The Deadline

A few weeks ago I called a friend. And he apologized and asked my forgiveness. I was not even sure why, so let me explain. We had been talking a few months earlier and when we finished, he said he would call me in a couple of days so we could finish our conversation. When I did not receive the call, I just figured something had come up. Since the need did not seem pressing, I did not push it and held no malice or ill thoughts. Then I had to call him about another unrelated matter. When he heard my voice, he was glad I called. He confessed that he knew he missed "The Deadline" to call me, and then felt guilty and did not know how to respond. He said that as he thought about it, he just felt worse and worse and then was unable to make the call out of fear, or because he felt so bad. I was blown away. Here was a guy I have admired for years, in a position I could not imagine, asking me to forgive him. For missing a phone call! I think I said don't worry about it, about all I could do at that moment because to me , it was no big deal. But it obviously weighed heavily on him. I did not think a lot about that until now. Now I am wearing that same shoe and it does not feel good. I told another friend, Gary, a couple of weeks ago that I would call him the next day. And I never did. I too missed "The Deadline." And after a few days I began to feel horrible about it, but too ashamed to make the call. Confessing to screwing up is never easy. Sometimes I think it easier to do so with God than to a friend. Now those few days have stretched into weeks. Gary, I am sorry I did not call you when I said I would. I either forgot or got busy and then after a few days, felt so bad I did not know what to say when I called. But that is no excuse. Please forgive me. I will call you Monday morning so we can talk. dave

A Little Respite

I love sports. Perhaps one of the reasons is because it provides me with a needed respite from the realities of day to day life. I find in sports many of the qualities that I believe are essential to succeed, excel, and really enjoy life. Things like drive, determination, passion, and hard work. The other day my son Joseph posted on his blog Shadow Sports, his Top Ten Sporting Events. Check it out. That got me to thinking about my list. So I decided to do mine with a twist. So here it is…10 of my favorite sporting events, in no particular order, that I have seen live on television or in person. Fernandomania. This was in 1981 when Fernando Valenzuela broke in with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was phenomenal. He pitched great, the park was full, and he was young and full of charisma. Almost single-handedly he rescued baseball from the strike doldrums. UNLV vs. Georgetown. A great basketball game in the early 80’s. The Thomas and Mack Arena was packed and the house was rockin’. You cannot imagine what it was like in those days. Not even the MJ led Bulls had a house like this! The Rebels lost but had the Mighty Hoyas, led by Patrick Ewing, down late in the game. I think G’town won by only 2 or 3 points. UNLV moved up in the college basketball rankings with that loss. Virtually unheard of before, or since. Jerry Reuss No-Hitter. Nothing short of brilliant. Reuss allowed one base runner, after an error by Shortstop Bill Russell. Simply one of the most dominant pitching performances I have ever seen, and I have seen Hall of Famers Gibson, Seaver, Carlton and Marichal. The fact that it was against the hated Giants was just icing on the cake. Monday Night Football. Live with Howard Cosell. Face it, there was nothing better. It was what came to be known as appointment viewing. You had to watch. Maybe the best part was halftime and the highlight reel. It was SportsCenter before ESPN! Magical. NASL. Yeah that's right…soccer, in 1976, here in the US. But not just any soccer, the New York Cosmos vs. the Los Angeles Aztecs, played in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. What made the game great? The Pele led Cosmos beat the George Best led Aztecs 2-1. To see two of the greatest soccer players in history (both pictured here) was an unbelievable experience. The greatest player ever, Pele, scored the winning goal. USC vs. Notre Dame, the 1974 Edition. SC trailed 24 – 0 late in the second half when Anthony Davis went in to make the score 24 – 6. It did not look good for the Trojan faithful, until lightning struck. In the third quarter SC scored 35 unanswered points to demolish the Irish 55 – 24. 2002 World Series. The Angels won, beating the Barry Bonds led Giants 4 games to 3. As a lifelong Angel fan, to finally see “my” team win a World Series was unbelievable. US vs. Brazil. Yep, soccer again! I was in Guadalajara, Mexico where the game was being played and was given a ticket to the game. One problem, I had to preach that night at a small church just outside of the city center, so I couldn’t go. After church I was invited to a member’s home where they had a small black and white television from the 60’s. We put the game on and saw the entire second half. The US lost 2 – 1, but it was a great game and watching with the family made it all the better. Game 6, NBA Finals, 1980. If you know your sports history, there is nothing else I need to say. If not, here is your clue… Magic jumped center. That’s right. Magic Johnson, in my opinion the Most Valuable Player in NBA History, a guard, jumped center against the Dr. J. led Philadelphia 76er’s. Magic’s line that night… 42 points, 15 boards, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Not bad for a rookie! Dr. J called Magic unreal after that game. And I saw every minute of it from the floor of a local hardware store in Las Vegas, while on break from my job, with one of my best friends, on a TV set they were selling, with half of the store crowded around. But my favorite sporting event I ever saw was a small college hockey tournament in a small gym outside of Chicago a few years back. What made it so special? I spent the whole day in that freezing place, watching some great hockey, with my son Joseph. The world did not exist that day. It was one of the best days of my life. (Just so you know, I think hockey is the best sport in the world when you see it live. The speed, grace, and power all mixed together in that cold arena can’t be beat.) So there you have it. If you feel like it, add yours to the list. Sorry if you have tried to comment on the last two posts. For some reason "New Blogger" is not allowing that on my blog. I hope to get it fixed real soon. Dave technorati tags: Sports, Life, MNF

Orange & Maroon

One of my favorite bloggers, Little Miss Chatterbox, has a great post today on her site. Rather than repackage it all, I'll just send you there. As she says, this week, we are all Hokies!

