Greetings, my few loyal readers! I come with a blog topic that varies somewhat from the cross country fare that I have previously filled this portal into my mind with. Today's blog appeals to the spiritual and intellectual side of things (yes, they can and DO coexist).
There is a certain quality praised greatly by God and man (although it is not for the sake of praise one should want to possess this quality, let me make that VERY clear). This quality opens a multitude of doors to us that will make our lives as men and women of God somewhat easier to handle. This quality is wisdom. Allow me to provide a sampling of the claims the Bible makes about wisdom.
It will draw you nearer to God (Proverbs 2:5, 3:3-4)
You will gain protection (Proverbs 2:7-8, 3:23-26)
You will have an easier time avoiding temptation and evil (Proverbs 2:12-16)
Bring you happiness (Proverbs 3:13)
Did you notice that all the scripture I listed is from Proverbs? As most of you probably know, it is God's instruction booklet for how to live a wise life. It doesn't necessarily give you all the ins and outs of being a Christian, but practicing some of the wisdom provided for you here certainly will not hurt anything. I would highly recommend giving this book a look. Take a look at what happens if you don't make a little room in your life for gaining knowlege and understanding:
Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: "How long, you simpletons, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you, I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil."
So, in short, it's best to learn to be wise before you find yourself in a situation where you need wisdom. It's similar to me the other day, driving down the highway. I know absolutely nothing about cars, whatsoever. And I've been fine my whole life without any knowledge about them, or even caring about them. But, when something went wrong, I had no idea what to do, and I would have been in some deep trouble had I been alone. Luckily, Dad was there and knew what to do, and everything is fine. But there isn't always going to be someone there to save you. And that's true, to an extent, spiritually, as well. We need some wisdom, some knowledge of what God wants us to do, of how we need to address and handle different situations that may arise. And we have to be certain that we are truly understanding of God's will. We can't get by on our own wisdom, or even pretend that we have wisdom of our own. The wisdom we need comes from reading God's word, from prayer, and from talking to more experienced believers. Consider the following.
Proverbs 3:7- Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. If you think you know everything, chances are, you're going to screw up. Be humble, and assume that you need to pray over any matter of importance, even slight importance, to make a decision. That's not saying that you'll need God's opinion on whether you should order turkey or ham at Jason's Deli, but if it is a decision that carries a bit more weight (use the wisdom you gain from scripture to make that call), then make sure you go to God.
Proverbs 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own uunderstanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. When you make these decisions, place the care on God. If you stress out over a decision, you're not really trusting in God. I'm not saying I execute this perfectly, and I'm not sure I know anyone that really does a good job with this. You've got to trust that God knows what He is doing. Don't use petty reasons to try to make the decision yourself (that would, once again, be making the assumption that you're wise, that you know what you're doing). Now, if you end up making a really good choice (or, rather, God makes one for you), make sure that it is made very clear to any observers that God inspired that choice. When you do this, God will continue to make you decisions good ones.
Well, that's all for today, and I hope that these wise words can help someone out. They aren't my teachings. They come from a pretty seasoned little book.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Roundup
Here we go, ladies and gents. On an afternoon without homework, I have prepared for my installation of review! To start, the review of the KSHSAA 4A State Championships!
Boys
Wamego wins. Who called it? THIS GUY. 54 points in a State meet is mighty impressive. I expected them to win the title, but I was surprised that they ran away with it. Kudos to Jordan Routh and Bradley Borger, in 12th and 13th, Jacob Routh in 16th, and Trenton Butler in 19th. I expected Hudson Philip in the Top 10, and he took 5th. These boys stepped up their game big time to bring the hardware home for Coach Rick Patton. Congrats.
Hugoton was my pick for second, and they pulled it out, barely nipping third by 2 points, 112 to 114.
DeSoto was the third place team, which I called, courtest of the stud effect, provided for in full force by Angel Vasquez.
Andale took just a spot higher than I expected. Honestly, they really performed on an individual basis pretty much just like I expected them to.
Baldwin flip-flopped with Andale. They just didn't perform as strongly as I anticipated, so they switch places.
