.500 Ain't Bad

Basketball season is officially over...

With tonight's decisive victory over Greenland, we finish our season with three wins and four losses. However, I just learned that one of our losses earlier this season was against an "A" team that we probably should never have played. So, I'm just not counting that game. This leaves us at 3-3 for the year.

Also worth mentioning: I didn't lose a single one of the school issued basketballs entrusted to me. Last year, out of six, I only managed to return two balls. I think I've redeemed myself.

Anyway, basketball season was a real kick in the pants. I learned a lot about coaching, and the boys didn't drive me too crazy. Did I mention I get paid for this? Yup, and it's enough to cover the two tickets (yes, that's 2 tickets and I'm not bringing my sister) I just purchased to fly out to Seattle/Keizer/Twin Falls in May. I can't wait for this trip!

And to top it all off, some of the parents pitched in to get me a gift certificate to a nice restaurant in Rye. Adam, I'm saving this one for when you come out to visit...

I'm on a Bus

No, literally... The bus I'm riding on has free Wi-Fi. It's kind of a challenge to type because of all the bumps in the road, but I still think it's cool.

I'm on a bus because it's a convenient way to get back-and-forth between my home in New Hampshire and Boston's Logan airport.

I'm going to the airport because I need to get on a plane that's going to take me to Chicago for a conference. I'm excited for the time away and for the opportunity to connect with fellow youth ministers and to hear from Shane Claiborne, Judy Peterson, and Efrem Smith.

I'm also excited for Chicago because I'm going to spend time with Joe and get to know the city that will soon be my next home.

Carol is going to be there, too. I haven't seen her in 10 days (I know I need to suck it up), so that is the proverbial cherry on top...

Chicago here I come!

My Basketball Team has a Better Record Than The Detroit Lions... Barely

I'm in my second year of coaching 7/8th grade boys basketball at Rye Junior High. The fundamentals I can teach, but some of the more complicated aspects of the game like breaking full-court presses, penetrating zone defenses, and clock management remain aloof to me. Nevertheless, this second time around I feel a whole lot more confident in my coaching ability.

Despite being a better coach compared to last year, my team's record is worse than last year. With only one "W" in the record books, I'm hoping that we can finish the year on a winning note. We are playing at home tomorrow, so I'm confident we can capitalize on the home court advantage and put up at least 30 points on St. Pat's.

Look for us on ESPN.

Obama's Inauguration Speech

There were several moments throughout the inauguration ceremony that made me cringe, but I'll spare you my cynicism. Instead, I'll focus on something positive.

I appreciated Obama's address. The following is my favorite quote from his speech:

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

I'm deeply encouraged by our new president's commitment to alleviate the suffering of our world's most impoverished. Too many people have died needlessly because people living in "nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty" have failed to act. I hope that we can change with the world by helping to make it a place where all people flourish.

What was your favorite part of Obama's inaugural address?

Snow, snow go away...

I was slated to preach last Sunday, but that plan was thwarted thanks to 10 inches of snow.

I relish the opportunity to give the message, but I wasn't too upset that our service was canceled because it meant extra time with miss you know who.

I was given another opportunity to preach the same message this Sunday, but of course, more snow... So, for a second week in a row, no service and no sermon.

Ugh, what is this!?

I was planning on talking about Epiphany. The Church celebrates Epiphany as a continuation of Christmas, which is actually a whole season in the liturgical year. It was going to be a lot of fun sharing the significance of Epiphany. I was planning on assembling a nativity scene on the alter and having the Magi travel from the rear of the sanctuary to the front. Congregants were going to have to pass the Magi forward from pew to pew.

The Magi traveled from Persia (modern day Iran), so it probably took them months or even years before they made it to Jesus, who by that time was not a baby, but a child. By the time the Magi showed up on the scene, the shepherds were long gone.

Never mind the details, the point is that shepherds come to Jesus and so do Magi, and these two groups of people couldn't be more different. It's an incredible witness of Jesus' love for all people.

I was planning on posting an recorded audio file of this sermon, but I guess this written synopsis will have to do.

Very Funny, CNN

Well it looks like CNN decided to play a funny joke on the world and write a article about more government bailouts. According to the article, now the adult entertainment industry wants 5 billion from the government to support the industry's survival. The article quotes one of the industry's leaders as saying, "People are too depressed to be sexually active. This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex." CNN you're hilarious! I thought only the Daily Show writers were able to come up with witty material like this. You're good, CNN. You're good.

Correction: turns out the CNN article on the adult entertainment industry requesting a 5 billion dollar government bailout was true and not a joke. For a minute I forgot where I lived. Of course, now it's so clear--why wouldn't we bail out the porn industry?

Freakin Out

I just bought a brand new MacBook.

As I write this, it's still in the box.

I'm kind of scared to open it.

I cringed at taking on the payments, but I know it's a worthy investment.

I'm freakin Out.