Prepare Ye

It's not the Miracle On Ice defeat of the USSR hockey team from the '80 Winter Olympics, but it is the biggest win in US Soccer history. It trumps the wins over overrated teams ('02 WC v Portugal, the Columbia suicidal own goal) and the "legendary" B-team Brazil win in the Gold Cup. This was against the hottest team in the world that wanted a world record and a chance to go against Brazil to make their dominance indisputable .

Growing up playing and watching sports, I have always known that there were people who thought their knowledge or love of their sport was purer or greater than that of the masses. They had been fans longer, or remember the glory days of the "real stars," before technology or something else ruined the game. For example, Michigan football fans are especially arrogant. A trip to the Rose Bowl is their birthright, and National Championships are to be regular occurrences. Lloyd Carr was railed against for failing to deliver these, unlike the near divinity granted to Bo Schembechler , who usually lost when his teams made it to the Rose Bowl (or any bowl) and while Carr brought 1 National title to Ann Arbor when Bo never came close. But they have nothing on Notre Dame fans who truly believe God is on their side, they need to only find the prophet to lead them. Having lived in Pennsylvania for 2 years, I think the Penn State football fans merit recognition. Then there are hockey fan...

I'm back in Michigan, living with Mom, for about a month before I pack up the G'burg apartment and move to the Garden in Virginia for internship. I've only been back a few days, and have run into a handful of people at some events. I have been pleasantly surprised by their reactions. Some didn't know where I had disappeared to, but said they can really see me as a pastor. A couple said that I really seem at peace with my decision and that they think I'll do an excellent job. A mentor and supervisor of mine said he wasn't sure about my "leap of faith," but is glad I am happy and can see that I made the right decision on my face. While I've been sure that my "leap of faith" was the right thing to do, a little positive reinforcement never hurts. The young man who played the piano at my home church played this as the prelude. (the song, not with the Amy Grant vocals) Through the years you've made it clear, That the time of Christ was near...

Today was the last Sunday that I'll attend worship with my classmates before I start internship. As we sat in a couple of pews, I realized one of the things I'll miss about worshiping with a group of liturgically trained people ... second guessing the worship leaders. Just the glances during the service, knowing that people were wondering "Why that hymn?" "Where are you going in the sermon?" and a dozen other thoughts that we had about the service. And the service was a good one. But as people who are being trained to lead worship, we find ourselves wondering what choices we would make. I know that while I am making those choices when I am planning worship in The Garden, I will have those Sunday Afternoon QB's in my head. Sometimes I'll listen to them, but many more times, I'll follow my own ideas, for better or worse. After all, while I was coaching football, I grew used to being heckled from the stands and even followed to the locker room by a ...

I just watched the dvd of Gran Torino . I heard about the movie when it first came out, and didn't get around to seeing it until it got to the top of my Netflix queue. While watching it, I found myself connecting with Father Janovich, the Roman priest in the movie. He is dealing with the cantankerous Walt Kowalksi (played by Clint Eastwood) and violence in the Highland Park neighborhood where is parish is. I wondered how I would deal with the people and situations in which he found himself. Hearing about the CPE experience of some of the first year students at The LTS and my own preparation for internship has put me in a "shadowing" mindset. I don't really know how I feel about how Father Janovich reacted, but I enjoyed the portrayal. If you don't mind a lot of swearing and a great deal of ethnically demeaning and stereotypical language, it's a very good movie.

I have gotten hooked on Green Day recently and have listened to American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown each from start to finish. As someone who grew up on concept albums, I was blown away. Individually, the songs are great. As a "rock opera" they are incredible. The two albums will be most of my soundtrack on the drive back to Michigan. 21 Guns - Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown When you're at the end of the road And you lost all sense of control And your thoughts have taken their toll When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul Your faith walks on broken glass And the hangover doesn't pass Nothing's ever built to last You're in ruins

Mike Illitch is one of my heroes. Illitch is a self-made millionaire who owns, among other things with his family, the Little Caesars pizza chain, the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings. Among many things he has done which reek of awesomeness: 1) invented Pizza Pizza, two pizzas for the price of what one of the competition's normally cost. 2) developed "Hot and Ready" a $5 (or so) pepperoni pizza available at all times without pre-order. (It's available at drive-throughs where there are drive thrus. But the three recently great things he has done. 3) As the owner of the Tigers and Red Wings, he has had his teams defy the dictates of the commissioners of both sports when they have gotten creative when trying to sign players they wanted. The Tigers have ignored Bud Selig's efforts to "slot" draft pick salaries. The Red Wings, after being the top buyers in the pre-salary cap NHL, have been creative in contracts, upsetting little Gary Bettman because ...