Blog December: New Year

I'm just gonna throw up some music to listen to while you do what you do today.  Happy New Year.  Be safe.

Blog December: Phones

Blog December: Waiting 2

Hope and Waiting (in case you missed it)

So this thought crossed my mind the other day.  Not really new thinking, but it was important to my brain at the time.

In July or August we start seeing Christmas stuff go out on shelves at stores.  In October or November we start hearing Christmas music.  We know we're in full swing when Black Friday hits.  In churches we have the Advent Season to prepare us for Christmas.  We sing Christmas carols.  If we're lucky people bring cookies to our house.  Carolers might make an appearance on our doorstep.  There's preparation. 

There were no billboards saying "The Messiah is coming on 0 A.D."  The waiting had been going on for centuries.  They knew it was going to be from Bethlehem.  Can you imagine being a pregnant lady in Bethlehem.  What pressure.  "Maybe this one will be the Messiah".  Or being a little boy.  Would the neighbors be watching you closely for signs of the miraculous. 

We have waiting which we know will come to completion on a very specific day.  They waited indefinitely.  I can't imagine that kind of waiting.  God's promise was out there....but it was undefined. 

In that context, Simeon being told that he won't die until he sees Messiah, is even more amazing.  It's not as if growing up he heard that it'd be "any day now"....his father, and grand father and great grand father and on and on had been waiting for Messiah.  And then at an old age he was told he would see Messiah before he died.  Wow. 

So I go back to the idea of hope.  There was no less hope that Messiah would come.  They wanted rescued.  For that matter if you're a good Jew, you're still waiting for Messiah.  There was hope...expectancy...waiting with baited breath (I don't understand that expression). 

I asked before....what are you waiting for?

Blog December: O Christmas Beard

Blog December: Merry Christmas

From my family to you and yours:  Merry Christmas

This is how I'd like to believe Santa really gets around.

Blog Christmas: Christmas Eve

My brain is a jumble of different thoughts this morning.

I'm thinking about tonight's worship service.  Our pastor is out of town.  Not that big of a deal since he doesn't usually preach on Christmas Eve anyway.  We do a series of reading through the Gospel account of Jesus birth, and intersperse that with congregational singing, special music and the choir.  Like lots of churches we close with candles and Silent Night.

I'm singing a song with one of my good friends who has an amazing voice.  I love singing with her.  She makes me sound good.  Problem is I woke up with a frog in my throat from sinus drainage and I'm struggling this morning.

So part of my brain is on tonight.  On walking our church through a service.  On attempting to sing when my body isn't cooperating.

The other part of my brain is thinking about me as a little kid.  Today was HUGE.

See, Santa came to our house while we were at church on Christmas Eve.  He was a sneaky guy.  We would all go to church together and when we got home presents were there...stockings were filled.  Santa is real.  I don't care what you say.

So my kids are bouncing off the wall today....in anticipation for tomorrow.  I can't imagine having to deal with my brother and I all day long in anticipation for tonight.

So....if you're singing something tonight....what are you singing?  OR if you were going to sing something what would you sing?

Also....when did you open your presents?

Blog December: Useless Inventions

Blog December: Duck Dynasty

People have been telling me about this show called Duck Dynasty for awhile.  As you may know we don't have TV.  However I found it online.  It literally took me 6 minutes to be hooked. 

Fabulous beards.

Blog December: It's the End

Blog December: Guns

The following is off the top of my head rant style.  I'm tired and grumpy today....so if you don't like it, you can't just attribute it to that.  We can still be friends.

I'm really tired of seeing people use this tragedy of children being killed as a chance to stand on a soap box and talk about gun rights.  You are being completely classless.

I have yet to see any lawmaker say they want all guns banned.  I have seen them say that they would like to close loopholes in already existing laws and make sure that the regulations that are on the books are being inforced.  Even the NRA is for that.

We're dealing with a horrific event and you're talking about the second ammendment.  As I read earlier today......"The founding fathers were not psychics who could predict the future. They didn't think of everything. The Constitution doesn't mention online identity theft. Does that mean we shouldn't protect ourselves from it?"  I see reading the Constitution like reading the Bible....you have to read context into it.  Where our founding fathers making sure that we all were able to have automatic weapons if we wanted.....even though there is no possible hunting use for them?  OR were they saying that the government shouldn't be able to take away a means to protect yourself.  Let's be real here folks, if the government wants to come against the people.....you need tanks, spy planes and freaking bunkers or you're done for anyway.  So don't tell me that it's to protect you from the government.

And that brings up another thing.  Don't show me how Stalin disarmed the Soviet Union and then killed millions or Hitler or Mao......again you're using insane people and tragedy to make a baseless point.  In each case it was one individual who had supreme power over ever facet of the government and military to enact horrible things.  As bad as you think our President might be, the Constitution which you love to wave around, prevents him from having supreme power like that. 

And just because I don't own a gun, doesn't mean I can't understand or talk about it.  I've never done heroin, but I"m pretty sure I'm qualified enough to talk about how it's not a good idea to my kids.

And for those saying that this happened because we took God out of our schools.....really?  That happened in the early 60's.  This crazy event happened because that happened 50 years ago?  There's no way this could happen in a Christian school?  Because my kids go to a local Catholic School and I love that they're locked down and secure, but it could easily happen there.  You know that God is central in my life, and I'm all for prayer....but this was not the cause of that.

AND arming the teachers is a horrible idea.  Why would I want a loaded weapon in the classroom for?  All it takes is one nutty student grabbing for that gun or a teacher to blow his stack at a crazy group of students.  We've all heard stories of teachers shoving students or touching students....what happens if they have a fire arm on them.  What next, shall we arm the students too?  That'll go over well.

Look here's the bottom line....if you want to protect yourself, fine.  Let's put it perspective though....little kids died.  DIED.  Shouldn't we be more about peace and grace and comfort and love and hope? 

Blog December: Cub Scouts

This is more of a personal update.  I'm now a Cub Scout Den Leader.  I didn't intend to be but I am.

It's like this.  At the end of last year, I asked Corban's scout leader if he was going to continue on this year.  I asked because he's super busy.  He said he wasn't sure because he was coaching soccer teams and so forth.  I said, "if some dad with a long goatee offered to co-lead with you, would you stay on?"  He said sure.  I figured that I could cover for him a few times.

