Great Quote Thursday

The loudest guy in the room is the one with the most to prove, and no way to prove it- Tim Grover

Point for the Day- What Now?

Righteousness (being right with God) grows in a climate of peace (James 3:18).

If there's constant strife in your marriage, it's possible there's a lack of "right-ness" with God.
If there's a consistent battle in your home between you and your children, it's possible there's a lack of "right-ness" with God.

Point for the Day- What Now?

The desire to improve, to better provide for your family, to "get ahead" are all admirable efforts. But not when done selfishly or at the expense of others (James 3:16).

Great Quote Thursday

The willingness to experiment with change may be the most essential ingredient to success at anything- Pat Summitt

Point for the Day- What Now?

Though we may not think of it this way, Scripture compares favoritism (sin) as being equal with adultery (sin) and murder (sin) (James 2:10).

Point for the Day- What Now?

Those who follow Christ have traditionally not been known for their earthly wealth. But then, neither was Jesus (James 2:5).

Point for the Day

When our walk with Jesus becomes routine, we've lost our passion for Jesus.

Point for the Day

When we compare ourselves to others, we build a wall. That wall is not built on love.

Point for the Day

When we take pride in our position, we take glory away from God.

First-Round NBA Playoff Predictions

The NBA Playoffs tip-off today. Here are my picks for who will advance out of each series:

Eastern Conference
(#1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (#8) Brooklyn Nets
The Nets were fortunate to qualify for the post-season. The Hawks have stumbled of late but 60 wins is 60 wins.
Hawks take the series.
(#2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (#7) Boston Celtics
LeBron's in Cleveland. The Celtics, though playing great late-season basketball, are still rebuilding.
Cavaliers will advance.
(#3) Chicago Bulls vs. (#6) Milwaukee Bucks
Derrick Rose is back at almost-full strength for the playoffs. Milwaukee had a surprisingly positive regular season to make the postseason, even earning a 6 seed.
Bulls will move on.
(#4) Toronto Raptors vs. (#5) Washington Wizards
The Raptors struggled mightily in the second half of the season. Washington has veteran players with considerable post-season experience.
Wizards will advance to the second round.

Western Conference
(#1) Golden State Warriors vs. (#8) New Orleans Pelicans
Though Steph Curry deservedly garners lots of time on SportsCenter, the Warriors rank high in both offensive AND defensive categories as a team. That's how you lead the league in wins with 67. The Pelicans, led by Anthony Davis, have reached the post-season, thereby achieving a preseason goal.
Warriors will move forward.
(#2) Houston Rockets vs. (#7) Dallas Mavericks
James Harden in an MVP candidate. Dwight Howard plays like he's serious in the playoffs. The Mavericks are deep and Rick Carlisle is a solid coach.
Houston in a close series.
(#3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (#6) San Antonio Spurs
The Clippers may have the best starting five in basketball, though their bench has struggled. The Spurs may live to regret losing their final regular season game to the Pelicans which dropped them from a 2 seed to a 6 seed in the powerful Western Conference.
Spurs to take the series (I learned long ago not to pick against them). However, the Clippers could be world championship contenders.
(4) Portland Trailblazers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies
Injuries have impacted both teams late in the regular season. But Wesley Matthews won't be back for Portland while Mike Conley and Tony Allen hope to play for Memphis.
Memphis should take the series.

Point for the Day

When we begin to think about how good we are, we begin to forget about how great God is.

Great Quote Thursday

You must be interested in finding the best way, not in having your own way- John Wooden (on leadership)

Point for the Day- What Now?

Assessment without action is useless (James 1:22-25).

Point for the Day- What Now?

God is good. He gives good. He wants good for us (James 1:17,18).

Point for the Day- What Now?

Temptation is not from God. Testing is (James 1:13).

Point for the Day- What Now?

A focus only on the now will fade (James 1:11).

Point for the Day- The New Normal (from the Sevier Heights staff blog)

A friend of mine has recently gone through a great deal of life change (new baby; new job) and he now lives in what I'd call the "new normal". His life is very different from what it was just a few short months ago. What used to be "normal" isn't anymore. His life is different...it's better. But it's not like it used to be. And it will never again be the way it was.

As we go through life, we must continually adjust what we call "normal". In reality, we're each now living in the "new normal".  At different ages and stages along the way, life changes. Sometimes it's an abrupt change. While at other times, change comes more gradually. Maybe you've experienced some of these life changes:

A couple invests months, even years, in a dating relationship thinking they are headed toward marriage. Eventually, they break up. Previously, they identified as part of a couple, but each of them now hits the reset button on their future...with a different perspective. A new normal.

