Chicago White Sox Win World Series

I was raised a White Sox fan from my younger days.

I remember Chet Lemon and Harold Baines. We all went to see them. They gave us brief moments of excitement. And what about Harry Caray? The seventh inning stretch was a celebration. I remember Ozzie Guillen, Joey Cora, and Tim 'Rock' Raines playing their hearts out. We had high hopes for them as players.

Now all that's changed.

The White Sox are world champions thanks to Guillen, Cora, Raines (sans 'Rock'), and Baines who are the coaches responsible for keeping this team together. Yes, I said "coaches". This is the ultimate way of taking a once lackluster team and making them champions. They created a bond so strong that no adversary could break.

Our hopes have been resurrected not by the players of the past, but of the coaches of the future. Cheers to you, the coaches, players, staff, and loyal fans of the Chicago White Sox. May this memory linger forever.

We're Skeptics

While having dinner with my best friend from high school, I noticed the amount of skepticism coming from our mouths. We were skeptical on:

* Society
* Politics
* Foreigners
* Education
* Government
* Coffee
* Christianity

Why?

Because we’ve allowed ourselves to become this way. Even as Christians, we’ve become skeptical of each other. For instance, put a liberal and conservative Christian in the same room and skepticism will abound. Trust is thrown out the window. It’s even more evident on Internet blogs. Look at the interaction between liberal and conservative Christians. Instead of thoughtful and provocative dialogue, you get angry diatribe.

Have you walked into a different church lately? Sure, many of them have greeting teams or ushers who welcome you. But, we’re skeptical of them. We wonder if these folks are authentic believers or putting on a nice performance. Worse, you join a particular church and find out later they’re not authentic. More skepticism.

At probably no other time in history has it become increasingly difficult to build relationships among Christians. We’ve turned to email and instant messaging to build relationships, rather than heart-to-heart conversations over the phone or in person. We’re too worried about the minutes on our cell phones instead of our relationships. We’ve lost the art of friendships.

I once heard Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church, say that he already has enough friends and doesn’t want any more. Instead, he suggested “small groups” as a way to make friends. Wow! Now there’s an idea. Can I get a refill on my cup of “skepticism” please?

How do we stop being so skeptical of one another? Be merciful and offer grace. Sure, we can’t have a million close friends and we may not necessarily agree with each other, but we can show God’s mercy and grace as He did for us through his Son, Jesus Christ.

What Women Really Want?

From FoxNews...Ubersexuals Leaving Metrosexuals at the Spa

I didn't even know the term, 'metrosexual', was even a word until a co-worker explained it to me. I still don't know if I fully understand the word. I mean, outside being a swimmer and competitive bodybuilder, why would a guy shave his chest in the first place? No hot blooded Irishmen I know shave their chests!

This article takes the viewpoint that women don't want a guy who's full of himself. No, they want a man who takes out the garbage, without complaining, and washes dishes, without being told to. I vacuum and do the laundry (hint: Don't mix reds with the whites. I've never done this, but my father has. It's not pretty.). I've been doing it for years. Now women want this in their man, plus love and stability. Good for them. Hopefully, this time, they'll remain this way.

Typical Political Garbage

From CNN...'Cheeseburger bill' puts bite on lawsuits

If you were to look at the issue of frivolous lawsuits altogether, then Congress and the Senate should do their best to prevent them.

Why?

'Cause it seems Americans today don't have common sense anymore. Take for instance this so-called, 'Cheeseburger bill'. Really, if you believe that you can't get fat, while eating large amounts of any fast food with no exercise, then you need to see a psychologist immediately.

Is this bill a necessity? No, but therein lies the point. Many, if not most, Americans have become gluttons to the idol of the fast food joint. Americans blame the fast food joint for their fat, unhealthy bodies instead of themselves. Just look at this quote from Rep. Bob Filner - D. California:

"Congress has allowed the need of big corporations before the need of our children,"

Are we not accountable and responsible for what we put in our mouths? We shouldn't blame ourselves for clogging our own arteries?

Duh!

And please don't give me this, "But what about the poor who can't afford a better meal?" Last I looked, it is still cheaper to cook a decent meal, for a family of four, than serve them fast food garbage. Take the time to become a smart shopper.

Parents please take my advice: It's never too late to begin teaching your children healthy eating habits. Start now before their health is jeopardized.

P.S. This isn't a Democrat/Republican or liberal/conservative issue. This is an issue of common sense and putting the blame on ourselves, not big corporations or politicians. They don't have to raise our children. We do.

A Few Bones to Pick

Okay, I have a few gripes.

