Big Brotha

Growing up I became a self-appointed Big Brotha for a few girls in the youth group. My responsibilty, as their Big Brotha , was to essentially watch out for them, stick up for them, and give them guidance (some times this came soft and some times not). For 9 years I'd watch out for these girls, whether it be protecting them from guys, or giving permission for guys to date them. Each Sista had their own personality and therefore protection and guidance took on a different appearance for each.

Over the last few years I've had the honor of watching each of marry and begin a life with a new man. Signifying they no longer need me to protect them, or give them guidance. There's a new man, who's closer than any Big Brotha could be. Yesterday, the last of the girls took her husband's hand.

No more littla Sistas, so now what do I do?!

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

Today my mother asked me "What do you think blasphemy against the Holy Spirit...", at this point I had already begun to prepare my answer because I'm used to having this sentence end, "is".

Then my mom threw me for a loop when she said, "looks like".
Usually I would say, "It is when someone rejects God all the way to their grave, like Stalin who shoke his fist at God and die".

What does it look like though? This would suggest we could seal our eternal fate before death?.

What do you think?

And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
-Matthew 12: 31 (NIV)

I'll let you determine context. Unless you're being stupid, then I'll politely tell you, "You're being stupid"!

The How of Submission

A wise professor once told my Doctrine of Holiness class, "The difference between Initial Sanctification (Salvation) and Entire Sanctification (whatever denominational term you wanna insert) is an issue of position. If you know the prof I'm talking about, you also know he made this statement with a great deal of qualifying ones as well. With salvation we come to God as enemies and as a rebel soldier Surrender our arms. In Entire Sanctification we come as slaves and Submit our hearts/wills.

The surrender aspect of this happened 21 years ago for me, the submission aspect seems to be a continual thing. I wouldn't wanna claim I am Entirely Sanctified because God knows, along with many others, there are times my will isn't always submitted to him. Every time I think he has it ALL there's something new he shows me to give over or an area I need to give him more dominion.

Over the last few weeks God's been bringing to my awareness the need to be recognize his sovereignity, and to give him more rulership in my life. The big thing is, he hasn't exactly told me what area or HOW.

As a guy who thinks of things in comparments, to not have a compartment to look at is very challenging. I know what must happen, I just haven't been shown The How.

Sour Seattle Seahawks Supporters

Over the last few days, I've had to put up with some whining from those who were cheering for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. The most common complaint I have heard, is the referees were favoring the Steelers. To be fair.....ok, I'm bias, so to prove a point I want to look at three of the most commonly referred to "questionable calls".

1. Touchdown called back

In the first quarter Hassleback connected with Jackson in the end zone, however a flag was thrown for offensive pass interference. Offensive pass interference was the right call.
The play occurred right in front of the ref and no matter how many times you watch it in instant replay you clearly see Jackson's hand touch Taylor's (Steeler) chest, pushing him away from the play. The contact was minimal, however the sheer presence of his hand would impede the defender from being able to make the play. This play will most likely serve as a textbook example of offensive pass interference in training videos for years to come. Anyone who feels the need to "let the players play", would also have to contest the Hassleback fumble that was over turned in the 4th quarter. Foote (Steelers) briefly touched Hassleback before he went down. Although Foote most likely didn't contribute to Hassleback's stumble and fumble, according to the rule book Hassleback was ruled down by contact. Therefore the initial ruling on the field was over turned. While the referees were picky they were equally picky on both sides.

2. The Roethlisberger Touchdown

Many people, including myself, thought Big Ben's dive into End Zone came up short, while the referees called it a touch down. If one is to do a instant replay and slow down the dive frame by frame, they will clearly see the tip of the ball, parallel to a piece of white line of the End Zone. The rule is, "if ANY piece of the ball, breaks the plain of the goal line(meaning the white line) it is a touchdown". All of the ball does not have to cross all of the line, this isn't hockey, all you need is a piece of the ball to be parallel to a piece of the goal line. At the Superbowl party we rewound and played it in slow motion, and on the second time everyone, including Seattle fans could see the right call was made.

3. Hassleback Illegal Block
This is the only play of the three I would call touchy. After being intercepted, Hassleback lowered his shoulder in front of a Steeler blocker as he went down to tackle Ike Taylor behind the blocker. I'm not positive Hassleback actually made contact with the Steeler blocker, and perhaps they should not have been given the 15 yard penalty. Of course Seattle didn't get called for their illegal block when Roethlisberger was intercepted. Roethlisberger was pursuing a caravan of Seahawks down the field and was cutting in to try to make a tackle, when a block was made on him, where the player clearly hit him in back as their hand was placed directly on the 7 of the back of his jersey. So if Hassleback didn't make contact these to balance out.

In the end Seattle simply didn't play to win! With their constant clock mis-management, missed field goals, dropped balls and the disappearance of Jackson and Alexander, they failed to seize the opportunities they had. The game was Seattle's to win or lose and they lost.

Champions are formed in adversity.