seeking everything his heart desired found them worthless. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, he concluded:

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Why?

"Leader" Harry Reid (i.e. leading our nation to destruction one bill at a time) and "Speaker" Nancy Pelosi (i.e. purveyor of nonsense, hatred and evil) are determined to force all Americans to fund abortion, the ongoing murder of our nation's children. This adds further insult to their ongoing efforts to takeover and ultimately destroy the American health care system.

Why are liberals, who proclaim to be for the disenfranchised, the downtrodden and the rejected, so continually infatuated with protecting the "right" to kill those who cannot speak for themselves? Why the unconscionable effort to force their warped perception on a nation that is still, I believe, generally good? Would "tar and feathers" be appropriate?

We all commit sin (I was tempted to say "have our shortcomings"). Still, it is very frustrating to see those given the power to lead, continue to move in such a destructive direction. Other than the profiteers of the abortion industry, who benefits from the slaughter? I suppose those politicians who continue to protect the practice.

One can only wonder whether the millions aborted over the years will stand as witnesses against those who had the power to stop the killing, yet only lived to promote and expand the madness.

Sen. Reid’s Government-Run Health Plan Requires a Monthly Abortion Fee

Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on November 19th, 2009

Follow @GOPLeader on Twitter for updates.

Just like the original 2,032-page, government-run health care plan from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) massive, 2,074-page bill would levy a new “abortion premium” fee on Americans in the government-run plan.

Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120).

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. It’s right there beginning on line 11, page 122, section 1303, under “Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.

Section 1303(a)(2)(C) describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run health plan and for those who are given an affordability credit to purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion through the Exchange. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

The Lane Train

I'll have to admit to being a little anxious when Lane Kiffin was named the new football coach at Tennessee nearly a year ago. While it was definitely time for change, I was a little concerned about the amount of experience Coach K had accumulated.

While there have been a few bumps along the way, I am more than impressed. From day one, a new enthusiasm was infused into a program that had gradually grown stale and undisciplined over time. The staff that was assembled and the salvaging of the first recruiting class were very impressive.

While the record is perhaps 1 or 2 wins from my optimistic goal for this point in the season, the turning of the program is very evident. The fact that the improvement is primarily being led by players who were part of the program prior to this year points to one thing...excellent position coaching and player development. Any high school coach paying attention would do well to steer his best players toward UT. Their talents will be developed.

At least for now, we have reclaimed the second spot in the SEC East. The gap between UT and Florida will be overcome, perhaps much sooner than many think. I predict a very interesting game next September when the Tebow-less Gators travel to Knoxville.

Go Big Orange!