Prepare ye the Way of the Lord

"Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together."  (Isiah 40:4-5)

Before the way of the Lord can be prepared, a mountain must rise up.  A valley must descend.  A road must become bumpy.  It is when obstacles appear that one can see the Hand of the Lord in action.  This is His preferred way.  He wants something visible, something tangible staring right back at us to show us the challenge that is in front.  He then begs us to watch Him overcome that obstacle... Because then all flesh can see His glory revealed as He prepares the way.

"Bridge Over Trouble Water"

When you're weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I'm on your side. when times get rough
And friends just can't be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

When you're down and out,
When you're on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I'll take your part.
When darkness comes
And pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

Sail on silvergirl,
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.

DVR'ing Through Life

I didn't watch the British Open live this weekend.  I only set my DVR to record it, and I only planned on watching if Tom Watson won.  In other words, I had no interest in watching if there was no happy ending.  And as it happened, Watson missed the putt to win and lost badly in a playoff.  So I deleted the recorded show and never watched.

I find myself wanting to do this in life.  For instance, we're in the middle of buying a house, and like I so often want to do, I wish I could fast-forward the next couple months rather than witnessing first-hand how it all unfolds.  I don't want to watch b/c I'm afraid it won't end well.  I'm afraid we won't get the house we want, or I'm afraid the financing will fall through... blah, blah, blah.  I only want to watch the events unfold if I can be certain it will turn out in a way "favorable" to me, i.e. we get a house we're both excited about.

That's not how You want me to go through life, is it Lord?  You don't want me to DVR life.  You want me to walk where You lead me... and to walk in faith that just as You led me to get into the boat , You will also lead me out of the storm to the other side (Luke 8:22-25).  And You want me to watch it all as it happens.

Forgive me Lord when I don't trust You to finish the job.  When I don't trust You that no matter what I go through, the only thing that matters is that You're right there with me with Your loving arms holding me tight.  And it won't all be good - You are good, but life may not be.  But Your ways are perfect.  And I can always rest in that.

Thank You Father.    Amen. 

Furnace of Affliction

I'm going to attempt something here... I'm going to start to journal, although not tell anyone about it.  And seeing how no one really knows about this blog, it may be just You and me, God.  Which is fine... in fact that's how it usually is.

Not sure which direction this will go... it may be a recap of the day's events and a daily prayer offered.  Or it may be something more along the psalms of David, who poured his heart out to You during good and bad.  I'm not the musician David was, but I love you Lord and am after Your heart.  And it was You who gave me this love for writing, just as you gave David his love for music.  So "hear" my words and listen to my heart and be warmed by my presence.

Jesus, what are trying to say to me over the last few months?  So many trials, so much physical pain, so much mental anguish... James 1:5 says to ask for wisdom in the midst of testing and You will give generously.  So what are You trying to impart to me?  I feel this goes beyond endurance (James 1:3).  I look at everyone else I know and feel each one of them has an easier life than me.  From a demanding job to a demanding family life to physical ailments (probably all related), I feel I have no energy left for anything else.  It's like I'm just existing and enduring, and rarely ever enjoying and embracing.  And yet I wouldn't change anything b/c I know You're above all of this and in control and purposing for something grander.  But it's only during times like these in the middle of the night sitting in my closet that I ever understand that You are with me always (Matt 28:20).  The rest of the time, like I said, I feel like I'm just existing.

'Be still and know that I am God' (Psalm 46:10).

Lord, thank You for that word.  Bring stillness to my life.  This is where wisdom and revelation come.  In the day, I will endure.  In the night, I will enjoy Your Presence.  And know You.

I long for deeper intimacy, Father, and pray for a rekindling of a continuous dialogue and revelation with You.

It is only a precious few on this earth who are invited to this level of intimacy and who genuinely know You as a result.  Too many have turned aside from the Way (Ex 3:8).  Or the Path has proved too narrow.  Or the Cross has grown too heavy.

Lord, I now realize the purpose to the last few months of trials... You knew I would be praying this prayer on July 19, 2009, and like You so often do, You began answering this prayer months before I even asked...

These trials are Your device to bring me closer to You.  For You God are a consuming fire (Deut 4:24), and in the furnace of affliction You test us (Is 48:10).  And though we walk in this fire, we are not burned (Is 43:2, Dan 3:27), but instead as Daniel showed to the world, when we are in the fire You appear and walk in our midst (Dan 3:25).

