Two new books

I'll spare the details of why I haven't blogged in a month. . . . But, I promise I've spoken with all 5 of my readers in that span of time.

I feel a little like I have too much to say, so for now I'll recommend some books.

1) This is a lesson I still struggle to learn (and I wish I had grasped somewhat when I was in college). Oh, how I wish I wouldn't have made so many decisions because of "The Grass is Greener Conspiracy".

2) I like it that they do book trailers now. . . kind of like a feature film. So, check out the little movie and the book looks great too. Sometimes we forget we're being tempted and ignore obvious signs that things are not what they seem to be.

47 Minutes Well Spent

Matt Chandler is a favorite of this blog, and this past weekend he absolutely nailed it in his Sermon. Home Run in the bottom of the 9th in the playoffs--nailed it. Discipline or Wrath is his title as he preaches from Habbakuk, and a few other texts. If you've ever struggled with why God is doing what He's doing, or what the role of suffering is for a Christian. . . this might be the best sermon I've ever heard.

Also, if you're having character questions about God (something that's come up a bit lately in the whole heaven/hell debate), this is also a priceless sermon for you to listen to. I couldn't recommend it more highly. Do yourself a favor and carve out 47 minutes.

Questioning Matt's credentials to speak on such a topic? He has brain cancer, so none of this is theoretical, he's living it.

An Under-Reported Consequence of Universalism

I've been in alot of discussions about Rob Bell and Heaven/Hell/Ultimate Things lately. I'm sure many of you have as well. . . .Here is an under-reported consequence of holding the universalist belief from a blog favorite, Jared Wilson. I think this is pretty compelling because it is history. But, narrative is not normative, so we need more than that. Well, in addition to history this is compelling because the bible told us this would happen.

This "bigger" Jesus ironically makes for a smaller following. ...

I Timothy 4:3-4

³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Humility, Thy Name is Pop-a-shot. . . .and Other Observations from Chuck-e-Cheese

Today we celebrated Eden's 8th birthday party. To commemorate the occasion, we took her and 3 friends to that mecca of childhood bliss. . . . Chuck-e-cheese! (happy birthday Eden!!)

With a 10-year-old, 8, 6, and 3 . . . I've celebrated quite a few birthdays at this fine establishment. Typically it's a chance to assert my dominance over all pre-teens at pop-a-shot, you know, the mini-basketball, rapid fire game. I won't brag, but many records have been broken, (and set). . many small children have gawked in wonder at my mad fake basketball skills, . . and many shoulder cramps were felt for days afterwards.

That brings me to this evening. . . I approached the pop-a-shot machine to see that the high score was 120. This is a ridiculously high score for that particular machine. I thought to myself, "someone on staff cheated or something. . that's totally fake". To confirm my suspicions, my 2nd game I scored 75. I took a break, came back, and a small lady, probably in her 40's, was playing. This woman was not taller than 5'1''. I don't exaggerate when I say, . . she was a machine. She had a two-handed, under the chin, jumper (you know. . .a girl shot). She was unbelievable. I watched as this minute MJ scored 125, setting the new record.

Ok, . . my turn. I, of course, wasn't even close to her level. . . . . which made me feel pretty bad. But, not as bad as when her 6 year-old daughter started yelling "AIM AT THE SQUARE, AIM AT THE SQUARE". Yeah, thanks. . hadn't thought of that.

Hello, humility. I'll live to fight another day.

Other Observations:

1) I salute CEC's for the expanded menu. . .but really? Beer and wine on tap? I know being in the presence of 400 little, pizza fueled kids makes you want to get all "lit up" but really? One of the taps actually was labelled "chardonnay"!!? You're going to have wine with your low-grade pizza? Nothing says "it's 5-o-clock somewhere" like wine on tap at Chuck-e-cheese's.

Desperation.

2) CEC's has gone downhill since the infamous "CEC/Showbiz" merger/buyout in the 90's. Needless to say, when I was a kid, I used to get a full animatronic band, Fats Domino on the Fender rhodes, and a huge ball pit.(Can I get a witness?) Now I get one animatronic Chuck-e Mouse with a video wall looping disney-esque pop, and a fake horse ride. It's sad really.

