NHL Power rankings- week of Jan 23, 2006

Latest lists:

Yahoo Sports Power Rankings

ESPN Power Rankings

The Sporting News Power Rankings

Red Wings are still a top team in the NHL. Cool!! Along with my Wings, Ottawa is one of the teams that I think is going to stay strong well into the post-season too.

Grace and peace,

somethings got to give (?)

Two blogs I enjoy and read regularly have posted reviews of a popular book, 'Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality', by Donald Miller.

Last July I read BLJ through once, and though I enjoyed the read, still do not know exactly where I stand on it, and more importantly, how it will affect my ministry. I liked BLJ because it was steeped in a sort of trench reality, and it seemed like Donald Miller really stuck his neck out to show people the love of Christ. Yet, BLJ also 'seemed' to condone behavior that was un-Christian or irreverent while doing so.

I often think and struggle with, and between, an understanding of these two different sides. So, I share these two different reviews not to pit them against each other to see which side wins, but to show some examples and begin to explore if one side truly is the one to follow, or maybe hopefully, there is some bridge in between the two to learn from and travel.

If you have read BLJ, or have thoughts to share about this subject or these reviews, I would really like to hear them.

BTW I have been alongside both Denny and Chris in ministry and it is my witness that both of these men are very well educated and experienced in their theology and both love Jesus and deeply committed to God and His purposes. I highly respect them and their ministries.

Denny Burk: A blog on Biblical studies, theology, and politics.

Denny Burk BLJ review"

Chris McGregor: Although I am privileged to be an employee of Fellowship Church and a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, the following views are my own and are not necessarily shared by either of these two organizations.

Chris McGregor BLJ review

Grace and peace,

XL blue collar vs. white collar in the Superbowl 40

Superbowl in my hometown!!

Well it is official, the Steelers take on the Seahawks in the Superbowl being held in Detroit, MI.

ESPN story of matchup

It is going to be a great game, I am looking forward to it. The one thing I really like is this superbwol hosts two very different cities that are identified with two distinctive parts that make up my life.

Blue collar and white collar.

I grew up in Detroit and spent most of my early adult life working blue collar jobs. From the slaughterhouse, to the foundry. After getting my drafting certificates, I left foodservice behind and got into the design / manufacturing disciplines of the autmotive and aerospace worlds. From kitchen and shop floors, I found my way into the world of white collar.

It takes some getting used to the stale air conditioning, the muscle atrophy, and the office politics that rival anything that happens on the shop floor.

Not that I mind being white collar, I love working in engineering, and have done quite well, but there will always be a shop floor kind of guy inside. It just seems like a simpler lifestyle, and I like that part.

Okay, so back to Superbowl XL…..

Despite the differences between these two teams, steel vs. cappucino, Mitch Albom, I have become aware that both quarterbacks might be Christians as well. I know Hasselback is: he was a member of the church Tori and I were members of back in Seattle. Tori even spoke to Matt on the phone before.

And, I have been told that Roethlisberger (what a great name!) is also someone who puts heavy emphasis on the Lord in his life, but I am not sure how deep his faith is.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the game. I am rooting for Seattle, since I have spent time there and generally think they are the better team.