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Since today is my last day at work before January 5, I thought I would jot down some of my New Year’s Resolutions. Some of you (or all of you) might not care, but it’s a way to let me throw some ideas down and keep myself accountable. If I don’t blog again before Christmas or January 5, I hope everyone has a very great Christmas and New Year’s.

My New Year’s Resolutions

1. Spend time with God every single day of 2009 (One of the most difficult tasks for me. I usually fail at this by January 7.)
2. Become a better man (Stronger character and integrity) Read more…

Late Friday night, I came across this video on Facebook. As I watched it, I was mesmerized, convicted, and saddened at the same time. The video is from Penn Jillette of the famous entertaining duo, Penn & Teller. The duo is best known for their shows of illusion in Vegas, their TV shows, and Penn’s brief stint on Dancing With the Stars. 

Nearly everything Penn stands for, I oppose. He is a staunch atheist, believes in the legalization of all drugs, and holds many other far left-wing radical liberal views. However, in the video I have listed below, he brings up some very good points I whole-heartedly agree with, but for different reasons. The video has convicted me to the core, as it should to all Christians. Watch it, and then throw me a comment and let me know what you think:

Many people look back at the Supreme Court cases of Engel v. Vitale [1962] and Abington School District v. Schempp [1963] as landmark decisions. These rulings prohibited school-sanctioned prayer in public schools. 

Since that time, many Christians have fought to get prayer back in public schools. Rallies have been held, senators have been petitioned, and lawsuits have been formed. However, the court cases have not been overturned.

Despite the efforts of many Christians to overturn this legislation, we must consider: Is Prayer in School Unconstitutional? I think the best answer I can give is: yes and no.

Contrary to what many people believe, it is NOT illegal to pray in a public school. Students have every right to pray over their meal, pray with friends, and even read their Bible in school. 

However, it is illegal for a public school to sanction prayer. In other words, the principal cannot get up during an assembly and lead the school in prayer. 

Many people have been upset about the removal of school-sanctioned prayer ever since the 1960s. However, is it possible that school-sanctioned prayer is unconstitutional? In my opinion, the answer is yes. 

The First Amendment of the US Constitution established a principle of the separation of church and state. Many people do not know Thomas Jefferson established that principle to protect the church from the state. However, as time has gone by, its purpose has changed to protect the state from the church. In any regard, this very principle is the foundation for why school-sanctioned prayer was outlawed in public schools.

While that might have seemed horrific in the 1960s, we can now look at the Constitution and see that it was actually necessary in order to abide by our country’s foundation. Now some might say “But our country was founded on God. We have taken God out of public school!” In many regards those people are right. Those people, however, should also find some satisfaction in the Supreme Court decisions of 1962 and 1963.

Here’s why: Our country has turned away from God. We can no longer call ourselves a “Christian nation.” We are many things…but a Christian nation is not one of them! By the government removing school-sanctioned prayer from public schools, they actually saved many Christians future battles.

With the introduction and advancement of many new religions into the US since the 1960s, many people are teaching and promoting religions that contradict Christianity. If, in fact, school-sanctioned prayer was still lawful in 2008, what kind of prayers would schools be sponsoring?

If those laws never took effect, a Muslim principal would have every right to lead the school in a prayer to Allah. A Buddhist principal would have every right to lead the public school in a prayer to Buddha. Would Christians be upset at this? Yes and rightly so! 

By declaring school-sanctioned prayer as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court actually prevented Christians from facing further legal battles.

To those who still believe they should fight for school-sanctioned prayer, let me say this: You will never change any hearts or convert people to Christianity by fighting legal battles. Yes, sometimes they are necessary to protect your rights. However, this battle will never change hearts. Individual hearts are changed by compassion, love, and lives of Christian integrity, not by forcing prayer on someone. 

Take comfort in the fact that students still have the right to pray in school, and have the right to pray to the true living God. 

If you have turned on the news lately, particularly Fox News, you’ve heard the debates, arguments, and lawsuits over nativity scenes, Christmas trees, Festivus celebrations, etc.

One of the biggest debates in Christian circles is over whether or not employees at stores should be allowed to say “Merry Christmas.” Many stores have instructed their employees to say “Happy Holidays” instead.

As a Christian, I have no problem with someone telling me “Merry Christmas.” I often say it to others, whether they be friends, employees at stores, waiters or waitresses, or people on the street. I also have no problem when people say it to me.

But what about “Happy Holidays?” While this isn’t my phrase of choice, I have caught myself saying it from time to time. After all, Christmas is a holiday, and so is New Year’s…and both fall around the same time. Personally, I do not have a problem with someone telling me “Happy Holidays.” It’s a kind gesture with no ill intent. It’s much nicer to hear “happy holidays” than “pull around to the second window.”

