Moved to tears...

God works in mysterious ways...Give it to God and He'll work it out.

These are 2 statements that I truly believe in, especially the latter.

This post is a small departure from my usual subjects, but it is my sabbatical and the history leading up to it that is the main reason for this post. Confused? Just read on.

Today I was moved to tears during worship this morning at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, AR. It is the second time in the past 2 months that I have found myself wiping away tears during a song at Fellowship Bible Church. Did I mention that we've only been visiting this church off and on for the past 3 months? Oh, and by the way, it was a girl/woman singing/leading the song, and then she "led" a prayer to close the song today.

Why am I even visiting other churches after a year in Little Rock? Because I can't remember the last time I was moved to tears during a song in church. Honestly, I can't remember the last time, if ever, I was moved to tears while participating from the congregation. I've cried while leading worship, but not while sitting or standing in the crowd...that I can remember.

Long story short: I grew up in the church of Christ. I went to a church of Christ college. I worked for said college and another (where I met my wife). Tried different churches and denominations the past 10 years, the last one being a church of Christ here in Little Rock the past year. But there are several issues a few paragraphs back that would be MAJOR issues at all of these places (instruments, females "leading" worship, and especially a female "leading" a prayer). And that's why I'm visiting Fellowship.

When I tell people (when prompted) that I'm visiting churches again, they say, "Oh, well you should come to this church (of Christ)." But I can't explain to them, without offending them that it is just not right for me.

And although there are many great things about all the places I've been a member or visited (by the way: my home congregation growing up in San Antonio was major progressive 10 years ago on women's roles in the church), the easiest way to say it is that I have not been moved to tears.

The funny thing about us being at Fellowship (not decided if for good), is that our old preacher at FCC Owasso, mentioned it as a possibility when we were coming to Arkansas. So as my boy Tibbles would say, "Mad Props to Charlie."

When were you last moved to tears?

The Palace Brawl 2

This past week a "brawl" broke out between the LA Sparks and Detroit Shock at the Palace of Auburn Hills (sight of the infamous Palace Brawl between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers). Many things have been written and debated over the past few days about the brawl, but the majority has focused on Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn and his "man-handling" of Sparks center Lisa Leslie. Here are a few of my thoughts, both interesting and humorous:

1. I agree with Rick and those present who said that Mahorn was obviously trying to be a peacemaker. He did not shove Leslie. He pushed her back and she lost her balace, falling in the process.

2. Watching the replay, I guess Lisa Leslie forgot that when confronted by Mahorn she took a swing at him. To me it looked like she took the swing and was trying to retreat, maybe trying to get a quick blow in. I'd probably be trying to get away if I saw Rick coming towards me as well.

3. How about the 2 other Sparks players who attack Mahorn? One gets him from behind, and the other comes over another assistant "restraining" him. What were they thinking? Did they really think they were going to fight him, or were they just trying to get in shots?

4. What do you think was really said between Mahorn and Sparks coach Michael Cooper (and former Laker forward):
Cooper: What are you doing?
Mahorn: About to kill that nappy-hea.... (insert Don Imus quote, just kidding)

5. In all seriousness...did no one in the NBA or WNBA not think to put in a rule about bench decorum in the event of a fight or altercation? Seriously? In over 10 years of competition, no one thought that, "Hey, you know one day there might be a fight, maybe we should put in the NBA rule about leaving the bench."
Maybe they did think about it but decided against it on the off chance that Jeff Van Gundy might get a job in the WNBA. He'd be the only coach in history to hang on someone's leg in a NBA and WNBA game.

The Shooter

Well we put a wrap on the Pleasant Valley Family Life Center Basketball Camp version 2008 last week. We had about 45 kids this year for the 4 day camp each afternoon. I'd like to give a special thanks to those who helped: Julie, Spencer, Heather, Vaneesa, Barry, and the kids on PV and CAC for being basket coaches.

