Bruin Blue and Gold!
On one hand, anytime the team gets a win, especially a gutty come from behind win, you got to feel good for the team!
On the other hand, it is an indication of where the season is going when this win broke a five-game losing streak!
Coach Alford is on the hot seat. It was understood that he will need a few years to turn things around if all goes well, especially, in light of the NBA departures last year. However, I don't think people expected the team to have fared so poorly in some of the losses this season. Would a 0.500 record be about right for the Pac12 season?
I think they may have the talent to do a little better than that. The key is for the unit to pull together especially in close games in hostile road environments.
Second Sunday After Christmas Day
John 1:10-18 (NRSV) He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.With the beginning of the New Year, we begin here with the beginning of the Gospel of John. And at the beginning of the Gospel of John, we begin with the aftermath of Christmas. Certainly, the details of Jesus birth are important and we find those in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. In fact all four Gospels make their own unique and complementary announcements of the significance of Jesus coming into the world that is the heart of Christmas.
For this reflection, we look at what the Spirit inspired John to put to paper for the benefit of the community of faith within the sound of the voice reading John 1:10-18 aloud. And so what was the significance of Christmas in this passage?
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him ...
Amazing isn’t it?
This is what we, as Jesus followers, believe: that the God who made the world entered the world!
God has been at work in the world in the past. Going back to the Hebrew Scriptures, God called Abraham and promised to bless him so that the world would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). God delivered Abraham’s ancestors in the Exodus and gave them leaders like Moses and Joshua and laws for life in the Ten Commandments. God pleaded with his people to turn back to him and live rightly through the Prophets.
And at that moment in history, 2000 years ago, God went to work in the most spectacular and subtle and sublime way yet: he entered human history as a human being.
The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth ...
Glory is an unusual word in our language. We might hear someone say, “the glory of sports.” What would they mean by that? Usually, the story would be about some good and noble aspect of sport that uplifts the human heart. For example, the story might be of the dedication of an athlete’s comeback from injury to compete again when all thought her career was over. Or maybe, the report would be about how a team pulled together after tragedy struck one of its members. Thus, the “glory of sport” would be seen in these examples.
We might hear someone talk of “the glory of love.” I know of one married couple where the husband turned out to be an immunological match and donated his kidney to his wife thus saving her life. We probably know of people who have cared for a spouse, parent, or child with a terrible disease and we feel inspired by such sacrificial love. Thus, the “glory of love” would be seen in these examples.
And so, here, John proclaims, in Jesus, “we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son …” All the goodness, nobility, greatness, fill-in-any-amazing quality of God you can think of is made visible through Jesus. He embodied it and in particular “grace and truth.” John revisits that a few verses later, “The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Grace
Many have described grace as “unmerited favor.” Using the online Greek lexicon, we find the following for grace: that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, good will, loving-kindness, favor of merciful kindness.
We want to know what grace is? Look at Jesus! He embodied grace. It is sad to think that the church that is to be Christ’s representative in the world is often viewed as un-gracious. May we turn away from actions and words that manifest the opposite of grace.
Truth
In a world where people say there is no truth or that truth is just one person’s socially and culturally conditioned perspective, we proclaim that there is truth and that Jesus is filled with truth and that truth comes through Jesus. Once again going to the online Greek lexicon, we find the following for truth: objectively what is true in any matter under consideration, truly, in truth, according to truth, of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth; subjectively, truth as a personal excellence that candor of mind which is free from affection, pretense, simulation, falsehood, deceit.
Jesus is all of this. He spoke of truth. He embodied all of this.
But in today’s world, people get nervous when one claims to have truth. People may say if you believe in something that is nice and so it is true for you.
Dallas Willard, a Christian who was a philosophy professor at USC, offered this thought about the struggle for truth: “The bitterness of truth is its total indifference to human will and desire together with the fact that human desire and will is set on reshaping reality and therefor truth to suit itself.”