I do have a problem with stores telling employees they are not allowed to say “Merry Christmas.” Separation of church and state blah blah blah. However, I am not one of those people who will boycott Wal-Mart because one of their employees said “happy holidays” to me. Several Christian groups tried that a couple years ago…and I’m willing to bet it took less than 1 month for them to start their shopping at Wal-Mart again. I’m sure the Walton family was really hurting over that one.

However, the biggest problem I have is the way some Christians react when they hear “happy holidays.” I have seen Christians turn to the employees and said “No! We say “Merry Christmas!” or get in the face of the employee and and sternly say “Merry Christmas!” in a tone that is reminiscent of a person telling a dog to stop urinating on the floor. 

What kind of message does this send? What do the employees think? Imagine this: You’re a 17-year-old employee of Generic Superstore. You’ve started going to church a few times, but haven’t really gotten involved. Your boss calls a meeting and says that just to be on the safe side, you need to say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” to customers this year. While your boss doesn’t necessarily agree with that, it is being put in place so those who are Jewish are not offended. While working at the cashier, as a nice gesture you say “Happy Holidays” to a couple in their mid-40s. Instead of taking it as a compliment, they tear into you and tell you how they are Christians and celebrate the birth of Christ and they say “Merry Christmas” because that’s what Christmas is all about. It’s not some secular holiday that is focused on materialism.

How would that make you feel? Unfortunately, that sort of thing is happening every year! Christians, who are acting self-righteous, prideful, and arrogant, take the Christmas season and turn it into a crusade against the world.

Unfortunately, not only does that make them look bad, but it also turns people off to the message of Christ. Hearts are not changed by us telling someone “we say Merry Christmas!.” Hearts are changed by us showing Christ’s compassion and love to the world.

Yes, I celebrate Christmas. You probably do too. But the next time someone says “Happy Holidays” to you, try showing them the love of Christ rather than the wrath of Christians.

By now I’m sure you have probably seen the video (see below) of an Iraqi journalist throwing his 2 shoes at President George W. Bush. The act was no doubt classless, rude, disrespectful, and a slap in the face to our leader. Whether or not you like President Bush, you have to admit that he did not deserve that. 

However, I have to give a lot of credit to President Bush for dodging the shoes. Even if you’ve already seen the video, take a look at it one more time. The guy fires both of his shoes at President Bush’s head, and yet he ducks both of them with no problem. He definitely has a career in dodgeball once his term is finished. 

Although you can’t see it too well on this video, my favorite part of the video is the smirk President Bush gets after the guy throws the first shoe. If you look closely, you can see a smile on his face as if he’s almost laughing. Great stuff! Check it out for yourself!

Baseball fans are familiar with the phrase, “That’s just Manny being Manny.” Manny Ramirez, the outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers is known for his crazy antics, memorable quotes, unorthodox defense, and questionable effort. Last year in a game, as Manny was going back on a fly ball, he caught the ball near the wall, jumped up and gave a fan a high-five, and then proceeded to throw out a runner for a double play.

That’s just Manny being Manny.

Ramirez is currently a free agent, looking to sign a monstrous deal after having a great finish to the 2008 season with the Dodgers. Before free agency began, the Dodgers offered Manny two years for $45 million. Yeah, not too shabby! However, Manny didn’t take the deal and filed for free agency.

Even though Ramirez is a superstar who has more money than he knows what to do with, he’s not too happy with his current status in the free agent market. With many teams focused on pitching and infielders, and with the economy putting some teams (other than the Yankees and Mets) in a crunch, the offers have not been flying around like Manny expected. 

Manny, in fact, has been so upset by the lack of suitors and offers that he has told friends he will retire if he doesn’t see an offer to his liking in the near future. In other words, if you don’t give me exactly what I want, I’m going to take my ball and go home!

Now Manny has every right in the world to do this. If he wants to retire, he’s entitled to it. But is it right to threaten retirement because you’re not receiving the $30 million/year you feel you deserve?

This brings back some memories of comments made my NBA player, Latrell Sprewell, in 2004. Sprewell, who was making $14.6 million/year at the time, questioned why he should show any effort while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sprewell said:

“Why would I want to help them win a title? They’re not doing anything for me. I’ve got a lot at risk here. I’ve got my family to feed.”

I think a lot of families would love to have $14.6 million to survive live off of. In fact, some Third World nations could survive off of that for an entire year. Arrogance and ignorance is not pretty!

I see Manny Ramirez as being in the same position. He’s been offered more money than he will ever need, but he’s still not happy with it. If he doesn’t get what he wants, he’s going to quit. 

It’s not as if Manny’s life is so difficult. His friends have reported that in the off-season he’s been spending his time working out, watching cartoons, and playing video games. Sounds like a rough life for a multi-millionaire who works 8 months out of the year!