3) Hey Miley Cyrus, we can do better than "noddin' my head like yeah. . . movin my hips like yeah". Come on, I don't care if it is a party in the USA. . maybe we should read some poetry in the USA or something. Chip off the old block, I guess. . . . We can do better, Miley, we can do better

4) How many generations of kids will it take to figure out, "I will never, ever be able to get enough tickets to purchase anything of value from the redemption desk". How many? I'm pretty sure the 2000 ticket stuffed bear at the top had a "1998" shirt on. Hadn't been won in a while, huh? The plastic-eraser frogs will have to do for this evening.

Until next time, Chuck-e. . .

Spiritual Disintegration

I'm not sure if all 5 of you were aware of the controversy surrounding Rob Bell's soon-to-be released book, "Love Wins".

Bell sent out some sample chapters and an intro/video clip for influential folks to drum up interest in the book. Mission accomplished, Mr. Bell.

I've never seen the comment section on a blog pass the "999" mark. But, Justin Taylor's (oft-linked to on this blog) blog about the new book, as of last viewing, had 1,047 comments (the number didn't fit in the little graphic at the bottom of the post).

It seems Mr. Bell is going to take a few more steps away from orthodox Christianity with this one. He seems to be advocating a kind of soft universalism. . . where there is no hell or eternal judgment in the afterlife.

I'm not going to link to Taylor's post, because I don't want to bring anymore attention to a book that I think will be very harmful to many Christians, and non-Christians.

But, this brings up some thorny, tough issues for Christians to talk about. . .and one of the most helpful things I've ever read on hell is this one from Dr. Tim Keller. (sorry. . I know. . alot of Keller lately).

I (we) don't want to be seen as judgment-hounds who get excited about being right on the doctrine of hell. I certainly wish Mr. Bell and others of his ilk were right about this thing. But, I don't think you can get there from the Bible.

If you've struggled with the doctrine of hell, . . or even have struggled with how to put together what it would be like and how to describe it. . . read this piece. May truth come to bear on "Love Wins", and may few be deceived.

Carmelwho? and the Nuggets

What an eventful few days for our hometown Denver Nuggets! I've refrained from continual, long basketball updates because I know not many of my readers (3 of 5) care at all about that stuff. But, it's time, so buckle up for a really long basketball blog.

There's been some pulitzer-worthy stuff from the Denver Post lately on this whole saga. If you want to know what really happened without Carmelo's spin (dishonesty) on the situation. . .check out this piece from Benji Hochman. This is a few months of work from the Post, . . and it's really insightful. We'll move forward believing those facts to be true. This went all the way back to last Spring when the Nuggets lost to the Jazz in the playoffs.

So, why didn't the Nuggets call Carmelo's bluff, keep him until after the season, and then see if he'd really leave 20 million dollars on the table? A few reasons, I think. . .1) I don't think Carmelo would've been a happy employee next year. I think he would've sulked through the season, while quietly demanding a trade (sound familiar) and we wouldn't have improved our team. 2) There was always the chance Carmelo would've left and signed with the Knicks anyway (for much less money), and then we'd be left holding the bag with nothing to show for it.

Let's be clear. . . all of this "I wanted to go play for a contender. . where they have a future, etc. " garbage from Carmelo is ridiculous. His best chance was with the Nuggets, he knew this. . . . we had a championship roster, we have for 3 years. We built the team around him, we didn't cut cost. . .we weren't trying to "go young", we had one of the oldest teams in the league. Carmelo's logic, character, and even his play. . .were starting to wear on the Nuggets. Which leads me to the biggest and most exciting point!

These guys, you know the chopped liver left behind, can PLAY! It turns out, as with many superstars . . . that Carmelo was wielding a little too much influence on the court. George Karl and Carmelo are in a current twitter-battle about his lack of defense and slowing down the ball on offense the last few years. . . Carmelo can get as mad as he wants; it's true. Karl was being undercut by Carmelo, . . and he scored too often for anyone to raise too big a stink. But, Karl wasn't happy, and it showed.

To the new squad:

We all thought JR Smith had some serious star potential. . . maybe being held back a bit by Carmelo's ball hoggery (I defy anyone to name me a reserve player in the NBA who has come off the bench for 30+ points so many times, and 40 a couple of times). He's even playing smart now (miracles happen) getting assists and rebounds. I think JR was just content being a crazy uncle/wildcard guy until he got called out to step up his game and grow up. The good news is. . .it's there. JR is a great player, a freakish athlete and he'll get to show it now.

