In Honor Of - 3

Quite simply the best captain ever in the NHL, and possibly the best leader in sports.

Steve Yzerman.

As gifted a scorer as he was a leader, Stevie Y (or The Captain) makes this list for so many reasons. He was my introduction to hockey and to the Detroit Red Wings. He set an example on the ice, by being one of the best and one of the fairest. He set an example off the ice, by giving his time and energy to charity organizations.

This is a man who hoisted the Stanley Cup three times, won an Olympic Gold Medal, and took home the Conn Smythe award, as well as numerous others.

This is a man who, in 2002, played through the pain of a mis-aligned knee, to bring his team to their third Stanley Cup.

I will never forget watching him, play after play, whistle after whistle, use his stick as crutch to get up off the ice. So that he could keep playing.

And keep winning.

Somebody Smarter Said - 16

"There is something in every human being that is beyond our wildest comprehension in its capacity for both good and evil. I can do the utterly unexpected because the presence of eternity beats within me." - Dan Allender

Writing Tips - 5

When I was in college, I started a little comedy website (so little, the only people who saw it were friends I made look at it). Part of the appeal was that I would write a weekly comedy article. After awhile, my (ex)girlfriends family started reading it. And they were appalled. Appalled probably because I laughed at things that were funny, and didn't spend the entire weekly newsletter trying to convert my already-christian friends.

I gave up on the newsletter. Because I wasn't doing what they wanted. I was writing to impress, instead of writing to be a better writer, or to communicate what I was thinking.

Don't write for others. Don't write to impress other people.

It's pretty simple really.

Don't write for an audience, to get published, or to be famous.

When you write for someone else, you have to ignore the inner voice that you have which should be guiding your writing. Writing is about an attempt to put the human soul on paper.

Your soul exists in community with other people. not simply for the benefit of other people.

onE step

"If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all." - Dan Rather

If a complication arises during a JOURNEY, it tends to fall into one of two categories. (Actually, just about nothing ever truly splits into two categories; these are just helpful ways of thinking).

There are logistical problems. And relational problems. And one problem can lead to an increase in another problem.

Logistical problems are problems with the JOURNEY itself. These are the passport issues, and the vehicle malfunctions, and the inability to remember to pack socks. They are usually fixed with very little long term repercussions.

Relational problems happen with the other people on the JOURNEY with us. These are born out of frustration, miscommunication, and poor expectations.

On the way to Seattle, we had several logistical problems. I'm going to highlight a couple of those, and you will start to see some of the foundation for some of the relational problems we experienced.

In the middle of a windy rainstorm, in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota, the wind caught my windshield wipers and broke them. I was going 75 miles an hour, and suddenly couldn't see. We managed to get to the nearest exit, where we were told that no mechanics in town were available; they would be busy for the next two days. So we put Rain - X on the windows and prayed.

Then, stopping at a scenic overlook, the passenger door broke. It won't close unless you press down hard on the door as you shut it. So we just don't use the door, afraid it will fall off. So Jess has to crawl across each time we get in and out of the van.

Logistically, not a great situation.

Hey Neat-O - 10

I like books. They are good.

I like free. It is good.

I like free books. They are doubly good.

So what do I say to agreeing to write a review of a book to receive it free?

Heck yes. So shortly, you will start to see more book reviews on this blog. Many thanks to Jean Ballance for pointing this out. She has (and I have as well) attempted to contact other publishers, so I will let you know if I find any.

But also, you can do it yourself - just check out these websites:

Thomas Nelson

Tyndale House

Waterbrook Press

In Honor Of - 2

"cause I'm clumsily dancing away this fear
I'm stumbling closer to you
and I am tumbling over my pride
I will be a fool for you "

"I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you"

"I've seen it all and it's never enough
it keeps leaving me needing you"

It's rare that I like a band for several years. Usually my tastes change/evolve, or the band changes/evolves. It's even more unlikely that music that hits me in my soul at one time will still hit me in the soul years later.

One band has consistently done that. One band has consistently written songs that seem to be where I am.

Lifehouse.

When I was in high school, they hit it big with "Hanging by a Moment," which describes, in my opinion, a search for and yearning for God. I didn't actually discover who the band was until college - I heard it on the radio and loved it, but could never figure out the name of the band. In college, at a worship service, I heard the song "Everything," which was this plea for Jesus to be everything, to show up and be real. After college, the song "Fool," which details how I can try to give Jesus everything and fail miserably. And then, "You and Me" and "First Time" which detail in great fashion the amazingness and novelty of love.

Great stuff all around. I can't wait to see what they have next.

Somebody Smarter Said - 15

"Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived." - Captain Jean Luc Picard