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