Not Appeasers After All?

I am posting today from “The Funky Door,” a small coffee house about three blocks from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, listening to Joss Stone's first album. For the uninitiated of you out there, Reed has a reputation of being one of the most liberal colleges in America. So since I am here in the middle of this liberal bastion, I felt it would be appropriate to post a little left of center opinion. One of the things the Bush administration has been pretty consistent in saying is that any public discussion of war policy different from their official stance hurts American interests, sends a mixed message, and is used by the enemy to harm American Soldiers in Iraq. We have frequently heard that those that offer public dissent from the Bush Administration’s view of the war and how it should be conducted are guilty of appeasement and treason. This language has been used in campaigns, speeches in congress, and before numerous groups as the Republican Party has looked for donations of money for their candidates. It has become what is known as a “red meat” issue. A sound bite line that is always sure to whip up a frenzy amongst the conservative faithful. Allow me to offer into the record a piece of perspective from AP Writer Lolita Baldor that was published today in the Houston Chronicle. I have highlighted the most salient parts of the article. AMMAN, Jordan — The push by Democrats to set a timetable for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq has been helpful in showing the Iraqis that American patience is limited, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday. At the same time, Gates renewed his opposition to Congress actually approving any such timetable. Both the House and Senate have passed bills calling for an end to the war, and President Bush has said he will veto either version if it is given final approval. "I've been pretty clear that I think the enactment of specific deadlines would be a bad mistake," Gates said. "But I think the debate itself, and I think the strong feelings expressed in the Congress about the timetable ... probably has had a positive impact — at least I hope it has in terms of communicating to the Iraqis that this is not an open-ended commitment," he said. How about that? No hyperbole, no accusations, just an open honest analysis that perhaps the discussion of a troop pullout, initiated by the Democrats, (Defeatocrats to some in the Republican Party) has indeed been helpful. Now before the right-wingers get all up in a fuss, I can read that he does not believe this is the way to go, and I am not claiming he does. I am just saying that it is refreshing to hear a top level Bush Administration official say that you can share an idea that is contrary to the official line and not be labeled a crazed, left leaning, appeasing, fascist, treasonous idiot. Thank you Secretary Gates. A voice of reason. technorati tags: Bush Administration, Free Speech, Appeasement

Off To Coffeelandia

As part of my work with Adventures in Life Ministry, I get to travel to many differet areas of both Mexico and the United States. One of those areas is the Pacific Northwest, which I like to call Coffeelandia. I use that term not because they grow the drug there, and believe me , it is a drug, but because it is so prevelant. I think coffee is the number two industry in the Portland area, right after tanning booths. Being from sunny Southern California, I am still trying to figure out the allure of a tanning booth, but that is another blog, possibly titled "Human Frying Pans." Anyways, in the Northwest, coffee is a big deal. It's everywhere. On every corner, in every store, even where you would never expect it. I was in drycleaners one day and they offered me espresso with my laundry. I thought it would be a coupon or something, but no. It was a hot espresso, brewed right there in the drycleaners! Imagine that, I can have my coffee, stain my clothes, and get them cleaned all in the same place. How's that for convenience? Perhaps my favorite locations are the mobile trailers on the street corners. In the rest of the country if you want a cup of joe, you go to a typical brick and mortar place, like Starbuck's or Caribou, go in and order your drink. But not here in Coffeelandia. These little trailers are all of 25 square feet. And some poor employee stands inside this box on wheels for their entire shift making coffee for people like me who drive up needing a fix. I've often wondered if they get claustrophobic. Finally, if you really like good coffee, here's a great book that deserves to be on your shelf. Heck, it deserves to be right next to your old copies of "Coffee Journal" and close to your personal espresso machine. "Coffee Basics" by Knox and Huffaker. It is a great primer on coffee and has lots of good advice. Can a latte be considered art?

The Real Mission

For those of you who have served with us the last couple of years, let this be a great reminder of the journey we have walked together in Mexico. For those of you who only know me as a fellow blogger, politically minded, and a lover of sports, this is really who I am, what I try to be about, and what I love. Enjoy!

What It Really Is About

It is not about politics. It is not about sports. It is not about the newest fad, hot item, coolest gadget, or your big new 65 foot platinum big screen television that is flat as a pancake. This is what it is about. Pastors Alejandro Corrales, from Ensenada, and David Curtis, from Burns, Oregon, baptized 12 new believers Sunday, March 25th at the start of our week of ministry together. ...hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, love for the broken heart...grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing...Jesus.