The UCLA Bruins will face off against the Northwestern Wildcats in El Paso at the Sun Bowl.
Can the Bruins win?
I don't know.
For much of the season the offensive line protected Drew Olson well enough for UCLA's short pass offense to be very effective. But as the season went along, injuries began to add up. In two of the last three games, the line couldn't protect Olson and they got beat badly.
The defensive line of UCLA couldn't stop anybody. They made ordinary runners look like Heisman candidates so you can image what happened when they faced an actual Heisman candidate!
Northwestern has a poor defense. I'll be curious to see what their approach will be. Will they blitz a lot hoping to disrupt UCLA's passing game? Or will they rush three and sit back?
If UCLA's offense is shut down then the defense will have to keep them in the game and that just isn't going to happen unless something very strange happens!
If UCLA's defense is out there too much then it will be a blow out with UCLA going down like they did against Arizona and USC.
In an offensive shoot out, I think UCLA will win.
My guess UCLA wins 42-35.
UPDATE: After falling behind 22-0, UCLA scored 36 points unanswered points. It's a crazy game!!! 50-38, UCLA wins!!!!!! UCLA ran back TWO on-side kicks for TDs!!
Devotional Thoughts: And Peter said, what do we get?
Looking at Matthew 19:27-30 this morning.
Peter can be so blunt!
He said in verse 27, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
Jesus gave a three-part answer: (1) directly answered Peter's bold query in a futuristic sense; (2) for believers in a more general sense; and (3) a warning against pride.
To Peter, in verse 28, Jesus told him, "at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Apparently, the disciples will share in ruling authority with Jesus. I'm not clear if the twelve tribes of Israel is a literal idea. Some theologians believe that the church is the new Israel and so when the Bible makes references to Israel, the word church could be substituted in some cases. I'll leave that debate to theologians! But in either interpretation, it appears, the disciples will be granted a special reward.
Jesus gave an answer for the broader audience, in verse 29, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."
Interesting, eh?
In light of the Rich Young Ruler who wanted eternal life but couldn't give up his wealth, Jesus is telling us, if we leave people and things for his sake, we receive manyfold back and eternal life!
Jesus ended with a warning, verse 30, "Many who are first will be last and many who are last will be first."
Ever waited in line and somebody cut ahead?
As long as there are crowds, there will be lines and some who get there first and some who sneak ahead. I'm sure it was true in dusty Palestine 2000+ years ago as it is today.
Jesus the judge isn't going to be fooled. He knows our deeds and our hearts. Doesn't matter whether you are in the front or the back of the line, Jesus will know.
Peter can be so blunt!
He said in verse 27, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
Jesus gave a three-part answer: (1) directly answered Peter's bold query in a futuristic sense; (2) for believers in a more general sense; and (3) a warning against pride.
To Peter, in verse 28, Jesus told him, "at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Apparently, the disciples will share in ruling authority with Jesus. I'm not clear if the twelve tribes of Israel is a literal idea. Some theologians believe that the church is the new Israel and so when the Bible makes references to Israel, the word church could be substituted in some cases. I'll leave that debate to theologians! But in either interpretation, it appears, the disciples will be granted a special reward.
Jesus gave an answer for the broader audience, in verse 29, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."
Interesting, eh?
In light of the Rich Young Ruler who wanted eternal life but couldn't give up his wealth, Jesus is telling us, if we leave people and things for his sake, we receive manyfold back and eternal life!
Jesus ended with a warning, verse 30, "Many who are first will be last and many who are last will be first."
Ever waited in line and somebody cut ahead?
As long as there are crowds, there will be lines and some who get there first and some who sneak ahead. I'm sure it was true in dusty Palestine 2000+ years ago as it is today.
Jesus the judge isn't going to be fooled. He knows our deeds and our hearts. Doesn't matter whether you are in the front or the back of the line, Jesus will know.
Life: Topic keywords in the title
According to the Blogger software, I have 785 posts up.
I don't think I'll be fixing up all the titles to my blog posts but I'll fix up a few every now and then. And from here on out, I'm adding a keyword to every post title.
At the moment, I can think of nine categories I ramble about: @ the movies, Devotional Thoughts, Life, Politics, Culture, Sports, LA Dining, LA Scene and Travel.
If you actually want to, you can type in that category keyword into the "search this blog" box in the upper left corner of the main page and it should bring up a bunch of posts with the keyword found in the title or the body of the post.
I don't think I'll be fixing up all the titles to my blog posts but I'll fix up a few every now and then. And from here on out, I'm adding a keyword to every post title.
At the moment, I can think of nine categories I ramble about: @ the movies, Devotional Thoughts, Life, Politics, Culture, Sports, LA Dining, LA Scene and Travel.
If you actually want to, you can type in that category keyword into the "search this blog" box in the upper left corner of the main page and it should bring up a bunch of posts with the keyword found in the title or the body of the post.
@ the movies: Chronicles of Narnia - the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Have you been to Narnia yet?
I confess, I've been twice!
Thumbs up! Three stars out of four! Go see!
This past summer I began to visit Narnia when I bought the boxed set of the Chronicles. I've finished four of the seven books.
Thus, as the film was nearing completion, my anticipation for seeing the film grew.
I can't imagine what the anticipation has been like for people who read the beloved books as children?
The two opening scenes of the film grabbed me by the emotional collar and I knew I was in for a terrific storytelling experience. I am sorely tempted to describe in detail those scenes but I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen the movie yet! Suffice to say, as a recent reader of the beloved books, I felt the film-makers have done a marvelous job bringing it to the screen.
The visual effects were quite amazing. As I watched the credits roll, I think I saw FOUR special effects shops involved with the film: Rhythm and Hues, Sony Pictures Animation, Industrial Light and Magic and Weta Workshop.
But the film works because you like the characters ...
Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Anna Popplewell and William Moseley as the Pevensie brothers and sisters.
And there are one or more characters you can relate to ...
Though, I aspire to be as heroic and caring as Peter, I couldn't help but laugh (at myself) when Susan said, "He's a beaver, he shouldn't be saying anything!" or when she said, "Well, it can't be real, logically."
For more memorable quotes, check out IMDB.com.
It taps into the wonders of a fanciful world ...
Lucy's first visit to Narnia
It shows you how seductive evil can be ...
The White Witch and Edmund
And the courage inspired by the knowledge of what is good and love for one another ...
Peter leads the outnumbered forces of good against the White Witch's massive army
Go see the film and afterward talk about the world C.S. Lewis and these filmmakers have imagined and how it looks a lot like our world even if in our world beavers don't talk ... ?
UPDATE: I was thinking of linking to a production photo of Aslan. But I didn't think any of them did justice to the amazing CG work done to bring him to life on the screen. There was almost a hush in the audience as we awaited his first appearance in the film. Aslan's voice is provided by Liam Neeson and he hit it spot on with the right blend of gentleness and strength you would imagine after reading Aslan described in the books.
Devotional Thoughts: 2 paths to eternal life?
Am looking at Matthew 19:16-26 on this Christmas morning.
This is the famous story of the rich young ruler who wants to know how to get eternal life.
Jesus answered by listing 5 (do not murder, commit adultery, steal, lie and honor parents) of the 10 commandments plus love your neighbor.
Those familiar with the Bible will scratch their hands and think of the even more famous John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Is Jesus saying there are TWO paths to eternal life?
What do you think?
It would seem so.
One path is the path of WORKS. Hence, Jesus listing the commandments. It is odd that Jesus omitted the 4 commandments pertaining to God and love God. Perhaps Jesus is trying to establish the works one would do apart from a relationship with God.
The other path is the path of GRACE. Hence, Jesus puts Himself at the center: whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
What if the Rich Young Ruler, instead of walking away, after hearing the high standard of the law said to Jesus, "I can't do it and I've tried hard but I can't live up to the standard."
What would Jesus' response have been?
Jesus would say, do not despair, there is another way and give him John 3:16.
How do the two paths cross?
They do so in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus.
The path of WORKS requires (1) a righteous life and (2) payment for sin.
Jesus life was the perfect life and his death was payment for sin. Thus, when we take Christ into our lives there is a great exchange: our sinful life is replaced by his righteous life and our punishment for sin is paid for by his death on the Cross. His resurrection is victory over sin and death and new life and when we take him into our lives, we get that too.
Having seen Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe recently, the substitution concept is vividly illustrated by Aslan. Go see the movie!
Lord, thank you that you came to this world which we celebrate in Christmas to begin the restoration which you finished on Easter!
This is the famous story of the rich young ruler who wants to know how to get eternal life.
Jesus answered by listing 5 (do not murder, commit adultery, steal, lie and honor parents) of the 10 commandments plus love your neighbor.
Those familiar with the Bible will scratch their hands and think of the even more famous John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Is Jesus saying there are TWO paths to eternal life?
What do you think?
It would seem so.
One path is the path of WORKS. Hence, Jesus listing the commandments. It is odd that Jesus omitted the 4 commandments pertaining to God and love God. Perhaps Jesus is trying to establish the works one would do apart from a relationship with God.
The other path is the path of GRACE. Hence, Jesus puts Himself at the center: whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
What if the Rich Young Ruler, instead of walking away, after hearing the high standard of the law said to Jesus, "I can't do it and I've tried hard but I can't live up to the standard."
What would Jesus' response have been?
Jesus would say, do not despair, there is another way and give him John 3:16.
How do the two paths cross?
They do so in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus.
The path of WORKS requires (1) a righteous life and (2) payment for sin.
Jesus life was the perfect life and his death was payment for sin. Thus, when we take Christ into our lives there is a great exchange: our sinful life is replaced by his righteous life and our punishment for sin is paid for by his death on the Cross. His resurrection is victory over sin and death and new life and when we take him into our lives, we get that too.
Having seen Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe recently, the substitution concept is vividly illustrated by Aslan. Go see the movie!
Lord, thank you that you came to this world which we celebrate in Christmas to begin the restoration which you finished on Easter!
Life: End of the year donations
I do drop some coins into the Salvation Army kettle at the stores now and then.
I've also selected four groups to make various sized end of the year donations.
On the top of the list in importance and in dollars has to be any relief agency doing work in Pakistan. The area was hit with a devestating earthquake and winter is arriving. They need help.
Find a relief agency doing work there that you trust and give to it. I gave to World Vision.
I benefitted from my undergraduate education and even though it is a public institution, more and more of the load is carried by donations from alumni. So I gave to my alma mater, the University of California at Los Angeles.
Continuing the education theme, I've given some money to the Los Angeles Philharmonic to support their music education efforts.
Lastly, I gave a contribution to Focus on the Family. They provide resources to strengthen the family.
I've also selected four groups to make various sized end of the year donations.
On the top of the list in importance and in dollars has to be any relief agency doing work in Pakistan. The area was hit with a devestating earthquake and winter is arriving. They need help.
Find a relief agency doing work there that you trust and give to it. I gave to World Vision.
I benefitted from my undergraduate education and even though it is a public institution, more and more of the load is carried by donations from alumni. So I gave to my alma mater, the University of California at Los Angeles.
Continuing the education theme, I've given some money to the Los Angeles Philharmonic to support their music education efforts.
Lastly, I gave a contribution to Focus on the Family. They provide resources to strengthen the family.
@ the movies: Walk the Line
Thumbs up!
Walk the Line is a three stars out of a possible four film.
I saw it a month ago and finally am getting around to posting about it.
The story follows the rise, fall and restoration of Johnny Cash.
The real Cash.
In this regard it is a typical biopic: musician in obscurity gets discovered and rockets to fame and fortune but then stumbles on drinking, drugs and women but then makes a comeback when he gets his life in order.
Clearly the hero of the movie is June Carter whose steadfast love for Cash saves him. There is an amazing scene with her and her parents confronting Cash's drug dealer that had our audience cheering.
Witherspoon as June Carter and Phoenix as Johnny Cash.
Hugh Hewitt mentioned he was disappointed that June and Johnny's Christian faith wasn't explored a bit more. There are hints of it in the movie but I'd have to agree that a few more scenes highlighting that would have been a good thing.
In any case, great performances by the actors, super music that had me off to iTunes to download a few songs for my iPod. I just had to get "Ring of Fire" and "Folsom Prison Blues."
Phoenix as Cash
In interviews, I heard that Witherspoon and Phoenix practiced singing 1/2 a year in preparation for the role. Indeed, it is their voices you hear in the movie. Look for Oscar nominations for both. I think also Robert Patrick might get supporting actor consideration for his role as Cash's father.
Walk the Line is a three stars out of a possible four film.
I saw it a month ago and finally am getting around to posting about it.
The story follows the rise, fall and restoration of Johnny Cash.
The real Cash.
In this regard it is a typical biopic: musician in obscurity gets discovered and rockets to fame and fortune but then stumbles on drinking, drugs and women but then makes a comeback when he gets his life in order.
Clearly the hero of the movie is June Carter whose steadfast love for Cash saves him. There is an amazing scene with her and her parents confronting Cash's drug dealer that had our audience cheering.
Witherspoon as June Carter and Phoenix as Johnny Cash.
Hugh Hewitt mentioned he was disappointed that June and Johnny's Christian faith wasn't explored a bit more. There are hints of it in the movie but I'd have to agree that a few more scenes highlighting that would have been a good thing.
In any case, great performances by the actors, super music that had me off to iTunes to download a few songs for my iPod. I just had to get "Ring of Fire" and "Folsom Prison Blues."
Phoenix as Cash
In interviews, I heard that Witherspoon and Phoenix practiced singing 1/2 a year in preparation for the role. Indeed, it is their voices you hear in the movie. Look for Oscar nominations for both. I think also Robert Patrick might get supporting actor consideration for his role as Cash's father.
Politics: Wiretap controversy - Impeachable offense?
There has been lots of thunder and lightening over President Bush authorizing electronic intelligence gathering of communication between suspected terrorists without the usual FISA court approval.
FISA is a special Federal court that was established under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Critics claim that Bush has violated the Fourth Amendment:
If Mr. Suspected Terrorist with a cell phone in foreign country X calls Mr. So and So in the USA, would you want to know what they are talking about?
I don't know how long it takes for FISA approval to occur but I suspect in the fast paced world of intelligence gathering, there might be times when a tip will go dry long before a couple of lawyers can file the paper work.
Imagine some intelligence agent testifying before Congress: we had a tip that several of the people in that suspected terror cell were communicating to coordinate a bombing. We found a laptop with some cell phone numbers and were waiting for approval to tap those numbers but the bombing happened.
Imagine the outrage all around?
I'd think some would want to impeach the President if he failed to take such steps in a post-9/11 world and a terrorist attack occurred on American soil.
UPDATE: I saw this item from Kaus:
I suppose if the targeted cell phone number was from a known terrorist that would pass as "probable cause?" I suppose a known terrorist would be someone who has been involved in a prior terrorist act? But what constitutes proof they were involved in a prior terrorist act? Is direct hands on participation the standard?
