Someone was asking me this question recently. If God decides whether or not we are saved, then do we have free will or not? I found a good article by John Hendryx regarding this. Click here.
I'll try to summarize it later.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
There's no Place Like Home for the Holidays
It's almost 11am. Helen and I have been up for awhile getting ready to go back to Texas. We decided it'd be much easier to come back to Louisville if the house was clean and there was nothing for us to do around the house when we got back. So we've been cleaning and packing and getting ready to go.
We're so excited to come home and we can't wait to spend time with our family and friends. Our flight leaves at 6:20, so keep us in prayer if you read this before then. Adios!
We're so excited to come home and we can't wait to spend time with our family and friends. Our flight leaves at 6:20, so keep us in prayer if you read this before then. Adios!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
First Anniversary Weekend Extravaganza with Pictures
We got back a few hours ago. Helen uploaded the pictures to the computer, so now we can give the full account.
We left Louisville about 10am and arrived in Indianapolis a little after noon. The first place we went was the NCAA Hall of Champions.
We walked in and the first thing we saw was a picture of someone Helen knew...
She was a finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year. So that was funny. The next thing we saw was a statue of an old football formation called the flying wedge. Basically, the ball carrier would get behind these guys who would then smash anyone who got in their way. This led to a ton of injuries and deaths, and it led to the formation of the NCAA.
We also got to visit a half-court replica of a gym from the 1930's. It reminded me of some gyms I played in in high school. Here's some pictures of me shooting and also the first official "Fair Play" clock used in the NCAA. Apparently, there was a discrepancy over how much time was left in games, and this happened a lot. So they decided it would be best to have an official clock that everyone could see.
Some other cool things that we saw were some of John Wooden's "coaching shoes" and a page out of his playbook with his handwriting on it.
We were able to find something about Texas A&M. It was a picture of the Red, White, and Blue Out Game. I was at that game my freshmen year. Unfortunately, this picture was in the corner and covered by a fake tree. So, being good ags, we decided to move the tree in front of another display and leave Aggieland visible.
So A&M did make the Hall of Champions. After this we went back to our hotel and stayed for two hours. This is where I typed the first update. I promised a picture of Helen's funny sleeping position... so here it is...
After she woke up, we walked to the zoo. It was less than a mile and it wasn't too cold.
The above bear is asleep. He was sleeping on his back and snoring. He kept moving around and even put his thumb in his mouth. Pretty funny. We had a good time at the zoo.
After we left the zoo, we went to eat at the Olive Garden. No pictures from that, but we did have a delicious meal. After we ate, we went back to the hotel, got our camera, and went down to Circle Center. They were supposed to have an amazing lights display, but it was false advertisement. They did have a huge tree and downtown was really busy.
After the circle of lights, we went back to the hotel for the night. We woke up in the morning and ate at McDonalds for breakfast. We left about 10 in the morning and got home after noon.
We left Louisville about 10am and arrived in Indianapolis a little after noon. The first place we went was the NCAA Hall of Champions.
We walked in and the first thing we saw was a picture of someone Helen knew...
She was a finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year. So that was funny. The next thing we saw was a statue of an old football formation called the flying wedge. Basically, the ball carrier would get behind these guys who would then smash anyone who got in their way. This led to a ton of injuries and deaths, and it led to the formation of the NCAA.
We also got to visit a half-court replica of a gym from the 1930's. It reminded me of some gyms I played in in high school. Here's some pictures of me shooting and also the first official "Fair Play" clock used in the NCAA. Apparently, there was a discrepancy over how much time was left in games, and this happened a lot. So they decided it would be best to have an official clock that everyone could see.
Some other cool things that we saw were some of John Wooden's "coaching shoes" and a page out of his playbook with his handwriting on it.
We were able to find something about Texas A&M. It was a picture of the Red, White, and Blue Out Game. I was at that game my freshmen year. Unfortunately, this picture was in the corner and covered by a fake tree. So, being good ags, we decided to move the tree in front of another display and leave Aggieland visible.
So A&M did make the Hall of Champions. After this we went back to our hotel and stayed for two hours. This is where I typed the first update. I promised a picture of Helen's funny sleeping position... so here it is...
After she woke up, we walked to the zoo. It was less than a mile and it wasn't too cold.
The above bear is asleep. He was sleeping on his back and snoring. He kept moving around and even put his thumb in his mouth. Pretty funny. We had a good time at the zoo.
After we left the zoo, we went to eat at the Olive Garden. No pictures from that, but we did have a delicious meal. After we ate, we went back to the hotel, got our camera, and went down to Circle Center. They were supposed to have an amazing lights display, but it was false advertisement. They did have a huge tree and downtown was really busy.