Lord, I pray that in the midst of the fire I can be still and see You standing beside me, so I can know You deeper as a result.      In Your Name Jesus, Amen.

NFL Regular Season Recap and Playoffs Preview

Hey Chinni!  I figured since you're probably the only one who actually goes out to this blog, I'd greet you by name...

So with the Playoffs starting in a few hours, I had one last chance to gather my thoughts on the completed regular season and also offer a few predictions for the Playoffs.  Here's a ranking of all the non-Playoff teams first:

(32)  Detroit - finished 0-16 but in no way one of the worst teams of all time.  In fact, they may not even be the worst team for this year (see #31).  Detroit faced the most difficult schedule in the league.

(31)  St. Louis - if Rams played Lions right now, Lions would win by at least a TD

(30)  Cleveland - why is Scott Pioli considering this job when Denver is also on the radar???  Meddlesome ownership situation + unsettled QB situation + unfriendly cap situation makes this a less than desirable job

(29)  Kansas City - so Shanahan gets fired and Herm keeps his job?  That's fair.  On the brighter side, Thigpen looked very good as the starting QB this year... I'm not sure this will preclude the Chiefs from drafting Stafford or Bradford, but it should.  Thigpen's a starter in this league.

(28)  Cincinnati - worst offense in NFL this season

(27)  Seattle - curious to see how Jim Mora Jr will do next year.  Seattle will have top-5 pick in draft

(26)  Oakland - played very well down the stretch.  Played hard schedule this year.  Russell needs good WRs

(25)  Buffalo - played easiest schedule in the league this year by far... and still wasn't very good.  Needs to address QB position

(24)  Jacksonville - most disappointing team done in by poor personnel decisions in offseason; Garrard is still the answer - he seems to be the type who plays to the level of his teammates.  Thus he'll get better when his teammates (and o-line) get better.

(23)  San Francisco - Shaun Hill looked good as QB;  Singletary took 3 seconds to fire Mike Martz after the season ended.

(22)  Denver - this team should not have been in the Playoffs, SD was way better.  Horrible defense.  Curious to see if Bill Parcells becomes free agent and takes over GM role next month.  Either way, the defense needs a Parcellsian transformation - become bigger, stronger, tougher

(21)  Chicago - decent team, will probably make another playoff push next year

(20)  Houston - great offense, bad defense.  Becoming Denver 2.0, which explains recent firings on defensive side of ball.

(19)  NY Jets - easy schedule this year, but ultimately done in by Favre's recklessness... which is the exact reason Ted Thompson did not want him back in Green Bay.  Thompson was correct in going with Rodgers.

(18)  Green Bay - speaking of...

(16t)  New England - another team that wasn't as good as record indicated, which is a testament to Bill Belichick.  Decimated by injuries this year, which was somewhat expected given age of roster.  Miami was better than NE and deserved to be in Playoffs.

(16t)  Washington - equal grade to NE.  Interested to see offseason (as always in Wash).  Not sure Jim Zorn will be back.  Redskins must change strategy and devote more resources to draft and development - they will NEVER win Super Bowl via free agency.

(15)  Tampa Bay - appropriate they missed Playoffs as they were slipping bad at end of season.  Raheem Morris will be an excellent Defensive Coordinator, but may take a couple years.

(14)  New Orleans - not that they didn't have their chances, but this team was on cusp of being a top-10 team all season.  Still 1-2 players and a good defensive coach away from competing for Super Bowl.

(13)  Dallas - wow, where to begin.  Screw it, just turn on ESPN - the Cowboys are still the only thing they're talking about.  The Eagles were better than the Cowboys this year.

___________

(12)  Arizona - Curious team as they basically took entire month off before Playoffs.  On almost all occasions, that's the wrong strategy, but you never know since they were never playing at a really high level at any point this year.  One dimensional, with decent matchup against Atlanta's suspect defense.

(11)  Indianapolis - I know, I know... blasphemy.  But only the Baltimore game did they without a doubt show they were the better team, and that was 3 months ago.  I won't be surprised if they make a Super Bowl run sine Peyton is best player in playoff field, but based on the regular season, I think they lose to the Chargers.

(10)  Miami - I love this team because it shows how far smart roster management and solid fundamentals can take a team.  It's too bad they have to play the buzzsaw Ravens.