What if a known terrorist is caught and his cell phone logs are obtained, would anyone he called be considered a suspected terrorist and thus subject to electronic eavesdropping? Would that be sufficient "probable cause" to intercept phone calls?
I suppose in the context of traditional criminal law that would NOT be probable cause. It would be like saying, embezzler Mr. Smith has a cell phone and everyone on his cell phone log is an accomplice so we should wiretap all those numbers.
Kaus maybe right to assert that in the context of terrorism, one may have to LOWER the "probable cause" standard because the stakes are HIGHER should intelligence fail to pick up a threat.
FISA is a special Federal court that was established under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Critics claim that Bush has violated the Fourth Amendment:
Amendment IVDefenders of Bush are citing Article II Section II:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Section 2I'm not a lawyer and so I'll leave that to others to figure out. But as a typical citizen of the United States, I'm sitting here wondering, what the heck is going on?
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States.
If Mr. Suspected Terrorist with a cell phone in foreign country X calls Mr. So and So in the USA, would you want to know what they are talking about?
I don't know how long it takes for FISA approval to occur but I suspect in the fast paced world of intelligence gathering, there might be times when a tip will go dry long before a couple of lawyers can file the paper work.
Imagine some intelligence agent testifying before Congress: we had a tip that several of the people in that suspected terror cell were communicating to coordinate a bombing. We found a laptop with some cell phone numbers and were waiting for approval to tap those numbers but the bombing happened.
Imagine the outrage all around?
I'd think some would want to impeach the President if he failed to take such steps in a post-9/11 world and a terrorist attack occurred on American soil.
UPDATE: I saw this item from Kaus:
Aren't the parameters of the great eavesdropping debate becoming clearer? 1) The administration bypassed the special FISA court, not because it would somehow have been too time consuming to obtain warrants, but because warrants wouldn't have been granted under the "probable cause" standard; 2) the warrants wouldn't have been granted because the wiretaps were quasi-data-mining wiretaps, trolling phone calls of 10% likely suspects for tipoff phrases like "Brooklyn Bridge;" 3) that's probably illegal; 4) but it's also probably a good way to stop terror plots--it hardly presents a "false choice;"I'm not clear what would constitute "probable cause."
I suppose if the targeted cell phone number was from a known terrorist that would pass as "probable cause?" I suppose a known terrorist would be someone who has been involved in a prior terrorist act? But what constitutes proof they were involved in a prior terrorist act? Is direct hands on participation the standard?
What if a known terrorist is caught and his cell phone logs are obtained, would anyone he called be considered a suspected terrorist and thus subject to electronic eavesdropping? Would that be sufficient "probable cause" to intercept phone calls?
I suppose in the context of traditional criminal law that would NOT be probable cause. It would be like saying, embezzler Mr. Smith has a cell phone and everyone on his cell phone log is an accomplice so we should wiretap all those numbers.
Kaus maybe right to assert that in the context of terrorism, one may have to LOWER the "probable cause" standard because the stakes are HIGHER should intelligence fail to pick up a threat.
Devotional Thoughts: Jesus, the Children and Languages of Love
Matthew 19:13-15
Some children were brought to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. The disciples told them not to bother him. But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." And he put his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.
So how many of the 5 languages of love were demonstrated by Jesus in this passage?
Lord, help me to be a blessing to the people I meet today.
Some children were brought to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. The disciples told them not to bother him. But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." And he put his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.
So how many of the 5 languages of love were demonstrated by Jesus in this passage?
Lord, help me to be a blessing to the people I meet today.
Politics: In case you hadn't heard, media left of center
The conclusion isn't surprising.
But I found the way they tried to quantify right-center-left very interesting.
The press release from UCLA says the following:
Not surprisingly, the study said that CBS Evening News, Los Angeles Times and New York Times were the most left leaning news sources. In a dichotomy of news and opinion, the conservative editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal is opposite of the liberal news pages. In fact, the WSJ news pages were regarded as the most liberal of the media surveyed!
But I found the way they tried to quantify right-center-left very interesting.
The press release from UCLA says the following:
While the editorial page of The Wall Street Journal is conservative, the newspaper's news pages are liberal, even more liberal than The New York Times. The Drudge Report may have a right-wing reputation, but it leans left. Coverage by public television and radio is conservative compared to the rest of the mainstream media. Meanwhile, almost all major media outlets tilt to the left.It was nice to know that some of my favorite news sources are regard as centrist. Of the morning shows, I do like Good Morning America and in the evening I'm partial to the Newshour. In the report they said those two programs plus CNN with Aaron Brown were the most centrist of the news outlets they examined.
These are just a few of the surprising findings from a UCLA-led study, which is believed to be the first successful attempt at objectively quantifying bias in a range of media outlets and ranking them accordingly.
"I suspected that many media outlets would tilt to the left because surveys have shown that reporters tend to vote more Democrat than Republican," said Tim Groseclose, a UCLA political scientist and the study's lead author. "But I was surprised at just how pronounced the distinctions are."
"Overall, the major media outlets are quite moderate compared to members of Congress, but even so, there is a quantifiable and significant bias in that nearly all of them lean to the left," said co?author Jeffrey Milyo, University of Missouri economist and public policy scholar.
The results appear in the latest issue of the Quarterly Journal of Economics, which will become available in mid-December.
Not surprisingly, the study said that CBS Evening News, Los Angeles Times and New York Times were the most left leaning news sources. In a dichotomy of news and opinion, the conservative editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal is opposite of the liberal news pages. In fact, the WSJ news pages were regarded as the most liberal of the media surveyed!
Life: The Five Love Languages
Was talking with a guy buddy of mine who got married earlier this year. We hadn't had an extended conversation in a while so it was good to catch up. One topic we got onto was his experience with The Five Love Languages a renown marriage book that was a NYT bestseller.
The idea is simple: we all have different ways of expressing love and different ways we receive it.
The author identifies and describes these five languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.
These concepts can be applied to any type of relationship but of course it is most profoundly important the context of marriage.
The idea is simple: we all have different ways of expressing love and different ways we receive it.
The author identifies and describes these five languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.
These concepts can be applied to any type of relationship but of course it is most profoundly important the context of marriage.
Devotional Thoughts: Can we accept these statements?
In Matthew 19:1-12, Jesus talked about marriage, divorce and singleness.
The bottom line on marriage was in verse 6, "Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together."
The Pharisees wanted to know if there was any exceptions and Jesus mentioned only one in verse 9, unfaithfulness of one of the partners.
Most Christians would include in the definition of "unfaithfulness" abandonment (absent physically and emotionally) and abuse (physically present but abusive physically or emotionally or both).
What puzzles me is why did the disciples then say in verse 10, "Then it is better not to marry!"
If I take it at face value, then the disciples really seem to be saying, "If there is only one escape clause for marriage, better not get into one!"
I suppose as a single guy, maybe I don't have a full appreciation of how difficult marriage can be even in the best of circumstances?
In any case, Jesus doesn't seem to challenge their response and says in verse 11, "Not everyone can accept this statement. Only those whom God helps."
So if you are married and want to follow what Jesus said here you will need God's help!
In verse 12, Jesus talks about singleness using eunuchs as the exact word. There are three kinds: (1) from birth (2) made so by others and (3) those who choose it for the sake of the Kingdom. Again, Jesus says, "Let anyone who can, accept this statement."
So it would seem that single or married, what Jesus says is hard to accept!
The bottom line on marriage was in verse 6, "Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together."
The Pharisees wanted to know if there was any exceptions and Jesus mentioned only one in verse 9, unfaithfulness of one of the partners.
Most Christians would include in the definition of "unfaithfulness" abandonment (absent physically and emotionally) and abuse (physically present but abusive physically or emotionally or both).
What puzzles me is why did the disciples then say in verse 10, "Then it is better not to marry!"
If I take it at face value, then the disciples really seem to be saying, "If there is only one escape clause for marriage, better not get into one!"
I suppose as a single guy, maybe I don't have a full appreciation of how difficult marriage can be even in the best of circumstances?
In any case, Jesus doesn't seem to challenge their response and says in verse 11, "Not everyone can accept this statement. Only those whom God helps."
So if you are married and want to follow what Jesus said here you will need God's help!
In verse 12, Jesus talks about singleness using eunuchs as the exact word. There are three kinds: (1) from birth (2) made so by others and (3) those who choose it for the sake of the Kingdom. Again, Jesus says, "Let anyone who can, accept this statement."
So it would seem that single or married, what Jesus says is hard to accept!
LORD, have mercy on me a sinner.
What good I am able to do in this life is by the power of your Spirit.
What joy I can experience is due to the greatness of your love shown on the Cross.
What pleasures in Your will I can know is because you have created me unique.
Please help me to live in godly manhood offering provision, protection and gentle leadership to the women in my life appropriate to the relationships I share with them. Whether single or married, may I do all for the glory of God alone.
Amen.
Culture: Pajamas Media Up and Running
Pajamas Media has been going for about a month so be sure to check it out.
I was introduced to the idea at the LA Press Club's Hugh Hewitt event.
At the time they had three concepts: (1) a news service where bloggers are the on the scene reporters (they did that with the just concluded Iraqi elections using Iraqi bloggers equiped with digital cameras and their word's eye views) (2) a portal for bloggers big (the main page is mostly drawn from well known bloggers) and small (this humble blog is listed as one of the blogs in the blogroll) and (3) a device to run ads through smaller blogs (this idea had to be abandoned as it simply cost too much to pump ads to small blogs for the amount of response they would expect to get).
Anyway, the world of new media continues to grow and it will be interesting to see in what ways it will be successful and in what ways it will have problems. Also, it will be interesting to see how mainsteam media taps into the resources of PJ and visa-versa.
I was introduced to the idea at the LA Press Club's Hugh Hewitt event.
At the time they had three concepts: (1) a news service where bloggers are the on the scene reporters (they did that with the just concluded Iraqi elections using Iraqi bloggers equiped with digital cameras and their word's eye views) (2) a portal for bloggers big (the main page is mostly drawn from well known bloggers) and small (this humble blog is listed as one of the blogs in the blogroll) and (3) a device to run ads through smaller blogs (this idea had to be abandoned as it simply cost too much to pump ads to small blogs for the amount of response they would expect to get).
Anyway, the world of new media continues to grow and it will be interesting to see in what ways it will be successful and in what ways it will have problems. Also, it will be interesting to see how mainsteam media taps into the resources of PJ and visa-versa.
Devotional Thoughts: Forgive 490 Times
Am taking a look at Matthew 18:21-35.
Peter asked, how many times should I forgive someone? 7 times?
Jesus said, 70 times 7 times.
Jesus then told a story of someone who owed a huge sum of money (I think in the original Greek the amount is 10,000 large pieces of precious metal) to the king. The king decreed to sell him, his wife and children to help pay the debt. The man begged the king saying that he would pay the debt. The king had pity on him and forgave his debt.
This guy then turned around and demanded payment from someone who owed him 100 days wages. A large sum but nothing compared to his own debt. He got this man thrown in jail. The king heard about this and threw him in jail.
Jesus concluded by saying, "That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters in your heart."
This is tough. When someone tramples on us, we seek payback.
I don't believe that Jesus is actually saying forgive somebody 490 times and that on the 491st time you don't forgive them. I think he is saying, don't keep score.
St. Paul in the famous passage on the meaning of love said, "Love keeps no record of when it has been wronged." (I Corinthians 13:5) I'm thinking that this is how to look at Jesus' teaching here. We don't play accountant games on the matter of forgiving people.
However, is there a limit to forgiveness?
What about the person who keeps stealing? Or someone who gets drunk and says and does hurtful things while drunk?
Do we keep forgiving them?
St. Paul said, "Love is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out." (I Corinthians 13:6)
I think that is where the "limit" is. We forgive but we also take action so they don't steal or get drunk again. Injustice must be stopped and truth must win to the extent we can fight for that victory. Jesus had previously talked about how seriously we need to address sin in Matthew 18:6-10. And so we need to take Jesus teaching in its fullness and not in isolation.
Peter asked, how many times should I forgive someone? 7 times?
Jesus said, 70 times 7 times.
Jesus then told a story of someone who owed a huge sum of money (I think in the original Greek the amount is 10,000 large pieces of precious metal) to the king. The king decreed to sell him, his wife and children to help pay the debt. The man begged the king saying that he would pay the debt. The king had pity on him and forgave his debt.
This guy then turned around and demanded payment from someone who owed him 100 days wages. A large sum but nothing compared to his own debt. He got this man thrown in jail. The king heard about this and threw him in jail.
Jesus concluded by saying, "That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters in your heart."
This is tough. When someone tramples on us, we seek payback.
I don't believe that Jesus is actually saying forgive somebody 490 times and that on the 491st time you don't forgive them. I think he is saying, don't keep score.
St. Paul in the famous passage on the meaning of love said, "Love keeps no record of when it has been wronged." (I Corinthians 13:5) I'm thinking that this is how to look at Jesus' teaching here. We don't play accountant games on the matter of forgiving people.
However, is there a limit to forgiveness?
What about the person who keeps stealing? Or someone who gets drunk and says and does hurtful things while drunk?
Do we keep forgiving them?
St. Paul said, "Love is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out." (I Corinthians 13:6)
I think that is where the "limit" is. We forgive but we also take action so they don't steal or get drunk again. Injustice must be stopped and truth must win to the extent we can fight for that victory. Jesus had previously talked about how seriously we need to address sin in Matthew 18:6-10. And so we need to take Jesus teaching in its fullness and not in isolation.
Travel: Weekend in Lost Wages (Las Vegas Marathon)!
This past weekend, I went to Las Vegas!
Or as the flight attendant on Southwest called it: Lost Wages!
I was planning to do the Las Vegas Marathon and had reached 17 miles in my training when I had a medical issue. But since the hotel had been booked, the reg fees paid and the plane fare paid, I figured a weekend getaway would be nice.
I stayed at the Excalibur.
Las Vegas was very crowded that weekend because of the marathon but mostly because of the National Finals Rodeo. Numerous fans were about town. In my hotel, there were televisions dedicated to the NFR coverage.
The marathon was Sunday morning. One feature of the race was the "Run Through Chapel" at mile 5. In the news coverage, they said 20 couples renewed their vows and 3 took their vows for the first time. The "tag line" was they have what it takes to go the distance in the marathon and in life! Congrats to all the couples!
UPDATE: A blogger-marathoner reports on her 20th anniversary renewal at mile 5! Congrats Shirley!
One of my friends is a steady speedy runner. She has BQ'd (Boston Marathon Qualified!) a few times and so was invited to be one of the official Elvis runners. She shared about the various press events and marketing photo shoots they did on pre-marathon day Saturday and then during the marathon day itself. And so here they are as a team blazing down the straight away just before the left turn to the finish line!
