Man Crush

Man Crush (defined):

A man having extreme admiration for another man, as though he wants to be him. 

Thanks to the awesomeness of DVR, I was able to pause the ESPY’s and capture the above image of Brett Favre and Kiefer Sutherland Jack Bauer with my camera phone.  Both have competed for top spot of my “man crush” list for a long time.

Immediately after I took the picture, my TV turned itself off and announced retirement.  It knew that nothing more beautiful would ever grace it’s screen again.  You have to admire my TV for going out on top of it’s game.  

Fifteen minutes later, my TV, like Favre, announced a comeback just in time for Jaime to watch “A Baby Story” on TLC.

99 Balloons

Today’s 9:40 a.m. “Worship in the Chapel” service at Dawson was really moving.  Todd Harrington continued his sermon series entitled, “Looking Inward, Living Outward”.  Today, Todd preached on the topic of “Joyful Living” from Psalm 103.  He talked about seeing beyond your temporary circumstances, to living a life of praise by celebrating Christ in good times and in hardship.  After a moment of reflection, the following video was played (WARNING: grab tissue now):

Jeff Hindman and the band then led us in, “Blessed Be the Name”.  It was a powerful experience of worship!

Check out more of Eliot’s story on his parent’s blog:

99 Balloons

God gives, God takes.  God’s name be ever blessed.  Job 1:21

My Thoughts Exactly…

Good article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on why the Braves should keep Mark Teixeira.  

Braves must keep Teixeira

How To Waste $121 Million Dollars…

Whaddaya know, Mike Hampton is “hurt” again.

‘Hampton suffers setback in rehab start’

Hampton is either the most unlucky baseball player in the League or he just enjoys making millions of dollars making a handful of “rehab” starts a year.  His multi-million dollar contract is costing my beloved Braves pennants.  I know the Braves will be glad to part ways with Hampton at the end of this year.

All-Star Marathon

It is just after Midnight and for some reason, Jaime and I are still up watching the All-Star game.

 I should be in bed.  I woke up at 5:40 a.m. and ran 2 mile with Caleb before Day Camp.  After work, I grabbed some McDonalds and headed home to watch the All-Star Game.  I fell asleep after the first few innings, then Jaime and I headed to my 9:30 p.m. softball game at Spain Park.  We won our first game of the season!  Our team must’ve been inspired by the Homerun Derby last night.  We hit the maximum allowed.  I guess Jaime is our lucky charm.  We got home at around 11:15 p.m. and the game was still on.  It is currently 12:15 a.m. and the game is in the bottom of the 14th inning.  I’m betting that Bud Selig will make the game end in a tie because the teams are running out of players.

I’m pulling for the National League as I have done since I was a kid.  The Braves are being represented by Chipper Jones and Brian McCann.  The NL is currently on a 10-game losing streak.  Dan Uggla came into the game in the 6th inning and has currently made 3 errors.  He is doing his best to throw the game!  I sort of feel bad for him.  He looks like he wants to go climb into a hole and hide.

Top of the 15th now…

Did I mention that Uggla is stinking it up at the plate too?  He just struck out for the 2nd straight time.  

I’m trying to plan a trip to New York to see a game at Yankee Stadium before the season is over.  I hate the Yankees, but I certainly appreciate the history there.  

Bottom of the 15th now…

Jaime is calling it a night, morning.  Brian McCann just came in at catcher.  I’d like to see him do something to win the game.

The A.L. just won on a sac fly by Michael Young.  Eleven straight for the A.L.  The game lasted 4 hours and 50 minutes.  

Goodnight!

Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton has an amazing testimony!  He is a former first-round draft pick who fell into a drug addiction that almost killed him.  He has since been rehabilitated and gives full credit to his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Read more of his story here:

‘I’m proof that hope is never lost’

God gave him a national platform last night as he was a participant in the Homerun Derby.  Josh broke the first round record, hitting 28 homeruns in one round.  Three of his bombs went over 500 feet!  His former American Legion baseball coach, who is over 70 years old, pitched to him.  Unfortunately, Hamilton peaked too early and Justin Morneau of the Twins won in the final round. 

I became an instant Josh Hamilton fan last night as I watched the derby at La Fiesta with Mitch and Eric!  I pray that Josh can use his story to reach many people for Christ.

My Cousins Can Sing!

My cousins, Chris and Craig West are both phenomenal singers. They have both sang professionally with different Southern Gospel groups around the Southeast. I could listen to Craig sing all day long. Here is a YouTube video of Craig singing “I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy”:

Chris has one of the best bass voices that you will ever hear. Here he is singing “Going Home”:

Olivia Grace Hunsberger

My co-worker and good friend Chris Hunsberger and his wife, Jennifer had their second baby girl this evening.  Olivia Grace Hunsberger entered this world at 6:23 p.m.  She weighed 7 lbs, 9 oz. and was 20.5 inches long.  Congrats!

Bessemer Academy Coach Fired Because of Racist Parents?

More bad national media for Birmingham:

Ala. HS Coach Let Go Because of Racist Parents?

Players, officials disagree why Bessemer Academy coach was let go

I had the chance to meet Mark Freeman earlier this year.  He seemed to be a great guy and an even stronger Christian.  I really wish him the best and I hope that racism was not a factor in his firing but I know it was not from lack of success.

Baby’s Heartbeat

Jaime had a doctor’s appointment today and she got to hear our baby’s heartbeat for the first time. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go because I had to be at Day Camp.  Her mom got to go with her.  She said that it was really cool!  It was beating at a rate of 149 BPM.  Everything is going great and we get to find out the baby’s sex on August 12th!  I can’t wait!