NBA Playoffs First Round Predictions

Eastern Conference
(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers
Injuries to Derrick Rose may hurt the Bulls at some point, but not against the Sixers. Philadelphia has struggled down the stretch while the Bulls have been strong all season, including solid play from its bench.
The pick: Chicago

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) New York Knicks
The Knicks may surprise in a game or two if Carmelo Anthony erupts on offense and if New York's outside shots are falling. Anything short of an NBA title will be a disappointment in South Beach.
The pick: Miami

(3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Orlando Magic
The Pacers have surprised this season after a strong playoffs last year. Dwight Howard is out with a back injury and the Magic season can't end soon enough.
The pick: Indiana

(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Boston Celtics
The Celtics have been super since the All-Star break. Not breaking up this team has paid off so far. Al Horford won't be back for at least the first round of the playoffs. The areas where the Celtics are strong are the areas where the Hawks are weak.
The pick: Boston


Western Conference
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Utah Jazz
The Jazz fought impressively just to make the playoffs. If they can keep this team together for a couple of seasons, Utah could be a force to be reckoned with. The Spurs already are.
The pick: San Antonio

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks
Dallas caught fire in last year's playoffs en route to a championship. This is not that team as the Mavericks are hoping to make the best of it this time around, hoping to sign Deron Williams in the offseason and then make a play for Dwight Howard later. The Thunder are an exciting, young team that is just beginning to reach its potential.
The pick: Oklahoma City

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Denver Nuggets
Kobe Bryant hates to lose and combined with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum they form a solid unit with lots of experience. The Nuggets have surprised this season.
The pick: Los Angeles Lakers

(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers
The Grizzlies play great team ball with lots of size. The Clippers have the star power. This could be the tightest first-round series with Memphis holding home-court advantage. 
The pick: Memphis  

Great Quote Thursday

Big goals can seem impossible and get in the way of accomplishing little goals- Bryan Clay (2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, Decathlon)

Finding Contentment in Marriage

From "How to Build a Lasting Marriage" by Elmer and Ruth Towns, here are some thoughts on finding contentment in marriage (page 41):

Discontentment turns love into disillusionment.
Discontentment turns love into resentment.
Discontentment turns love into hatred and rejection.

And this (page 46, 47):
Is discontentment poisoning your marriage?
Is your discontentment keeping you from enjoying life?
Does your discontentment keep you from relating to people?
Discontentment leads to loneliness.
Your first and greatest contentment is found in God.

Connect Series: Contentment

In our relationship series, Connect, we are looking at the lives of Bible couples and the issues they dealt with in their marriages. This week, we looked at the marriage of Jacob and Rachel. Their issue: contentment.

Whenever you meet someone, you usually want to know something about them. Here's some background on Jacob and Rachel:

How they met? Jacob had been on the run from his brother Esau. His mother, Rebekah, had encouraged him to go visit her brother Laban. Upon finding Laban's shepherds with their sheep, he is introduced to Rachel (Genesis 29: 1-6).

What was she like? We learn that Rachel worked as a shepherdess (Gen. 29: 9); was beautiful (Gen. 29:17); but was also jealous (Gen. 30:1A) and immature (Gen. 30:1B).

What we he like? Jacob was a bit of a show-off (Gen. 29:10); was passionate (Gen. 29:11) and was impetuous (Gen. 29:18).

What was their issue? They struggled with infertility and impatience with God and each other (Gen. 30:1-5).

But the ultimate problem in the marriage of Jacob and Rachel was one of never finding contentment. Though they eventually had a son of their own, Rachel was not satisfied and wanted another child (Gen. 30:22-24). When they fled from Laban, rather than trusting God to provide, Rachel took some of her father's possessions (Gen. 31:17-21). And in the end, they were unable to find long-lasting happiness. Rachel died in childbirth while giving birth to their second son, Benjamin, and Jacob buried her along the way to Bethlehem while he journeyed farther along (Gen. 35: 16-21). At his passing, Jacob was buried not with Rachel whom he dearly loved, but rather with Leah, his first wife and the sister of Rachel (Gen. 49:29-31).

Personal selfishness and misguided desires kept Jacob and Rachel from experiencing a joyful, happy marriage.

Tomorrow, I'll post some for couples to improve the level of contentment in their marriage. 

2012 Orange and White Game

I attended the University of Tennessee spring football game today with Parker. Here is some of what stood out about today's game:

Free parking and game admission was great but the fan day experience was inefficient and not fan friendly.