So as the year began he told me I'd need to solo lead our meetings for the first 3 weeks.  No problem.  So at the 4th meeting I asked him how his schedule was looking now.  He said he was basically out of town most of the next couple months and asked if I could just be the leader. 

So now I'm a den leader. 

I wouldn't have volunteered for this.  But I really like it.  If I have to be the leader next year I will. 

Were you in scouts?  For how long?  If you quit do you regret it? 

Blog December: Exhaustion

I'm done.  Spent.  Fried.  I have little more to give.

Last night we were in Pittsburgh to see Toby Mac (more on that later).  We didn't get back to my parents until 11:30ish.  We had to leave their house this morning at 8:30.  I drove 3 hours to get back in time to pick up Mari's car that had my hockey gear in it.  I drove another 1/2 hour to Jamestown to play a weird timed hockey game.

We played a young team.  They're always fast.  I always face a lot of shots.  I"m now sitting in the front row of the church practicing the children's Christmas pageant.  I'm the narrator....and playing two songs for people to sing.....and reading the part of one of the saints in heaven.

I'm done.  My brain can't handle much more.  I'm slowly reaching "shut down" mode. 

Mari's bringing me more coffee.  It'll help a little.  I don't believe in energy drinks.

So what do you do when you're shutting down?  What tricks do you use?  What do you eat or drink? 

Blog December: Christmas Movies

This is pretty simple.  You NEED to post a comment for this to work.

As I scroll through Facebook it seems that there are two types of people.

People that quote ELF and people that quote National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  I don't see Rudolf or Christmas Carol or Frosty being quoted.  Just those too.

So for today, I NEED you to click the Comment section below and cast your vote below.  Elf or National Lampoon's?  OR vote for something else.  Do it NOW!

December Blog: Dogs

Preface:  I'm not a dog or cat owner.  I do understand that pet owners have a special bond with their animal.  I don't want to just toss that aside.

This morning on the way to school, Corban yells "DID YOU SEE THAT DOG?  It had some sort of red and green thing wrapped around it."  I had to explain that some owners put sweaters on their animals.  Corban's reply was just "Why?"

Why indeed.  You do understand that dogs come with fur on their body right?  The design of the fur is to protect them from the elements right?  In fact their fur is actually called a "coat".  Why would you put a sweater on your animal. They don't need it.  You are subjecting your animal to being mocked by all it's friends.  Cruelty I tell you.

And this might be overstepping things a bit here.....dogs are not people.  I know they're great companions and all....but they're not humans.  They don't need to take on human attributes.  They will not talk.  They will not go out and get some milk for you when you're out.  They are not humans.  They don't need dressed up like a human.

EXCEPTION:  If it's -15 degrees and there's a foot of snow and your dog is 8 inches tall, and you want to make sure they don't turn into a pupsicle outside, I'll allow the sweater.

Blog December: Jay-Z

To say I"m not a Jay-Z fan would be an understatement. I would struggle name anything he's done. But I know who he is. This cute encounter on a subway is fabulous though.

Blog December: MUST WATCH Geniuses

I don't remember where I found this.  Someone linked me to it at some point.  Basically a kid from Sierra Leone dug in garbage cans and found old electronics and made his own equipment....and then got to go to MIT and learn from experts.  You need to watch this!!!

After watching that, you need to READ THIS. It's Ethiopia related. Basically someone dropped off two taped up boxes of tablets in a remote village. Not only did they figure out how to work them and use them to learn.....they hacked them. FABULOUS!

Blog December: My Drumline

For the past 13 Falls, I have had the honor of being the percussion instructor for the Warren Area High School Marching Band.  For the first 11 seasons I got to work with the band director who was my band director which was a true pleasure.  The last two season I've had a new instructor each year.

Through it all though, the students are the fun part.  I love getting to hang out with awesome kids, who work hard to get to the end of the season.  I don't always love the hot rehearsals of August, or the freezing football games of late October, but I love the students. 

Drumline's are a funny beast.  We're a weird pack.  We're part of the bigger band, but we're a family unto ourselves.  We have nicknames (some of them do.....usually created by me), we have traditions that we follow religiously, and we laugh at things that only we find funny.  Basically....we rule.

Every year as part of my responsibilities, I write a new cadence for our drumline.  A cadence is a musical piece just for percussion that we use while we're walking places.  Most area marching bands use the same cadence for years on end.  In a way it makes sense to do that because the returning students just have to help the new students learn what they already know.  The down side is that it gets old quick.  I want to hear something new each year.  I also like to watch my students tackle a big project and work at it together.  It's fun to watch their faces as they realize they've got it.

This year was a little different.  The new director wanted to use a piece of music for parades that was split into 3 parts.  In between each of those parts was a horrible 1950's style drum cadence.  I couldn't have it.  So I wrote our cadence in three sections of 12 bars.  So we could split it up to play between those parts of music OR we could play it all together in one chunk.  It was a challenge.  In the end we only mastered the first two sections.  The third section was hard.  I was a little bummed, but that's the way it goes.

So for the first time ever, I tried recording the cadence.  Our crappy camera didn't pick the sound up amazingly, but you get the idea.  Here's my line performing the first 2 sections of this years cadence entitled "3".







 As I mentioned, we also have traditions.  Some traditions make sense.  Others do not.  One tradition we have is this:  At every home football game I stand up and yell something like "Hey everybody, second home game of the season!"  to which everyone yells "It's a big one".  I don't know why we do it.  But we do it.  We've been doing it forever.

Another tradition is this:  At the end of the year the marching band has a night we call the Stadium Review.  We play all our music on the stage of the auditorium for parents and the community.  When it's all over, the drumline walks down the hall to the boys bathroom.  They all (boys and girls) cram in there and play the cadence in the deafening stone walled room as loud as they can.  I don't encourage this, but I put up with it.  I'm not sure how it started, but they do it ever year.

We then take a group picture.  Here's part of the bathroom cadence, and the picture.  I love my drumlines every year.

Blog Christmas: Walkman

I remember my first Walkman.  I begged for one.  I couldn't wait to have the ability to move about the world with my own music.  I wouldn't be tied down to a giant "boom box".  I could listen in the car on trips to my grandparents.  I could walk down the street to my friends house.  I would be the master of my own destiny. 

I took that thing everywhere.  It went to Thailand with me.  It went to Arizona.  It went EVERYWHERE. 