Willard thus stresses that truth comes before belief because belief doesn’t make something true. One can believe all one wants but if the subject of that belief is not true, all the believing in the world doesn't make it true. Truth come first.
And so what do we take home from all this?
Jesus is filled with grace and truth. Through Jesus we see grace and truth. Truth indeed can be a bitter thing to take. Jesus spoke the truth about the way things are between God and humanity, the way things are between peoples, and the way things are within our selves. The sad truth, the bitter truth, and the hard truth is that we are broken and are in need of reconciliation.
Jesus also spoke truth of how things could be: restored and renewed. And his actions, his words, his life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, and his return are the truths that change the truth of our brokenness.
And so a starting point is what is my response to the truth of Jesus?
Some refused to know him and some rejected him. But John says something wonderful can happen: But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
Jesus has come. The Word became flesh and lived among us. We can reject him or receive him. We can belittle him or believe him. And when we receive and believe him, we become children of God!
Another point for us to consider is how we live now that we have received and believed him? How do we live now as children of God?
In our text today, truth comes in parallel with grace. Because truth can be tough, because our hearts can be tough, God, all wise and merciful comes also in grace. A tour of the Gospels reveal a Jesus exhibiting grace to those he meets. His teaching is filled with grace and calls forth grace from those who would follow.
When we hear people share their stories of their journey of faith, there are those "ah-ha" moments of clarity of the truth of Jesus and our sinful condition. But most of the time, those "ah-ha" moments come wrapped in grace, usually, a person who exhibited grace came along side with gentle pointing to the truth of Christ.
Lord, let us be buoyed with joy because you have given us grace and truth. Lord, help us share grace and truth joyfully with all you bring into our lives. Since you are grace and truth embodied, we want to be grace and truth embodied. Amen.
Lectionary Blogging
My faith journey has largely been in what has been called "low church." As you can see in the Wiki entry, there is quite a bit to what that means in a historical sense and within the context of Anglican practice of faith.
For me, the idea of "low church" is simply, less formal in the organization of the Sunday worship.
One feature of "high church" is the usage of the Lectionary to guide the use of Scripture in Sunday worship.
And so, will see how long I can keep up Lectionary blogging for 2015. My aim would be to take the Gospel reading for a given Sunday and write some reflections on that passage.
Happy New Years!
For me, the idea of "low church" is simply, less formal in the organization of the Sunday worship.
One feature of "high church" is the usage of the Lectionary to guide the use of Scripture in Sunday worship.
And so, will see how long I can keep up Lectionary blogging for 2015. My aim would be to take the Gospel reading for a given Sunday and write some reflections on that passage.
Happy New Years!
Steven Gerrard to Leave Liverpool FC
Iconic Liverpool soccer player Steven Gerrard has announced he will decline Liverpool's contract offer and is likely to go to the MLS at the end of the 2014-2015 Premier League season.
LA Galaxy has been mentioned as a possible destination. With Landon Donovan retiring, LA Galaxy may want to bring in a marque name with talent to fill that spot.
The business side of MLS calls for a salary cap on all teams but there is the Designated Player Rule (or Beckham rule) that allows teams to bring in two players of international stature. A team can sign a third player under the DP Rule but have to pay a luxury tax on that salary.
As new Liverpool FC fan, I don't have a storehouse of personal memories of Gerrard's contribution to the team but in it is clear he is a revered figure in their team's history. Hopefully, the team will rally to a strong second half of the season performance to send out their captain with a good showing.
As an LA Galaxy fan, it would be very exciting to have his skills and experience on the club.
LA Galaxy has been mentioned as a possible destination. With Landon Donovan retiring, LA Galaxy may want to bring in a marque name with talent to fill that spot.
The business side of MLS calls for a salary cap on all teams but there is the Designated Player Rule (or Beckham rule) that allows teams to bring in two players of international stature. A team can sign a third player under the DP Rule but have to pay a luxury tax on that salary.