Cheers! Here are four marathon runners from the Los Angeles Roadrunners and Los Angeles Running Club celebrating with a delicious buffet at the Mandalay Bay. Congrats on completing yet another marathon!
And no photo report on Las Vegas would be complete without a photo of the famed dancing waters of the Bellagio! Mouse around their web page and you find out there are 30 songs they have choreographed the dancing waters to!
Or as the flight attendant on Southwest called it: Lost Wages!
I was planning to do the Las Vegas Marathon and had reached 17 miles in my training when I had a medical issue. But since the hotel had been booked, the reg fees paid and the plane fare paid, I figured a weekend getaway would be nice.
I stayed at the Excalibur.
Las Vegas was very crowded that weekend because of the marathon but mostly because of the National Finals Rodeo. Numerous fans were about town. In my hotel, there were televisions dedicated to the NFR coverage.
The marathon was Sunday morning. One feature of the race was the "Run Through Chapel" at mile 5. In the news coverage, they said 20 couples renewed their vows and 3 took their vows for the first time. The "tag line" was they have what it takes to go the distance in the marathon and in life! Congrats to all the couples!
UPDATE: A blogger-marathoner reports on her 20th anniversary renewal at mile 5! Congrats Shirley!
One of my friends is a steady speedy runner. She has BQ'd (Boston Marathon Qualified!) a few times and so was invited to be one of the official Elvis runners. She shared about the various press events and marketing photo shoots they did on pre-marathon day Saturday and then during the marathon day itself. And so here they are as a team blazing down the straight away just before the left turn to the finish line!
Cheers! Here are four marathon runners from the Los Angeles Roadrunners and Los Angeles Running Club celebrating with a delicious buffet at the Mandalay Bay. Congrats on completing yet another marathon!
And no photo report on Las Vegas would be complete without a photo of the famed dancing waters of the Bellagio! Mouse around their web page and you find out there are 30 songs they have choreographed the dancing waters to!
Devotional Thoughts: what's this binding and loosing stuff?
Am looking at Matthew 18:15-20.
Take a guess: how many times does the word "church" show up in the Gospels?
Two.
Surprised?
The word "church" appears in Matthew 16:18:
"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it."
and Matthew 18:17:
"If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."
Both passages also make reference to the idea of:
whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19 and 18:18).
When the church is operating in the will of God, it is powerful. The church exists in the earthly realm and its binding/loosing power reflects what is in heaven (the realm of God). It makes me think of the part in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:10) that says, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Thus, to some extent, the church can do the will of heaven on earth!
When reading the Bible, context is important. In other words, what else is being said in and around the verse that is catching your eye?
In this case the binding/loosing appears in three contexts:
(1) Proclamation of Christ and the Kingdom (Matthew 16:13-19)
Do our churches do this? When you look at what your church and my church is doing, do we think Jesus would be doing the same thing? When the preacher steps up to the podium, is Jesus uplifted? Is the Bible opened?
When Jesus is at the center of our church, there is power.
(2) Winning a person back from sin (Matthew 18:15-17)
The church is a place to worship God and uplift Jesus. The church is also a training center to send us into the world to be ambassadors for Jesus to proclaim the truth of God and the hope He has for us. The church is also a hospital for the broken people of the world where needs of ALL types are met. And one big need is that we need correction when we sin. Do our churches take a stand for what is right and wrong? And do we lovingly receive the person who has sinned and knows it and seeks restoration?
(3) Prayer (Matthew 18:19-20)
Finally, prayer. If two or more gather in Christ, there is a community where God's power can be unleashed.
When we are alone, it is easy to get discouraged. When we are alone, it is easy to get deceived. But in community, we can better grasp the wisdom of God and we can better pray for the will of God to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Take a guess: how many times does the word "church" show up in the Gospels?
Two.
Surprised?
The word "church" appears in Matthew 16:18:
"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it."
and Matthew 18:17:
"If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."
Both passages also make reference to the idea of:
whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19 and 18:18).
When the church is operating in the will of God, it is powerful. The church exists in the earthly realm and its binding/loosing power reflects what is in heaven (the realm of God). It makes me think of the part in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:10) that says, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Thus, to some extent, the church can do the will of heaven on earth!
When reading the Bible, context is important. In other words, what else is being said in and around the verse that is catching your eye?
In this case the binding/loosing appears in three contexts:
(1) Proclamation of Christ and the Kingdom (Matthew 16:13-19)
Do our churches do this? When you look at what your church and my church is doing, do we think Jesus would be doing the same thing? When the preacher steps up to the podium, is Jesus uplifted? Is the Bible opened?
When Jesus is at the center of our church, there is power.
(2) Winning a person back from sin (Matthew 18:15-17)
The church is a place to worship God and uplift Jesus. The church is also a training center to send us into the world to be ambassadors for Jesus to proclaim the truth of God and the hope He has for us. The church is also a hospital for the broken people of the world where needs of ALL types are met. And one big need is that we need correction when we sin. Do our churches take a stand for what is right and wrong? And do we lovingly receive the person who has sinned and knows it and seeks restoration?
(3) Prayer (Matthew 18:19-20)
Finally, prayer. If two or more gather in Christ, there is a community where God's power can be unleashed.
When we are alone, it is easy to get discouraged. When we are alone, it is easy to get deceived. But in community, we can better grasp the wisdom of God and we can better pray for the will of God to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Sports: In search of a second chance - Dodgers name Little as manager
It seemed like the GM job was the job nobody wanted.
When finally GM Colletti was named, it then seemed like the manager job was the job nobody wanted.
Well, today, William "Grady" Little was named manager of the Dodgers.
Little, unfortunately, had the misfortune of managing the Red Sox when the Sox were defeated by the Yankees in game 7 in 2003. Sports media and Sox fans blamed him for leaving Pedro Martinez in a little too long costing the Sox a shot at the World Series and Little his job.
The Dodgers were a wreck this past season: disdain for DePodesta and McCourt was rampent among fans and media, disruptive fans in the stands became all too common tarnishing the family friendly atmosphere and reputation of Dodger's stadium, trades and acquisition of players seemed willy nilly, injury after injury, Bradley and Kent publically feuding as the season wound down, Tracy dumped, Gagne openly critical of the front office after the season was over (many felt he was verbalizing what many on the team were feeling), DePodesta dumped, potential GM hires turning down the Dodgers and then manager prospects turning down the Dodgers.
I wonder what the season ticket sign ups are looking like?
But maybe, things will turn around.
Ah, the life of a baseball fan, soon it will be the springtime of hope as a new season begins!
When finally GM Colletti was named, it then seemed like the manager job was the job nobody wanted.
Well, today, William "Grady" Little was named manager of the Dodgers.
Little, unfortunately, had the misfortune of managing the Red Sox when the Sox were defeated by the Yankees in game 7 in 2003. Sports media and Sox fans blamed him for leaving Pedro Martinez in a little too long costing the Sox a shot at the World Series and Little his job.
The Dodgers were a wreck this past season: disdain for DePodesta and McCourt was rampent among fans and media, disruptive fans in the stands became all too common tarnishing the family friendly atmosphere and reputation of Dodger's stadium, trades and acquisition of players seemed willy nilly, injury after injury, Bradley and Kent publically feuding as the season wound down, Tracy dumped, Gagne openly critical of the front office after the season was over (many felt he was verbalizing what many on the team were feeling), DePodesta dumped, potential GM hires turning down the Dodgers and then manager prospects turning down the Dodgers.
I wonder what the season ticket sign ups are looking like?
But maybe, things will turn around.
Ah, the life of a baseball fan, soon it will be the springtime of hope as a new season begins!
Sports: Unambiguous BCS
Well, the BCS planners are happy.
Any objective sports fan has to admit that USC and Texas are the top 2 teams this year.
I wonder how many players on USC and Texas will go to the NFL?
How many players on UCLA and Colorado will go to the NFL?
The two games last Saturday was as if an NFL team played a college team with the inevitable results.
As a UCLA fan, I have to take my hat off to USC. Angst is for the close games when you say coulda, woulda, shoulda. When you get beat outright you really can't be too upset.
I suppose my feeling is more disappointment and frustration. There are a finite supply of football talent and they will go to the programs that can win and help them launch into the NFL. UCLA is thus left looking for the players that the USC and Texas and Florida programs didn't pick. Dorrell can only offer, at UCLA you can start while at USC you may have to wait a year or two for a starting job. Dorrell might be able to say, USC snubbed you, you want to be on the team that will finally knock them off the top of the heap?
The stat they showed on the TV coverage that leaped out at me was this one:
USC average offensive lineman: 315 pounds.
UCLA average defensive lineman: 265 pounds.
Big and fast beats small and fast.
And there you go, USC's line will probably all be in the NFL and UCLA's line will probably go onto graduate school and jobs their BAs will help them earn.
I don't know who will win in the USC vs. Texas match up. The instant analysis I'm hearing from other sports fans is this: USC offense > Texas offense and Texas defense > USC defense. Should be a good game.
I wonder what the Las Vegas line is?
Any objective sports fan has to admit that USC and Texas are the top 2 teams this year.
I wonder how many players on USC and Texas will go to the NFL?
How many players on UCLA and Colorado will go to the NFL?
The two games last Saturday was as if an NFL team played a college team with the inevitable results.
As a UCLA fan, I have to take my hat off to USC. Angst is for the close games when you say coulda, woulda, shoulda. When you get beat outright you really can't be too upset.
I suppose my feeling is more disappointment and frustration. There are a finite supply of football talent and they will go to the programs that can win and help them launch into the NFL. UCLA is thus left looking for the players that the USC and Texas and Florida programs didn't pick. Dorrell can only offer, at UCLA you can start while at USC you may have to wait a year or two for a starting job. Dorrell might be able to say, USC snubbed you, you want to be on the team that will finally knock them off the top of the heap?
The stat they showed on the TV coverage that leaped out at me was this one:
USC average offensive lineman: 315 pounds.
UCLA average defensive lineman: 265 pounds.
Big and fast beats small and fast.
And there you go, USC's line will probably all be in the NFL and UCLA's line will probably go onto graduate school and jobs their BAs will help them earn.
I don't know who will win in the USC vs. Texas match up. The instant analysis I'm hearing from other sports fans is this: USC offense > Texas offense and Texas defense > USC defense. Should be a good game.
I wonder what the Las Vegas line is?
Sports: 1 day to go until U$C vs. UCLA
The table is set.
1:30 PM PST in Los Angeles.
ABC television coverage.
AM 1540 in Los Angeles has radio coverage for Trojan fans.
AM 570 in Los Angeles has radio coverage for Bruin fans.
The hype will continue as game time is a little over 12 hours away. With the kick-off, the talking will give way to what happens between the lines.
I'll be cheering and groaning and hoping for the best as the Bruins try to pull off the upset of the century.
However, in the back of my mind, I'll always remember, it is just a game.
A few hours earlier, two rivals will play and they will play hard and they will do their best to win.
For them, only pride is at stake. For them, there probably aren't any or very many NFL scouts making notes for draft day. For them, for the seniors, the next stop will be Iraq or Afghanistan or wherever freedom needs defending.
Of course, I'm thinking of the Army-Navy game.
As we enjoy our Saturday watching football or not watching football, take a minute or two and pray for our men and women who serve the cause of freedom. Some will be on duty and some may well be at their bases listening to football through Armed Forces Radio.
Take a minute or two to pray for the families of those who have loved ones in harms way.
When I think of their bravery, I think of the famous PBS Ken Burns documentary on the Civil War and of the letter written by Sullivan Ballou:
Go here to see the full text of the famed letter by Sullivan Ballou.
1:30 PM PST in Los Angeles.
ABC television coverage.
AM 1540 in Los Angeles has radio coverage for Trojan fans.
AM 570 in Los Angeles has radio coverage for Bruin fans.
The hype will continue as game time is a little over 12 hours away. With the kick-off, the talking will give way to what happens between the lines.
I'll be cheering and groaning and hoping for the best as the Bruins try to pull off the upset of the century.
However, in the back of my mind, I'll always remember, it is just a game.
A few hours earlier, two rivals will play and they will play hard and they will do their best to win.
For them, only pride is at stake. For them, there probably aren't any or very many NFL scouts making notes for draft day. For them, for the seniors, the next stop will be Iraq or Afghanistan or wherever freedom needs defending.
Of course, I'm thinking of the Army-Navy game.
As we enjoy our Saturday watching football or not watching football, take a minute or two and pray for our men and women who serve the cause of freedom. Some will be on duty and some may well be at their bases listening to football through Armed Forces Radio.
Take a minute or two to pray for the families of those who have loved ones in harms way.
When I think of their bravery, I think of the famous PBS Ken Burns documentary on the Civil War and of the letter written by Sullivan Ballou:
July 14, 1861Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the first Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861.
Camp Clark, Washington
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days -- perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing -- perfectly willing -- to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have oftentimes been!
But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the garish day and in the darkest night -- amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours -- always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.
Go here to see the full text of the famed letter by Sullivan Ballou.
Sports: 2 days to go until U$C vs. UCLA
Last year, the Bruins weren't expected to give USC much of a fight.
It turned into a contest.
I watched the game with some friends. We channel surfed between ABC and CBS which had an SEC game going as one of my friends is an SEC partisan.
UCLA's defense put up a better fight then expected. Bush got his yardage and then some but the USC passing game was slowed up and UCLA stayed close.
In fact, UCLA had a possession late in the 4th quarter down by only 5. But Olsen like many times that season couldn't make the big play and threw the INT.
Olsen is certainly one big difference this year. I don't think physically he is that much better than last year. But he is making better decisions which for a QB is where you can make a quantum leap in effectiveness. Look for USC to try to rough him up and shake his confidence.
USC is the college version of the Indy Colts. Manning given time to sit in the pocket can dissect a defense. Leinart is the same way. When people try to cover the Colt receivers, James can run it. If USC's passing is off, Bush can run around people and White can run over people.
As a Bruin fan, I hope they will put up a good fight and have a shot at winning. I'm realistic enough to know their chances of actually winning are pretty low. But as a fan, I want to believe!
As I see it, as a clear-headed sports fan, USC, at its best, is unbeatable.
But USC having an off day and UCLA at its best means the game will be close.
And if comes down to the fourth quarter in a one possession game, UCLA has the big play makers that could pull off the upset. If you doubt, take a look at the stats and notice how many different receivers have gotten TDs. And notice Maurice Drew: 12 rushing TDs, 4 receiving TDs and 3 return TDs. But, of course, the key is to be in that position to have that lightening strike.
In too many games this season, UCLA got behind in the first quarter or the first half. UCLA must not fall behind by too much to have the "puncher's chance" in the fourth quarter.
Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - U - C - L - A - fight - fight - fight!
It turned into a contest.
I watched the game with some friends. We channel surfed between ABC and CBS which had an SEC game going as one of my friends is an SEC partisan.
UCLA's defense put up a better fight then expected. Bush got his yardage and then some but the USC passing game was slowed up and UCLA stayed close.