News today that Sony is finally discontinuing the Walkman.  Honestly, I would've thought this had already happened.  A sad day regardless.

Did you have a Walkman?  What's your favorite memory of your Walkman?  Share by using the comment section below this post!

Blog December: On a Limb

This was the devotional that we had with the kids after dinner tonight.  I liked it a lot.

Be willing to step out of your comfort zone.  Take a risk and go out on a limb with Me.  If that is where I am leading you, then out on that limb is the safest place for you to be.

You want to play it safe, avoid all the risks you can.  But taking risks is part of living close to Me.  Trying to live a risk-free life tells Me that you don't really trust Me.  You have to make a choice:  Will you keep trying to be safe at all costs?  Or will you follow Me with all your heart?

I may ask you to stand up for someone who can't stand up for himself, to say no to a friend, or to tell a stranger about Me.  But I"ll give you the strength and the courage to do it.

Life with Me is an adventure.  If you stick with Me, you'll not only have My protection, but you'll learn to relax and enjoy the adventure.  So be willing to follow wherever I lead-even out on a limb

Blog December: Bounce

Blog December: Hit Someone

This is silly.  I know.

I'm a history guy.  I love reading about why things happened.  Particularly WWII.  For some reason I am completely captivated by that time period.  I tell you that only as a way of back story.

So pilots, particularly in WWII, and sometimes boat captains would paint little figures on the side of their plane or hull for the number of enemy planes or boats they had destroyed.  It was like "see what I have done.

So when I see this on the back of a van or SUV



 I'm thinking about this

And I think " man they've really hit a bunch of people with their vehicle.

I know it's silly, but that's where my brain goes.

Blog December: Hope and Waiting

I've been teaching on Waiting on God.  Not easy teaching...or learning.

As part of that I taught through the short verse in Isaiah 40:31.  You know it.  You might even have an engraved wall hanging or something with it on it in your house or church.  "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

I'm not going to lay out the whole teaching. What's happened is that since I studied it and taught it God has continued to teach me about it. 

When you do a word study of the word HOPE in this passage, it can be translated as "to wait".  Those who WAIT in the Lord....

That's not how we think of hope.  We think of hope in a "I hope this happens" sort of way.  You want it to happen but you know there's a really good chance it won't.  Hoping you hit the lottery.  Hoping you get your deer while hunting.  Hoping you pass the test you didn't study for. 

If we're honest we think of God like that too often.  We hope that he's going to work things out so that it goes our way.  We desire it, but we'll keeping moving forward in the meantime.  We're pretty bad at waiting on God to do what he's going to do. 

In the immediacy of our lives, we want God to work on our time table.  I need and answer and I need it now.  If I don't see you moving when I need it or want it, then you're clearly not going to work so I'll take that to mean I can do whatever I want.  Seriously? 

Throughout Scripture there are example after example of God making promises to people....and then they had to wait for that promise to be fulfilled.  The leading that he creates for people always was fulfilled, it just didn't always happen immediately.  Even when the angel showed up to Mary to tell her she would bare God's son, she still had to wait 9 months to see that baby....and another 30ish years after that before he started doing the ministry that he was here for. BUT when the fullness of his promise came to pass it was always excellent.

Are you hoping or waiting?  Are you putting God on a time table?  Are you waiting for the excellence that God has for you?

Blog December: Introvert

This rocked my world. I think I need to read this book. Wow.

Blog December: Landing

All landings at San Diego International Airport on November 23, 2012 between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Blog December: Preparing

Tonight Corban and I jumped in the car to go to Cub Scouts.  As we pulled out of the driveway, he said, "Dad have you seen the house down the street? They put up lights outside.  Why don't we great ready for Christmas?" 

I was kind of taken aback by that.  We do get ready for Christmas.  Corban helped put up our Nativity scene with Marjorie and Tobiah just the night before.  We are doing an Advent wreath every night at dinner.  Marjorie also put up Christmas stuff around the house the other night too.

I thought to myself....we're not big on the outer decoration.  Our preparation is internal not external.

Is our preparation for Jesus external or internal?

How are you preparing for Christmas?  Are you internal or external?

Blog December: Rebellion

As I've stated before, I regularly listen to sports talk radio regularly while driving around town running errands (as long as the boys aren't in the van....because they only want to listen to Toby Mac).

The other night I was switching between a stations from Buffalo, Cleveland, NYC, and Chicago.  When I hit one of the stations, there were two men in the middle of a conversation.  It took me a minute to realize what they were talking about.....which was wrestling....but more than wrestling.

They were talking about how student athletes are smarter today than they were "when we were kids".  They weren't talking about intelligence.  They were talking about doing dumb things.  The radio guys' point was that teens these days are constantly reminded how many ways you can screw up or get caught screwing up or what the repercussions could be to every possible scenario. 

As I thought about this, I took it a step further than what they were saying.  I thought to myself....so if that's true, then when those same students go ahead and do whatever it is that they KNOW is wrong, then they're intentionally doing what they know is wrong..what they know they'll get in trouble for...maybe what they know is illegal.  So they're dumber than dumb.

I spend a lot of time with teenagers who have grown up in church.  They have good parents who care about them and have tried hard to raise them to be responsible Christians who love Jesus. 

As a youth guy nothing drives me more up a wall than when I watch students make choices that they KNOW are the wrong ones.  They are intentionally CHOOSING wrong.  It's particularly annoying when it's something I've recently taught out of the Bible with them. 

My buddy J and I talk about church kids feeling the need to be rebellious.  What they miss out on is that Jesus was crazy rebellious.  People didn't believe he was Messiah because he didn't come to lead them in rebellion against the Romans.  People were upset he wasn't a might warrior.  What he preached went completely in the face of human nature. 

What we miss out on is that the way we can rebel most is by surrendering more to what Jesus has to offer.  How counter cultural would it be if we responded out of love to those around us.  When someone became angry with us, we asked for forgiveness.  What if we were humble.  What if we were servants.  What if we stopped trying to fit in and be like everyone else and started being rebellious?

December Blog: Where I Live

For the family who needs to go hunting together:

De-stressing a leader

My buddy Jim posted this article yesterday on Facebook and I immediately re-posted it there as well.  I thought I'd throw it up here so I can comment briefly on it.

If you're too lazy to click the article....basically it's like this....if you want to take some stress off your pastor....or any leader for that matter....give them a hint of what you want to talk to them about instead of just saying "can i talk to you" or "can i have a minute of your time". 