The Vols running game is still a work in progress. Marlin Lane looked strong, but against a 2nd team defense.

The UT kicking game is an adventure.

A little bit of 3-4, a little bit of 4-3 defense. Brian Randolph looks like a standout defensive back.

Any game I attend with Parker is a great time.

Out Into the Big World

Today as I returned to my office from lunch I witnessed my 4 year old son's Pre-K class outside in the front yard of the church as they were releasing the class' recently hatched butterflies out into the big world. And the irony of the moment struck me.

My son is only days away from his Pre-K graduation. Kindergarten begins in mere months. And he will then be out in the big world. Big school. Big kids. Big changes ahead.

But isn't that the way it should be? Buffered in a cocoon for awhile. Some time spent in the safety netting to develop. And then, freedom. Released out into the big world. Because it's time. Because there are lots of great things to experience outside the cocoon, outside the net.

And just like the butterflies today who excitedly fluttered off in the beautiful blue sky, exciting change is coming for my son. Out into the big world.

Great Quote Thursday

Great leaders don't build platforms to escape from people; they build platforms to serve people- Jon Acuff

Book Review- Flip! by Peter Sheahan

With a focus on organizational change and how to prepare for it, Peter Sheahan encourages his readers to prepare to Flip!, in effect, to be on the front edge of change rather than adapting to it once it has occurred.

Sheahan is Australian so some of the corporate references he makes are unfamiliar and, originally published in 2007, some of the statistics and "cutting edge technology" he describes are amazingly already somewhat dated. Though not a great book (much of it reads like other "change" books), Sheahan nevertheless makes some very interesting points:

Mind-set flexibility, not proprietary expertise or resources, will define the successful businesses and leaders of the future. (pg. 3)

Your best work does not occur when you are planning. Your best work occurs when you are in the flow. It happens when you are taking action. Sure, you need planning time, but at some point you have to stop thinking, stop planning, and just do something. Anything! (pg. 31)

You can't let the presence of risk, or the absence of clarity, prevent you from taking action. (pg. 42)

Ambiguity and confusion may scare you as a business leader, but bright and talented employees- the ones you really want and need- love the high-paced, high-energy environment that an action-oriented company creates. (pg. 53)

The surest route to catastrophic failure is not to take any risks. (pg. 53)

Action must happen now- risks must be taken: calculated, intelligent, and high-payoff risks, but risks nonetheless. You can adapt and change. You must believe it is possible. (pg. 72)

Improving Communication in Marriage

From "How to Build a Lasting Marriage" by Elmer and Ruth Towns, here are several steps to improving communication in your marriage (page 21):

1. Give each other an opportunity to talk but don't push when he/she is not ready.
2. Find the best time to communicate.
3. Don't judge your spouse. This can shut down conversation.
4. It's okay to disagree but be kind and respectful. Don't use sarcasm.
5. We all want to be understood so we should try to understand.
6. Don't jump to conclusions. Be patient and listen.
7. Give your spouse your undivided attention when he/she is trying to communicate something to you.

And this (page 25):
It takes two to communicate and two to quarrel.
It doesn't really matter who is at fault.
Remember the power of two.
Begin sharing ideas and dreams.
Approach your problems as one.

Connect Series: Communication

Yesterday morning, I began a new relationship series called Connect. During the series, we'll look at the lives of Bible couples and the issues they dealt with in their marriages. This week, we looked at the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah. Their issue: communication.

Whenever you meet someone, you usually like to know something about them. Here's some background on Isaac and Rebekah:

How they met? Isaac's dad, Abraham, was getting older and wanted his son to marry someone from his own people, not from the land of Canaan where his family had settled. Abraham sent a servant back home to find a wife for his son (Genesis 24:1-4). The servant was successful in his efforts to find a bride, Rebekah (Genesis 24: 10-28).

What was she like? We learn that Rebekah was beautiful (Gen. 24: 16); industrious (24: 17-20) and confident (24: 53-58).

What was he like? Isaac was a contemplative man (Gen. 24:63) who trusted God (26: 24, 25).

What was their issue? This couple struggled with infertility (Gen. 25: 21-26), a major cause of marital strife throughout history, but upon being blessed with children, they then each had a favorite son (Gen. 25: 27, 28).

But the ultimate problem in the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah was one of poor communication. They did not communicate God's plan for their family's future (Gen 25:23) to their sons. Plus, they were not on the same page and worked secretly in opposition to each other (Gen. 27: 1-8).

Ultimately, this lack of communication in their marriage blew their family apart.