In fact, UCLA had a possession late in the 4th quarter down by only 5. But Olsen like many times that season couldn't make the big play and threw the INT.
Olsen is certainly one big difference this year. I don't think physically he is that much better than last year. But he is making better decisions which for a QB is where you can make a quantum leap in effectiveness. Look for USC to try to rough him up and shake his confidence.
USC is the college version of the Indy Colts. Manning given time to sit in the pocket can dissect a defense. Leinart is the same way. When people try to cover the Colt receivers, James can run it. If USC's passing is off, Bush can run around people and White can run over people.
As a Bruin fan, I hope they will put up a good fight and have a shot at winning. I'm realistic enough to know their chances of actually winning are pretty low. But as a fan, I want to believe!
As I see it, as a clear-headed sports fan, USC, at its best, is unbeatable.
But USC having an off day and UCLA at its best means the game will be close.
And if comes down to the fourth quarter in a one possession game, UCLA has the big play makers that could pull off the upset. If you doubt, take a look at the stats and notice how many different receivers have gotten TDs. And notice Maurice Drew: 12 rushing TDs, 4 receiving TDs and 3 return TDs. But, of course, the key is to be in that position to have that lightening strike.
In too many games this season, UCLA got behind in the first quarter or the first half. UCLA must not fall behind by too much to have the "puncher's chance" in the fourth quarter.
Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap - U - C - L - A - fight - fight - fight!
Devotional Thoughts: God's Mathematics
Am looking at Matthew 18:12-14 this morning.
Sometimes people ask, should I take the Bible literally?
My response is yes and no.
What do I mean?
I think we can take it at face value when the text justifies it, we can take it literally.
For instance, this morning's passage says a shepherd will leave the 99 sheep to go look for the lost 1 sheep.
So is this literal?
Well, yes and no.
Yes, in that we take it at face value that Jesus is making a point about God's desire to find the lost.
No, in that he is using a metaphor of sheep and shepherd.
In day-to-day conversation, we do this all the time.
We are literal in that we are trying to communicate something. And sometimes the details are literal: I went to the doctors office today. And other times we are non-literally, I was running around like a headless chicken!
In today's passage, Jesus stresses God's desire to find those who are lost. That is the face value point made metaphorically.
So we don't have to wonder, but won't the 99 left behind get scared? Or what if the shepherd has to spend so much time looking for the lost sheep that the 99 starve to death waiting for him to come back? Those kinds of consideration come in to play only if the face value point is made in a literal way.
Lord, thank you that you found me, a lost sheep! Help me to join you in finding the lost sheep in the world today.
Sometimes people ask, should I take the Bible literally?
My response is yes and no.
What do I mean?
I think we can take it at face value when the text justifies it, we can take it literally.
For instance, this morning's passage says a shepherd will leave the 99 sheep to go look for the lost 1 sheep.
So is this literal?
Well, yes and no.
Yes, in that we take it at face value that Jesus is making a point about God's desire to find the lost.
No, in that he is using a metaphor of sheep and shepherd.
In day-to-day conversation, we do this all the time.
We are literal in that we are trying to communicate something. And sometimes the details are literal: I went to the doctors office today. And other times we are non-literally, I was running around like a headless chicken!
In today's passage, Jesus stresses God's desire to find those who are lost. That is the face value point made metaphorically.
So we don't have to wonder, but won't the 99 left behind get scared? Or what if the shepherd has to spend so much time looking for the lost sheep that the 99 starve to death waiting for him to come back? Those kinds of consideration come in to play only if the face value point is made in a literal way.
Lord, thank you that you found me, a lost sheep! Help me to join you in finding the lost sheep in the world today.
Sports: 3 days to go until U$C vs. UCLA
1996.
Clinton had beaten Dole for re-election.
UCLA and USC were terrible that year.
I lived and worked in suburban Maryland.
The UCLA alumni club of Washington DC takes over a downtown sports bar for the big game each year. I decided to go down to watch even though I heard radio updates saying UCLA was down. I got to the bar where I saw Jennifer, the vivacious club president, and asked her what the score was. She shook her head and said it didn't look good: USC 38-21 and it was already mid-fourth quarter.
I found a bit of wall space (yes, I'm the DEFINITION of wall flower at a party) next to another UCLA alum. I found out he was working for the White House Counsel's office. Okay, so he is a democrat and I'm a republican but today, we are BRUIN fans!
Cade McNown and the Bruins began an improbable rally managing to tie the game by scoring 17 unanswered points to send it into overtime. The place was going crazy with every UCLA success.
I don't remember when the NCAA instituted the "shootout" overtime system but this was the first and only overtime USC vs. UCLA game thus far.
The two teams swapped field goals in the first overtime. Then UCLA scored a TD to take a 48-41 lead. USC had the next possession but wasn't able to score.
Clinton had beaten Dole for re-election.
UCLA and USC were terrible that year.
I lived and worked in suburban Maryland.
The UCLA alumni club of Washington DC takes over a downtown sports bar for the big game each year. I decided to go down to watch even though I heard radio updates saying UCLA was down. I got to the bar where I saw Jennifer, the vivacious club president, and asked her what the score was. She shook her head and said it didn't look good: USC 38-21 and it was already mid-fourth quarter.
I found a bit of wall space (yes, I'm the DEFINITION of wall flower at a party) next to another UCLA alum. I found out he was working for the White House Counsel's office. Okay, so he is a democrat and I'm a republican but today, we are BRUIN fans!
Cade McNown and the Bruins began an improbable rally managing to tie the game by scoring 17 unanswered points to send it into overtime. The place was going crazy with every UCLA success.
I don't remember when the NCAA instituted the "shootout" overtime system but this was the first and only overtime USC vs. UCLA game thus far.
The two teams swapped field goals in the first overtime. Then UCLA scored a TD to take a 48-41 lead. USC had the next possession but wasn't able to score.
Sports: Wanton speculation - BCS stuffs
If everyone holds serve, I'd look for this line-up for the BCS bowls:
Rose - USC vs. Texas
Fiesta - Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Orange - Va Tech vs. Penn State
Sugar - LSU vs. West Virginia
If Texas loses to Colorado:
Rose - USC vs. Penn State
Fiesta - Colorado vs. Notre Dame
Orange - Va Tech vs. Texas
Sugar - LSU vs. West Virginia
As you can see, I think a loss by Texas knocks them out of the championship unlike Nebraska and Oklahoma which lost the Big12 championship in the past and still wound up in the BCS championship only to get crushed!
If Va Tech loses to FSU:
Rose - USC vs. Texas
Fiesta - Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Orange - Florida State vs. Penn State
Sugar - LSU vs. West Virginia
I'm afraid that if the Hokies lose, they finish the season 10-2 and out of the BCS mix.
If LSU loses to Georgia:
Rose - USC vs. Texas
Fiesta - Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Orange - Va Tech vs. Penn State
Sugar - Georgia vs. West Virginia
I think that the Tigers at 10-2 would not garner at at-large bid.
If USC loses to UCLA:
Rose - Penn State vs. Texas
Fiesta - USC vs. Notre Dame
Orange - Va Tech vs. Ohio State
Sugar - LSU vs. West Virginia
Unfortunately, for UCLA, even if they win and finish the season 10-1, they would still be locked out. Ohio State and Notre Dame pretty much have a lock on the at-large bids. Only a Texas loss dislodges one of them.
Another one loss team, Oregon, is more or less is in the same boat as UCLA. Since Oregon lost to USC by a wide margin, there is no realistic scenario where a Bowl committee would pick them over ND or OSU either.
I think the only way for UCLA to get a BCS bid is if they beat USC substantially (better than one touchdown) but even then, will the Orange Bowl take UCLA over Ohio State?
Probably not.
Is there a scenario where USC loses to UCLA and still winds up in the BCS championship game?
If Texas also loses, USC might only slip to #2 and face #1 Penn State. A Texas loss to unranked Colorado would hurt them a lot and an LSU win over Georgia might not lift them from #4 to #2. If USC, Texas and LSU lose, then I can don't see Va Tech jumping from #5 to #2 and so USC could still hold onto the #2 spot.
UPDATE: Here is some speculation from Pittsburgh's Post-Gazette. In the article, there is an interesting little tidbit:
UPDATE: Stewart Mandel is paid to engage in wanton speculation about the BCS in the Yahoo! Sports SI.com column.
Rose - USC vs. Texas
Fiesta - Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Orange - Va Tech vs. Penn State
Sugar - LSU vs. West Virginia
If Texas loses to Colorado:
Rose - USC vs. Penn State
Fiesta - Colorado vs. Notre Dame
Orange - Va Tech vs. Texas
Sugar - LSU vs. West Virginia
As you can see, I think a loss by Texas knocks them out of the championship unlike Nebraska and Oklahoma which lost the Big12 championship in the past and still wound up in the BCS championship only to get crushed!
If Va Tech loses to FSU:
Rose - USC vs. Texas
Fiesta - Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Orange - Florida State vs. Penn State
Sugar - LSU vs. West Virginia
I'm afraid that if the Hokies lose, they finish the season 10-2 and out of the BCS mix.
If LSU loses to Georgia:
Rose - USC vs. Texas
Fiesta - Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Orange - Va Tech vs. Penn State
Sugar - Georgia vs. West Virginia
I think that the Tigers at 10-2 would not garner at at-large bid.
If USC loses to UCLA:
Rose - Penn State vs. Texas
Fiesta - USC vs. Notre Dame
Orange - Va Tech vs. Ohio State
Sugar - LSU vs. West Virginia
Unfortunately, for UCLA, even if they win and finish the season 10-1, they would still be locked out. Ohio State and Notre Dame pretty much have a lock on the at-large bids. Only a Texas loss dislodges one of them.
Another one loss team, Oregon, is more or less is in the same boat as UCLA. Since Oregon lost to USC by a wide margin, there is no realistic scenario where a Bowl committee would pick them over ND or OSU either.
I think the only way for UCLA to get a BCS bid is if they beat USC substantially (better than one touchdown) but even then, will the Orange Bowl take UCLA over Ohio State?
Probably not.
Is there a scenario where USC loses to UCLA and still winds up in the BCS championship game?
If Texas also loses, USC might only slip to #2 and face #1 Penn State. A Texas loss to unranked Colorado would hurt them a lot and an LSU win over Georgia might not lift them from #4 to #2. If USC, Texas and LSU lose, then I can don't see Va Tech jumping from #5 to #2 and so USC could still hold onto the #2 spot.
UPDATE: Here is some speculation from Pittsburgh's Post-Gazette. In the article, there is an interesting little tidbit:
But if Texas and USC win out, then Penn State is left to the vagaries of fate and men wearing expensive suits. Granted, each remaining BCS bowl enters a draft to pick their teams, but all bowls -- the Fiesta, the Sugar and the Orange -- are subject to one disclaimer deserving more than small print: "The [bowl matchups] may be adjusted by the conference and the institutions participating in the BCS, in consultation with the BCS bowls and ABC, in the interest of creating the most exciting and competitive postseason matchups possible."I thought that the BCS bowls were bound by their conference tie-ins but it would seem that is not the case. Thus, the BCS formula spits out the #1 and #2, teams that qualify by virtue of being conference champions and a very short list of approved at-large teams. After the Rose gets their #1 and #2 teams, the other three BCS bowls pick from the rest of the pile. They would probably pick teams with conference tie-ins but if there is a team they think might fill their stadiums better, they could do so.
To translate: Don't make your travel plans just yet.
UPDATE: Stewart Mandel is paid to engage in wanton speculation about the BCS in the Yahoo! Sports SI.com column.
Sports: 4 days to go until U$C vs. UCLA
How do people become fans?
In some cases, multiple generations of their family went to one school or the other.
One of my USC friends went there as did his father and grandfather!
In my family, my brother and I were the first ones to go to a four-year college. My brother being older went first and indeed, he went to UCLA. So I suppose my being a fan of UCLA started then.
At that time, UCLA was the basketball school and USC the football school in the handful of years after John Wooden. Alas, in these 30 years since Wooden's retirement, UCLA has only made it to the NCAA finals twice winning it all in 1995. So in that regard the glory days of UCLA basketball are now a faded memory. The championship banners hanging in Pauley no longer haunt UCLA coaches like they used to.
By the time, I got to college, I went to UCLA as well, the school's football team was garnering the good press and the basketball team was described with the headline, "Bruins in Ruins."
Terry Donahue was the coach of the team at the time I was at UCLA and I think he eventually became the coach with the most wins ever at UCLA and for that matter in the Pacific-10. But his job was never really secure until he finally beat USC.
Donahue's first team, the 1976 Bruins, went into the game 9-0-1 and lost. UCLA lost in 1977, 1978 and 1979. There were often calls for Donahue's firing because he couldn't win the big game!
Well, he and the Bruins finally broke through and won in 1980 in the "probation bowl" as both teams were under penalty for prior NCAA violations.
I attended UCLA from 1981 to 1986 and the Bruins won 4 of the 6 meetings against USC!
I was present at the Rose Bowl for the dramatic 20-19 win over USC in 1982. UCLA was leading 20-13 when USC got the ball at the other end of the field (I had endzone seats in the student section). For so many years, USC would win the game at the last moment either by scoring or blocking a UCLA field goal or something would simply "happen" to earn them the win.
We dreaded them marching down the field to win the game. And indeed, they drove down the field and got the TD as time ran out. With the score 20-19, they opted for the 2-point conversion. I don't know if in the history of the rivelry has either side played for the tie at the end?
Anyway, both sides called a time out to add to the drama. And finally, the moment came and everyone was standing and screaming like crazy when the snap occurred and a UCLA player knifed through sacking the USC quarterback preserving the victory!
More memories of the rivelry to come as I flog and blog the hype for the game.
I'm hunting for a web page that has the history of the rivelry. So far, I found this page but it stops at 1999. Unfortunately, for Bruin fans, 1998 was the last time they defeated the Trojans.
UPDATE: USA Today lists the last 10 meetings between the two teams.
In some cases, multiple generations of their family went to one school or the other.
One of my USC friends went there as did his father and grandfather!
In my family, my brother and I were the first ones to go to a four-year college. My brother being older went first and indeed, he went to UCLA. So I suppose my being a fan of UCLA started then.
At that time, UCLA was the basketball school and USC the football school in the handful of years after John Wooden. Alas, in these 30 years since Wooden's retirement, UCLA has only made it to the NCAA finals twice winning it all in 1995. So in that regard the glory days of UCLA basketball are now a faded memory. The championship banners hanging in Pauley no longer haunt UCLA coaches like they used to.
By the time, I got to college, I went to UCLA as well, the school's football team was garnering the good press and the basketball team was described with the headline, "Bruins in Ruins."
Terry Donahue was the coach of the team at the time I was at UCLA and I think he eventually became the coach with the most wins ever at UCLA and for that matter in the Pacific-10. But his job was never really secure until he finally beat USC.