TOTALLY TRUE.  When someone says that our brains race to wonder what's wrong.  And granted sometimes there are things wrong that need fixed....but other times it's only a conversation, or they just want to spend time.

The other day I asked the principal at the boy's school to chat with him briefly.  He put me on the calendar for this morning.  Now I have a great relationship with him and we talk regularly, but I didn't realize until this morning that I should've told him that it was all good and I wanted to ask a good question....I didn't have a problem. 

Help de-stress us.

MUST View website.

Quite possible the greatest thing on the internet.

There are lots of beard and moustache sites on the web.  This one is awesome.

It's called Bearded Gospel Man.  Basically bearded pastors both current and vintage.  Some with catchy saying. 

Go now and spend the next chunk of your life wisely.

Summer

I'm going to be honest here.....(as if I normally lie).......it's summer and I'd just plain rather spend my time with my boys and wife than doing another blog post.

I owe this blog some attention.  And I'll get on that soon.

If you're not already you should be regularly checking the "family blog" with updates on our adoption....but really updates on some stuff I've been doing.

REINARD FAMILY

Hanna Montana

This is for those who are still checking in here.

Must See LipSync of the Day

Perfect Iced Coffee

I did it.  I figured out how to make perfect Iced Coffee at home.  It is a project, but after a couple different runs through it, it's definitely right.  I'm gonna share the secret with you.

To start you need good coffee.  You're going to be using a lot, and so I know you can be tempted to get cheaper coffee because of that.  Don't.  Your mouth won't forgive you.  I admittedly like a Dark Roast coffee.  This whole process goes darker than normal anyway....so if you don't like it dark at all...consider medium coffee.  If you go light...don't bother.  I chose this Starbucks Italian Roast because it had a Vespa on it.  HA

Ok down to the directions.  My bag of coffee was 12 oz.  I chose to use 4 oz. to start with just to see how it would go.  As it turns out, that was a good idea as that is a good deal of coffee.  So I measured out 4 oz of coffee into my trusty kitchen scale.  This is a mountain of perfection.

Even for 4 oz.  you're going to need a rather large container.  Marjorie had a giant jar with stickers all over.  The stickers added nothing to the taste, but are very distracting to the pictures.  It was a challenge getting the coffee in the small hole of the jar....I made my own paper funnel.  Perfection.

OK so for every 4oz, you're going to use 2 quarts of water.  So for 8 oz. you need a gallon of water.  Which (if you're doing the math along with me at home) means if you use a full pound bag of coffee (note that these days most bags of coffee are 12 or 14 oz, not a pound) you need 2 gallons of water.  That's a lot.  Which is another reason I chose to only do 4 oz per brew. 

So what we're doing is called cold brewing.  You're going to dump that water directly into the jar with the grounds.  You'll also want to use a spoon, or butter knife, or spatula to stir that in a way that lets all the grounds touch the water.  You'll need to probably scrap the side above the water level as ground will splash up a bit too.  You want all the coffee goodness to have it's full impact here!  So here's a picture of the nastiness that is created (sorry for the dark...it was night in my kitchen).   You're going to let this awesome sauce sit for 8-12 hours.  I make mine at night and then go to bed.  It works nicely.

 

 When the time has passed, you'll see no change, except maybe a little darker.   You'll need to get some cheese cloth.  I found mine at the local grocery store (which means if I can find it in Warren you can find it where you are).  You obviously have to strain your coffee, but a strainer by itself is not going to cut it.  I double layered my cheese cloth inside my strainer and it worked perfectly.

Here's the fun part.  You get to pour your big jug into the cheese cloth and strainer.  This could take awhile if you use a full pound of coffee and 2 gallons of water.  I recommend you use a cute little Ethiopian boy to help hold your strainer.  Not that you need the strainer held, if it has the little lip to hook onto your bowl, but it's more fun with cute Ethiopian boys!  You might need to pat down the coffee in the strainer with a spoon or spatula.  If it backs up be patient and let it strain through.  I needed a second jar to pour a couple times because my measuring bowl was a little too small.

 So here's what you're looking at.  On the left is the grounds that have gone into the strainer.  The middle jar is the nasty residue jug from the cold brew and the right is perfection.

 This is what you're going to end up with.  It's thick and dark.  That's OK.  Even if you use medium roast, it's gonna look darker than you'd normally drink coffee....that's what you want and I'll show you why in a second.  I don't drink this right away.  I find that the whole thing works much better if I put this in the refrigerator for awhile so that it's COLD.  Remember you're making iced coffee, so it can't hurt to keep it cold.

So after some time in the fridge, you're going to pour your thick coffee into a cup.  You only want a little more than half full.  TRUST ME.  I like cream and sugar in my coffee so I add that now.  You can get some cool effects of the cream (or milk) if you pour it on slowly.  I add my ice last since you're going to need to stir it up and the ice just seems to get in the way.  Other people have the ice in first, then pour over it. 

A final few notes:
1.  If you keep your cold brew in the refrigerator, and are using cold milk....I've found you can pretty much forgo the ice all together.  The ice almost gets in the way...and it's cold enough even on a warm day.

2.  There is a way to make Thai and Vietnamese iced coffee from this same cold brew.  I haven't gone this route yet, but that is coming in the next week or two and I'll report back.

3.  I just cold brewed some decaf as well.  I was realizing I normally want a cold beverage in late afternoon/early evening.  But because of how strong the coffee was I was still going full tilt at midnight.  Decaf works just the same.

Sorry

I've been a bad blogger.  Since we started our newest adoption process, I've been quite distracted.  Where my brain usually thinks of things in terms of what I can blog next, it's been thinking in terms of "what do I need to get this adoption rolling". 

Not that I have many die-hard readers, but I apologize. 

I have a post that'll come soon...and several others I'm thinking about.  I'll try to be better.

MORE Digital Age

The more I hear these guys the more I love them.  Wow.  Good voice blending, great layers of music.  Can't get enough.  Rumors of a fall tour.  AND now they have an EP on iTUNES

CONFESSION:  I've never purchased anything from iTunes.  Ever.  Ever.  I know I know....I can hear Matt Slater screaming at me from Kansas City.  I know.  I might actually buy this.

Here are two new videos to tide you over.