I'd also like to give a big thank you to former Razorback Pat Bradley. He came on Wednesday afternoon to do a shooting clinic and talk for the kids, and he was a big hit. The kids were enthralled by his shooting prowess. I hope that he and other Razorbacks will continue to be involved in the future.

That is the end of my camps for the summer, but if you know of anyone looking for someone to do a camp or clinic for them, just let me know.

What's more important, the cost or the Brand?

This morning while watching ESPN First Take I learned that Elton Brand was perpetuating the Clipper Curse by "opting" to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. This after the Clips had done what they thought was necessary to keep Brand by signing a "semi-elite" veteran point guard in Baron Davis, a home town guy who starred at UCLA.

Skip Bayless, a personality on First Take, ripped Brand for being the typical selfish NBA guy. He feels that the street code, "My word is bond," should hold true for professional athletes, especially Brand, who is known as a pillar of the community and generally one of the "nice guys" of the NBA. He reportedly helped recruit Davis away from the Warriors (albeit speculation) only to jet when more money ($20 million more) was presented. Admittedly, Elton Brand will have a better chance in the East with the Sixers than with the Clips in the West.

But should we be surprised by this display of the almighty dollar? It was not long ago that Carlos Boozer convinced the Cavs to "tear up" his contract so that they could resign him for more money, only to leave the next week with bags packed for Utah. But that was shame on the Cavs. They didn't have to let him out of his deal. In the case of Brand, it was a player option.

For every Gilbert Arenas who supposedly took less money so that the Wizards could resign Antawn Jamison, there are 15-20 guys who opt out with the best intentions only to find themselves in a new city and uniform the next season. If one of the elite teams in the league (i.e. - Celtics, Spurs, Lakers, Pistons, etc.) had suddenly come up with more money, especially the East teams, I get the feeling that Agent 0 would have had to find a new ball boy for his late night shooting.

So what's more important, the money in the pocket or the name on the jersey? Unless you are a past your prime superstar looking for one last hoorah and a chance for a ring...Show them the money!!!!

Knicks Banned from NBA Playoffs!!!

What would your first thought be if you read the above headline or saw it across your ESPN ticker at the beginning of this past season? Initially it would probably be shock, but then you'd think, "I wonder what Isaiah Thomas did this time?" Or maybe, "Who cares, the Knicks are terrible anyways!"

No imagine that Isaiah and the organization had been fired, the players were cut and the coaching staff was purged. Then Greg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and the entire San Antonio Spurs organization was brought in to replace the Knicks before the season started.

Now what are your thoughts about the above headline? "What? That's crazy! How can you not let the defending World Champions try to repeat?!!" Your argument would be that the Spurs are only the Knicks in name, everything else about them is still the same!

But David Stern decided that this would be a convenient way to keep the Spurs, and their winning (yet low ratings producing) style of basketball out of the championship hunt. The NBA was just tired of watching the Spurs. This would be an easy way to guarentee a new champ and get fresh blood in the Finals. You would think that this was nuts, ludicrous, ridiculous. But that's exactly what has happened in the cycling world.

The U.S. Postal/Discovery Channel cycling team, better known as the team that Lance Armstrong built, lost it's title sponsor after last season, and ceased to exist for a short time, despite coming off a Tour de France victory. It's 8th in 9 years (7 with Lance as the winner).

On the other side of the ocean, Astana's cycling team was mired in doping problems. So it's owners fired everybody and brought in Johan Bruyneel to be it's new director (or coach/GM). So, for all intents and purposes, he brought over his old team (including Tour de France winner Alberto Contador), staff, and support. It was a convenient way to keep the championships coming, and a great way for the owners of Astana to continue without the negative press.

But then ASO, the French organization that runs the Tour de France, and other major races, made the announcement that the Astana team would not be allowed in any of it's races or Grand Tours! So one of the premier organizations and riders in the world would not be allowed to defend their title. Lance Armstrong calls this "his penalty." But this announcement largely went unnoticed in the United States.