Guys like Manny and Sprewell are a disgrace to hardworking Americans. They don’t seem to know the value of a hard-earned dollar. Instead, they are filled with greed, a sense of entitlement, and think everything is owed to them. 

Unfortunately, kids and adults are using their hard-earned money to buy shirts, baseball games, and jerseys with these players’ names on the back. 

I’m not upset with baseball players making as much as they do. If it’s being offered, they’re going to take it. I get upset when they become greedy and ungrateful. 

Anyone else have any thoughts on this issue?

One of my good friends, Ryan Akers (FWBBC and Truth & Peace Alumni), went on a trip to Haiti some time back and was very moved and heartbroken by what he saw. Because of this, he decided to take action. As an avid runner, Ryan created his own group called “Run 4 Haiti” in attempts to raise money. Here is an excerpt from Ryan, from the Mountain Faith Mission web site:

I love running. It’s been a passion of mine for a few years now. I’m quite the running geek, too, as I enjoy reading magazines and books about the sport. As I’ve read, I’ve seen numerous stories of people who have raised money for some charitable cause. Thus, we find Run 4 Haiti.

Presently, I am training for the 2009 Country Music Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee. On April 25, 2009, I’ll toe the line with some 30,000 people to participate in the race. On that day, my goal is to have support flowing in from all over the nation for Mountain Faith Mission of Haiti. So here’s the deal…

I am asking for any individuals, churches, youth groups…anyone who wants to get involved to join the team by supporting Run 4 Haiti. Every single penny that is donated goes straight to Mountain Faith Mission. This money will help improve the lives of thousands of people on the central plateau of Haiti. My goal is to get donations of $1 a mile for a total of $26. In a country where we have so much, this donation would nearly be a month’s wage for many in Haiti.

I know many people will look at this and say, “Oh, that’s nice, but I’m too strapped for money right now.” Or maybe, “That’s cool…but I tithe…so I’m taken care of.”

I’m asking you to think a little deeper about this issue. Yes, the economy is bad right. Yes, money is tight. But even in these times, do our economic hardships even compare with the people in Haiti? Not a chance. 

Our economic problems revolve around cutting back in Christmas gifts and eating out. It may even involve losing a job. However, their economic problems revolve around survival–getting enough food to eat, getting medical help, etc.

To everyone who reads this, I encourage you to take some action, especially this holiday season. Maybe you’ll choose to support Haiti through Ryan. Maybe you’ll choose to get involved with Mocha Club, something I’ve been privileged to get involved with. Maybe you’ll choose to be a part of Malaria No More, which I wrote about in a previous post. Maybe it’s donating to Toys for Tots.

More than anything, help someone who is less fortunate. That $7/month or one time gift of $26 really isn’t going to hurt you that much.

Show the love of Christ. Give!

For more information, check out these sites:

Mountain Faith Mission- Run 4 Haiti 

Run 4 Haiti Blog

Mocha Club

Malaria No More

When I woke up this morning and turned my TV to Mike and Mike in the Morning, I was greeted with breaking news. The New York Yankees were about to sign pitcher C.C. Sabathia to a 7-year, $161 million contract, making him the richest player in major league baseball.

Even though free agency is in high form, there have been many reports that the money paid out to players this year will be slightly lower because of the economy. Just yesterday, the Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez to a deal that was lower than previously expected (don’t worry…he’ll survive).

A lot of people were looking to Sabathia to set the tone. Unfortunately, the Evil Empire decided to swoop in and disregard all economic tones and overpay.

ESPN.com has not let this pass by unscathed. On their front page today, they included an application where you could see how your salary stacks up to Sabathia’s. I entered my salary and here are the results:

To achieve my salary, C.C. Sabathia will have to have:

 - .3 strikeouts
- .02 wins
- .04 games
- .3 innings pitched 

In the flip side, I will need to work 846.56 years in order to make CC Sabathia’s annual salary. 

Now I’m not here to complain about my salary. I’m happy with the money I make. It provides what I need and even a little more for luxuries.

But if I’m happy, satisfied, and doing just fine with the money I have, is there really a need for a major league baseball pitcher…who works 1 out of every 5 days…7 months a year…to make $161 million over the next 7 years?

Some will say it’s supply and demand. As fans, we go to the games and pay for tickets, food, merchandise, etc. In turn, that money goes right back to the players.

To an extend that is true, but I have a feeling things are about to change. Major League Baseball (especially the New York Yankees) is losing touch with the common man.

The players and owners might not see it now, but the economic downturn will have an effect on baseball. Have you seen how outrageous the ticket prices are for baseball games? If you want a seat where you can see the players, you’re going to have to shell out $22 per seat, plus another $6 per seat for handling, shipping, convenience fees, yada yada yada. 