Tuesday Coffee

3 Questions

Good friends are friends that ask really hard questions of you and don't want your fluff answers.  I'm convinced of that.  It's not just fun activities, telling secrets, and going on trips, but really challenging your life.  Some of my best friends are the people who ask me questions that make me uncomfortable.  I say that only as a means of introduction.

Jim Baker (who's back blogging again!!!!!), almost always when we talk (chat online since he's in Hawaii) asks me "how's Jesus?".  What he wants to know is how is my relationship...my pursuit of Jesus.  He expects me to be honest.  I am.  It also challenges me.  When I hit dry spots, and I admit that to Jim, he usually asks good questions or encourages me in ways that kick me into gear. 

So last night he asked how Jesus was and I told him my answer and he said I should blog it.  So I am.

Jesus is good.  And at least for now....and it's because of putting Corban to bed at night.

Every night after stories have been read (usually with mommy) and songs have been sung (that's a family affair), Marjorie takes Tobiah into his room to start his breathing treatment and I tuck Corban in.  We've gotten in this habit over the last month or two of asking 3 questions before bed.

1.  What was the best part of today?  This is a great question because he gets excited.  He sometimes laughs or giggles or just gives me his big smile.  He tells stories.  I ask him how things felt.  What was good about it. 

2.  What was the worst part/bad about your day?  This isn't usually a super heavy thing.  I mean, he's 7.  How bad can things go for him?  Usually the worst parts of his day are things like, "I didn't get to have a popsicle" or "we didn't get recess outside today because it was raining".  Sometimes it's a little heavier...like when fish die.  Again, just another opportunity to talk.

The third question is the good one. 

3.  Where did you see, feel or hear Jesus today?  This is hard for him.  Sometimes he says things like, "we went to church"....which I always say...well where at church did we see/feel/hear Jesus....because just going doesn't mean we did those things.  Sometimes he has good things.  Sometimes he just tries to con me....like says..."I feel Jesus every time you hug me."   HA!  Now I know that that can be true, but you can tell he just wants another hug from daddy. 

Here's what has happened though.  When he doesn't have an answer to #3, he turns to me and says, "I don't know dad.  Where did you see, hear or feel Jesus today?"  Good question.  He wants to know that hearing from Jesus or seeing Jesus at work, or seeing Him show up in my day is a real thing...not just words we say.  I need to show him....model that.  And once again....not in a fake way...because he knows when daddy is blowing smoke.

So my God radar has been put on super sensitive.....where it should be. 

Do you ask your children God questions?  What are the important things that you need to model? 

(when I ask questions at the end like this...it's not intended to be rhetorical.  Click the little comments button below and have a conversation!)

Random Saturday

It's time once again for stuff that I've been saving up.  Click around and waste some time.  That's what weekends are for right?

-Tonight is the second game of the Stanley Cup Finals.  With that in mind, how about a punk band that saved a hockey team!

-There are 33 animals that are extremely disappointed with you......and you know why.....

-My biggest problem?  I'm getting dumber.  But I know why.  Sugar.  Here's a study that proves it.

-A heart warming story.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed a paralyzed former college player.  You really need to read this.  This makes me want to root for the Bucs more this year.

-Toward the beginning of May something unusual took place in Virgina.  Six generations of women gathered together.  The oldest is 111 and the youngest is 3 weeks.  I thought I was lucky when my grandfather, my father, Corban and I got together!  Great pictures here.

-Summer is upon us.  You should wear sunscreen.  The New England Journal of Medicine, published this picture of a truck driver of 25 years.  Notice the left side of his face.  That would be the side that was against the window of his truck.  No sunscreen.  That's messed up.  Wear sunscreen. 









-Stanley Cup.  That's all.



-The longest word in the English language.....said by cute Cambodian school children.  Can't beat that with a stick.


-These two young ladies have made their rounds of the internet.  I'm not a fan of this song...and it's ideals....but these two are ridiculous good.  PLUS....they use "the cup game" with their Land-O-Lakes cups.  My drumline would love this!

NHL Playoffs: Stanely Cup Finals

What really needs said at this point?  Few of the logical choices were winners.  We have a 6 and a 8 seed playing for the CUP.  I guarantee NO ONE had these two teams picked for the Finals.

MATT was 6-6....he is now 7-7
RANDY was 8-4....he is now 9-4
JEFF was 5-7....he is now  6-8
I am total crap because I picked the "right" teams to win each round.  I was 4-8.  I am no a very miserable 4-10. 

Another great year of hockey.  What am I going to do when the Finals are over?

My take on this series.

STANLEY CUP FINALS
New Jersey Devils vs. LA Kings
You can make a case for either of these teams.  Very similar playing styles.  Some tough gritty teams.  Great goaltending.  Good upfront.  I think LA is a bit tougher.  I kind of don't like them.  I think they cross the line a bit.  Goaltending.....both guys are crazy.  I've said that the West is going to win the CUP.  I just can't pick LA.  I would love to see Marty Brodeur with the Cup again.  It doesn't make sense but....Aaron's pick:  Devils in 6

Before and After

This kind of struck me yesterday since it happened twice.  Two separate people quoted the same verse of scripture.  One on Facebook and one to a group of people.  No big deal right?  Right.

And it wasn't because it was a good verse.  But what comes after is so good, how do we not use it too?

I'm guilty too.  I use a snippet because it's all I have time for, or it's easier to quote, or it's the main point.  But I was just made aware of the goodness surrounding it.

So the verse that was quoted was Jeremiah 29:11 ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  
 
Great verse.  I've used it dozens of times.  But it's only part of the goodness.  What comes next is awesome.  Check this out.

¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.^[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” 

How good is that? It's not just about knowing the future.  It's about being known.  That we have access to him.  That it's not a game of hide and seek.  I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU.  His desire isn't for us to be lost, or to be in captivity...it's to be found and brought back.  


It's like we're eating blueberry muffins....but we're tearing the whole muffin apart just to pick out the blueberries.  You're missing this good stuff all around it.


Another one that fries me is I Timothy 4:12


¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard this taught at youth events....and usually taught poorly....I'd be rich.  

It's a great passage, but usually we only read the first part of the verse...don't let anyone look down on you because you're young....and it becomes a rebellious cry.  A way for teenagers to rise up.  The second half of that verse and the verses after all go together.  AND they're instructional.