Aaron Afflalo has been playing out of his mind all year, and now. . . .he's been freed up to take all those shots he would've had if Carmelo would've passed out of the triple-team once in a while. He's money, Memphis had no answers, and he had 2 clutch baskets to clinch the Celtics game (that's right, we beat the champs with no 'superstars' on our team) last night.

Ty Lawson, wow. . . Ty will be in the all-star game before this is over. . you heard it here first. That guy is a superstar too. . . and even though we all hated to lose Chauncey in this mess, the bottom line is that Ty should be starting (and if we would've kept Chauncey, Chauncey should've come off the bench). No one can stop him, not even Rajon Rondo, he the best defensive point guard in the league. I can't wait to see Ty, and new addition, Ray Felton against Chris Paul in the first round of the playoffs. . .bring it!!!

Danillo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler from NYK more than make up for Carmelo because they hit open shots (which Smith, Lawson, and Felton create with penetration because no one can guard them). Chandler is going to be a really good player. . . and oh yeah. . . he actually plays defense. These guys are better than advertised, and for a cheaper price too. Gallo makes 3 million next year, Chandler makes 2 million. Carmelo was going to make 17 MILLION DOLLARS. I think we got the better end of this deal. Sure, NY gets their star, and they'll be a playoff team now for a few years. But, what happens when Carmelo has to guard LeBron or Paul Pierce in May? I know what will happen.

Nene. It's time Nene. . . so far he's stepped up well, scored consistently, and led our offense at the beginning of games. If Nene is really worth all that money (I think he is) it's time to destroy lesser post players (such as tonight, vs. Portland) and play some defense. Carmelo was having a negative effect on the Brazilian, and as my kids favorite player, I'm rooting for Nene to overcome and re-learn the game a bit with some fresh players to play with.

See, it turns out, Carmelo was not only "not making his teammates better" he was making them worse. He was such a good offensive player that he could carry everything and put us in the playoffs every year. But, when we hit a player that was better than Melo (it hurts. . .but I"ll say it. . . Kobe) all of the other guys wouldn't step up because they'd been standing out at the 3 point line for the last 6 months while Carmelo dribbled the shot clock away. Sometimes, that's what you have to do when you're on a bad team (Lebron the last 5 years) But, the Nuggets were a REALLY GOOD team. . and Melo was holding some other guys back. Karl was playing him way too much this year. With all of the trade stuff, he should've sat Melo, or regulated him to the D league, and said "when you're ready to play defense and run the stuff I call. . . you can play again". I would've loved that.

I'm excited about our new squad. We'll have some decisions to make in the off-season. . we're suddenly ridiculously deep at all positions. . . .But, this is a great core of guys, and everyone's passing the ball and moving

An under-rated story here is that suddenly we have a NYKnicks starting 5 that Karl can trot out at any time. (Felton, Chandler, Gallo, Mosgov, Harrington). Al Harrington played for the Knicks last year, he still knows all the plays. The other day in practice they were calling out some Knicks plays when Felton was at the point. Try preparing for 2 different basketball teams!! I defy anyone in the Western conference!!

. If you want to see NBA basketball as it should be played. . wide open, passing, good defense, great athletes. . . watch the Nuggets for the rest of this year. Good times.

Since we're so far under the salary cap, maybe Kroenke will lower ticket prices for the rest of the year! (not likely. .but one can hope)

(ps, we still have the Birdman and Kmart as well, who look a little rejuvinated. . I think Bird got a new tatoo to celebrate :) )

State of the Unions

Alot of back and forth on the unions recently on facebook. . . people throwing alot of stones.

Here's the thing. . you can't paint with a broad brush on organized labor in general. There's been alot of good done by unions. There's also alot of abuses.

Without condemning all unions. . .because I like some of them. . . The teacher's union is pretty much a mess. There are many studies and articles to back this up. Here's one. There is history to back this up. I have personal experience to back this up. My mother is a career teacher who has never joined the union in 20 + years. She's one of the best teachers in her district, and has always done an amazing job.

So, let's be a little nuanced on this whole Wisconsin/unions issue. I'll just put in my 2 cents and say the teachers union could use some wholesale reform. . .or dissolution.