And don’t even think about eating at a game! Apparently Satan is now controlling the prices for food at games. Hot dogs can run $6. A 20 oz soda will cost you at least $4.50. If you’re a beer drinker, it’s time to give it up…cause that will cost you around $8 a cup!

Baseball doesn’t realize that in the 2009 season, we are not going to shell out the cash like we once did. Sure, season tickets might not suffer in setbacks because they people that used to buy them can still afford them. But the average household can no longer afford to make weekend trips to the ballpark when tickets, food, and parking will cost $150+.

The owners, the players, the GMs, and the agents need to realize WE are the ones who make the game popular. WE are the ones who pay their salaries. WE are the ones who bring in all of the revenue. Without us, they have nothing. 

Unfortunately, their eyes have been blinded by greed and big market teams are still willing to overpay with big market prices for big market players.

Major League Baseball has lost touch with the rest of us.

Friday night I attended a concert in Nashville, TN. It did not start out well! Not the concert, but the travel. What should have been a 15 minute drive turned into a 2 hour drive. We parked 15 blocks from the arena, and walked through the freezing cold. Apparently Nashville organizes don’t understand you can’t plan 2 concerts, a parade, and shut down the main road in Nashville (Broadway) all at the same time. Chaos!!!

If you’ve ever been to a concert with classical music, you know there are certain rules of etiquette. For example, it is rude to clap in between the different movements of a piece. You should wait until the end of the piece to clap.

Well, during Friday night’s concert (Tobymac, Relient K, etc) I noticed some rules of etiquette should be put in place for all other types of concerts as well:

- If you don’t know the band’s old songs, don’t claim to be their biggest fan. Sure you can sing-a-long with the latest radio hit, but you’re gonna look kinda weird when you’re stone faced because they’re playing a hit from 2002.

- Do NOT go nuts playing air guitar on lead solos. You couldn’t play it if you had a real guitar in your hand, so leave the riff to the real musician.

- If you’re going to get in the mosh pit and jump around, don’t come out crying if someone elbows you or steps on your foot.

- Act like your parents let you out of the house every once in awhile. There’s no need to scream randomly.

- If you wouldn’t scream when your parent says it, don’t scream when the artist says it. [Lead singer: "We went to Subway today..."] [You: "Yeah!!!!! I love Subway!!!! Woooohoooo!!!!"]

- If your tickets are on the floor, no sitting allowed.

- When it’s completely quiet and the artist is talking about children who are dying in Africa, don’t yell “I love you!”

- Wear clothes that fit…seriously.

- If you don’t have a cell phone to hold up during a slow song, don’t use your PSP instead.

- If you’re 6′4, don’t pick your hair into a fro before the concert. The people behind you won’t be too happy.

- Don’t try to act hardcore if your mom brought you to the concert in her mini-van. 

- If you’re at a Christian concert and you want to raise your hands in worship, that’s fine. But it’s not worship if you only raise them cause the camera pans over to you. 

- If you have a 4 month old baby, do not attach him to yourself with a harness, put earplugs in his ears, and stand in the mosh pit 5 feet from the stage (Yes, I saw this Friday night!)

- If you have a 3 year old, do not die his hair red and put it in a mohawk (Yes, I saw this Friday night…from the same family that had the baby!)

In 1993, NBA basketball player Charles Barkley sparked a great debate when he said, “I am not a role model.” These six simple words created huge controversy and started arguments across the nation concerning the nature of role models. 

As a follow-up, Sir Charles later added that people should not be looking to professional athletes as role models; rather, parents should be the role models kids and teenagers look up to. Despite his attempts to clear the air, Barkley started a debate that has continued to this day.

Peyton can throw a football, Kobe can hit the threes, and Pujols can launch a ball into the stands, but does that qualify them as heroes? Does athletic talent give us a reason to look up to someone else? If not, then who are our role models? What characteristics make up a role model?

As much as we enjoy listening to our favorite musician, watching our favorite actress, or cheering for our favorite athlete, they should not be our first pick when considering our role models. We may think we know a lot about them, but do we really know them?

Our heroes and role models should be the people we see every day—the people who inspire us to be better, try harder, and reach higher. They are the parents who provide for us, the grandparents who teach us lessons about life, and the teachers who invest their lives in us. They may not have celebrity status, but they’ve given us more than any Emmy award winner ever could.

Our real heroes stand outside the spotlight—not because Hollywood has rejected them, but because they are more concerned with working behind the scenes and ensuring that spotlight shines on us instead. Who are your role models? Thank them, love them, and let them know they are the real heroes in your life. 

(This is an introductory article I wrote that will appear in CLEAR Horizon student magazine, Spring 2009)