Thursday, June 30, 2011

Top SEC Players for 2011

Top Players at each position:

QB: Aaron Murrey, UGA

RB: Marcus Lattimore, USC

WR: Alshon Jeffery, USC

TE: Orson Charles, UGA

C: Quentin Saulsberry, MSU

OG: Barrett Jones, UA

OT: Bradley Sowell, UM

PK: Blair Walsh, UGA
_____________

DE: Jake Bequette, ARK

DT: Jaye Howard, UF

LB: Danny Travathan, UK

S: Mark Barron, UA

CB: Dre Kirkpatrick, UA

KR: Chris Rainey, UF

P: Who cares?


Other players to watch:

Trent Richardson - RB, UA
Micheal Dyer - RB, AU
Vick Ballard - RB, MSU
Greg Childs - WR, ARK
Brandon Barden - TE, VU
Larry Warford - OG, UK
Kendrell Lockett - DE, UM
Fletcher Cox - DT, MSU
Courtney Upshaw - LB, UA
Dont'a Hightower - LB, UA
Chris Marve - LB, VU
Robert Lester - S, UA
Nickoe Whitley - S, MSU
Stephon Gilmore - CB, USC


JB

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Homophobic

"Homophobic" - you are very hip if you use that term. I was watching the NBA Playoffs and they had a commercial with various NBA players who raised caution about calling people faggots or queer while playing sports, saying that's not cool because it is a homophobic slur. Isn't a phobia supposed to mean you are afraid of something. How is a slur a phobia?

People are so afraid of offending gays now. People I knew who made fun of gays 5-10 years ago have changed their view of homosexuals...why? That was a rhetorical question because I know exactly why...TV. Women fall victim to this oh so easily. All the TV shows have a gay man or woman and that person is either victimized or shown to be a normal person worthy of acceptance. This has changed people's view of gays from despicable behavior to exciting person.

It has almost become fashionable to be gay...the stigma of being disgusting is out of it. People used to look like they were going to hurl when the thought of homosexual behavior came up. But the thoughts of how people of the same sex play around under the covers has been taken away and it's simply seen as a personal preference.

Then folks say that people are born gay, and they have no choice in the matter. Well, I don't believe that, reason number one being that God created man and woman and he created sex, and he didn't intend for a man and a man or a woman and a woman to be together romantically or sexually. "If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads" Leviticus 20:13.

Moreover, if there are certain people who might have a propensity to homosexual desires why should it be okay for them to be gay? There are people born with a propensity to become alcoholics. Should we take the attitude, "You're an alcoholic? May you glory in your drunkenness! We'll have a celebration, because, after all, that's how God made you!" Or, there are many folks with a propensity towards heterosexual lust. Should adultery be something that you glory in? Should we say, "No problem! We'll make you an outstanding adulterer! That's how God created you! He's given you those desires and those desires need to be met!"

Why do people become gay? - I think it's as simple as them opening themselves up to it. Maybe they are experimenting with drugs and somehow it happened one night and they didn't think it was so bad so they tried it again. Maybe a woman has had bad experiences with men and a lesbian opens her up to the idea. Maybe a man has had difficulty pursuing women but he knows what to say to another man. Perhaps a person is in high school and has problems fitting in, and they find comfort in a group that experiments with sexuality - and soon they are wrapped up in it like a person can be with drugs or alcohol.

Same sex marriage is a hot topic in today's culture. Some people who are turned off by homosexuality and may be against it don't really care about whether or not it is legalized as it has no real baring on their life...but it could. If gay marriage is legalized then it becomes a completely acceptable part of American culture. Now when you're growing up you not only get to choose what career path you want to take, but you get to choose whether you would like to be gay, straight, or both. Kids are taught that people grow up, get married, and have kids. And getting married means the opposite sex. But if there are married people of the same sex then that is an option as well. It's just one more fight parents will have to battle with society. And rest assured that people who teach their children that homosexuality is wrong will be scorned and made fun of by the secular world.

I don't think homosexuality is an unforgivable sin, or that's it's any worse than lying or stealing, murder, adultery. I think it's a perversion of the bodies God gave us and we should not accept it just like we don't accept lying, stealing, murder, or adultery. My hope is that when people see gays portrayed on TV they don't give in to what those writers and producers are hoping you give into, and that's the acceptance of gays in society.

JB

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Tennis

I like to watch major tennis championships. And I would have to say that Wimbledon is my favorite to watch. I like the U.S. Open too, but the back half of it always cuts into football season so that gets overruled.