As new Liverpool FC fan, I don't have a storehouse of personal memories of Gerrard's contribution to the team but in it is clear he is a revered figure in their team's history. Hopefully, the team will rally to a strong second half of the season performance to send out their captain with a good showing.
As an LA Galaxy fan, it would be very exciting to have his skills and experience on the club.
Sports Blogging in Red and Blue
Am hoping to blog a bit more in 2015.
What will be on tap?
In Blue:
Dodger Blue - the new ownership group has taken big steps to remake the Dodgers according to their plans. The off-season house cleaning has been dramatic with Ned Colletti who built the previous team moved out of the GM spot. The new brain trust, Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman, has shipped off many pieces from the previous season's line-up. So look for blog posts on the upcoming season as the Dodgers continue to strive to return to the mountaintop they haven't been to since 1988.
It is time for new World Series dramatic moments involving the Dodgers!
UCLA Bruin Blue - UCLA Men's Basketball is in for a rough season as they lost almost all of last season's starting line-up to early departures to the NBA and graduation. Nonetheless, will be keeping tabs on their progress with realistic expectations. I think finishing fourth in the Pac12 would be quite a feat with their diminished rooster. Alford's job should be safe as most college coaches get about three years to complete the transition.
One of the pivotal moments of the 1995 run to the title was the last second victory in round two. Not going to get to the finals this year, but hopefully, the team will continue to build to a return to the top.
I went to UC Irvine for graduate school and so I keep an eye on the men's basketball team. They have yet to make it to the NCAA. The only ticket is winning the Big West post-season tournament. They have been to the final game a few times but have come up short.
As for UCLA Football, the rumor mill is whether Coach Mora will be seriously considered for the SF 49ers opening. Mora turned aside last year's speculation that he would take the U of Washington job. We shall see what the mood is around the team and the coach as they head into the Alamo Bowl on Jan 2. Anticipate a high-scoring game: UCLA 38 KSU 35.
UPDATE: What a wild game! Final score: UCLA 40 KSU 35.
Though Hundley was the biggest key to UCLA's success this season, it was his backup, Jerry Neuheisel, coming in for an injured Hundley that probably provided the most memorable victory of the season.
In Red, White, and Blue
Like many US sports fans, hadn't taken to soccer much until the 2010 US World Cup effort. The dramatic goal by Landon Donovan sealed it for me and has made me into a fan of the sport.
The historic goal:
The emotional reaction:
Anyway, US Men's national team (USMNT) will continue to hopefully develop the new talents that will build on what Donovan and his generation established. Also, this year is the Women's World Cup where team USA (USWNT) is expected to do well.
In Blue
The LA Galaxy's away colors are blue. It will be a year of transition for them as Landon Donovan has retired. Since I started following them as a result of the 2010 World Cup, they have taken three MLS Cups. Am looking for them to be competitive in the 2015 season as they defend their 2014 MLS Championship.
In Red
Continuing the soccer theme, I have adopted an English Premier League team to follow: go Liverpool! They remind me of the Dodgers. Liverpool FC is a club with a rich history of great successes but recent struggles with occasional moments of near greatness. With the departure of Luis Suarez (31 goals) and injury to Daniel Sturridge (21 goals) from 2013-2014 campaign (the tandem accounted for 52 of the teams 101 goals), Liverpool has struggled thus far in the 2014-2015 season.
Below is a fan video of the Liverpool supporters singing You'll Never Walk Alone before what would turn out to be a crushing defeat at the hands of Chelsea on April 27, 2014.
In other colors
LA Kings (black, white, aluminum) have won the Stanley Cup two of the last three years. The NHL season is a real grind and it is hard to repeat. The Kings have had injuries and have Voynov has been suspended indefinitely due to pending criminal case against him.
LA Lakers (purple, gold, white) have pretty much fallen apart. Kobe is the only true star in the group and the rest are B+/B-level role players of which most would probably not be on the starting line-up of other teams. But in the end, they are professionals with pride and will play with heart even in losing efforts. It is really weird after so many years of watching them as the favorites to now seeing them as underdog on most nights in the NBA schedule.