After the circle of lights, we went back to the hotel for the night. We woke up in the morning and ate at McDonalds for breakfast. We left about 10 in the morning and got home after noon.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Update on First Annual Extravaganza
I'm writing this from our Marriott Hotel room in Indianapolis, Indiana. Last night Helen and I went to the Actor's Theatre performance of "A Christmas Carol." Unfortunately, flash photography was not allowed, so there won't be any pictures. It was a good show and I was really impressed. We woke up this morning and left from our apartment around 10:15 and headed North on I 65. We got to Indianapolis a little afternoon, checked in to our hotel and then had lunch at Wendy's. Our hotel is in an awesome location. It's right downtown, so we're in walking distance from just about everything.
After lunch, we walked to the NCAA Hall of Champions. It's basically the headquarters and museum of the NCAA. It was pretty interesting. We'll put some pictures up later and give details about what we saw.
As I'm typing this, Helen is asleep on our hotel bed, face down with her feet sticking up in the air. Pretty hilarious. I'll see if I can get a picture in a minute. We didn't bring our cord to put the pictures on our computer, so that won't happen until we get home.
If you would have told me last year that Helen and I would be spending our anniversary in Indianapolis within walking distance from Canseco Field House and RCA Dome, I would have told you that you were crazy. It's weird how much things change in just a few months.
More coming soon!
After lunch, we walked to the NCAA Hall of Champions. It's basically the headquarters and museum of the NCAA. It was pretty interesting. We'll put some pictures up later and give details about what we saw.
As I'm typing this, Helen is asleep on our hotel bed, face down with her feet sticking up in the air. Pretty hilarious. I'll see if I can get a picture in a minute. We didn't bring our cord to put the pictures on our computer, so that won't happen until we get home.
If you would have told me last year that Helen and I would be spending our anniversary in Indianapolis within walking distance from Canseco Field House and RCA Dome, I would have told you that you were crazy. It's weird how much things change in just a few months.
More coming soon!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Anniversary Weekend Extravaganza 2006
On Friday, Helen and I will begin our first annual Anniversary Weekend Extravaganza! As soon as we get back, I'll let you know where we went. Most of it is a surprise, and Helen doesn't know! Yes sir! So look forward to that!
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Post UCLA Comments
I said before this week that after these last two games, we would know how good our basketball team is. It's safe to say that our team is up there with the best. Yes we lost both games, but we were in them both and had a chance to win them both.
We got to see how the Ags responded to adversity. They were down in the second half in both and came back and made it a game. I'm proud of their never-quit attitude.
Unfortunately we lost both games. Our offense is stagnant at times, and we need to find a way to get the ball down low. Joseph Jones has got to have some touches early and throughout.
Acie got it going, but he turned the ball over too much and only had four assists. He's got to get back in the groove.
Josh Carter needs to be looking for his shot instead of deferring to Acie so much. I'd also like to see some set plays for him to shoot the ball.
With all that said, I am not the coach (thank goodness). I think BCG knows what's going on better than I do, and I really think we'll be a major contender by the end of the year. We are a top 20 team, if not top 15.
I'm excited about basketball season.
We got to see how the Ags responded to adversity. They were down in the second half in both and came back and made it a game. I'm proud of their never-quit attitude.
Unfortunately we lost both games. Our offense is stagnant at times, and we need to find a way to get the ball down low. Joseph Jones has got to have some touches early and throughout.
Acie got it going, but he turned the ball over too much and only had four assists. He's got to get back in the groove.
Josh Carter needs to be looking for his shot instead of deferring to Acie so much. I'd also like to see some set plays for him to shoot the ball.
With all that said, I am not the coach (thank goodness). I think BCG knows what's going on better than I do, and I really think we'll be a major contender by the end of the year. We are a top 20 team, if not top 15.
I'm excited about basketball season.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Things I noticed from last night's LSU game
1. Chants of "overrated" were incredibly accurate. There's no way our team is the 6th best in the country right now. We're good, but that ranking is too high.
2. Our offense becomes stagnant too often. Acie needs to take control, and he was nowhere to be found last night.
3. We foul too much. We get a lot of questionable calls, but if you look at it from the officials perspective... we foul a lot, so if it's close, we probably did it. The officials were terrible last night. We got homered big time, even the TV announcers mentioned that at least twice.
4. We have a lot of young players, so the future looks bright, even though we lose Joseph Jones and Acie Law next year. I was excited to see them play. Of course they make costly mistakes, but they will be great players for us.