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

 Instead of a rebellious cry, it's saying, YOU set the example.  Don't let them look down on you because you're going to be doing all these things and it will blow them away because you're so committed to the cause of Christ.  Instead of stepping back and complaining about how the old folks at church just don't "get it"....YOU set the example by how you treat others and follow Jesus.    But it's more fun to just read the rebels cry.


This is not a calling out of anyone.  I almost hesitate to post this, should someone think I'm calling them out.  I'm not.  I know that it doesn't make sense to quote 5 verses on facebook.  I get it.  Let's point people to the good stuff too though.

Context is huge.  How do we know what the writers are saying if we don't read around it and study. 
Let's eat the whole muffin.

Almost Makes Sense Again

The first one is the best one!!!

 

Must See Video of the Day

Have you seen this yet?  If not, and you're a romantic like me, don't watch it.  Go get some kleenex first then watch it.

Tuesday Coffee

Uncle Drew

So awesome

MAJOR REINARD ANNOUNCEMENT....and new blog

Marjorie and I have started a new blog.  This WILL NOT take the place of this one.  I will continue to blog regularly from here. 

However.....the new blog has a MAJOR announcement for our family.  If you're reading here....you not only need to read the new blog....but follow it religiously.

REINARD FAMILY BLOG

I'll post more about this announcement here later.

Random Saturday

For anyone who's ever traveled abroad, the image at the right is how I feel about you.

Well that was a good start to a Random Saturday.  Sorry for taking last week off.  I have some big stuff going down, so I've been slacking on blogging.  Even this Random Saturday is short.  Enough of that...let's get to it....

-This is awesome.  A 9-year old boy saw some folks from the Westboro Baptist Church picketing a graduation with signs that said "God Hates Fags."  He asked his mom if he could make his own sign.  So he used his notebook and made a sign that says, "God Hates No One."  Give that boy a metal

-This guy made an entire city from individual pieces of type from typewriters.  Crazy. 

-Spork chops are real.

-I was outside tonight taking laundry off the line and folding it.  For whatever reason I started singing an old Edie Brickell song.  Then I thought, "I should go listen to that album." Then I realized that I had that song on cassette.  I miss cassettes.....sort of.

-If we're going to censor things...let's censor everything.  I give you....the censorship towel.  I want one.  And I want to give one to the guys I play hockey with.  CENSORSHIP


This is a fun lip dub from the cast and crew of the Broadway hit "Anything Goes".  Fun happens.  Notice the guy watching a hockey game in his dressing room.





EDIT:  Funny thing just happened.....as soon as I posted this video, I closed the window playing the video.  I'm sitting in Tim Horton's (shocking I know).  Usually their satellite radio is playing either songs from the 80's and 90's or Dean Martin/Bing Crosby/Old Blue Eyes.  Guess what song is on?  I had to take my headphones out just to make sure I was hearing correctly.

More New....The Digital Age

I want an album and a tour right now.  Awesome.

Helpless

As I mentioned on Sunday's Mother's Day post...we went to see my parents on Mother's Day.  It was super good.  The boys can't get enough of wrestling with PaPa.....or spoiling from Grandma. 

Monday was frustrating though.  My parents have internet, but not wireless...so when we go there I have to plug my laptop in via ethernet cable.  No biggie....except that they moved their computer upstairs into the room where the boys sleep.  So when they go to bed, I get kicked off the computer.  I've been telling them that they should get a wifi router, and then dad could use his laptop around the house too.

They finally did.  Dad installed it on Monday afternoon....and the internet completely went down.  I spent hours working on it, and nothing I did, impacted anything.  I couldn't figure out what was going on.  I couldn't even get it restored back to the way it was.  I was helpless.  They're gonna need to call in someone with way more ability than me.  An expert.

So later that night it was time to leave.  We packed our van, got the kids in their PJ's and gave our hugs good-bye.  I jump in and try to start the van.....wouldn't turn over.  We open the hood, tinker around and still couldn't get it to start.  Nothing we did, had any impact on my van.  I was helpless.  We needed someone with way more ability than me.  An expert. 

I'll be honest that I wasn't thinking of God in either instance.  I was just helpless and frustrated.  It wasn't until later that night as we were driving home with the boys breathing heavy of sleep in the back that I connected the dots. 

Israel spent thousands of years trying to fix it themselves.  They kept trying to fix the system.  They kept slaughtering animals and sacrificing.  Sack cloth and ashes of repentance.  God continues to take them back, and they seem to get it right for awhile....then they fall away again.  They were helpless.  They needed someone with more ability than themselves.  They needed and expert fixer. 

Jesus comes to fix things for one last time.  The consummate pro fixer.  We don't need to tinker any more.  We don't need to be helpless.  I mean who likes that feeling? 

Tuesday Coffee

Thank You Mom

I'm going to be driving today to see my mom.  I can't wait to walk through the door and give her a hug.  I love my mommy. 

Thank you mom for teaching me good values and standing up for what is right.  Thank you for showing me that God is real, not just with your words but with passionately pursuing him yourself every day.  Thank you for teaching me to wash the dishes and to eat vegetables.  Thank you for just putting your arm around me and letting me cry when I needed to.  Thank you for grounding me when I needed that too.  Thank you for giving me good advice even when I ignored it.  Thank you for constantly loving me, my wife and my children.  I love you.

Found this video.  Just asked random people in NYC to thank their mothers.  It's odd and quirky...but it's good too.  If your mom is still alive, call her or drive to her and tell her you love her.  If not, find someone else to hug and love today. 

NHL Playoffs: Conference Finals

Well we're on to a new round.  I have no idea what's going on.  This has to be the least predictable year.  I've even watched professional sports writers predictions....everyone is wrong this year.  It's bad for predictions, but man has there been some great hockey. 

So lets see how our blogging predictors have done.
Matt finished round 1 5-3.  In the Semi's he went 1-3.  Matt is now 6-6
Randy was also 5-3 in round 1.  In the Semi's he went 3-1.  Randy is now our leader at 8-4.
Jeff was 4-4 in round 1.  Jeff went 1-3 in the Semi's.  He is now 5-7.
Basically I'm crap at this.  I was 3-5 in round 1 and also went 1-3 in round 2.  Which brings me to 4-8.  Awesome.

Let me just say a few things to close out the Semi's before I make my predictions. 

-THE FLYERS LOST!!!! YIPEE!!!

-The West is amazing.