What will be on tap?
In Blue:
Dodger Blue - the new ownership group has taken big steps to remake the Dodgers according to their plans. The off-season house cleaning has been dramatic with Ned Colletti who built the previous team moved out of the GM spot. The new brain trust, Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman, has shipped off many pieces from the previous season's line-up. So look for blog posts on the upcoming season as the Dodgers continue to strive to return to the mountaintop they haven't been to since 1988.
It is time for new World Series dramatic moments involving the Dodgers!
UCLA Bruin Blue - UCLA Men's Basketball is in for a rough season as they lost almost all of last season's starting line-up to early departures to the NBA and graduation. Nonetheless, will be keeping tabs on their progress with realistic expectations. I think finishing fourth in the Pac12 would be quite a feat with their diminished rooster. Alford's job should be safe as most college coaches get about three years to complete the transition.
One of the pivotal moments of the 1995 run to the title was the last second victory in round two. Not going to get to the finals this year, but hopefully, the team will continue to build to a return to the top.
I went to UC Irvine for graduate school and so I keep an eye on the men's basketball team. They have yet to make it to the NCAA. The only ticket is winning the Big West post-season tournament. They have been to the final game a few times but have come up short.
As for UCLA Football, the rumor mill is whether Coach Mora will be seriously considered for the SF 49ers opening. Mora turned aside last year's speculation that he would take the U of Washington job. We shall see what the mood is around the team and the coach as they head into the Alamo Bowl on Jan 2. Anticipate a high-scoring game: UCLA 38 KSU 35.
UPDATE: What a wild game! Final score: UCLA 40 KSU 35.
Though Hundley was the biggest key to UCLA's success this season, it was his backup, Jerry Neuheisel, coming in for an injured Hundley that probably provided the most memorable victory of the season.
In Red, White, and Blue
Like many US sports fans, hadn't taken to soccer much until the 2010 US World Cup effort. The dramatic goal by Landon Donovan sealed it for me and has made me into a fan of the sport.
The historic goal:
The emotional reaction:
Anyway, US Men's national team (USMNT) will continue to hopefully develop the new talents that will build on what Donovan and his generation established. Also, this year is the Women's World Cup where team USA (USWNT) is expected to do well.
In Blue
The LA Galaxy's away colors are blue. It will be a year of transition for them as Landon Donovan has retired. Since I started following them as a result of the 2010 World Cup, they have taken three MLS Cups. Am looking for them to be competitive in the 2015 season as they defend their 2014 MLS Championship.
In Red
Continuing the soccer theme, I have adopted an English Premier League team to follow: go Liverpool! They remind me of the Dodgers. Liverpool FC is a club with a rich history of great successes but recent struggles with occasional moments of near greatness. With the departure of Luis Suarez (31 goals) and injury to Daniel Sturridge (21 goals) from 2013-2014 campaign (the tandem accounted for 52 of the teams 101 goals), Liverpool has struggled thus far in the 2014-2015 season.
Below is a fan video of the Liverpool supporters singing You'll Never Walk Alone before what would turn out to be a crushing defeat at the hands of Chelsea on April 27, 2014.
In other colors
LA Kings (black, white, aluminum) have won the Stanley Cup two of the last three years. The NHL season is a real grind and it is hard to repeat. The Kings have had injuries and have Voynov has been suspended indefinitely due to pending criminal case against him.
LA Lakers (purple, gold, white) have pretty much fallen apart. Kobe is the only true star in the group and the rest are B+/B-level role players of which most would probably not be on the starting line-up of other teams. But in the end, they are professionals with pride and will play with heart even in losing efforts. It is really weird after so many years of watching them as the favorites to now seeing them as underdog on most nights in the NBA schedule.
Life: Episode V, SBO Strikes Back
For followers of this blog, you know I have been hospitalized for small bowel obstruction in 2004, 2005 and earlier in 2009 and later in 2009.
