Be like YOU!

Well congrats to the San Antonio Spurs on winning their 4th NBA Title this decade. Several topics were discussed before, during, and even after this game was over. Are the Spurs a dynasty? Who's better: Shaq or Duncan? The question I want to focus on is whether or not LeBron James is the next Jordan. Now I may of been misleading with that last sentence because I really do not care who will be the next Jordan. I just find it interesting on how much I hear the athletes of today being compared to the athletes of our past.

What ever happened to telling people to be yourself or accepting people for who they are? Why be like Mike, when you could be something more? If anything we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and failure for the person under the microscope. This is not just a problem in the NBA, but is something that is seen in all popular sports. Even more amazing, is that these titles and expectations are often not created by the athletes, but by the critics and fans. We often challenge the athlete's humility and then criticize them when things do not go as expected. It can go even deeper than that.

How often do I find myself having expectations in others, only to be disappointment because I wanted them to be something that they were not. In church, I hear people warn us to never put God in a box or create a false image of Him, but what about people? Should we create false images of others and put them in a box? Why should it be the people of the past that set the bar, when we can go over it? Here are some simple facts that you probably already know about Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan was not perfect. Jordan did not always win and he did miss shots. Not every one of Jordan's fingers has a "ring". He smokes cigars. Now smoking cigars may seem like a petty thing to point out, but your lungs might think differently if they could think at all.

We talk so much about living in a society where we accept others for who they are and not judging, but we cannot stop ourselves from comparing. Despite how someone may look or act, they are still not that person. So do not look for the next "so and so" because there will never ever be another one of them, but if you keep your box empty, then you may see someone greater...or that person just may be YOU.

Questions to ask yourself

Today, I thought I would share with you a quote from the late Leonard Ravenhill. I do not know much about the man and the life he lived, but this quote is unforgettable to me.

Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry?
Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die?
Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand?
Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you damned?

-Leonard Ravenhill

Agnus Dei

So this Sunday, I went to church with my mom in Walnut Creek. They did something very different today in the service. Instead of having a sermon by the Senior Pastor, the choir and some talented singers sang for about 20 minutes in Latin. The words were printed in English, but after a while I stopped reading, instead I just listen and focused on the cross in front of me.

The music was broken up into 5 parts. Here is the final part, "Angus Dei".

Agnus Dei,
qui tollis peccata mundi,
miserere nobis,
dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God,
who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us,
give us peace.

The Good, The Bad, and...The Good-bye

The Good: I had a safe drive up to the Bay Area. I got to hang out with some people my age from my mom's church, in which we had a pirate theme party. Only two people actually dressed up like pirates, but we all had fun eating pizzas, my sister's chocolate chip pie, and other sweets, while watching the second pirates movie and half of the first one.

The Bad: Well my rooommate gave me a scare when he called me saying there was a warning from our apartment manager saying we need to pay rent or leave in 3 days. I know we paid rent because I was the one that did it. I checked the bank statements online and the check was cleared, so I had my proof. The manager said they will check it again and that they might of made a mistake. That should hopefully be taken care of by Monday.

In other news, (not sure yet if this is Good or Bad) my cousin Shay has been told he will be sent to Iraq very soon. Shay has been in the U.S. Marines for several years, but this is the first time he will see actual combat. He spent a large amount of his service in Japan, where he met his wife, and is currently stationed in one of the Carolinas. Please keep him along with the other brave men and women in your prayers.

The Good-bye: My dad called me this morning to tell me that our dog, Sparky, passed away yesterday. Sparky was a 14 year old "little furry white dog" (he was a mixed of different breeds, so we did not know what to call him) and lived a long and blessed life. How many dogs do you know that had their own chair and window??? These last couple years has been tough for him with losing his hearing, having his joints problem, and a little heart murmur has been proof of that. Sparky brought great joy and memories to the family over at my dad's house. My step sister got him when he was young, but not when he was a pup. He was a dog we rescued from unknown owners that probably abused him. He was a member of this family. This day has been especially tough for my step mother(who found his body) and step sister(who is still up in Oregon). Keep them in your prayers.

Good-bye Sparky-T!

So close...

Well Curt Schilling almost had a no-hitter against my Oakland A's, but after having two outs in the ninth, up comes Shannon Stewart with a single to the right. Good news for Schilling is that is team won 1-0. (Looks like a soccer score) If A's Blanton did not let Ortiz get the homerun in the first inning, the game might of went to extra innings. Having Schillings pitch a near perfect game, did help his team avoid a 4-game sweep by the Athletics. So close to a 4-game sweep, to extra innings, and a perfect game. I guess no one is perfect...at least not today.

Speaking of Oakland, I am driving up to the East Bay to visit family for the weekend. If I am lucky, I will be able to catch a "Battle of the Bay" game this weekend in San Francisco.

Welcome to Blakersfield!

Well here I am. Entering the brave new world of blogging. Who am I? Well that will hopefully be answered over time through this blog. Well this is my first blog (not that exciting I know). Here I will talk about life events, sports ramble, what movie I saw or wished I did not go see, insightful topics, and then what ever I feel like writing about. Basically, what ever goes on in the life of a young, Christian, gradute student who interested in working in the business of rehabilitation counseling. Well that is all for now. So let me be the first to welcome you to Blakersfield. Take your shoes off and relax, but remember if you BLAKE it, you bought it.