Donahue's first team, the 1976 Bruins, went into the game 9-0-1 and lost. UCLA lost in 1977, 1978 and 1979. There were often calls for Donahue's firing because he couldn't win the big game!
Well, he and the Bruins finally broke through and won in 1980 in the "probation bowl" as both teams were under penalty for prior NCAA violations.
I attended UCLA from 1981 to 1986 and the Bruins won 4 of the 6 meetings against USC!
I was present at the Rose Bowl for the dramatic 20-19 win over USC in 1982. UCLA was leading 20-13 when USC got the ball at the other end of the field (I had endzone seats in the student section). For so many years, USC would win the game at the last moment either by scoring or blocking a UCLA field goal or something would simply "happen" to earn them the win.
We dreaded them marching down the field to win the game. And indeed, they drove down the field and got the TD as time ran out. With the score 20-19, they opted for the 2-point conversion. I don't know if in the history of the rivelry has either side played for the tie at the end?
Anyway, both sides called a time out to add to the drama. And finally, the moment came and everyone was standing and screaming like crazy when the snap occurred and a UCLA player knifed through sacking the USC quarterback preserving the victory!
More memories of the rivelry to come as I flog and blog the hype for the game.
I'm hunting for a web page that has the history of the rivelry. So far, I found this page but it stops at 1999. Unfortunately, for Bruin fans, 1998 was the last time they defeated the Trojans.
UPDATE: USA Today lists the last 10 meetings between the two teams.
2004 USC 29 UCLA 24Here's hoping that the Bruins pull off what would probably be the biggest upset (UCLA is a 3 touchdown underdog) in the history of the storied rivelry.
2003 USC 47 UCLA 22
2002 USC 52 UCLA 21
2001 USC 27 UCLA 0
2000 USC 38 UCLA 35
1999 USC 17 UCLA 7
1998 UCLA 34 USC 17
1997 UCLA 31 USC 24
1996 UCLA 48 USC 41
1995 UCLA 24 USC 20
Sports: UCLA Basketball - more lucky than good as they slay the dragons
UCLA 57 Drexel 56.
The Dragons of Drexel had the Bruins beat. They held the lead for most of the 2nd half. The gutty little Bruins managed to get close in the final minute. Down by two Afflalo flung a three-point shot and was ... fouled. He made two of three to tie the game. Drexel coach "Bruiser" Flynn was upset and he might have a case.
Drexel tried to inbound the pass and promptly threw it away.
The Bruins got the ball in and the play was busted and Farmar had no choice but to drive to the basket and shoot and hope for the best ... and he got fouled. Drexel coach "Bruiser" Flynn was upset and he might have a case.
He air-balled the first foul shot! But bounced in the 2nd.
Drexel with less than a second tossed the ball in and UCLA's Mata caught it and the game was over and the Bruins escaped the Big Apple with a win.
UCLA is not ready for prime time.
UCLA's two guards are still young and getting better but against Drexel, Farmar went 2-15 shooting. Afflalo didn't get on track until the 2nd half hitting some big threes to keep UCLA close.
Bozeman is providing some solid play at the forward spot as has freshman Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (love that name!). Both are a bit undersized but have a lot of heart and doing quite well.
Fey and Hollins ... what can you say, how can two seven foot guys seem like they aren't in the game when they are in the game? Between them, they had 19 minutes with ZERO points and just THREE rebounds!
Mata (merely 6-8) is likely to get more minutes if these two guys don't show up. At least he has a nose for the ball and is willing to mix it up with bigger guys inside.
Roll and Collison are freshmen and will get some minutes to rest the starters.
Aboya and Shipp are still injured. Shipp and Aboya I believe are expected to be starters when they get back.
The Bruins are a solid B/B+ team. Guard play will continue to improve. But the front court remains a problem. They are like a donut... a hole in the center.
The Dragons of Drexel had the Bruins beat. They held the lead for most of the 2nd half. The gutty little Bruins managed to get close in the final minute. Down by two Afflalo flung a three-point shot and was ... fouled. He made two of three to tie the game. Drexel coach "Bruiser" Flynn was upset and he might have a case.
Drexel tried to inbound the pass and promptly threw it away.
The Bruins got the ball in and the play was busted and Farmar had no choice but to drive to the basket and shoot and hope for the best ... and he got fouled. Drexel coach "Bruiser" Flynn was upset and he might have a case.
He air-balled the first foul shot! But bounced in the 2nd.
Drexel with less than a second tossed the ball in and UCLA's Mata caught it and the game was over and the Bruins escaped the Big Apple with a win.
UCLA is not ready for prime time.
UCLA's two guards are still young and getting better but against Drexel, Farmar went 2-15 shooting. Afflalo didn't get on track until the 2nd half hitting some big threes to keep UCLA close.
Bozeman is providing some solid play at the forward spot as has freshman Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (love that name!). Both are a bit undersized but have a lot of heart and doing quite well.
Fey and Hollins ... what can you say, how can two seven foot guys seem like they aren't in the game when they are in the game? Between them, they had 19 minutes with ZERO points and just THREE rebounds!
Mata (merely 6-8) is likely to get more minutes if these two guys don't show up. At least he has a nose for the ball and is willing to mix it up with bigger guys inside.
Roll and Collison are freshmen and will get some minutes to rest the starters.
Aboya and Shipp are still injured. Shipp and Aboya I believe are expected to be starters when they get back.
The Bruins are a solid B/B+ team. Guard play will continue to improve. But the front court remains a problem. They are like a donut... a hole in the center.
Devotional Thoughts: Jesus called a small child
Am looking at Matthew 18:1-10 this morning.
Jesus has begun to tell the disciples of his impending death in some prior episode.
So what do the disciples ask here?
Which of us is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?
Makes me think of excessively arrogant and totally clueless sports figures whose every action points ME! ME!! ME!!!
But to be honest, there are times I just shake my head in disgust when I catch myself being so self-centered.
I wondered if Jesus rolled his eyes upon the question.
Anyway, he called for a small child to come forward to help illustrate his response to the question.
We can't even get into the Kingdom of Heaven without becoming like little children. Children at their best are without guile and agenda unlike adults. And it is when we are transformed in that way, we can even get into the Kingdom where Jesus is King.
We can become great in the Kingdom by becoming humble like children. Children are eager to learn and soak up things like a sponge. As adults we often think we have all the answers and won't listen to new ideas or someone else's point of view.
Jesus then gives a very stern warning: if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it is better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck.
If the people didn't get it, Jesus says it again: how terrible it will be for anyone who causes others to sin.
Jesus then turns from causing others to sin to address how we need to stop sinning with his famed cut off your hand or foot and pluck out your eyes to prevent ourselves from sinning.
Jesus is using hyperbole to make his point which is deadly serious: sin is serious business and don't mess with it and don't cause others to stumble.
At this point, I can imagine the disciples are hanging their heads looking at their feet thinking we are pretty pathetic focusing on ourselves. Jesus hit them with a 2x4.
Lord, have mercy for I am a sinful man. Help me to run to you like a child to his loving father.
Jesus has begun to tell the disciples of his impending death in some prior episode.
So what do the disciples ask here?
Which of us is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?
Makes me think of excessively arrogant and totally clueless sports figures whose every action points ME! ME!! ME!!!
But to be honest, there are times I just shake my head in disgust when I catch myself being so self-centered.
I wondered if Jesus rolled his eyes upon the question.
Anyway, he called for a small child to come forward to help illustrate his response to the question.
We can't even get into the Kingdom of Heaven without becoming like little children. Children at their best are without guile and agenda unlike adults. And it is when we are transformed in that way, we can even get into the Kingdom where Jesus is King.
We can become great in the Kingdom by becoming humble like children. Children are eager to learn and soak up things like a sponge. As adults we often think we have all the answers and won't listen to new ideas or someone else's point of view.
Jesus then gives a very stern warning: if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it is better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck.
If the people didn't get it, Jesus says it again: how terrible it will be for anyone who causes others to sin.
Jesus then turns from causing others to sin to address how we need to stop sinning with his famed cut off your hand or foot and pluck out your eyes to prevent ourselves from sinning.
Jesus is using hyperbole to make his point which is deadly serious: sin is serious business and don't mess with it and don't cause others to stumble.
At this point, I can imagine the disciples are hanging their heads looking at their feet thinking we are pretty pathetic focusing on ourselves. Jesus hit them with a 2x4.
Lord, have mercy for I am a sinful man. Help me to run to you like a child to his loving father.
Sports: 8 days to go until U$C vs UCLA
USC is 11-0 (7-0 in Pac-10) and ranked #1 in the country. UCLA is 9-1 (6-1 in Pac-10) and ranked #11.
I'm guessing the odds makers have USC favored to win by 14 or something like that.
UPDATE: USA Today has the odds on the USC vs. UCLA game and says USC is favored by 21.5 points!
UCLA's coaching staff is probably looking at the tapes of the USC vs. Notre Dame and the USC vs. Fresno State games.
Unfortunately, both opponents have serious offensive and defensive lines which UCLA does not have.
One of my friends is a huge USC fan and this was his analysis of the surprising Bulldogs:
I'm guessing the odds makers have USC favored to win by 14 or something like that.
UPDATE: USA Today has the odds on the USC vs. UCLA game and says USC is favored by 21.5 points!
UCLA's coaching staff is probably looking at the tapes of the USC vs. Notre Dame and the USC vs. Fresno State games.
Unfortunately, both opponents have serious offensive and defensive lines which UCLA does not have.
One of my friends is a huge USC fan and this was his analysis of the surprising Bulldogs:
Great game plan by the coach of Fresno State. 2 of the 4 interceptions in the 2nd half occurred when the FSU QB strayed away from the short, underneath game and tried a few long passes.Will be flogging the hype on this blog in the days to come.
Both FSU's offensive and defensive lines outplayed the Trojans. The USC linebackers are really dinged up and were playing with 2 true freshman and 1 walk-on. The starting middle line backer was just coming off a strained knee and his mobility probably was lacking. A starting weak side linebacker got hurt on the 1st series and was out of the game after that. Both should be okay for the UCLA game.
Not enough pressure on the senior QB of Fresno and he has the experience and composure to do well. No matter how good a pass defense is, it can't cover for +5 seconds or longer. Strange that on some 3rd downs Carroll only rushed 3.
Carroll admitted in the post game interview that he made a number of defensive mistakes in terms of schemes which put his players in an unwinnable situation.
There were some strange short yardage calls by the USC offensive coordinator and a few missed passes on 3 and 1. Why pass? Just push the run.
Also too many times they tried to give the ball to Reggie in the red zone which ended up in stalled drives and a FG instead of a TD.
FSU's coach did a great job in the mental prep for his team.
It was a wake up call for USC and I think they will be OK for UCLA. UCLA's offensive and defensive lines does not match up to what FSU brought. Maybe one quarter, at most a half and then USC will overwhelm them. I think UCLA's coaching is weaker too. Expect to see lots of Lendale up the middle and Reggie on the outside.
Our special teams stink. Will probably see squib kicks or pop flys to Maurice Drew. Punts will go out of bounds. USC got a new special teams coach this year and he is doing awful.
Devotional Thoughts: Jesus pays taxes and how we only hear the bad news
Taking a look at Matthew 17:22-27.
Verse 22-23 has Jesus reiterating: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed. He will be killed, but three days later he will be raised from the dead.
The disciples were "filled with grief".
It would seem they only heard Jesus say: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed. He will be killed ...
It is easy for me to sit in my chair and say, if I was there, hey, what do you mean raised from the dead? You mean you are going to beat death? Wow, tell me more!
But let's face it, when we hear "good news/bad news" how often we really only hear the bad news?
The Bible here is pretty honest about the human condition!
The next episode, verses 24-27, is an odd one. I don't think I have EVER heard a sermon on this passage!
Someone asks Peter, does Jesus pay the Temple tax which is about two-days wages?
Peter says, yes. I do wonder though how sure was Peter in his answer.
When Jesus sees him, they discuss this. He asks Peter, when kings tax people, who do they tax, their own family or others?
Peter says other people.
Jesus reply seems to be in agreement with Peter. It seems like he is saying we really don't have to pay this tax afterall Jesus is Lord and above the Temple! Yet, he tells Peter to go catch a fish and find the coin in the fish to pay the taxes.
Pretty odd little story, eh?
I suppose the lesson I draw from this is that in this earthly life there are some obligations we have (like paying taxes) and we may have some good reason to complain about them but we fulfill those obligations nonetheless. Jesus seemed to teach this idea again in the famous incident in Matthew 22:15-22 where Jesus says whose face is on the coin? And then said, render to Caesar what is Caeser's and onto God what is God's.
Verse 22-23 has Jesus reiterating: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed. He will be killed, but three days later he will be raised from the dead.
The disciples were "filled with grief".
It would seem they only heard Jesus say: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed. He will be killed ...
It is easy for me to sit in my chair and say, if I was there, hey, what do you mean raised from the dead? You mean you are going to beat death? Wow, tell me more!
But let's face it, when we hear "good news/bad news" how often we really only hear the bad news?
The Bible here is pretty honest about the human condition!
The next episode, verses 24-27, is an odd one. I don't think I have EVER heard a sermon on this passage!
Someone asks Peter, does Jesus pay the Temple tax which is about two-days wages?
Peter says, yes. I do wonder though how sure was Peter in his answer.
When Jesus sees him, they discuss this. He asks Peter, when kings tax people, who do they tax, their own family or others?
Peter says other people.
Jesus reply seems to be in agreement with Peter. It seems like he is saying we really don't have to pay this tax afterall Jesus is Lord and above the Temple! Yet, he tells Peter to go catch a fish and find the coin in the fish to pay the taxes.
Pretty odd little story, eh?
I suppose the lesson I draw from this is that in this earthly life there are some obligations we have (like paying taxes) and we may have some good reason to complain about them but we fulfill those obligations nonetheless. Jesus seemed to teach this idea again in the famous incident in Matthew 22:15-22 where Jesus says whose face is on the coin? And then said, render to Caesar what is Caeser's and onto God what is God's.
Culture: Seen on the NET - Asian Backstreet Boys and EBAY Parody
Just gotta laugh out loud at "On Ebay" and the internationally famous Yao Ming jersey wearing lip-synchers the "Asian Backstreet Boys".
Check it out.
Check it out.
LA Dining: Papa Cristo
Prior to my health episode, I went to have dinner at Papa Cristo.
A full report can be found at LA Foodblogging.
Papa Cristo
2771 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(323) 737-2970 (phone)
(323) 737-3571 (fax)
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 9am - 8pm
Sunday: 9am - 4pm
Closed Mondays
A full report can be found at LA Foodblogging.
Papa Cristo
2771 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(323) 737-2970 (phone)
(323) 737-3571 (fax)
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 9am - 8pm
Sunday: 9am - 4pm
Closed Mondays
Devotional Thoughts: Faith in faith?