I'm always rooting for an American to win, which means I'm always rooting for Andy Roddick because he's pretty much been the only American who had a chance for the last 10 years. But then he gets eliminated in the 3rd round yesterday so I'm pretty much ending that hope.

I really wish an American would win a major championship. Roddick was the last one to do so when he won his one and only in 2003. The bad part about tennis is how predictable it is. Basically you can say, out of a 128 player field, there are only three players that can win: Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer. Maybe Andy Murrey has a shot, but you can probably put all your money down that no one outside those four will win. Still, watching the great players play is pretty amazing.


JB

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Food Stamps or Paychecks?

There are 47 million Americans on food stamps. Wow. Is that statistic related to how poor our economy is or how many people are taking advantage of the system? I think it's probably a function of both, but is raises the question...do we want to be a country that relies on food stamps or paychecks?

Now I'm not saying that all the people who are on food stamps are happy to rely on them to eat. But I'm sure some people are, in fact, they probably think the government owes them the food stamps. The reality is there are people rich and poor who believe that the less fortunate should be given things so that it will make the scales closer to even.

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

That is a verse I like to live by. I don't want any handouts from the government when I am perfectly capable of producing on my own. Whether I get breaks in my life or not, I know I am an able-bodied man and I can provide something to my family and my community and not be a burden to taxpayers.

I've got a simple way to get out of this never-ending recession: end unemployment and cut taxes. Too many people are developing a government-funded lifestyle where congress extends unemployment and welfare and they keep taking naps and eating Cheetos. People don't want to go back to work because they can make the same amount sitting on the couch. When are these people going to be forced to get off that couch and be productive?! And help businesses out by cutting taxes so these people can get back to work. Quit trying to implement social programs, let's get the economy back before we reinvent the wheel. Let's not be socialist and all have a spoonful, let's be capitalist and all be able to have a plate-full.

JB

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

College Football Blues

It's late June. Time for the college football summertime blues. The magazines are out, now all there is left is talking about the season until it gets here. The feeling should reach a fever pitch once training camps start in August.

On January 19th I gave my way-to-early SEC predictions. I've avoided thinking about the upcoming season too much because I don't want to get too excited and then wish the summer away waiting for football. So here are my initial thoughts about 2011, subject to change before my final predictions to be released in mid-August.

EAST

I'm still going with Florida. Call it a hunch but I think Charlie Weis will turn John Brantley into a really good QB this year. We'll see what happens with Stephen Garcia but South Carolina will most likely be the consensus pick to win the division. I am looking at Vanderbilt to play some teams tough.

WEST

The west will once again be the tougher division. I think there are four top 20 teams and if Auburn can rebound from their team being absolutely gutted they could sneak into the Top 25. I have no idea right now who I will pick to win the division...all I do know is that it won't be Auburn or Ole Miss.


I will probably post some SEC football-related material at least once a week until I make my predictions in August so look forward to that.

JB

Monday, June 20, 2011

Letting Friends Help You Out

One thing I have tried to accept lately is letting friends help me out. I used to always feel that if I asked someone to do something that it could be an inconvenience for them so I wouldn't ask. And I'm talking about friends and family, not strangers or acquaintances.

But that is a silly mindset. If you are sick, if you need help, or if you could just use a favor, I think you should ask a friend to help you out. What is the point of having friends if they will not be there for you? How many times do you hear from a friend, 'let me know if you need anything' or 'if I can help in any way let me know'? Well, when you needed help did you call them? Probably not, didn't want to impose. But the reason they offered was because they really would like to help, because they care about you.

If they were sick, needed help or a favor, would you help them out? Of course you would, you would be happy to help and feel honored that they would ask. So I think not only is asking a friend or family member for help appropriate, but it is respectful to them to give them the opportunity to help.

JB

Friday, June 17, 2011

B.H.O.

Barack Hussein Obama. Or maybe Barely Holding On. Actually, I'm pretty amazed at how well he is still doing considering how bad the economy is and how poorly his policies have been received by the American public. Unless things change in the next year and a half he will be gone in 2012, I don't see how he won't be.



Of course I view it that way, but what about all the people that believe what is said on ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, and almost every other channel that says anything about politics. Even on ESPN he is made to look like a really cool guy picking college basketball brackets. Hey, I'll admit that is pretty smart to get 20-year-old guys who don't know anything about politics to like you. But what substance does he have? None, he is likable and that's it. I have no facts to back this up, but I would say 5-10% of the people who vote do so based on how they view the candidate as an individual regardless of their political positions.