(9)  San Diego - were really much better than record indicated, which is an indictment on Norv Turner.  Kinda the anti-Patriots.  LT may not play tonight which isn't necessarily a bad thing since he's not 100% anyways, and this will force SD to use Darren Sproles more... who always seems to play big in big games.  Rivers was a top-3 QB this year.  Defense has been better since Ron Rivera took over.  Expect to be a shootout tonight with Colts with winner being a real threat to win Super Bowl.

(8)  Tennessee - not big on the Titans' chances.  Next to Buffalo, they played the easiest schedule this year and they're not entirely healthy.  Fisher's the best coach left in the Playoffs, but I have sneaky suspicion this may be a one-and-done year in Nashville.

(7)  Minnesota - alot of people sleeping on the Vikings.  A complete toss-up playing at home vs the Eagles.  Adrian Peterson is best offensive player in Playoffs not named Peyton Manning, and Minnesota may be able to ride him to the next round.  Tarvaris Jackson has been better than people have given him credit for, but still woefully inexperienced in big games.  The Metrodome is one of the few remaining definitive home field advantages.

(6)  Philadelphia - loved that this team made the playoffs as they've been a top team all year despite record.  Still too inconsistent to put together 4 road wins to win a Super Bowl, but could make Conference Championship.

(5)  Atlanta - darkhorse Super Bowl team because they are so balanced on offense, but inexperienced at all positions that they could lose in 1st round.  Ryan's the real deal.  Defense is still suspect.

(3t)  Pittsburgh - Ben Roethlisberger took way too many sacks this year (his fault, not o-line) and it finally caught up to him last week when he suffered a concussion.  Very mediocre offense that will ultimately be their undoing against tenacious defenses like Tennessee, Baltimore, or San Diego.  It's too bad since Pittsburgh defense is best since 2000 Ravens.

(3t)  Baltimore - love, love, love, love the Ravens.  Don't love the fact they have a rookie QB and Head Coach, but this is the toughest team in the league.  Don't underestimate Joe Flacco being from I-AA - he's used to the week-to-week playoff formats.  This team wins games it should, is getting better as the season goes on, is well coached, and imposes their will against every opponent.  Three road games is a tall order, but they are built to win in January.  Ed Reed is best defensive player in the league and the real leader of Ravens defense.

(2)  NY Giants - excellent team and well prepared for second Super Bowl run.  I don't like how they have no go-to WR now that Plax is gone - he single-handedly won their playoff game last year in Green Bay - but they still have enough running to win championship.  Good pass rush which is a necessity in playoffs, and Eli has been playing smart all season.

(1)  Carolina - Best team in the league, by a smidge over the Giants.  DeAngelo Williams has arrived as an superstar - finally I might add - even though no one has realized it yet.  Steve Smith is the best offensive playmaker in the playoffs.  Defense is not spectacular, but very balanced.  Team of veterans that wants to win now.

PREDICTIONS:

Wildcard

Atlanta over Arizona

San Diego over Indianapolis

Baltimore over Miami

Philadelphia over Minnesota (in overtime)

Divisional Round

Carolina over Atlanta

NY Giants over Philadelphia

Baltimore over Tennessee

Pittsburgh over San Diego

Conference Championship

Carolina over NY Giants

Baltimore over Pittsburgh (in an instant classic)

Super Bowl

Carolina over Baltimore

NFL MVP race - week 14

Updated rankings after past week's games...

(8)  Roddy White - really beginning to tick me off that Matt Ryan is getting all the love right now.  Don't get me wrong, Ryan is excellent, but White has been phenomenal this season.  For those who claim he's doing what he's doing b/c of Ryan, last year he caught 80 rec for 1200+ yds... with Chris Redman throwing to him.  Falcons' playoff push will determine where White ends up.   ****UPDATE 12.12.2008 - after writing this, I watched several more Falcons' games I had recorded and completely changed my view on Ryan.  He'll be on the list next week, and he will be very high.  In fact, if I had to pick one player right now to build my franchise around, I would pick Matt Ryan.

(7)  Anquan Boldin - I rethought position last week and concluded it was too difficult to separate Boldin from Fitzgerald from Warner from even Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who as a rookie has established himslef as one of the better shutdown corners in the game.  Still heart and soul of team.

(6)  Chad Pennington - henceforth to be known only as "Chad."  Great passer and leader for this team.  Alot of the Dolphins' credit goes to Parcells for improving roster spots 1-53, but Chad deserves a ton of the credit for bringing stability and leadership to a rudderless team.  His play-action and accuracy fits very well with Ronnie Brown.