Tomorrow, I'll post some ways for couples to improve the communication in their marriage.

Fun on Friday- More Turnerisms

Turner: "When you wash my face, you should wash my whole face so I will sparkle".

Turner: "The letters C and G could be brothers and O and Q could be brothers".

Great Quote Thursday

Integrity is the basis of trust...It is the one quality that cannot be acquired, but must be earned- Warren Bennis

Great Quote Thursday

What people complain about communicates their understanding of the vision- Andy Stanley (Making Vision Stick- pg. 60).

Book Review- The Truth About You by Marcus Buckingham

Author/Speaker Marcus Buckingham is known as a leader in the movement of promoting one's strengths. This short book draws on that concept.

Buckingham suggests taking a week and making lists of "Strengths Statements" and "Weakness Statements". In effect, writing down the things that inspire you and give you energy as well as the things that draw energy away from you; the things you like to do and the things you don't like doing. (I did not complete this exercise, deciding in advance that making lists of statements would not be something I would like to do and therefore would probably draw energy from me- I say that jokingly but truthfully).

The main focus of the book is to help people play to their strengths and minimize the time spent dealing with weak areas. Buckingham suggests that we focus far too much on the areas of weakness, areas we'll likely never improve upon, to the detriment of our strengths, thereby taking our time and focus away from areas in which we excel. He is realistic in his approach however, challenging the reader near the end of the book under a section called "One Last Tactic" (p. 97), "Recognize that what weakens you is only a small part of your job, and then devote the rest of your time to getting better and better at those things where you have some unfair, natural advantage over everybody else- your strengths".

3D...Discover, Develop, Deploy- Session 4

In Acts 2, we see the early followers of Christ develop as individuals and as a group and then deploy their lives in ministry. There are some steps in the process they followed that will benefit each of us:

1. Develop the Gift You've Been Given- v. 5-13
When the Holy Spirit arrived (v. 1-4), He came to fill the early followers of Christ with His presence. In doing so, He gave them a gift of diversity, an ability to speak in different languages. Prior to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the early followers were strictly a Jerusalem-based operation, speaking in their own native language. Once the Holy Spirit came, the Gospel could then be shared with others outside what was a close sphere of influence.

Each of us live our lives in different contexts. We should see that as a gift. If we all did the same thing the same way at the same time, there would be no diversity. Whether you work in a bank, at a school or in an office, you can "do" ministry where you are. Our diversity of talents, skills and abilities should be developed to the fullest.

2. Develop Your Story- v. 14-39
Peter, who only days before had denied Christ 3 times, is here seen "standing up" and raising "his voice" (v. 14) to boldly proclaim the message of the Gospel. He had developed a boldness, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, that had not previously existed.

Additionally, Peter developed a willingness to share about Christ. He speaks of the Gospel (v. 22-24); the resurrection (v. 32-34); and the need for repentance to occur for the forgiveness of sin (v. 38, 39). He was not willing to share so openly only days before.

Peter's story is a story of life change. My story and your story are stories of life change as well if Christ has forgiven your sin and the Holy Spirit lives within you. We should develop our story so we can be prepared to share as Peter did.

3. Deploy Your Life- v. 40-47
To have Holy Spirit power, a diversity of life contexts and a story of life change and to not use these for the glory of God would be wasting the gifts we've been given. We see the early followers of Christ deploy their lives in ministry:

By encouraging others- v. 40A
By sharing the Gospel- v. 40B, 41
By living like Christ- v. 42-45
By loving the church- v. 46, 47

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game- Kansas vs. Kentucky

Tonight's game featuring the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kentucky Wildcats will showcase two teams who arrive at this game following seasons that were filled with expectations.

Kansas had to replace much if its roster from last season's highly ranked team. That the Jayhawks are in the final game is a tribute to the Kansas program and Coach Bill Self's staff. Kansas is always good (and Thomas Robinson is a super college player), but championship game good is probably a bit of a surprise this season.

Kentucky always replaces players. It is the school of the One-and-Done. But this group of freshmen (led by Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) seems to work hard and not be as ego-driven as previous groups that Coach John Calipari has brought to UK. That this team was talented enough to play for a championship was a known possibility if everything went well this season. It has.

Here are our picks for tonight's game (you should probably only read Tonya's pick as she has done better at this than the rest of us):
Parker- Kentucky
Turner- Kentucky
Tonya- Kentucky
Greg- Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats seem to be the obvious favorite. But we will be rooting tonight for the Kansas Jayhawks.