In 2004, there was a surgical intervention. One side-effect of a surgical intervention is the formation of scar tissue and possible adhesions. These raise the risk of future bowel obstruction episodes.
Think of the intestines as ribbons in a bowl (abdominal cavity). Normally, they slip and slide past each other without incident. But if one has scar tissue so they aren't so smooth in certain patches and they are sticky (adhesions), the ribbons will not always slip and slide past each other as smoothly and every once in a while they get stuck. At that point, the plumbing analog gives you the best picture - things get backed up!
And so it was at 2AM Thursday January 30. Sometimes, the pain goes away in an hour or so and I return to regular life. But by 8AM, the pain had not receded and I was concerned and phoned my primary care physician. He was booked for the day but slotted me in with one of the younger doctors in the office. J drove me to the office for the 10AM appointment.
The doctor had my medical history so she knew to ask about how the pain compared to previous episodes. She then listened for "bowel sounds" and then did a physical exam feeling different parts of my belly and asking where it hurt when she would press. My regular PCP swung by and they talked about my situation with me and agreed I should be sent to the ER at Santa Monica UCLA Orthopaedic Hospital.
ER's in big cities are busy places and the physical space of the ER often shows the signs of the wear and tear of lots of patients coming through. It took an hour or so before I was assigned an exam room. As I walked in, I could see patients in the hallways.
An IV line was put in, blood was drawn and I was given the "pink liquid" to drink for the CT scan. The pink liquid has bound iodine which allows the radiologist to see how well things are flowing/not flowing in my intestinal tract. One drinks the liquid a bit at a time and eventually when I drank enough of it and it had some time to work its way through my system, I was wheeled into the CT scanner for pictures. This was followed by another set of pictures with iodine introduced through the IV. The sensation of the iodine coursing throughout the body is unmistakeable hence the radiology technician always tells you in advance what you will experience so it won't be so alarming.
With the two sets of pictures completed, I was wheeled back to the ER exam room.
As I mentioned, the ER exam area is crowded with mere curtains separating the exam beds. The two patients nearest me were clearly elderly patients. I didn't actually see them but I could hear the doctors asking them questions. Since they could not hear well, the doctors and nurses were asking them questions quite loudly! And indeed, from the questions, their conditions were quite serious.
Eventually, the ER doc on my case came in and said, you got a partial small bowel obstruction and we are going to put a nasal gastric tube into you and admit you into the hospital.
The nurses came to put in the NG tube and explained what they would do. Having been through the procedure four times before, I knew the drill. Nonetheless, the sensation of having a plastic tube threaded into your nose and down your throat into your stomach is not something you ever get used to.
I was moved into a room in 4NW - fourth floor north wing. The low steady suction was turned on. I was given a shot for the nausea which would eventually recede as the NG tube took out backed up fluid in my stomach. The IV kept me hydrated, my potassium levels at the proper level, and provided calories. When evening rolled around they gave me a stomach acid blocker through the IV and a shot to stave of blot clots. The shot was into my belly fat!
Friday morning brought the morning blood draw, x-ray and visit by the surgical team. Later I was visited by the hospitalist. The hospitalist is like the primary care doctor but she/he works in the hospital. Both the surgeon and hospitalist seemed upbeat about my situation. SBO is not an uncommon reason for hospitalization and their plan was to let the NG tube work and avoid surgery if at all possible. They encouraged me to get up and walk around.
By Friday afternoon, they pulled out the NG tube and would observe me on Saturday. Saturday morning x-ray. They said it looked good so Saturday lunch, I had my first meal - the liquid diet. Saturday night I had my first regular meal. Sunday morning, I had a light breakfast and they cut me loose!
A huge thank you to the nurses and staff of 4NW! You guys/gals are terrific. And thanks to the docs - PCPs, ER, radiologists (never actual met them!), surgical consult team and hospitalists!
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.