(5)  James Harrison - currently my pick for Defensive Player of the Year.  Would garner more MVP consideration if not for Troy Palumalu.  Tenacious pass-rusher who is always disrupting the rhythm of the opposing offense.  Turnover machine.

(4)  Ed Reed - heart and soul of Ravens team and main reason they are now a top-3 overall team.  One of the smarter players in the league.  Has played hurt most of the season.

(3)  Wes Welker - for further proof of MVP-worthiness, see this past week's game against Seahawks.  Once again, he was the best player on the field and the reason the Pats were able to move the ball and keep the ball.  Leading the league in receptions for 2nd year in a row... proving this year he was not a product of Tom Brady, like most of the media has declared.  Finally beginning to shut them up.

(2)  Adrian Peterson - fully expect to end year as #1, especially now that Frerotte is hurt and the Williams' could be going on suspension any day now.  Best player in the league at any position.

(1)  Peyton Manning - still hate to give the award to him given how inferior his stats and wins have been compared to prior years, but he's still going to end up leading Colts to 12-4 record with so many key players hurt and no running game.  I can't shake the feeling though that the Colts aren't that good this year.

NFL MVP race

If all you followed was Peter King, Mike & Mike, and ESPN, then you would come to the conclusion that only QBs were eligible for NFL MVP.  Which is ironic b/c this might possibly the worst year in the last 20 years for MVP-caliber QBs.  And yet that's all you ever hear about.  Think about it - how many times have you heard Matt Ryan's name for MVP over the last several weeks.  He's become a chic pick.  But don't tell me he's more valuable than Roddy White, who it seems has 5 steps separation from his nearest defender on every TD rec he catches.  And don't tell me he's more valuable than Michael Turner, who is making San Diego look pretty stupid for letting him go and instead keeping LT.  They're all MVP-worthy, yet Ryan is the only one you hear about from the media.  Makes you wonder.

Well, here's my rundown of MVP candidates that I feel much better represents the NFL landscape in 2008.  (in reverse order; all rankings based thru Week 13)

(5)  Wes Welker - has essentially become the Pats' running game.  Provides Matt Cassel the safety valve he needed to get comfortable in the Pats offense.  Only needs 2 seconds to get open, which is vital for young QB.  Toughest player on the team.

(4)  Eddie Royal - missing link for the Broncos this year.  Much like Welker, provides quick option for Cutler when pressure is on QB and there's no time to wait for the play to develop for Brandon Marshall.  With Tony Scheffler being out half the year, the RB position depleted, and defenses rolling coverage to Marshall deep, Royal has been biggest playmaker for Broncos.  Couple that with outstanding punt returns, he has made all the difference in field position for a team that has struggled on defense.

(3)  Adrian Peterson - may be at the top of the list by year end, especially with Williams boys suspended on defense.  Already with over 1300 yards and averaging nearly 5 yards a carry against defenses stacked to stop him, he's carried the Vikes who otherwise would be below average on offense with Gus Frerotte at the helm.  Leader of a very solid team, he should lead Vikes to playoffs even in wake of Williams' suspensions.  SIngle-handedly beat Green Bay earlier in the year to take control of the division.

(2)  Peyton Manning - will most likely win actual MVP award for leading Colts to playoffs despite the rest of the team being extremely mediocre.  He has a good case, but it's hard for me to justify giving him the award when he's going to end up with his worst season statistically in 7 years (for virtually every pass category).  That coupled with the fact that the Colts have barely won this year.  All but one of their 8 victories has been by 6 points or less.

(1)  Anquan Boldin - No, I don't think the Cards are serious contenders, but they will host a playoff game and Boldin is the heart and soul of this team.  I don't like how he's been completely overshadowed by the media constantly heaping praise on Kurt Warner... see earlier comment on Matt Ryan.  Not only is Boldin FAR AND AWAY the best WR in the NFL this year, but he has clearly established himself as the toughest competitor in the sport by virtue of his remarkable comeback after BREAKING HIS FACE.  Seriously, how many Cardinal players have you seen on IR since Boldin came back from his injury?!?!?  It's minimal... b/c who in that locker room can justify ever sitting out a game after watching Boldin come back and play this year - he's completely changed the team's culture.  Player of the year so far.