Labette County finished strong. Remember, I made the comment that their finish could rely on their guns at the top. Drew Baum was 6th and David Geren took 11th. That is proof that the stud effect really works.
Tonganoxie finished almost exactly as I anticipated. Labette jumped them, but they performed basically as anticipated.
Paola ran almost the same times that they have been all season long, which is impressive on Wamego's course. Either they've run on tough courses all season long to make their times look bad or else they stepped it up big time. Kudos.
Hiawatha finished close to where I predicted. Paola leapfrogged them, despite a strong showing by Cale Heineger.
Ulysses struggled more than I anticipated on Wamego's hills.
McPherson finished about where I expected.
Chanute seemed to kind of fall apart.
Overall, I had 7 of the Top 10 individuals correct, including the obvious pick for State champ, Angel Vasquez of DeSoto.
Girls
Baldwin was handily the favorite, and they performed as such. They didn't have anybody in the Top 10 like I thought they would, but they still won pretty easily.
Maize South didn't struggle like I thought they might on the hills. The top 2 (Moran Schafer and Mady Nestor) were awesome, Katy Trumble ran pretty well as the number 3, and number 4, Grace Aitken, really stepped it up. They really earned that 2nd place trophy.
Paola was a complete shock to me. Not only did they have two in the top 10, but they had two under 16:00, faster than any of their results from the season that I could find. They stepped it up BIG TIME. Kudos to Paola, and my apologies for bagging on ya in the predictions.
Pratt exhibited the stud effect at its finest. They finished much higher than I had previously anticipated.
Buhler ran with a very successful pack effort. I am impressed with the way they stepped it up at the State level.
Wamego finished out of the Top 5. I can't believe it. They ran marginally worse than I expected, and that is reflected in finishing marginally worse than I anticipated.
Rose Hill finished just slightly lower than I expected. Emily Terrell lead the way, keeping the team's head above water with the stud effect.
DeSoto surprised me. I really anticipated better from the Wildcats (wait, there's that Wildcat curse again...), but if I know Coach McAfee like I think I do, they'll be back to their original glory in no time.
St. James did alright, but I still think that Hayden would have performed a little better at State. Of course, they might not have, due to the whole Wildcat curse and all...
SIDE BAR: Btw, anyone watch the KSU Wildcats? Didn't go too well...
Concordia was another team that really surprised me with a lackluster performance. After the way they performed at the Wamego Invitational, and at their league championships, I thought for sure they were at least a Top 5 team at State. However, bad races happen, and it appears that more than one of their girls had one at once.
Chanute struggled despite a respectable effort by Maddison Dispensa.
Pittsburg at least got to go to State.
On the individual front, I picked the winner, Cheyenne Becker of Pratt, which I think anybody could have done. Heddin of Hesston performed well, but miss Emilea Finley didn't have the race she wanted. Don't worry, she'll be back on the track. Overall, the girls' Top 10 was very tricky, and I was happy to just have 4 of the 10 correct.
In other, Random News, there is a rumor circulating that the ghost of Steve Prefontaine is making random appearances at high school cross country meets in his home state of Oregon. That could explain why people are so fast there, I'd run fast too if I was being goaded on by a spector.
This Week's Sign(s) of the Appocalypse: After a trip to Garden City, KS, I have decided that Western KS isn't so bad afterall. Also, Wichita South did not take last at 6A State.
Bible Verse of the Day: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct all your paths.
I'm not sure what I'll be blogging about for the next few months until track season begins, but there is always something. The world is full of random observations just waiting to be made. There is college running that might be worth mentioning, like how Wisconsin is going to beat Oklahoma State for the NCAA Division I title. There are spiritual discussions just waiting to be had. There are liable to be college visits worth recounting. I'll find something, and I hope you'll enjoy it.
Until next time!
Boys
Wamego wins. Who called it? THIS GUY. 54 points in a State meet is mighty impressive. I expected them to win the title, but I was surprised that they ran away with it. Kudos to Jordan Routh and Bradley Borger, in 12th and 13th, Jacob Routh in 16th, and Trenton Butler in 19th. I expected Hudson Philip in the Top 10, and he took 5th. These boys stepped up their game big time to bring the hardware home for Coach Rick Patton. Congrats.