First, I read the interview between Dave Ramsey, author of "Total Money Makeover", and Neil Cavuto regarding how to deal with the increasing cost of gas and utilities. When Ramsey was asked by a caller whether or not to purchase a new heating system to lower his monthly heating bills, Ramsey simply told him to work a second job.

Ramsey went on to tell Cavuto that what we really need to do is pinch our dollars, i.e. lay off the $5 drinks at Starbucks or $20 car washes and put that money in the bank towards those skyrocketing bills.

I couldn't agree more. We're increasingly living in a time of self-indulgence and not preparing for future hard times. What ever happened to saving money for that rainy day? Guess what? Those rainy days are fast approaching.

Side note: I don't advocate working two or three jobs just to pay for bills. Our soceity is already overworked and doesn't spend enough qualitity time with family.

Second gripe, evangelical pastors advocating living a luscious lifestyle rather than being content with what we already have. Lately I've listened to the sermons of many conservative evangelical pastors who are seemingly wanting their flock to, " earn more/get more". I heard one pastor say, "Jesus didn't say we couldn't have more if we earned more..." Needless to say, I was in shock.

Now I'm not talking about living in a state of poverty and giving all your posessions away. What I am saying is that we as Christians need to be more careful with what we own and not over indulge ourselves. I am writing this entry from firsthand experience. If you don't control your spending habits, money, debt, and consumption will haunt you.

When we begin to idolize money and more stuff, we are taking our hearts and minds away from a loving and boundless God.

Meeting Donald Miller

I had the pleasure of meeting Donald Miller, author of "Blue Like Jazz", who is by far different from your typical evangelical writers. He is no more a conservative, theologically and politically speaking, than a liberal. He is honest and provocative about his life experiences as a follower of Christ.

Please read my meeting with Don here...Authentic Thoughts
I really enjoyed the brief time I spent with him. He has a wonderful way of reaching people who hold a negative view of Christians. I recommend his books, "Blue Like Jazz", and "Searching for God Knows What".

Jack Carter Eyes Senate Race

From the AJC.com...Carter's son, Jack, eyes Senate run

I wasn't a big fan of Jimmy Carter when he was President. I can clearly remember my parents were as mad as hornets at how bad the country was being run. The two things I remember most were the long gas lines and the hostage standoff.

Yet, Carter had a few good highlights, i.e. the peace accord between Israel and Egypt. Carter was excellent in the role of peace maker, especially with foreign relations.

Yet, arguably, Carter did his best work outside the presidency. Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding organization. They have recently teamed up with Major League Baseball to help the victims of Katrina and Rita.

Now Carter's son, Jack, is contemplating the U.S. Senate seat in Nevada. He's not pleased with the Bush administration and wants to do something about it.

I may not support all of Jack's political ideologies, but I agree with his intentions. If you want change, then you need to do something about it instead of complaining.

Miers and Her Detractors

I found these quotes/reactions from AJC.com regarding Miers' nomination:

"The burden is on the Bush administration and Harriet Miers to prove to the American people that she will respect and protect our fundamental freedoms, including a woman's right to choose. Miers does not appear to have a public record to assure America's pro-choice majority that she is a moderate in the tradition of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was the critical swing vote that protected women's reproductive health and freedom." — Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"We owe it to the American people to take our time to be sure the nominee will uphold their most basic and fundamental rights. The public demands this from the process, and deserve no less." Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.

"The president has selected a loyal political ally without a judicial record to sit on the highest court in the land." — Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

Now I don't know about you, but I sense there is a lot of misinterpretation here on the meaning of "fundamental rights". Last I looked, abortion was NOT a fundamental right. And Americans are NOT pro-choice in majority.

When are the liberals going to understand that life is precious and given to us as a gift? All they are concerned about are their so-called individual rights. And I do mean "individual". They don't care about the lives of others.

Thus brings forth the argument: Do liberals really care about social justice? If so, they sure don't care about life.

Supreme Court Nominee, Who?

And just who is this woman? She's Harriet Miers, close friend and member of George Bush's inner circle. She is an attorney by education and trade. However, she has no judicial experience. She is opposite that of John Roberts in qualifications. Where he has a judicial track record, she has none. She's the equivalent of an Etch A Sketch.

Here's my take: I truly believe George and Laura Bush chose Harriet Miers for her values and trustworthiness over her qualifications. In a soceity where everyone wants and demands tangible proof of experience, Ms. Miers is in deep trouble. The Senate Judiciary Committee will either go easy on her or she'll get eaten alive; eaten alive by the Republicans.