I’m playing in a dodgeball tournament today. My strategy is to stick to the five D’s of dodgeball as taught by Patches O’Houlihan.

This is my training regimen as I prepare to relive my middle school years throwing balls at people- thus feeling better about myself.

Dodge

I have two kids. Both about waist level. Both like to punch their dad. So yeah, I’ve gotten pretty good at moving out of the way of a lethal blow. Risk is important in dodgeball.

Dip

I couldn’t figure out how to train for this one so I put away some Fritos with bean dip. Nutrition is important in dodgeball.

Duck

I try to make snide remarks to my wife in hopes that she would throw a Campbell’s soup can at me. So far I’ve been effective and as a result, I’ve gotten pretty good at ducking. Although our marriage has taken a hit. Sacrifice is important in dodgeball.

Dive

I find that lunging for the remote control before another member of my family gets to it has been very useful. I’ve been able to fine-tune my timing with the added bonus retaining power over the television. Control is important in dodgeball.

Dodge

Walking into busy traffic and avoid being hit is just sound strategy. This translates well to the turbulent world of dodgeball. Dodging 1 out of 10 vehicles is like batting .900. Odds are important in dodgeball.

I hope these tips help you become a world-class dodgeball player.

Filed under: Funny, Humor, Sports | Post a comment

Some buddies and I have an annual tradition of watching the NFL draft together, eating a bunch of junk food, and competing to see who most accurately predicts round one of the draft.

I never win- but thought I’d post my predictions here for all to see.  This year I shall rule supreme.

Download: NFL Draft (.doc)

Filed under: Sports | 1 Comment

Genuine - [gen·u·ine] adj
Definition: Presidential candidates reciting lines to appeal to the cynical 18-34 year-old male demographic called professional wrestling fans.

Filed under: Current Events, Funny, Humor, Sports | Post a comment

ESPN is reporting that Brett Favre is retiring.

I am a Favre fan. I love his enthusiasm for the game. I love that he plays with passion. He will be sorely missed in the NFL- that’s for sure.

This season, I watched Brett Favre break Dan Marino’s touchdown record I couldn’t help but remember that he was also approaching another record- most interceptions.

Is that such a bad thing? I can kind of see why John Madden has a little man-crush on him. Favre is fun to watch.

He’s taken risk after risk and thrown interception after interception. But then again, he’s taken risk after risk and scored touchdown after touchdown. More than any other human being ever to play in the NFL.

Greatness requires great risks.

When people talk about Favre, they talk about his enthusiasm, his passion, his touchdowns, and yes, his interceptions. But he will still go down as one of the best to ever play the game because he gave it his all.

It makes me think that maybe I should live my life a little more like Favre played the game.

Filed under: Leadership, Life, Sports | 1 Comment

In a classic David vs. Goliath story, it’s ironic that the NY Giants represented David in this year’s Super Bowl in their win against the New England Patriots.

It was a lock that the Patriots would win. They were 18 and 0 and on a roll. That is, until they met the Giants pass rush. News spread that they trademarked, “19-0″ this week. Some Patriot players were even inviting Giants players to their Super Bowl party- during the game.  They got cocky and they lost.

Today, the mighty Patriots have fallen and the world now has seen a lesson in humility.

Humility is a good thing- but it’s not something most people strive for. The truth is none of us are perfect. None of us are as great, or as bad, as we think we are.

As Christians, we are to be humble. Something I find very challenging at times. Like most people, I can start to feel real proud of myself, my accomplishments, my knowledge…you name it. That is until I screw it up or meet someone better. God has a way of reminding me that he is God and I am not. That I am a mere man.

I don’t know about you but I would rather be humble than be humbled. The moment I start to get proud of myself is the moment I become self-righteous. Something God can’t stand. Something I don’t want to be. Something that’s hard for other people to root for.

So let’s learn a lesson from the 18-1 Patriots.  A loss can come at anytime so be thankful for the wins.  Celebrate them but don’t take them for granted. Learn from the losses and don’t take them for granted.  Both are useful in shaping our character.