Hugoton was my pick for second, and they pulled it out, barely nipping third by 2 points, 112 to 114.
DeSoto was the third place team, which I called, courtest of the stud effect, provided for in full force by Angel Vasquez.
Andale took just a spot higher than I expected. Honestly, they really performed on an individual basis pretty much just like I expected them to.
Baldwin flip-flopped with Andale. They just didn't perform as strongly as I anticipated, so they switch places.
Labette County finished strong. Remember, I made the comment that their finish could rely on their guns at the top. Drew Baum was 6th and David Geren took 11th. That is proof that the stud effect really works.
Tonganoxie finished almost exactly as I anticipated. Labette jumped them, but they performed basically as anticipated.
Paola ran almost the same times that they have been all season long, which is impressive on Wamego's course. Either they've run on tough courses all season long to make their times look bad or else they stepped it up big time. Kudos.
Hiawatha finished close to where I predicted. Paola leapfrogged them, despite a strong showing by Cale Heineger.
Ulysses struggled more than I anticipated on Wamego's hills.
McPherson finished about where I expected.
Chanute seemed to kind of fall apart.
Overall, I had 7 of the Top 10 individuals correct, including the obvious pick for State champ, Angel Vasquez of DeSoto.
Girls
Baldwin was handily the favorite, and they performed as such. They didn't have anybody in the Top 10 like I thought they would, but they still won pretty easily.
Maize South didn't struggle like I thought they might on the hills. The top 2 (Moran Schafer and Mady Nestor) were awesome, Katy Trumble ran pretty well as the number 3, and number 4, Grace Aitken, really stepped it up. They really earned that 2nd place trophy.
Paola was a complete shock to me. Not only did they have two in the top 10, but they had two under 16:00, faster than any of their results from the season that I could find. They stepped it up BIG TIME. Kudos to Paola, and my apologies for bagging on ya in the predictions.
Pratt exhibited the stud effect at its finest. They finished much higher than I had previously anticipated.
Buhler ran with a very successful pack effort. I am impressed with the way they stepped it up at the State level.
Wamego finished out of the Top 5. I can't believe it. They ran marginally worse than I expected, and that is reflected in finishing marginally worse than I anticipated.
Rose Hill finished just slightly lower than I expected. Emily Terrell lead the way, keeping the team's head above water with the stud effect.
DeSoto surprised me. I really anticipated better from the Wildcats (wait, there's that Wildcat curse again...), but if I know Coach McAfee like I think I do, they'll be back to their original glory in no time.
St. James did alright, but I still think that Hayden would have performed a little better at State. Of course, they might not have, due to the whole Wildcat curse and all...
SIDE BAR: Btw, anyone watch the KSU Wildcats? Didn't go too well...
Concordia was another team that really surprised me with a lackluster performance. After the way they performed at the Wamego Invitational, and at their league championships, I thought for sure they were at least a Top 5 team at State. However, bad races happen, and it appears that more than one of their girls had one at once.
Chanute struggled despite a respectable effort by Maddison Dispensa.
Pittsburg at least got to go to State.
On the individual front, I picked the winner, Cheyenne Becker of Pratt, which I think anybody could have done. Heddin of Hesston performed well, but miss Emilea Finley didn't have the race she wanted. Don't worry, she'll be back on the track. Overall, the girls' Top 10 was very tricky, and I was happy to just have 4 of the 10 correct.
In other, Random News, there is a rumor circulating that the ghost of Steve Prefontaine is making random appearances at high school cross country meets in his home state of Oregon. That could explain why people are so fast there, I'd run fast too if I was being goaded on by a spector.
This Week's Sign(s) of the Appocalypse: After a trip to Garden City, KS, I have decided that Western KS isn't so bad afterall. Also, Wichita South did not take last at 6A State.
Bible Verse of the Day: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct all your paths.