Am looking at Matthew 17:14-21.
Quick note about transparency of scholars who translate the Christian Scriptures into English. If you have a copy of the Bible at hand, check out verse 21. There should be some kind of footnote or something that tells you this verse is not found in all manuscripts.
The ancient Greek editions of the New Testament date back to about the 3rd and 5th century. I'm told there is remarkable agreement between various editions. When there are differences, they are noted in the footnotes. In this case, verse 21 doesn't seem to make too much difference to the incident described.
So what is the incident if you don't have a copy of Gospel of Matthew next to your computer?
A man approaches Jesus. He has a son with severe problems asked for help from the disciples and they failed to cure him. Jesus heals the son. The disciples afterward ask Jesus how come we couldn't cure him?
Jesus rebukes them: Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.
I confess: this is a tough passage for me. I'm a scientist by training and by personality and that means: skeptic! So in my mind, I see a situation and I often feel it can't be changed. Well, this passage says it can be!
When we talk about faith we have to be talking about something more than faith in faith.
Instead, the minute the word faith comes up, you have to ask, faith in WHAT? Or in the case of God, faith in WHO?
James 2:19 says You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
So step one is to recognize there is an object of faith. And in this case, God. And the evil demons even recognize God! But recognition isn't enough.
So step two is to act on faith. Because I believe in God, my life should be different.
One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is Mark 9:24, "I do believe; help my unbelief." And this prayer is probably the prayer said by the father in this story!
I'm praying for some situations that seem hopeless.
The Pakistan earthquake hasn't gotten the media coverage but the need there is tremendous.
I received an email telling me about this agency that wants to send volunteers to build shelters to help keep Pakistani people alive through the winter. I'm praying that God will raise up the volunteers for this.
Quick note about transparency of scholars who translate the Christian Scriptures into English. If you have a copy of the Bible at hand, check out verse 21. There should be some kind of footnote or something that tells you this verse is not found in all manuscripts.
The ancient Greek editions of the New Testament date back to about the 3rd and 5th century. I'm told there is remarkable agreement between various editions. When there are differences, they are noted in the footnotes. In this case, verse 21 doesn't seem to make too much difference to the incident described.
So what is the incident if you don't have a copy of Gospel of Matthew next to your computer?
A man approaches Jesus. He has a son with severe problems asked for help from the disciples and they failed to cure him. Jesus heals the son. The disciples afterward ask Jesus how come we couldn't cure him?
Jesus rebukes them: Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.
I confess: this is a tough passage for me. I'm a scientist by training and by personality and that means: skeptic! So in my mind, I see a situation and I often feel it can't be changed. Well, this passage says it can be!
When we talk about faith we have to be talking about something more than faith in faith.
Instead, the minute the word faith comes up, you have to ask, faith in WHAT? Or in the case of God, faith in WHO?
James 2:19 says You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
So step one is to recognize there is an object of faith. And in this case, God. And the evil demons even recognize God! But recognition isn't enough.
So step two is to act on faith. Because I believe in God, my life should be different.
One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is Mark 9:24, "I do believe; help my unbelief." And this prayer is probably the prayer said by the father in this story!
I'm praying for some situations that seem hopeless.
The Pakistan earthquake hasn't gotten the media coverage but the need there is tremendous.
I received an email telling me about this agency that wants to send volunteers to build shelters to help keep Pakistani people alive through the winter. I'm praying that God will raise up the volunteers for this.
Life: 5 days in the hospital - bowel obstruction ... again
I was in the hospital from Sunday to Thursday.
Want to say thanks to friends and family who prayed for me and encouraged me during this time of health concern. Some of you are occasional blog visitors and might want to know more of what happened. Since I have a habit of writing out my experiences as part of dealing with them you've come to the right place.
I imagine some readers will find this blog post via google or yahoo or some other search engine because either you or someone you know is going through the same thing and want to read more. I hope this post will be helpful in some ways in pointing medical web pages and descriptions of what the experience was like.
The short version - just the facts ma'am
My diagnosis: a partial small bowel obstruction. For a web page that is a bit more graphic, try this one. Here is another web page where X-ray's of intestinal obstructions are shown.
My treatment: nasal-gastric tube and supportive hydration via IV until obstruction clears on its own which it did!
The longer version - the full play-by-play
Sunday
On Sunday afternoon, I had a mild pain at 1pm after spending my morning at church. I had a bit of lunch at my parent's place figuring a little food might settle down the discomfort and then I took a nap. I woke up at 5pm to increasing abdominal pains and felt muscle aches in arms and legs and an overall exhausted sensation.
The abdominal pain continued to increase and by 8pm, we decided it was time to go to ER at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
In October 2004, I had surgery to relieve a bowel obstruction. I was advised by my surgeon and by doctor friends that there is always the possibility of a re-occurance. They said the risk was low but not uncommon and I should act quickly should I suspect it.
During my recovery time from that prior surgical experience, I wrote about it in this blog: Part I, Part II, Part III.
In the ER, I filled out the information form describing my symptoms and waited. It wasn't too long before I was shuttled into the ER exam room. One of the staff told me it wasn't too busy ... for a Sunday. I guess busy is a relative term! I saw that some patients were in the hallways so in my mind that seemed busy!
An IV-line was put into my left arm and blood drawn for testing. The ER doctor came in and she quickly did a medical history and physical exam. She naturally asked about the prior surgery and I told her all I remembered about the details. She said certainly obstruction is on the top of the list but there are some other possibilities. We will send you off for an x-ray and that should tell us more.
X-rays were shot of me lying down and standing up.
Back in the exam room, I waited as did my parents. One person is allowed with the patient in the ER exam room so my mom and dad took turns being with me and being in the ER waiting area.
Monday
The ER doc came back and reported her findings: indeed, it was an small bowel obstruction and that it was a partial one.
I asked if surgery would be needed. She said, maybe, maybe not, I'm getting a consultation on that. A specialist will be here shortly.
Since I was previously operated on at CSMC for this condition, they found that one of my surgeon's assistants was on call that night. She came to the ER and was brought up to speed on my case and she did some examinations as well. She said, it is partial so it may resolve on its own. I'm admitting you for observation and we will wait and see. At this point, the pain was reaching high levels and I finally opted for the morphine shot.
For those who have never taken one, it is a strange sensation. Since the IV was open, they feed it right in the line and within minutes I could feel a warm sensation course through my body and for a minute or two the pain increased but then ... it fades and you feel like you are flying away.
Pain is the way your body tells you something is wrong. When reporting to the doctor what you are feeling note when the pain started, the type of pain (dull, sharp, increasing, decreasing, sporatic, constant, etc.), where the pain is and severity. All of these are clues for your doctor to figure out what might be wrong.
Low levels of pain are those you notice but it doesn't interfere with concentration. Moderate pain does. When you get to the point when all you think about is the pain and you take shortened breaths and moan, it is getty pretty bad.
I was wheeled to 8 South where I was last time. It was about 3AM.
It was deja-vu all over again. I was in room 8803. I think I was in 8801 last time!
But the key difference was that last time I got to 8S after surgery while this time it was a possibility but not determined. I was doubled over like a shrimp, had an IV in my arm and was now waiting for what would happen next. And it did, I tossed my lunch into the pan.
The morning was a blur as I was feeling nausea, in moderate pain and exhausted ... there was the morning exam by the doctor, the gurney ride to the x-ray facility, more blood samples, IV change outs (for those who care about such details I think it said 0.45% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose, 20 milli-equivalents of potassium chloride - this would be food and electroyltes that would help keep me going) that would punctuate waiting around.
In early afternoon, a CT scan with oral and iodine contrast was ordered up.
I slowly sipped the pink liquid. I asked the nurse, I'm going to vomit this up aren't I?
She said, maybe, but I hope that happens after the CT scan.
Oral contrast fluid is x-ray opaque. The material will coat various surfaces in the digestive system and give the radiologists and doctors a better view of my "plumbing."
The CT scan churned away.
I was also injected with iodine. Iodine is also x-ray opaque and since it came in via my blood stream, it will mark off blood flow to my intestines. One of the factors in determining whether surgery is needed or not is whether blood flow is compromised to intestines. Without blood flow, the intestines die and that would be a serious problem!
The CT scan churned away.
I was carted out of the imaging room and promptly threw up four or five times. There I was with my pink bucket with pink liquid. Hey, I'd be proud to tell my nurse I held onto it until AFTER the CT scan!
My nurse received me back at 8803 and awaited for the inevitable order for the nasal-gastric (NG) tube. With the order officially logged she and one of the older nurses threaded the tube through my nose, down the back of my throat and down into my stomach. The whole process took hardly anytime at all. These people are pros and I suppose having been through it once before meant I probably didn't have the usual terrified look which requires more explaination and assurances.
The concept is to empty stomach contents (reduce nausea and vomiting) and relieve pressure behind the obstruction.
Monday afternoon ... Monday evening ... I drifted in and out with the Monday Night Football game on. I noticed Indy was making short work of the Pats. I was surprised.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning ... surgeons and their assistants keep early hours ... I can't remember when she came in to fill me in on what was ahead for the day. She said it is only a partial and said the CT scan was helpful. She told me my blood flow to the intestines were fine and reiterated it was only a partial blockage. She reported that more often that not, these resolve without surgery. She said an x-ray was ahead for the day and more wait and see. She encouraged me to be up and about and as active as possible.
I wonder how common are female surgical residents?
It was in some moments of relative clarity of mind after this that I realized that female doctors were the major players in this latest health episode: the ER doc, the surgical consultant called by the ER doc and now one of the surgeon's top assistants seemed to be managing my case. She usually had one to three other doctors in tow using the opportunity to teach them the process before and after visiting with me.
I suppose in the distant past, when female doctors were so rare, patients might feel uncomfortable. As I saw it, if you know what you are doing and are making an effort to communicate, I'm glad you are on my side!
Minutes drifted into hours and I walked around the floor, channel surfed TV, slept sitting up in the chair, listened to the sound of the NG-tube gurgling away and watched fluid accumulate into the vessel.
One can't sleep for any length of time with an NG-tube in. It is like having a mega sore throat all the time. And when I would toss or turn, it would poke a bit and I'd wake up. I probably didn't sleep for longer than 45 minutes at any one time.
I took to saying ... not too loudly, lest people think I was losing my mind ... hey, intestines, wake up!
Wednesday
Wednesday morning ... IV change outs, x-rays, MDs listening to my bowels, flushings of the tubing of the NG-tube to keep the flow going.
Finally, Wednesday afternoon, light at the end of this tunnel!
The nurse brightly announced, the MD has ordered that the vacuum on the NG tube be stopped for four hours. If the stomach filled back up they would reconnect but if it didn't back fill that would be evidence that the digestive system is moving FORWARD!
After 4 hours, the vacuum was reconnected and they wanted to measure how much material would be aspirated in 30 minutes. The nurse checked back in 30 minutes and noted the volume in the collection vessel. She seemed hopeful. She said I'll tell the doctor the numbers and we shall see but I could sense from her expression that her experience told her it was probably good news.
And indeed, the NG-tube came out!
I had broth for dinner Wednesday night. No problems.
I actually slepted sort of well that night ... in two-hour bites.
Thursday
In the morning I had solid food for breakfast. They wanted to see if I could handle that. I even went to the bathroom afterwards!
After a few hours of no problems with the solid food. They cut me loose Thursday afternoon.
What happened?
Most likely, I have scar tissue or adhesions or both in my intestines from the prior surgery. Metaphorically they are plumbing and pipes (a static metaphor) but since they absorb nutrients out of food they are highly dynamic digesting the material and pushing it along like a peristaltic pump. These things are highly dynamic and there is considerable motion and activity. Generally, they don't kink or flip or pinch. But sometimes they do and get stuck. With a prior surgery, the chances of that happening are higher.
Will it happen again?
The risk is elevated. I've known people who have had blockages and haven't had one since. Nevertheless, I have to be aware of how my body is reacting.
Thoughts on hospital quality
I have to give a huge shout out to Cedars-Sinai. I hear their radio ads, "The Quest for Health" and reports of how they do well in ratings of hospital quality.
One big issue in health care is reducing medical errors. It may seem repetitive to be constantly asked who you are and to show an ID band but it makes sense. Take a typical trip to get an x-ray. Transport aide enters my room and IDs me. He/she wheels me to the Grand Central Station for the imaging unit and logs me into the desk there. On one of the mornings, I noticed 6 other patients moaning and groaning as they awaited imaging work of various types. A radiology tech checks with desk, IDs me and moves me into the imaging suite. The radiology tech takes the pictures and carts me back to the waiting area and logs me into the main desk. A transport aide logs in to the desk and IDs me and takes me back to the room.
Nursing to transport to radiology to transport to nursing... put that on your baseball score card! Fill in the names of the multi-ethnic people who make CSMC go and you've got yourself a tongue twister of a double-play combination!
Another issue is helping the patient know what the heck is going on so they feel they are a partner in the process. I was told what every shot was, what every IV bag was and what every diagnostic test was. I was given a sense of what the next steps were.
Also huge is infection control. It is re-assuring and good health practice to wash hands and it was indeed good to see my medical personal constantly hitting the hand sanitizer dispenser.
I've been fortunate that in my life, I've only been admitted to the hospital twice.
I've visited people in a few hospitals here and there.
I must say, CSMC is one of the cleanest and brightest looking hospitals I've seen. As a patient, I think that helps. Imagine you are sick and wondering what will happen next and when you look around you see ... a dirty and dingy and dark looking hospital?
Disclaimer: I am an employee of Cedars-Sinai though I work in the Research Institute and am not involved in patient care. Suffice to say, if I never had to have first hand experience with the clinical side of the hospital, I would have been quite pleased. 8-) But since it did happen, I'm glad CSMC does such a good job!
Psalm 4
With a name like Cedar-Sinai, you would know that it has its roots in Judaism. I have great appreciation for the influence of Jewish values in American life. As a Christian, I have a passing familiarity with the Hebrew Scriptures.
As I drifted in and out of awareness in the post-midnight hours while in the hospital, I kicked myself for not being better about memorizing Scripture. I had remembered reading a Psalm recently where I could imagine David composing it after having a difficult night.
I looked it up today and want to share an excerpt:
Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness
And trust in the LORD.
Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?"
Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O LORD!
Thou hast put gladness in my heart
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep
For Thou alone, O LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety.
Disclaimer: The material above is a description of my health experience. Though I have attempted to be accurate I am not a medical professional. If you are in need of actual medical advice, please contact your physician.
Want to say thanks to friends and family who prayed for me and encouraged me during this time of health concern. Some of you are occasional blog visitors and might want to know more of what happened. Since I have a habit of writing out my experiences as part of dealing with them you've come to the right place.
I imagine some readers will find this blog post via google or yahoo or some other search engine because either you or someone you know is going through the same thing and want to read more. I hope this post will be helpful in some ways in pointing medical web pages and descriptions of what the experience was like.