In his speeches he's really likable if you are from the left. Whenever he responds to a conservative issue he uses a tone like, 'you are so stupid, you don't know what's going on, and you're wasting my precious time'. But that's how almost all liberals act when they are debating a conservative. The thinking is always, 'this is a waste of time because you are so ignorant'. But hey, if you don't know what's going on, that snarky tone from Obama just looks like he is in control and conservatives are clueless.

So President Obama is real likable and that gets him a 50% approval rating. That's fine, whatever. I don't see it. Against all odds including being a poor candidate John McCain got 47% of the vote in 2008, so I certainly don't expect Obama to be re-elected unless he pulls a rabbit out of his pants.

JB

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Original Movie Scores

Movie scores can really bring a film to life. Have you ever watched a movie and there was no music, didn't it seem eerie? Music makes it funnier, more dramatic, suspenseful, etc. It enhances the movie.

I've been challenged to come up with my Top 8 original movie scores by Dr. Brandon Walley, and then compare mine with his to determine the greatest of all time..

The Dr.'s Top 8:

1- The Good The Bad and The Ugly--Main Title: Who doesn't recognize this iconic western song? Even if someone doesn't realize what movie it's from they recognize the song.

2- Pulp Fiction-Miserlou: Even though this song was famous before the movie, I think the movie put it in another category. Everyone knows it now.

3- Last of the Mohicans--Main Title: This song inspires a range of emotions from the movie, it makes you reflect on the beauty of the mountains in the movie, it makes you think about someone you love and it makes you want to take revenge on an evil Indian named Magua, all in one song.

4- The Good The Bad and The Ugly--The Ecstasy of Gold: Another great song from probably the greatest movie soundtrack of all time, plus it inspired one of the greatest Nike commercials ever.

5- Gladiator--The Battle: Not much to say here, just awesome.

6- Hang Em High--Main Title: Another great western theme song.

7- Forrest Gump--Main Title: It kind of makes you sad when you listen to it, but it also reminds you of how great that movie is, not to mention the rest of the soundtrack.

8- Lonesome Dove--Main Title: Technically not a "movie" but probably the best made for TV movie ever and one of the greatest characters of all time, Gus.


My Top 8:

1- Back to the Future: It's just the best, period.

2- Rocky: How can you not get pumped up?

3- A Fistful of Dollars: This is just the best in the dollars trilogy.

4- Top Gun: Need I say more?

5- Jaws Theme: How many pieces of music conger up the same image in everyone's head...a shark fin.

6- The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly: Obviously a classic.

7- E.T.: Everybody knows this one.

8- Star Wars: Not a big Star Wars fan, but c'mon this had to be on here.


JB

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Why Does It Matter?

Universalism is like a virus that has found its way to Christianity. Many people disguise their universalism by calling themselves progressive Christians. People may go to church with them and take their words to heart, and before you know it they are wrapped up in their liberal fantasy land. But you may be asking yourself, these people may have a different view on God but they believe in Jesus and are Christian, so why do I care about this stuff?

1) It allows people to pick and choose what they want to believe based off what is convenient for them. 2) The toughest group for liberals to crack is Christians, this is a way to infiltrate from within and turn the tables. 3) If #2 happens, then we are in for a bunch of social change in America...and those changes aren't in line with God's principles. 4) They are wrong, they should be rebuked.

Politics and religion...they are intertwined. Those are two things people don't like to talk about, but they are important...and need to be addressed.

JB

Monday, June 13, 2011

Universalism

There is an undercurrent that is moving through American society. It's keyword is acceptance, then political correctness. It has seeped into churches disguised by calling itself 'love'.

Through the acceptance and political correctness that has transpired in secular society, it has opened the door for the idea of universalism within Christianity. Universalism is the belief that everyone will go to heaven no matter which religion you are apart of.

On the surface this idea doesn't make much sense. If there is a God, why would he let you into his heaven if you are worshiping another god? But the foundation of the universalism belief system is based on the idea that God loves everyone so much that he would not want anyone to endure hell. Therefore, no matter which god you worship, or if you even worship any god, you will ultimately spend eternity in heaven.

It seems to me like you might as well be agnostic if you are going to have this mindset. But I'm sure people who go to church as universalist like the moral standard religion provides, and the order it keeps in society.