I'm not sure what I'll be blogging about for the next few months until track season begins, but there is always something. The world is full of random observations just waiting to be made. There is college running that might be worth mentioning, like how Wisconsin is going to beat Oklahoma State for the NCAA Division I title. There are spiritual discussions just waiting to be had. There are liable to be college visits worth recounting. I'll find something, and I hope you'll enjoy it.
Until next time!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Fay the Third
This is the third edition of the internet blog that is sweeping the nation. Well, maybe not, but it is the third edition of this phenomenal blog that has yet to be discovered by the vast majority of the world. But once they do...
Anyway, glad that you made it through another Halloween. I can't say the same for the pumpkins on my front porch or the pumpkin spice party mix my sister made the other day.
I would also like to point out, since this is the third installment of this blog, that Shrek the Third was without a doubt the WORST installment in the Shrek saga.
I apologize for the delay, but I unfortunately do not have time quite yet for my review of this past weekend's KSHSAA State Championships. Life has been busy. I have been all over this great state of Kansas over the past weekend, I have homework... yeah yeah, I know, excuses excuses. But until I have a chance to sit down, I'm going to have to provide some filler type information to comprise today's blog. I don't want ya'll to forget about me. So, here are some things I've learned over the weekend.
1) Making recruits cry is an acceptable recruiting practice.
2) Elk make HUGE stains on interstates.
3) Wamego is home to possibly the most amazing barbeque in Kansas, a little joint called The Pit.
4) Western Kansas really isn't as bad as I've always thought it was.
5) Sweet and sour chicken doesn't sit well on 4 hour van rides.
6) There are actually only about 26 country songs in circulation in any given decade.
Some Things I did NOT Learn
1) Where my parents went for the weekend.
2) How to scratch an itchy bone.
I also confirmed several scientific theories.
1) The Distraction Theory- Anytime one needs to complete a task of moderate importance, some distraction will arise.
2) The Shrinking Kansas Theory- You cannot go ANYWHERE in this state without bumping into someone you know.
3) The Detached Ear Theory- When you bump into said individual whom you know, they will talk until your ear falls off.
4) Theory of Selective Disappearance- When you need something or someone, that individual or item will invariably vanish from the face of the planet.
So, I know that isn't much, but I hope it will at least hold your attention until I can properly research and develop a review of State for the next installment.
Adios.
Anyway, glad that you made it through another Halloween. I can't say the same for the pumpkins on my front porch or the pumpkin spice party mix my sister made the other day.
I would also like to point out, since this is the third installment of this blog, that Shrek the Third was without a doubt the WORST installment in the Shrek saga.
I apologize for the delay, but I unfortunately do not have time quite yet for my review of this past weekend's KSHSAA State Championships. Life has been busy. I have been all over this great state of Kansas over the past weekend, I have homework... yeah yeah, I know, excuses excuses. But until I have a chance to sit down, I'm going to have to provide some filler type information to comprise today's blog. I don't want ya'll to forget about me. So, here are some things I've learned over the weekend.
1) Making recruits cry is an acceptable recruiting practice.
2) Elk make HUGE stains on interstates.
3) Wamego is home to possibly the most amazing barbeque in Kansas, a little joint called The Pit.
4) Western Kansas really isn't as bad as I've always thought it was.
5) Sweet and sour chicken doesn't sit well on 4 hour van rides.
6) There are actually only about 26 country songs in circulation in any given decade.
Some Things I did NOT Learn
1) Where my parents went for the weekend.
2) How to scratch an itchy bone.
I also confirmed several scientific theories.
1) The Distraction Theory- Anytime one needs to complete a task of moderate importance, some distraction will arise.
2) The Shrinking Kansas Theory- You cannot go ANYWHERE in this state without bumping into someone you know.
3) The Detached Ear Theory- When you bump into said individual whom you know, they will talk until your ear falls off.
4) Theory of Selective Disappearance- When you need something or someone, that individual or item will invariably vanish from the face of the planet.
So, I know that isn't much, but I hope it will at least hold your attention until I can properly research and develop a review of State for the next installment.
Adios.
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