The short version - just the facts ma'am
My diagnosis: a partial small bowel obstruction. For a web page that is a bit more graphic, try this one. Here is another web page where X-ray's of intestinal obstructions are shown.
My treatment: nasal-gastric tube and supportive hydration via IV until obstruction clears on its own which it did!
The longer version - the full play-by-play
Sunday
On Sunday afternoon, I had a mild pain at 1pm after spending my morning at church. I had a bit of lunch at my parent's place figuring a little food might settle down the discomfort and then I took a nap. I woke up at 5pm to increasing abdominal pains and felt muscle aches in arms and legs and an overall exhausted sensation.
The abdominal pain continued to increase and by 8pm, we decided it was time to go to ER at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
In October 2004, I had surgery to relieve a bowel obstruction. I was advised by my surgeon and by doctor friends that there is always the possibility of a re-occurance. They said the risk was low but not uncommon and I should act quickly should I suspect it.
During my recovery time from that prior surgical experience, I wrote about it in this blog: Part I, Part II, Part III.
In the ER, I filled out the information form describing my symptoms and waited. It wasn't too long before I was shuttled into the ER exam room. One of the staff told me it wasn't too busy ... for a Sunday. I guess busy is a relative term! I saw that some patients were in the hallways so in my mind that seemed busy!
An IV-line was put into my left arm and blood drawn for testing. The ER doctor came in and she quickly did a medical history and physical exam. She naturally asked about the prior surgery and I told her all I remembered about the details. She said certainly obstruction is on the top of the list but there are some other possibilities. We will send you off for an x-ray and that should tell us more.
X-rays were shot of me lying down and standing up.
Back in the exam room, I waited as did my parents. One person is allowed with the patient in the ER exam room so my mom and dad took turns being with me and being in the ER waiting area.
Monday
The ER doc came back and reported her findings: indeed, it was an small bowel obstruction and that it was a partial one.
I asked if surgery would be needed. She said, maybe, maybe not, I'm getting a consultation on that. A specialist will be here shortly.
Since I was previously operated on at CSMC for this condition, they found that one of my surgeon's assistants was on call that night. She came to the ER and was brought up to speed on my case and she did some examinations as well. She said, it is partial so it may resolve on its own. I'm admitting you for observation and we will wait and see. At this point, the pain was reaching high levels and I finally opted for the morphine shot.
For those who have never taken one, it is a strange sensation. Since the IV was open, they feed it right in the line and within minutes I could feel a warm sensation course through my body and for a minute or two the pain increased but then ... it fades and you feel like you are flying away.
Pain is the way your body tells you something is wrong. When reporting to the doctor what you are feeling note when the pain started, the type of pain (dull, sharp, increasing, decreasing, sporatic, constant, etc.), where the pain is and severity. All of these are clues for your doctor to figure out what might be wrong.
Low levels of pain are those you notice but it doesn't interfere with concentration. Moderate pain does. When you get to the point when all you think about is the pain and you take shortened breaths and moan, it is getty pretty bad.
I was wheeled to 8 South where I was last time. It was about 3AM.
It was deja-vu all over again. I was in room 8803. I think I was in 8801 last time!
But the key difference was that last time I got to 8S after surgery while this time it was a possibility but not determined. I was doubled over like a shrimp, had an IV in my arm and was now waiting for what would happen next. And it did, I tossed my lunch into the pan.
The morning was a blur as I was feeling nausea, in moderate pain and exhausted ... there was the morning exam by the doctor, the gurney ride to the x-ray facility, more blood samples, IV change outs (for those who care about such details I think it said 0.45% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose, 20 milli-equivalents of potassium chloride - this would be food and electroyltes that would help keep me going) that would punctuate waiting around.
In early afternoon, a CT scan with oral and iodine contrast was ordered up.
I slowly sipped the pink liquid. I asked the nurse, I'm going to vomit this up aren't I?
She said, maybe, but I hope that happens after the CT scan.
Oral contrast fluid is x-ray opaque. The material will coat various surfaces in the digestive system and give the radiologists and doctors a better view of my "plumbing."
The CT scan churned away.
I was also injected with iodine. Iodine is also x-ray opaque and since it came in via my blood stream, it will mark off blood flow to my intestines. One of the factors in determining whether surgery is needed or not is whether blood flow is compromised to intestines. Without blood flow, the intestines die and that would be a serious problem!
The CT scan churned away.
I was carted out of the imaging room and promptly threw up four or five times. There I was with my pink bucket with pink liquid. Hey, I'd be proud to tell my nurse I held onto it until AFTER the CT scan!
My nurse received me back at 8803 and awaited for the inevitable order for the nasal-gastric (NG) tube. With the order officially logged she and one of the older nurses threaded the tube through my nose, down the back of my throat and down into my stomach. The whole process took hardly anytime at all. These people are pros and I suppose having been through it once before meant I probably didn't have the usual terrified look which requires more explaination and assurances.
The concept is to empty stomach contents (reduce nausea and vomiting) and relieve pressure behind the obstruction.
Monday afternoon ... Monday evening ... I drifted in and out with the Monday Night Football game on. I noticed Indy was making short work of the Pats. I was surprised.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning ... surgeons and their assistants keep early hours ... I can't remember when she came in to fill me in on what was ahead for the day. She said it is only a partial and said the CT scan was helpful. She told me my blood flow to the intestines were fine and reiterated it was only a partial blockage. She reported that more often that not, these resolve without surgery. She said an x-ray was ahead for the day and more wait and see. She encouraged me to be up and about and as active as possible.
I wonder how common are female surgical residents?
It was in some moments of relative clarity of mind after this that I realized that female doctors were the major players in this latest health episode: the ER doc, the surgical consultant called by the ER doc and now one of the surgeon's top assistants seemed to be managing my case. She usually had one to three other doctors in tow using the opportunity to teach them the process before and after visiting with me.
I suppose in the distant past, when female doctors were so rare, patients might feel uncomfortable. As I saw it, if you know what you are doing and are making an effort to communicate, I'm glad you are on my side!
Minutes drifted into hours and I walked around the floor, channel surfed TV, slept sitting up in the chair, listened to the sound of the NG-tube gurgling away and watched fluid accumulate into the vessel.
One can't sleep for any length of time with an NG-tube in. It is like having a mega sore throat all the time. And when I would toss or turn, it would poke a bit and I'd wake up. I probably didn't sleep for longer than 45 minutes at any one time.
I took to saying ... not too loudly, lest people think I was losing my mind ... hey, intestines, wake up!
Wednesday
Wednesday morning ... IV change outs, x-rays, MDs listening to my bowels, flushings of the tubing of the NG-tube to keep the flow going.
Finally, Wednesday afternoon, light at the end of this tunnel!
The nurse brightly announced, the MD has ordered that the vacuum on the NG tube be stopped for four hours. If the stomach filled back up they would reconnect but if it didn't back fill that would be evidence that the digestive system is moving FORWARD!
After 4 hours, the vacuum was reconnected and they wanted to measure how much material would be aspirated in 30 minutes. The nurse checked back in 30 minutes and noted the volume in the collection vessel. She seemed hopeful. She said I'll tell the doctor the numbers and we shall see but I could sense from her expression that her experience told her it was probably good news.
And indeed, the NG-tube came out!
I had broth for dinner Wednesday night. No problems.
I actually slepted sort of well that night ... in two-hour bites.
Thursday
In the morning I had solid food for breakfast. They wanted to see if I could handle that. I even went to the bathroom afterwards!
After a few hours of no problems with the solid food. They cut me loose Thursday afternoon.
What happened?
Most likely, I have scar tissue or adhesions or both in my intestines from the prior surgery. Metaphorically they are plumbing and pipes (a static metaphor) but since they absorb nutrients out of food they are highly dynamic digesting the material and pushing it along like a peristaltic pump. These things are highly dynamic and there is considerable motion and activity. Generally, they don't kink or flip or pinch. But sometimes they do and get stuck. With a prior surgery, the chances of that happening are higher.
Will it happen again?
The risk is elevated. I've known people who have had blockages and haven't had one since. Nevertheless, I have to be aware of how my body is reacting.
Thoughts on hospital quality
I have to give a huge shout out to Cedars-Sinai. I hear their radio ads, "The Quest for Health" and reports of how they do well in ratings of hospital quality.
One big issue in health care is reducing medical errors. It may seem repetitive to be constantly asked who you are and to show an ID band but it makes sense. Take a typical trip to get an x-ray. Transport aide enters my room and IDs me. He/she wheels me to the Grand Central Station for the imaging unit and logs me into the desk there. On one of the mornings, I noticed 6 other patients moaning and groaning as they awaited imaging work of various types. A radiology tech checks with desk, IDs me and moves me into the imaging suite. The radiology tech takes the pictures and carts me back to the waiting area and logs me into the main desk. A transport aide logs in to the desk and IDs me and takes me back to the room.
Nursing to transport to radiology to transport to nursing... put that on your baseball score card! Fill in the names of the multi-ethnic people who make CSMC go and you've got yourself a tongue twister of a double-play combination!
Another issue is helping the patient know what the heck is going on so they feel they are a partner in the process. I was told what every shot was, what every IV bag was and what every diagnostic test was. I was given a sense of what the next steps were.
Also huge is infection control. It is re-assuring and good health practice to wash hands and it was indeed good to see my medical personal constantly hitting the hand sanitizer dispenser.
I've been fortunate that in my life, I've only been admitted to the hospital twice.
I've visited people in a few hospitals here and there.
I must say, CSMC is one of the cleanest and brightest looking hospitals I've seen. As a patient, I think that helps. Imagine you are sick and wondering what will happen next and when you look around you see ... a dirty and dingy and dark looking hospital?
Disclaimer: I am an employee of Cedars-Sinai though I work in the Research Institute and am not involved in patient care. Suffice to say, if I never had to have first hand experience with the clinical side of the hospital, I would have been quite pleased. 8-) But since it did happen, I'm glad CSMC does such a good job!
Psalm 4
With a name like Cedar-Sinai, you would know that it has its roots in Judaism. I have great appreciation for the influence of Jewish values in American life. As a Christian, I have a passing familiarity with the Hebrew Scriptures.
As I drifted in and out of awareness in the post-midnight hours while in the hospital, I kicked myself for not being better about memorizing Scripture. I had remembered reading a Psalm recently where I could imagine David composing it after having a difficult night.
I looked it up today and want to share an excerpt:
Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness
And trust in the LORD.
Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?"
Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O LORD!
Thou hast put gladness in my heart
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep
For Thou alone, O LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety.
Disclaimer: The material above is a description of my health experience. Though I have attempted to be accurate I am not a medical professional. If you are in need of actual medical advice, please contact your physician.
Life: Digital Camera CCD Problems - My Canon PowerShot A70
One of my friends is quite in the know about technology. I happen onto this post describing problems with digital cameras manufactured from 2002 to 2004. He reported the following: Over time, the plastic encased CCD (the image sensor) started to be affected by heat changes and humidity, so a number of camera lines that were manufactured between 2002 and 2004 are now failing.
Intrigued by this, I went to the article on CCD failures he linked to read more about it.
Yup, it described exactly the kinds of problems I've been having with my Canon A70.
I went to the service notice section for my camera and found this item:
Anyway, if you have a digital camera and your CCD is fuzzing out. Check the article on CCD failures to see if it seems to match what you are experiencing and track down your camera model at the manufacturer's home page. Maybe they have a repair program in place.
Intrigued by this, I went to the article on CCD failures he linked to read more about it.
Yup, it described exactly the kinds of problems I've been having with my Canon A70.
I went to the service notice section for my camera and found this item:
It has recently come to our attention that the vendor-supplied CCD image sensor used in this Canon digital camera may cause the following malfunction: When the product is used in recording or playback mode, the LCD screen and/or electronic viewfinder may exhibit either a distorted image or no image at all. While reports of this malfunction have been rare in the United States, we have determined that it may occur if the product is exposed to hot and humid environments.I've called and they will send me a shipping box and form to fill out. Will report back how this all turns out.
Effective immediately, and regardless of warranty status, Canon will repair, free of charge, products exhibiting the above-mentioned malfunction if the malfunction is caused by the CCD image sensor. Canon will also cover the cost of shipping and handling in connection with this repair.
U.S. residents are kindly directed to contact the Canon Customer Support Center for further assistance at 1-800-828-4040. Support hours are Monday thru Friday - 8:00 AM to 12:00 midnight; and Saturday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (all times EST).
Anyway, if you have a digital camera and your CCD is fuzzing out. Check the article on CCD failures to see if it seems to match what you are experiencing and track down your camera model at the manufacturer's home page. Maybe they have a repair program in place.
Politics: And Survey USA Says ... latest polling data on Cal Props
Survey USA has done polling on Props 73 to 77.
Here is what they say as of November 1, 2005
Whether you agree with the recommendations I offer at this blog or not, take a look at your official voters guide and cast an informed ballot next Tuesday.
UPDATE: The Sacramento Bee cited the Field Poll and those numbers show the No side ahead of the Yes side in many of the measures.
Here is what they say as of November 1, 2005
Prop 73 - 55% Yes, 44% No, 1957 likely voters, +/- 2%As you can see, it is very close.
Prop 74 - 49% Yes, 50% No, 1966 likely voters, +/- 2%
Prop 75 - 50% Yes, 49% No, 1959 likely voters, +/- 2%
Prop 76 - 49% Yes, 49% No, 629 likely voters, +/- 4% [ed. note - there are 3 versions of their polling data on prop 76, I've cited their "version A." I wasn't clear to me what the differences were between the versions but versions B and C have the No count ahead by various margins.]
Prop 77 - 44% Yes, 53% No, 1948 likely voters, +/- 2.3%
Whether you agree with the recommendations I offer at this blog or not, take a look at your official voters guide and cast an informed ballot next Tuesday.
UPDATE: The Sacramento Bee cited the Field Poll and those numbers show the No side ahead of the Yes side in many of the measures.
A new statewide Field Poll this week showed the four initiatives supported by the governor were not getting the backing of most voters. Proposition 76 was behind 60 percent to 32 percent; Proposition 74, the teacher tenure initiative, trailed 50 percent to 44 percent; Proposition 75, the union dues measure, was down 50 percent to 40 percent; and Proposition 77, which would change redistricting procedures, was losing 51 percent to 35 percent.UPDATE: The LA Times showed Prop 73 ahead and 78, 79 and 80 behind by various margins.
Views are more set, however, on Proposition 73, the abortion measure, which 51% of likely voters support and 39% oppose.
.............
On Proposition 78, 38% were in favor and 43% opposed, well within the poll's margin of error. On Proposition 79, 30% were for it and 47% against it.
.............
After hearing the full ballot description [of Prop 80], 25% said they favored it and 48% were against it.
Politics: California Special Election Ballot Measures
Originally posted October 16, 2005.
Extensively modified since and will continue to update!