The reason I have to disagree with universalism is stated in John 14:6 when Jesus said, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." That pretty much sums it up for me.

JB

Friday, June 10, 2011

Beer Battered Fish

Here's a quick and simple recipe my wife came up with.

Take some fish...we used tilapia, but use whatever fish you want. Clean it and put it in a bowl. Lightly sprinkle some salt and pepper on it. Then take a beer (about 1/4 beer per fish), we used Bud Light Lime, and soak the fish for about an hour.

Start up the grill and place the fish on the grill over aluminum foil/or a grill plate with holes in it. Once they've been on the grill for a couple minutes, spread a light coat of butter on the fish. Then sprinkle with seasoned salt for flavor. Grill the fish for 10-15 minutes depending on how hot your grill is and enjoy.

JB

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

GOP 2012

The race to run against Barack Obama is heating up in the Republican Party. Here is my take on the field.

The most important issue is going to be the economy. There are other issues like gay marriage and illegal immigration. We are still fighting a war in the middle east. But the election will be won or lost depending on whether the American people believe Obama or the Republican nominee will be better at getting us out of this poor economic situation.

If I were going to pick a candidate who I think would embody what I want in a president it would be Mike Huckabee. Without a doubt I would cast my vote for him as I agree with virtually everything he stands for, however, he is not running.

If Sarah Palin decides to run I don't think she could win nor would I want her to be president. That has nothing to do with her as a person or her ideals. The media has harrassed her since the first day she was on the national scene, and she stumbles way too much to be in the position of leadership that is the President of the United States. Michele Bachmann would be a better female candidate, but she is too conservative to be elected president. I like her politics, but I don't think she could win.

Ron Paul is basically a libertarian and really stands no chance other than to stir the pot...same for Donald Trump. I think Hermain Cain is a really good candidate, and it could be good to have a black Republican running to sway some of the black voters, but I'm not so sure he has much of a chance at this point...but I really like him and I would vote for him.

That leaves three candidates left that I believe have a chance to win the nomination: Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich, and Mitt Romney. To rank them in order of the best chance to beat Obama: 1. Romney 2. Pawlenty 3. Gingrich. To rank them in order of who I think would do the best job as president: 1. Gingrich 2. Pawlenty 3. Romney.

If the #1 issue is the economy then Gingich is our man. He has a record of restoring order to the budget and I feel very confident that he would be able to dig us out of this hole. But it's a catch-22 because do I want Gingrich running against Obama - maybe not. He has a tendency to offend people and I don't know that he could capture the swing vote. I think Romney could. And while who really knows Romney's social policies, I know he is a fiscal conservative and I'll take that over what we have now. I think Pawlenty could win but maybe only with Romney as his VP. The ideal ticket for me right now would be Gingrich/Cain in '12.

JB

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Why Bad Things Happen to Good People

It seems like if you are a good person, good things should happen to you. It only makes sense, right? Why would God allow bad things to happen to good people, people who strive to do right and live by his commandments?

Well the short answer to that last question is we all sin, we all fall short, we all do not perfectly execute the Ten Commandments. So on some measure, we deserve to be punished. But there are good people, who care about others, who try not to lie or steal. Even people who live for God and seek every day to glorify God, why do bad things happen to them?

The answer I have to this question is a simple one but it requires faith. First, faith that God is looking out for you if you are following his will for your life. Next, faith that there is a heaven.

If you have faith that God is looking out for you, that he has a plan for your life then you will be able to see the reasons for the bad things that happen. There is almost no way for you to recognize these at first, but down the road as you reflect you will see how God orchestrated those bad things to teach you or help you in someway, or maybe it was to direct your path in a different way that would help you end up better than where you were going. Bad things are unfortunate, but if you know God has a reason for it happening then you can have comfort in the fact that you are in his hands and it will all work out.

The fact of life is, life is not even a drop in the bucket compared to eternity. Eternity is infinite, it never ends. This life is imperfect because of sin, our sin and the sins of others. Bad things happen to us even if we are as good as we can be. In heaven life is perfect, there is harmony among everyone, and all the temptation of life is gone. So heaven is the place where good things happen to good people, not here on Earth, in the world we live in.

Bad things happen to everyone. When bad things happen to bad people it seems justified, but not when they happen to good people. But the fact is we all sin and all fall short of deserving to have only good things happen to us. It is important to know that God is in control of our lives and by entrusting your life to him you can have comfort and peace of mind that everything will work out for the best.

JB