I love what legendary UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden, said:

“Talent is God-given. Be humble.
Fame is man-given. Be grateful.
Conceit is self-given. Be careful”

Let us be humble, grateful, and careful.

Filed under: Life, Sports | 1 Comment

Here are some picks as we head into the weekend:

Sports- Patriots will win the Super Bowl. No me gusta NY Giants. (I’m a Philly fan)

Movies- Let’s see? U2 in 3D or Hannah Montana in 3D? Hmmm.

Politics- As things stand right now, my bet’s on Barack Obama becoming our next president.

Podcasts- The “Ask Anything” series by Mark Driscoll (pastor @ Mars Hill Church), is off the hook. But then again, I have the proclivity to dig most everything from Driscoll.

Books- Reading “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath. Vision is so important in church planting. So far, this book is dynamite!

Filed under: Cool Stuff, Current Events, Sports, books | Post a comment

Up by 4 points. Just over 2 minutes left in the football game. Wins have not come easy for your team this season- but this one’s just in your grasp. Let’s hope it doesn’t slip away like other losses this season.

You get the ball and break free. You’re gonna score! Not only that, you’re going to add yet another touchdown to your Pro Bowl stats. But you realize that a lot of time remains on the clock. You stop at the one yard line and take a knee- stopping short of the end zone. By doing this, you’re able to win the game by running out the time on the clock.

You sacrifice your touchdown so that your team can secure a victory.

It’s an unusual situation to win a game by not scoring but that’s what Brian Westbrook did this past weekend in the Philadelphia Eagles victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Had Westbrook scored, over two minutes would have remained on the clock. And with the success of the Cowboys this season, that lead could have disappeared and another win could have slipped through the fingers of the Eagles.

I want people like Brian Westbrook on my team. People who will sacrifice their personal glory to do what’s best for the team. That’s what a team is all about. That’s what friends and family should be about.

Unfortunately, Brian Westrbrook’s are not only rare in football, they’re rare in every walk of life.

Where have all the Westbrook’s gone?

Filed under: Business, Cool People, Leadership, Sports | Post a comment

…until I saw this video. Thank God he has other plans for me.

Warning: This clip is not for the faint of heart.

Blogged with Flock

Tags: wrestling, leg break, prowrestling, sidvicious

Filed under: Sports | Post a comment

• I met a guy last night who’s parents named him “The.”  What a first name!  His middle name is Steve.  So he goes by “The Steve.”  That’s actually pretty cool.
• Reece (my son) had very swollen lymph nodes.  He’s going to be just fine but it always stinks when your kids aren’t 100%.
• Brock Lesnar signed with the UFC.  That’s big news for my friends who are into MMA especially with Randy Couture leaving UFC.  Lesnar is from South Dakota and I’ve actually met him.  He is a cool guy I’m pulling for him to explode.
• Regan (my little girl) and I had a great date this weekend.   She’s only five but I’m trying to set the bar high for her first date with a boy.  Good thing that won’t happen for another 20 years or so.
• C’mon Eagles!  Beat those Bears.
• The Office is the best sitcom on TV right now.  Loving it.
• My family has a few milestones birthdays coming up.  Dad turning 50.  Brother turning 21.  Me turning 30.
• I’m playing city-league dodgeball. Gwyn (my wife) made the offer to help me practice by throwing wrenches at me.
• My broken toe is healing nicely.
• Newest blog I’ve subscribed to: Chris Bell
• Stephen Colbert is running for President.  Now that’s a guy I could get behind.
• I’m studying the book of Revelation right now.  People have all kinds of opinions on that book.  I know many people read it and ponder things like the mark of the beast or the Antichrist.  I prefer to search for Christ.  He’s my lens.  And you know what? It’s inspiring and humbling to study Jesus in this book.  We no longer see him as God who humbled himself as man but as God who reigns as King over everyone and everything.

Filed under: Blogs, Family, Life, Sports | 1 Comment