-Is there really a point in me making picks?  I clearly have no idea what I'm talking about even though I watch a ton of hockey all year long and have watched almost every game of the playoffs.  Honestly I'm the least sure of the picks of this round.  You could make a case for any of these four teams making it to the Cup.


EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils:

What happened to the Devils?  They played some seriously tough hockey in the Semi round.  They just imposed their will against the Flyers.  Brodeur, for the most part looked like his younger self.  They were impressive.  The Rangers went to Game 7 with Washington.  Either of those teams could've won that series.  I really like the Rangers.  I think that Lundqvist is an incredible goalie.  The Rangers have a bunch of young speedy guys and a good bundle of grinders.  As much as I don't like their coach because of his mouth, he knows strategy and can motivate his guys.  I'm gonna go Rangers in 6.  I"m not sure I have a good reason for this pick.  The Devils proved they can shut down stars.


WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Phoenix Coyotes vs. LA Kings:
I didn't see either of these teams getting this far.  AND both teams played amazingly.  Both teams just flat out dominated their Semi-round match-ups.  Why?  Their goalies.  Jonathan Quick and Mike Smith are the reasons their teams are winning.  Who is going to continue to play like that and who's going to let up some bad ones?  No idea.  You could make a case for both teams.  I think probably LA has the advantage at forward...but Phoenix wasn't bad either.  I'm just gonna go with who I'd LIKE to see win.  I'm going with Phoenix in 7.  No reason other than I'd like to see Shane Doan raise the Cup. 

"How to be a Dad" featuring Rob Rogers

 This is my friend Rob Rogers.  Rob and I met in the summer of 1992.  We were part of a team of students that went to Thailand for just shy of a month to play music at schools and churches as part of Carpenter's Tools International.  Rob and I and another guy Chauncey got put in a house for a week while in training in Minnessota.  Basically this family gave us an entire house for a week.....it was AWESOME.  Rob and I then went on to room together throughout tour.  We've kept in touch over the years.  I would easily say that Rob is one my best friends in the entire world.  He holds me accountable.  He laughs with and at me.  He encourages me and speaks truth into my life.  He makes me want to work harder at being a good dad, husband and pursuer of Jesus.  I'd like to believe I do the same for him too.

So two things about Rob.

1.  I use to call him "Rob my friend from Colorado".  Except that VERY recently he took a youth ministry job in Minnesota.  He and his family are in a serious transition state of packing, moving, selling house, etc.  They could seriously use your prayers if you have an extra minute with God.

2.  Rob related this story to me and it was too good not to pass along to you.  I told him I would do so, so it's not like I'm telling this behind his back.

Warning:  The following is about vomit.....if that's a problem don't read this really funny story.


So I was telling Rob about how Tobiah gets sick so often.  Tobiah will get really congested and then because his gag reflex is so sensitive that he'll throw up just from the trickle down the back of his throat.  It's kind of frustrating because a common cold makes him vomit like crazy.  Marjorie told me before we had kids that she couldn't handle vomit so I was always going to be in charge of that....but because he does it so frequently we've both just learned to deal with it.

So Rob then tells me that one of his boys recently got really sick too.  Just a nasty sickness.  So he says that in the middle of the night his son vomits on the carpet.  Rob, being super dad and half asleep, cleans the mess up in the only way that he possibly could.  He gets out a box cutter and just cuts the piece of carpet right out and throws it away!  How awesome is that!!!!

To be fair...he was already thinking of replacing the carpet, but this sealed the deal.  My understanding is that after caring for his son he went right back to bed.  I applaud you super dad!

Photographic evidence:

 

Tuesday Coffee

Just FYI:  The reason for Tuesday coffee is simple.  Monday is my mental day off.  I try hard to not do real work on Monday.  So Tuesday is like my Monday.  I kick into gear for the week.  So I need serious coffee (not that I'm not drinking coffee every morning anyway.)

Random Saturday (visual edition)

Welcome to Random Saturday.  For whatever reason, as I slowly added to this post throughout the week, I realized that the things I was linking...were all visual/picture related.  It wasn't planned, it just happened.  So here it is.  Grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage....but it better be coffee) and enjoy. 

-Not sure why...but I seem to have stumbled upon a bunch of photo blogs recently that I can't get enough of.  Here's what I think does it for me...there's no back story.  The photo at the right here is from a blog called Things I Saw Today.  He keeps his camera close wherever he goes.  He says, "The purpose of Things I Saw Today is to make you look at what you may see, or to make you see everyday things differently."  Is that's perfect?  I like that each picture I get to figure out what's lead up to the picture.  What is the story that put that person in that place or what is going on?  Love it.  Go look at this month.  I want to post every picture here.....but it's his blog.....just go there.

-I asked the question on Facebook last week....what's in your RSS feed that I'm not already following...or what blogs should I be reading.  Great replies.  I'll ask the same question here.....what do I need to be reading that I might not be now?

-In response to that question, my friend Katie (do I still seriously need to link to here?) sent me a fun link.  It's called 9-eyes.com.  Again...it's just pictures....but this time it's pictures taken from Google Street View.  You need to see this!  Some of the pictures are just hillarious, some are amazing pictures that dazzle...then there are the just odd.  Some make you really wonder what's going on.  Click the link right now.

-So a Marine serving overseas has a mom with a sense of humor.  She sent him 4 Justin Bieber shirts in a package.  This happened. 

-Blending Day and Night via photograhy and technology around New York City. 





-I leave you with the history of lyrics that aren't lyrics.  Fabulous.  Can you name the songs?

Where Do Beards Come From?

Tuesday Coffee

Equip and Shepherd

Two weeks ago we had a guest pastor at church.  He taught on Ephesians 4:1-16.

There are times when people say things that you already know, but you need to have someone say them out loud for you to acknowledge them.  The youth convention I went to in early March was much like that.  Lots of things I knew, but I needed to hear them said out loud.  Seems like I've been hearing a lot of that lately.

So anyway Toby (the pastor) focused on 4:4.  And within that one line hammered home the idea that YOU were called.  Not just the elders, pastors, deacons, evangelists, etc.  That wasn't lost on me as I teach that regularly to students. 

He went on to say that pastors, elders, etc. are there to equip us to then perform our calling.  So I then had to ask myself if I'm truly equipping.  Am I?  Am I putting the tools into students hands? 