In 2004, there was a surgical intervention. One side-effect of a surgical intervention is the formation of scar tissue and possible adhesions. These raise the risk of future bowel obstruction episodes.
Think of the intestines as ribbons in a bowl (abdominal cavity). Normally, they slip and slide past each other without incident. But if one has scar tissue so they aren't so smooth in certain patches and they are sticky (adhesions), the ribbons will not always slip and slide past each other as smoothly and every once in a while they get stuck. At that point, the plumbing analog gives you the best picture - things get backed up!
And so it was at 2AM Thursday January 30. Sometimes, the pain goes away in an hour or so and I return to regular life. But by 8AM, the pain had not receded and I was concerned and phoned my primary care physician. He was booked for the day but slotted me in with one of the younger doctors in the office. J drove me to the office for the 10AM appointment.
The doctor had my medical history so she knew to ask about how the pain compared to previous episodes. She then listened for "bowel sounds" and then did a physical exam feeling different parts of my belly and asking where it hurt when she would press. My regular PCP swung by and they talked about my situation with me and agreed I should be sent to the ER at Santa Monica UCLA Orthopaedic Hospital.
view of north wing (photo using paper artist app)
ER's in big cities are busy places and the physical space of the ER often shows the signs of the wear and tear of lots of patients coming through. It took an hour or so before I was assigned an exam room. As I walked in, I could see patients in the hallways.
An IV line was put in, blood was drawn and I was given the "pink liquid" to drink for the CT scan. The pink liquid has bound iodine which allows the radiologist to see how well things are flowing/not flowing in my intestinal tract. One drinks the liquid a bit at a time and eventually when I drank enough of it and it had some time to work its way through my system, I was wheeled into the CT scanner for pictures. This was followed by another set of pictures with iodine introduced through the IV. The sensation of the iodine coursing throughout the body is unmistakeable hence the radiology technician always tells you in advance what you will experience so it won't be so alarming.
With the two sets of pictures completed, I was wheeled back to the ER exam room.
As I mentioned, the ER exam area is crowded with mere curtains separating the exam beds. The two patients nearest me were clearly elderly patients. I didn't actually see them but I could hear the doctors asking them questions. Since they could not hear well, the doctors and nurses were asking them questions quite loudly! And indeed, from the questions, their conditions were quite serious.
Eventually, the ER doc on my case came in and said, you got a partial small bowel obstruction and we are going to put a nasal gastric tube into you and admit you into the hospital.
The nurses came to put in the NG tube and explained what they would do. Having been through the procedure four times before, I knew the drill. Nonetheless, the sensation of having a plastic tube threaded into your nose and down your throat into your stomach is not something you ever get used to.
I was moved into a room in 4NW - fourth floor north wing. The low steady suction was turned on. I was given a shot for the nausea which would eventually recede as the NG tube took out backed up fluid in my stomach. The IV kept me hydrated, my potassium levels at the proper level, and provided calories. When evening rolled around they gave me a stomach acid blocker through the IV and a shot to stave of blot clots. The shot was into my belly fat!
Friday morning brought the morning blood draw, x-ray and visit by the surgical team. Later I was visited by the hospitalist. The hospitalist is like the primary care doctor but she/he works in the hospital. Both the surgeon and hospitalist seemed upbeat about my situation. SBO is not an uncommon reason for hospitalization and their plan was to let the NG tube work and avoid surgery if at all possible. They encouraged me to get up and walk around.
north facing window while walking the 4th floor (photo using paper artist app)
A huge thank you to the nurses and staff of 4NW! You guys/gals are terrific. And thanks to the docs - PCPs, ER, radiologists (never actual met them!), surgical consult team and hospitalists!
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.
New template
Turned 50 this year!
This blog has been left someone underused these days. But I've decided to recognize leaving the 40-something life with a new template and color scheme.
Hope to write here occasionally!
This blog has been left someone underused these days. But I've decided to recognize leaving the 40-something life with a new template and color scheme.
Hope to write here occasionally!
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