UPDATE: Its been nice to see the site visitation at this blog jump up a bit because of people googling and yahooing for information about the propositions.
Occasionally, people do leave comments (THANK YOU!! It is always good to hear from readers!) and in most cases, it has been a good conversation. I'll leave comments up whether they agree with me or not. I'll only take down comments that are spam ads, contain egregiously offensive material or completely off topic. I've left the comment up at No on Prop 80 even though this person obviously disagreed with me and thinks I'm completely wrong about everything. My approach is if its clean and on topic, it stays. As Dennis Prager often says: I prefer clarity to agreement.
Extensively modified since and will continue to update!
| Prop # | SF Chronicle | LA Times | Sacramento Bee | This blog |
| 73 | NO | NO | NO | YES |
| 74 | YES | YES | NO | YES |
| 75 | NO | YES | NO | YES |
| 76 | NO | NO | NO | YES |
| 77 | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| 78 | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| 79 | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| 80 | NO | NO | NO | NO |
UPDATE: Its been nice to see the site visitation at this blog jump up a bit because of people googling and yahooing for information about the propositions.
Occasionally, people do leave comments (THANK YOU!! It is always good to hear from readers!) and in most cases, it has been a good conversation. I'll leave comments up whether they agree with me or not. I'll only take down comments that are spam ads, contain egregiously offensive material or completely off topic. I've left the comment up at No on Prop 80 even though this person obviously disagreed with me and thinks I'm completely wrong about everything. My approach is if its clean and on topic, it stays. As Dennis Prager often says: I prefer clarity to agreement.
Devotional Thoughts: The beginning of the end of Jesus' earthly mission
Back to Matthew 17:1-13.
Earlier, I blogged a bit about the Transfiguration which is the event at the beginning of chapter 17.
I can only imagine the cognitive dissonance the disciples felt. They have seen Jesus do miracles. He always seemed to know how to respond to critics. Now, three of the disciples have seen Jesus in glory like the way Moses caught a glimpse of God in the Old Testament. In this transfiguration moment, they would think, AIN'T nothing stopping Jesus now from restoring the nation of Israel!
But, in Mt. 16:21, Jesus had plainly told them he would be killed. And now, in Mt. 17:9, he talks about being raised from the dead. Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36 described the same incident. Each has a slightly different angle but the story is essentially the same.
From the Mark 9:10, the disciples were clearly having a hard time putting their minds around Jesus talk about dying and rising from the dead.
I suppose that is why they ask about why must Elijah return before the Messiah. They had a picture in their head about what the coming of the Messiah would be like and what Jesus was telling them didn't fit.
Jesus continues to explain to them, well, Elijah has come (John the Baptist) and wasn't recognized and mistreated (John the Baptist was behead back in Mt. 14) and soon the Son of Man (Jesus himself) will suffer.
Jesus suffered on the Cross for us. We have all sinned and should suffer but he took it upon himself. He took our place.
This is God's love for us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
Earlier, I blogged a bit about the Transfiguration which is the event at the beginning of chapter 17.
I can only imagine the cognitive dissonance the disciples felt. They have seen Jesus do miracles. He always seemed to know how to respond to critics. Now, three of the disciples have seen Jesus in glory like the way Moses caught a glimpse of God in the Old Testament. In this transfiguration moment, they would think, AIN'T nothing stopping Jesus now from restoring the nation of Israel!
But, in Mt. 16:21, Jesus had plainly told them he would be killed. And now, in Mt. 17:9, he talks about being raised from the dead. Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36 described the same incident. Each has a slightly different angle but the story is essentially the same.
From the Mark 9:10, the disciples were clearly having a hard time putting their minds around Jesus talk about dying and rising from the dead.
I suppose that is why they ask about why must Elijah return before the Messiah. They had a picture in their head about what the coming of the Messiah would be like and what Jesus was telling them didn't fit.
Jesus continues to explain to them, well, Elijah has come (John the Baptist) and wasn't recognized and mistreated (John the Baptist was behead back in Mt. 14) and soon the Son of Man (Jesus himself) will suffer.
Jesus suffered on the Cross for us. We have all sinned and should suffer but he took it upon himself. He took our place.
This is God's love for us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
Life: 1300 babies will be born prematurely today
12% of births are premature in the USA.
That translates to 500,000 babies!
November is Prematurity Awareness Month.
March of Dimes was founded to fight polio. Now, their focus is on the health of infants.
That translates to 500,000 babies!
November is Prematurity Awareness Month.
March of Dimes was founded to fight polio. Now, their focus is on the health of infants.
@ the Movies: Little Man
Little Man is an incredible documentary. An intensely personal tale of life, a mother's devotion, medical technology and the complexity of some of the hottest hot button social issues of the day.
At the showing that I saw, the LA premier of the film, was the writer-director Nicole Conn and many of the people involved in the production of the film. Also in attendance were some of the medical personnel shown in the film.
Ms. Conn had originally set out to do a documentary on surrogate mothers. She and her partner enlisted a surrogate mother to carry to term their son the result of using their eggs and donor sperm. Conn was intrigued by the kind of individuals who would participate in such a process.
The story took an unexpected turn when they discovered the surrogate had misrepresented her health status. Compounding the problems was the poor health of the baby growing inside the womb of the surrogate.
Baby Nicholas was born via emergency cesarian section 100 days premature. The chances of survival of a baby that early at 1 pounds 1 ounces was extremely low.
The film followed the turbulent days and weeks that followed in the NICU = neonatal intensive care unit.
I'm not ready to post an extensive debate on the issues raised by the film. Don't know if I ever will be.
But this is one situation where my "micro" reactions and "macro" reactions are completely the opposite.
On a "micro" level, you see this tiny baby fighting for life and all you can do in your heart of hearts is root for him to survive and you can understand employing every tool of medical technology to make it so.
But the hard reality is that medical technology as advanced as it is, can't do everything. In this case, it was able just barely to save Nicholas and can't make Nicholas completely healthy. He will always require various amounts of medical care the rest of his life. And that is the "macro" question: as a matter of public policy, should we spend millions of dollars to save extremely premature babies many of whom die in the attempt and of those who make it out of the NICU require life long medical care to varying degrees the rest of their lives?
When you see him, you say, we have to.
When you cover up the picture and look at the cold hard numbers ...
Amidst the cognitive dissonance, the crystal clear things that brought tears to my eyes and to many in the audience was the incredible devotion of all who care for Nicholas, the blend of competence and compassion of the medical personnel and the fighting spirit of the little man.
To see the film in Southern California, go to the Laemmle Music Hall on Wilshire in Beverly Hills.
Music Hall 3
9036 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(310) 274-6869
To understand more about the issues relating to premature births, see the Good Beginnings web page. Good Beginnings is the support group at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for premature babies, their parents and for the NICU staff who care for them.
Devotional Thoughts: The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1-13 described a brief moment when three of the disciples were able to catch a glimpse of Jesus unambiguously divine.
In watching him through the various episodes, they saw his power to heal, to calm the waters and to "know" how to evade the wily opponents. These all pointed to his divinity. But here, they (Peter, James and John) had a "Moses and the burning bush" type of moment, where the divinity of Jesus was unveiled. In fact, they even got to see Moses! Elijah was there as well. All of this is described in vv. 2-3.
Then there was a brief moment of Biblical humor for in v. 5 it says that God interrupted Peter who was yammering away. Some of us cower in fear in response and others like Peter have nervous yammering!
Verse 6 said they were terrified and in v. 7 Jesus "touched them" and said "Don't be afraid."
Having an encounter with God is going to have a tremendous impact on mere mortals.
There definitely is fear because God is holy and we are not. Isaiah 6 is one of those classic passages that illustrate this. Isaiah had an encounter with God and said "My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and a member of a sinful race."
Isaiah, through an angel, was assured that his sins were forgiven and God commissioned him to be a messenger to the people.
I have not had this kind of dramatic encounter with God in my life.
I have had many moments where I've sensed my sinfulness and the relief that God forgives me through Jesus but it was not accompanied with the kind of physical manifestation of God as described in Isaiah 6 or Matthew 17.
I suppose we all long for that kind of "burning bush" moment or a visitation from God and the angels like Isaiah.
Or do we?
Without such a moment, do we feel we can kind of slip away from God without having to be accountable? Maybe we don't want such an unambiguous episode?
I have had moments were I experienced what I call "whispers of grace." These are moments where I believe God is at work. No bright lights, flaming fires, booming voices but just a sense that God is doing something in my life or in some one else's life. I suppose skeptics will dismiss it is an emotional response, wishful thinking or placebo effects.
The fuel of our devotion to God must encompass our whole being. Emotions are part of it. But if we rely on emotions we would be unstable as emotions fluctuate so much. Reason is a part of it. Our prayers engage our rational mind and aren't just incantations that induce some mediative state. Reading the Bible engages our reason as well as emotions thus moving our will to follow Jesus. But in the end, our reason has limits. It is the height of folly to believe finite human minds could unpack the mind of God.
Is our reason, emotion and will enough to follow Jesus?
I suspect not. Without God's initiative into our lives and ongoing walking with us, we would falter.
Some skeptics feel that Christians can act "holier than thou" and thus discount Jesus. That is a failing of us as Christians and not of Jesus. As one of my friends put it, Christians are nothing more than beggars who point the way to food. There is no pride in that but simple gratitude to Jesus and the earnest desire that others receive the same grace from God.
In watching him through the various episodes, they saw his power to heal, to calm the waters and to "know" how to evade the wily opponents. These all pointed to his divinity. But here, they (Peter, James and John) had a "Moses and the burning bush" type of moment, where the divinity of Jesus was unveiled. In fact, they even got to see Moses! Elijah was there as well. All of this is described in vv. 2-3.
Then there was a brief moment of Biblical humor for in v. 5 it says that God interrupted Peter who was yammering away. Some of us cower in fear in response and others like Peter have nervous yammering!
Verse 6 said they were terrified and in v. 7 Jesus "touched them" and said "Don't be afraid."
Having an encounter with God is going to have a tremendous impact on mere mortals.
There definitely is fear because God is holy and we are not. Isaiah 6 is one of those classic passages that illustrate this. Isaiah had an encounter with God and said "My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and a member of a sinful race."
Isaiah, through an angel, was assured that his sins were forgiven and God commissioned him to be a messenger to the people.
I have not had this kind of dramatic encounter with God in my life.
I have had many moments where I've sensed my sinfulness and the relief that God forgives me through Jesus but it was not accompanied with the kind of physical manifestation of God as described in Isaiah 6 or Matthew 17.
I suppose we all long for that kind of "burning bush" moment or a visitation from God and the angels like Isaiah.
Or do we?
Without such a moment, do we feel we can kind of slip away from God without having to be accountable? Maybe we don't want such an unambiguous episode?
I have had moments were I experienced what I call "whispers of grace." These are moments where I believe God is at work. No bright lights, flaming fires, booming voices but just a sense that God is doing something in my life or in some one else's life. I suppose skeptics will dismiss it is an emotional response, wishful thinking or placebo effects.
The fuel of our devotion to God must encompass our whole being. Emotions are part of it. But if we rely on emotions we would be unstable as emotions fluctuate so much. Reason is a part of it. Our prayers engage our rational mind and aren't just incantations that induce some mediative state. Reading the Bible engages our reason as well as emotions thus moving our will to follow Jesus. But in the end, our reason has limits. It is the height of folly to believe finite human minds could unpack the mind of God.
Is our reason, emotion and will enough to follow Jesus?
I suspect not. Without God's initiative into our lives and ongoing walking with us, we would falter.
Some skeptics feel that Christians can act "holier than thou" and thus discount Jesus. That is a failing of us as Christians and not of Jesus. As one of my friends put it, Christians are nothing more than beggars who point the way to food. There is no pride in that but simple gratitude to Jesus and the earnest desire that others receive the same grace from God.
Devotional Thoughts: Jesus predicts his death
Matthew 16:21-28 I suppose described the "end of the beginning."
It said in v. 21, "From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly ... He would be killed and he would be raised on the third day."
Prior to this, Jesus spoke of "the sign of Jonah" as a way of indicating what his future would hold. Now, he spoke openly of his meeting with destiny at the Cross.
Upon hearing this Peter, brash Peter, in v. 22 took Jesus aside and said, "Heaven forbid, Lord. This will never happen to you!"
Jesus responded forcefully, in v. 23, "Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view and not from God's."
In v. 24, Jesus told them, "shoulder your cross and follow me."
To our modern ears, that doesn't leave much of an impression on us. But for people of that era, that is a HORRIFYING thought!!
If one saw the film, The Passion of the Christ, one gets a sense of how terrible crucifixion is.
The Romans ruled as far as the eye could see in that land. They carried out public executions using crucifixion because it was an exceedingly painful way to die (the word EXCRUCIATING is derived from this) and thus the populace would be cowed with fear.
But Jesus offered them re-assurance, in v. 25, "if you give up your life for me, you will find true life" and in v. 27, "I, the son of man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds."
I read this passage and feel humbled. How much would I be willing to sacrifice to follow Jesus?
In my 42 years of life, only on a few occasions was I in circumstances where I could have or thought I could have died and none had anything to do with my faith in Jesus. The possibility of death by accident, crime or medical concern is just a fact of life. Nonetheless, each incident left me humbled because I felt afraid.
I don't know how extensive is persecution of Christians today. I'll have to read up about it. But apparently, some Christians are calling for a A Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November 13.
It said in v. 21, "From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly ... He would be killed and he would be raised on the third day."
Prior to this, Jesus spoke of "the sign of Jonah" as a way of indicating what his future would hold. Now, he spoke openly of his meeting with destiny at the Cross.
Upon hearing this Peter, brash Peter, in v. 22 took Jesus aside and said, "Heaven forbid, Lord. This will never happen to you!"
Jesus responded forcefully, in v. 23, "Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view and not from God's."
In v. 24, Jesus told them, "shoulder your cross and follow me."
To our modern ears, that doesn't leave much of an impression on us. But for people of that era, that is a HORRIFYING thought!!
If one saw the film, The Passion of the Christ, one gets a sense of how terrible crucifixion is.
The Romans ruled as far as the eye could see in that land. They carried out public executions using crucifixion because it was an exceedingly painful way to die (the word EXCRUCIATING is derived from this) and thus the populace would be cowed with fear.
But Jesus offered them re-assurance, in v. 25, "if you give up your life for me, you will find true life" and in v. 27, "I, the son of man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds."
I read this passage and feel humbled. How much would I be willing to sacrifice to follow Jesus?
In my 42 years of life, only on a few occasions was I in circumstances where I could have or thought I could have died and none had anything to do with my faith in Jesus. The possibility of death by accident, crime or medical concern is just a fact of life. Nonetheless, each incident left me humbled because I felt afraid.
I don't know how extensive is persecution of Christians today. I'll have to read up about it. But apparently, some Christians are calling for a A Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November 13.
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