When David went to fight Goliath....he turned down the kings armor because it didn't fit.  He could fight with that crazy stuff that he'd never used before and wasn't tailored for him.  But he also didn't go into battle empty handed. He equipped himself first.  The Bible says he took his staff in his hand, went to the stream and got 5 stones and put them in his shepherd's pouch and then has his sling. 

Am I putting the right tools in my students hands to equip them to face the giants in their lives?  I want to believe I am.  How can I be better?  Am I also putting things in their hands that they just don't need?  They're going into battle and I'm putting a party blower and a snow shovel in their hand too?  Am I equipping in a healthy way?

He also said that a pastors job is to shepherd.  To protect and guide my flock.  In this area I feel like I do well...or as well as my flock allows me to.  I feel that teenagers are the flock that intentionally ignores the shepherds voice.  They know the shepherds voice, but choose to say, "I know this is right, but it doesn't make me happy."  If anything I want to be overly protective of my flock....as my flock walks boldly toward the edge of a cliff.  




Note:  The pastor didn't say all those things about me badly equipping....I did.  Also know that I'm not doubting my calling, I just want to be better at what I do. 

Random Saturday

Random Saturday isn't going to be very random this week.  I just didn't really stumble upon much this week that blew my hair back.  So I'll pass along a couple good blog posts by friends that you should read.

Matt (who's picking hockey picks too) had a very well written post about fandom and Christ's kingdom.  Really good stuff here.


My pastor friend Bill had a post on Friday entitled "Why I blog"....hey that's a catchy post.  Actually he posted it based off my blog from last week like he said he would.  I loved it a lot.  I really liked his #4....I get to share what I care about.  So good.  No one gets to tell me what to write and not to write.....well....Marjorie might make a suggestion every couple months....but mostly it's what I want to write about.  I know most people who read my blog don't care a hoot about hockey....but I do, so I write about it. 

Rick had an awesome post about playing with his boys in his backyard....and a vision from God years ago.  Teared me up.

Jim did the same with his post about his adoption and friends of his. 

Let's wrap it up with this.  My really good friend Anneliese (who I call Wheeze) has been secretly blogging since last year.  She recently decided to make it public....so will I.

Yep that's it for this week.  So why aren't you blogging again?

NHL Playoffs Roudn 2

In case you're late to the party, every year a few friends and I make our round by round predictions of the NHL playoffs to see who is the dumbest.  As of 12:30am this morning the second round is finally set and begins immediately tonight.

Recap of Round 1:
 Matt picked 5 of the 8 winners in round 1.  He is now 5-3.
Randy also went 5-3 in round 1
Jeff went 4-4 in round 1
Your illustrious leader....Me....as always I sucked because I picked the obvious choices and round 1 was full of surprise teams.  I went 3-5.  So basically I"m already out of contention this year.

Honestly my picks were good.  Teams that should've crumbled, stepped up.  Pittsburgh didn't show up for the first 3 games of that series.  By the time they started playing it was too late.  Florida should've buried New Jersey and didn't.   Vancouver was a bust, and should've won.  Chicago/Phoenix was a toss up....and you'll know I picked Chicago but was rooting for Phoenix.  The Boston/Washington series was by far the best series in round 1.  Every game had me on the edge of my seat.  OK enough whining.  Time for Round 2 predictions.

Barry Melrose had the Pens and Blackhawks in the Cup Finals.....so I'm good to go.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals:  This is an interesting series.  You could make a case for either team.  In Round 1 I told you Washington would lose because they didn't have the goaltending.  Brandon Holtby proved me wrong and stepped up in a crazy way.  Is this the series he comes down to earth?  Both teams went to game 7 to finish round 1.  Will that take a toll on either of them?  Dan Boyle has a concussion for the Rangers after a brutal hit....will he play again in the playoffs or in this series?  Lundqvist is still the better goalie in this match-up.  The Rangers have as much talent up front as the Caps do, they're just not house-hold names.  I have a biased against Washington, just because I don't believe Ovechkin is a real leader even though he has a C on his sweater.  Aaron's pick:  New York in 6

Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils:  I use the word hate when talking about the Flyers.  I just can't stand them.  I've said it before and I'll say it again....they could lose every game from now till Jesus comes back and I wouldn't shed a tear for them.  That being said, they played good hockey in Round 1.  Good not great.  Bryz is still a joke of a goalie.  Even though they won the series...he let up 3, 5, 4, 5 (in the blow=out game where he was pulled), 3 and 1.  Except for the last game....that's not good.  You have to hope his forward keep producing or they're dead.  On the other side, the Devils somehow got by Florida.  They needed double overtime of game 7 to do it, but they did.  Brodeur had a shutout in game 4 to become the shutout playoff leader.  Can the Devils match up with the Filthies?  Just not sure.  Kovalchuk didn't look healthy skating last night.  No word if he's 100%.  As much as it pains me to do this...Aaron's pick:  Philadelphia in 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE

St. Louis Blues vs. LA Kings:  This is going to be the series in the West to watch.  All the Western teams have stellar goaltending.  This series will showcase some great ones.  Jonathan Quick was one of the main reasons the Kings beat Vancouver.  He always seemed to be where he needed to be.  On the other side the Blues' Elliott was hurt at the beginning of the series so they had to start Halak, who then got hurt and Elliott took over...both played great.  They've already announced that Halak is out game 1 and 2 at least.  I think the Blues are still the better team here.  While the Kings have stepped up, the Blues are just grittier.  Aaron's pick:  Blues in 6 or 7

Nashville Predators vs. Phoenix Coyotes:  I said in Round 1 that this could be Nashville's year.  They are loaded for bear and played really well against Detroit.  Granted Detroit isn't the Detroit of old, but they are still amazing.  Phoenix played really well.  Mike Smith is standing on his head.  If he can continue doing that, Phoenix can stay in this series.  I think there's too much pressure on him though.  I saw Phoenix just watching and hoping he'd make saves.  They're just not good enough in front of him and now allowing the shots to happen.  You can't allow the other team to take 40+ shots a game for too many games and have a fresh goalie.  Pekka Rinne of the Preds is a stud.  He's so dang fast and long and lanky.  Aaron's pick:  Predators in 5 or 6


Aside:  The first round was brutal on my sleeping habits.  The first week or so I watched at least parts of every game.  I was starting at 7 and watching till 1am.  That one Sunday games started at noon and ran to 1am.  The later rounds are a little better on me sleeping!