The Tour started yesterday, and Johan Bruyneel was not directing a team for the first time in 9 years. He's like the Phil Jackson of the cycling world. It's a shame that Astana and Bruyneel were being treated this way. I guess the French will be excited because someone with more flare will find themselves on the Tour podium in 3 weeks. But it's just one more reason why America will take another step away from the cycling world.

With Lance's retirement, and Floyd Landis', and Tyler Hamilton's disgraces, America no longer cares about what happens in France...unless it involves a certain Spurs point guard and his Desperate Housewife!

NBA Draft

Just read a blog by Eric Musselman, former NBA head coach, and son of former NBA head coach Bill Musselman. He was talking about players slipping in the draft and then being successful vs. high picks being busts.

Same thing I had been thinking recently. Why does 2-4 years of game film suddenly become irrelevent in draft rooms? I had this thought over and over last Thursday in reference to D. J. Augustine from Texas. Besides being a die-hard San Antonio Spurs fan, I am officially an Oklahoma transplant (but not for the Sooners). So I got behind the Hornets and am now eager to embrace the new Oklahoma City (formerly Sonics) team. Especially since their franchise player is Texas' Kevin Durant.

I've heard many "experts" talk about Charlotte "reaching" for Augustine too early. But yet there were many of us coaches at OC Cage Camp upset about the Sonics "reaching" for Westbrook at pick #4. Unlike many of the coaches, I believe that Westbrook could be a very nice piece of the puzzle in OKC. But wouldn't Augustine have been a pretty logical pick for OKC.

Besides being an All-American, and being one of the assist leaders for 2 years in college, he would be a great regional pick for the OKC area (Big 12 country!). But above all this, how come no one talks about the fact that Kevin Durant led the nation in scoring and was National Player of the Year, and last year's #2 NBA draft pick while being fed the ball by...wait on it...D. J. Augustine!!!

Oh well, I guess while Westbrook is locking up Western Conference point guards, Michael Jordan will be destroying Augustine's career in Charlotte. Does anybody else think that D.J. was cursing when he heard his name being called Thursday. Good news is that when D.J. gets hurt (and he will, because all Charlotte draft picks get hurt), he'll have plenty of time to supplement his income on eBay with Jordan signed gear!

USA Basketball

This may be a topic I come back to often over the next several months, but are the USA Basketball selections ridiculous, or is it just me? Now, don't get me wrong, you want to select the best of the best to represent your country, but it's not an All-Star Game...it's the Olympics. It's us vs. the world.

Haven't we seen that the pieces are more important than the individual talent? Do we really need to see Lebron James hoisting up three's? Can't we take Dwayne Wade's spot and replace him with a shooter or big man, since he hasn't played a memorable minute of basketball in about 2 years?

I guess Tayshaun Prince is the utility pick: long, quick, can guard the opponent's best player. But can't Kobe do that? Couldn't Coach K and the rest of the USA higher-ups find a versatile player that can also shoot? What's Ray Allen or Paul Pierce doing the next few months? Maybe a big guy like Rasheed Wallace (although it pains me to say it) who is, according to NBA player surveys, one of the league's best defenders and hardest to cover, would be a good pick because he can step out and draw foreign big men out of the paint. And you know he's be good soundbites for all the NBC coverage.

I feel about J-Kidd in the Olympics the same way I feel about J-Kidd to the Mavs...WHY? Don't we think that D. Williams and Chris Paul can handle the PG duties? If they get into trouble I assume that Kobe can run the point. There's another spot for another shooter.

USA BASKETBALL...YOU CAN'T HAVE ENOUGH SHOOTERS!!!!

Sidenote: On the women's side, it's not about being Patriotic. If the MVP Runner-up isn't good enough to be on your team, don't be upset when she fulfills her Olympic dreams for another country, let alone Russia. Kudos to Becky Hammon for being one of the best in the world.