5. We lost for these reasons (in no particular order):
a. We got homered. Our guys got so cheap calls early and had to sit. Then they were in foul trouble and weren't allowed to guard that fat tub of lard. That put us in the hole early. They treated Davis like he was Jordan, and he got every single call.
b. We couldn't throw it in the ocean. Our shooting percentage was below 40% which is pathetic.
c. We didn't get the breaks when we needed them. Sometimes it just comes down to which way the ball falls. For example, at the end of the game, we were down six and it was LSU's ball. We forced a terrible pass, it bounced off of two of our guys and landed in that fat guy's hands right under the basket.
The best thing about college basketball is that one loss doesn't kill you. This was good for our guys. A hostile environment. Tough calls. Tough shooting night. And played with another top 10 program. We played awful and had a chance to win at the end. I'm excited about things to come.
2. Our offense becomes stagnant too often. Acie needs to take control, and he was nowhere to be found last night.
3. We foul too much. We get a lot of questionable calls, but if you look at it from the officials perspective... we foul a lot, so if it's close, we probably did it. The officials were terrible last night. We got homered big time, even the TV announcers mentioned that at least twice.
4. We have a lot of young players, so the future looks bright, even though we lose Joseph Jones and Acie Law next year. I was excited to see them play. Of course they make costly mistakes, but they will be great players for us.
5. We lost for these reasons (in no particular order):
a. We got homered. Our guys got so cheap calls early and had to sit. Then they were in foul trouble and weren't allowed to guard that fat tub of lard. That put us in the hole early. They treated Davis like he was Jordan, and he got every single call.
b. We couldn't throw it in the ocean. Our shooting percentage was below 40% which is pathetic.
c. We didn't get the breaks when we needed them. Sometimes it just comes down to which way the ball falls. For example, at the end of the game, we were down six and it was LSU's ball. We forced a terrible pass, it bounced off of two of our guys and landed in that fat guy's hands right under the basket.
The best thing about college basketball is that one loss doesn't kill you. This was good for our guys. A hostile environment. Tough calls. Tough shooting night. And played with another top 10 program. We played awful and had a chance to win at the end. I'm excited about things to come.
The Job Hunt Continues
I've interviewed for a few jobs so far. Here's what has turned out:
First, churches that are looking for worship leaders are looking for someone to lead their choir. I've known all along that would hinder me, it's just becoming incredibly obvious now. I have nothing against choirs, I just am unable to lead them in the way they need to be led.
Second, I've interviewed for two tutoring positions. These jobs fluctuate, which should have been obvious also. People sign their kids up to be tutored, then a few weeks later they may take them out. Hours in tutoring cannot be guaranteed.
Third, the more I interview, the more confidence I gain. I feel more in control now that I've interviewed for several jobs.
Fourth, the more I put things in perspective, the more confidence I gain. If I truly believe God has a plan and He will take care of us, I can be confident in interviews, not worrying that I will say the wrong things or not say the right things. I can rest in knowing He's in control.
So here's what I'm looking at. I am one of two people being considered to lead worship at Grace Community Baptist Church in Louisville. It seems like a good situation, and I really like the pastor. So I'm waiting to hear from them. They meet on Wednesdays, so maybe I'll hear today.
I am supposed to return a phone call to Educational Resources this morning. I interviewed there a couple of weeks ago, so I'm anticipating that I may have a job there. That would be a good situation as well.
Updates are coming soon, hopefully.
First, churches that are looking for worship leaders are looking for someone to lead their choir. I've known all along that would hinder me, it's just becoming incredibly obvious now. I have nothing against choirs, I just am unable to lead them in the way they need to be led.
Second, I've interviewed for two tutoring positions. These jobs fluctuate, which should have been obvious also. People sign their kids up to be tutored, then a few weeks later they may take them out. Hours in tutoring cannot be guaranteed.
Third, the more I interview, the more confidence I gain. I feel more in control now that I've interviewed for several jobs.
Fourth, the more I put things in perspective, the more confidence I gain. If I truly believe God has a plan and He will take care of us, I can be confident in interviews, not worrying that I will say the wrong things or not say the right things. I can rest in knowing He's in control.
So here's what I'm looking at. I am one of two people being considered to lead worship at Grace Community Baptist Church in Louisville. It seems like a good situation, and I really like the pastor. So I'm waiting to hear from them. They meet on Wednesdays, so maybe I'll hear today.
I am supposed to return a phone call to Educational Resources this morning. I interviewed there a couple of weeks ago, so I'm anticipating that I may have a job there. That would be a good situation as well.
Updates are coming soon, hopefully.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Why we will beat Cal...
Distinguished Cal alumni... she bangs! she bangs!
ps. borrowed this from someone else, i'm not this witty.
william hung
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