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.