The parents of a newborn are continually adjusting to their young child's sleep patterns (or lack thereof). As soon as they think they've figured things out, a change occurs. A new normal.

A family of three grows with the addition of a second child. Where once the parents could play "zone defense" now they're required to play "man-to-man". A new normal.

A promotion at work means more income, which is great. But with it comes longer hours, greater responsibility and more pressure.  A new normal.

As a newlywed couple, your time was your own and you slept in on Saturday mornings. Now, 10 years later, you find yourselves at a ballpark 2-3 nights a week (plus Saturday mornings). And you wouldn't have it any other way. A new normal.

Your parents, who you depended on throughout your life, begin to age and begin to depend on you for some assistance. A new normal.

This day, however it is and whatever the circumstances, is ordained by God just for you. Be reminded of Psalm 118:24:  "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it".

He knows your past and He knows your "new normal". And He loves you. Find joy in Him today.

Great Quote Thursday

Every step along the way is going to prepare you for the moments that define you- Bryan Clay

Book Review- A Nice Little Place on the North Side

I really wanted to like this book. I did. Subtitled "A History of Triumph, Mostly Defeat and Incurable Hope at Wrigley Field", I was looking forward to a baseball history book. When I received the book and realized it was brief and would be a quick read, I was even more interested in the book.

But it's not really a book of history. While it loosely contains a collection of stories tracing a timeline though the history of the Chicago Cubs, it is overly loaded with heavy doses of George Will's musings. And therein is my issue with this book.

If you're a Cubs fan, you've probably heard all of these stories. If you are a sports fan (as I am) but not necessarily a Cubs devotee, you've probably heard many of them. But Will's ramblings distract from the book. He spends page after page covering such random topics as how beer shaped modern culture, natural selection and Daniel Patrick Moynihan and then attempts to relate all these to the Cubs and Wrigley Field.  Based on the book's title, this is not what I expected.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game Predictions

Tonight's NCAA Men's Basketball Championship should be a great game. Here are our picks for the final:

Turner: Duke

Parker: Wisconsin

Tonya: Wisconsin

Greg: Wisconsin

Thoughts on the NCAA National Championship Game- Wisconsin vs. Duke

Does Wisconsin have any gas left in the tank? After Kentucky knocked them out of last year's tournament, the Badgers were publicly hopeful of getting another shot at the Wildcats this year. They got it and took care of business. Can they get back up after a highly emotional game on Saturday night?

Duke defeated Michigan State by 10 on November 18. In the rematch on Saturday, the Blue Devils won by 20. Duke defeated Wisconsin by 10 in Madison on December 3. Will the same pattern hold true in this rematch?

Before the Wisconsin/Kentucky national semifinal, I said that for Wisconsin to win that Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes must all play well PLUS one more Badger. Against Kentucky, it was Bronson Koenig. The same holds true tonight.

If Duke's Jahlil Okafor or either Frank Kaminsky or Sam Dekker for Wisconsin get in foul trouble, the opposing team will win the game.

With all the hoopla surrounding Kentucky's freshmen, its time to recognize that Duke's (likely) one-and-done trio of Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones plus Grayson Allen is a stronger group.

Biggest contrast in this game: Duke relies heavily on its freshmen (Okafor is thought to be the overall number one pick in the upcoming NBA draft) while Wisconsin is strong because of its player development (Kaminsky, a senior, played little in his first two seasons for the Badgers).

Both Bo Ryan (Wisconsin) and Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) are highly successful head coaches and were born 10 months apart in 1947. Both are recognized for their tactical, in-game coaching. Both have won multiple national championships. But here's the twist. Ryan won 4 Division III men's basketball championships with tiny Wisconsin-Plattville. Krzyzewski has won 4 men's national basketball championships at Division I Duke. Those achievements go alongside his two Olympic gold medals and two FIBA world championship golds. Coach K is in the Naismith Hall of Fame. Ryan found out today he is not part of this year's class. If Wisconsin wins tonight, it will only fortify his HOF credentials.

Is Wisconsin on a run of destiny? Yahoo Sports noted yesterday that if the Badgers win tonight, they will have had the toughest run through the tournament of any team ever. They will have played the better ranked team in each game of the tournament and come out with the victorious. And if they defeat Duke tonight, they become not only national champions but legends.

Happy Easter

He has risen, just as He said (Matthew 28:6).

Point for the Day

To reach the end, you have to start.

We all have a desired destination for our lives. Some goal(s) we want to achieve. And it's probably nowhere near where we are now. But you have to start somewhere. Often the goal is so big or so far in the future, it seems unreachable. But to reach the end, you have to start.