The Blazing Fire

SPORTS GUY

2007-02-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

Further proof that Bill Simmons is the best

_______________________________________________________

Q: What's the definition of a "whitewash"? (As in "They threw a whitewash at Gonzaga the entire second half.") Some sort of zone press? Please help. I need credibility with my kids!--Jonathan L., Guilford, Conn.

SG: That's a running joke from my old Web site -- a "whitewash" happens when a team throws out five white players at the same time. You'll see it occasionally with smaller Division I schools but never with a big-time college and very rarely in the pros (San Antonio could make it happen this season by playing Udrih, Ginobili, Bonner, Oberto and Barry). The greatest whitewash of all time happened when the '86 Celtics played Bird, Walton, McHale, Danny Ainge and Scott Wedman at the same time -- the frontline was composed of Hall of Famers (and three members of the NBA's Top 50) while Wedman was a former All-Star and Ainge made the '88 All-Star Team. That will never be topped.

PISTOL PETE

2007-02-15T20:29:00.000-08:00

Here is some pretty amazing footage of the late Pete Maravich.

I love YouTube!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2007-02-15T19:54:00.000-08:00

The gratuitous kindness of God shines the more clearly, because, although men impede the course of it by obstacles of their own, it nevertheless comes to them.
John Calvin

JOHN AMAECHI

2007-02-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

Here is an excellent article by ESPN.com columnist Chris Broussard on John Amaechi, the former NBA player who admitted he was gay.

TIM HARDAWAY

2007-02-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

I may be going out on a limb here but I'm guessing Tim Hardaway would have joined Kramer in not wearing the ribbon.

RUBBER ARM

2007-02-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

Dusty Baker could not have scripted anything better than this.
There might be some reason for hope in Boston this year.

WORST FATHER EVER?

2007-02-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

It doesn't get much worse than this.

You have to love fathers who ruin sports for their kids.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

2007-02-05T19:44:00.000-08:00

The Miami Herald's Dan LeBatard described the Super Bowl well "the nice guys..... finally finished first".

SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS

2007-02-04T19:42:00.000-08:00

CBSSPORTLINE has all the Super Bowl commercials available to download here.

PEYTON MANNING

2007-02-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

If you enjoy the various Peyton Manning commercials as much as I do, you will
enjoy reading this.

MY CHOICE

2007-02-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

I encourage you to check out the poem My Choice by Bill McChesney shared by my good friend Noah

DESIRING GOD BLOG

2007-02-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

Desiring God has started a new blog here.

BIBLE READING

2007-02-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

Here are 24 practical suggestions on how to get the most out of your Bible reading.

(HT: CROSS-eyed)

SUPER BOWL TV PREVIEW

2007-02-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

Here is some of what you can expect to see Sunday before, during and after the big game.

TANK PART II

2007-01-31T20:33:00.000-08:00

One more for you here.

BEARS SUCK

2007-01-31T20:14:00.000-08:00

Dyvig, take this , this and this

KATIE COURIC & THE SUPER BOWL

2007-01-30T20:07:00.000-08:00

I can't wait for this! Who cares what Chris Berman, Tom Jackson
or Terry Bradshaw has to say about the big game. Give me Couric!

ASKING GOD

2007-01-29T20:05:00.000-08:00

Is it wrong to question God on why he does what he does? John Piper answers here.

ORGANIZATION 101

2007-01-24T20:03:00.000-08:00

Here are 10 practical behaviors that will make a world of difference in your work life.

READING

2007-01-24T19:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a great article by Dr. Albert Mohler on the importance of reading.

JONATHAN EDWARDS QUOTE

2007-01-24T19:38:00.000-08:00

Spiritual pride is very apt to suspect others; whereas an humble saint is most jealous of himself; he is so suspicious of nothing in the world as he is of his own heart. The spiritually proud person is apt to find fault with other saints that they are low in grace, and to be much in observing how cold and dead they are, and crying out against them for it, and to be quick to discern and take notice of their deficiencies, but the eminently humble Christian has much to do at home, and sees so much evil in his own heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with others’ hearts; he complains most of himself and cries out of his own coldness and lowness in grace, and is apt to esteem others better than himself, and is ready to hope that there is nobody but has more love and thankfulness to God than he, and cannot bear to think that others should bring forth no more fruit to God’s honor than he.

(HT: CROSS-eyed)

TONY DUNGY AND LOVIE SMITH

2007-01-24T19:35:00.000-08:00

This is a must read.

MARCH MADNESS

2007-01-21T19:05:00.000-08:00

John Feinstein gets it correct here.

FREE MP3'S

2007-01-21T18:59:00.000-08:00

Paul Schafer with another great list of free MP3's here.

AMAZED BY RAIN

2007-01-19T05:06:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been amazed by the goodness of God in the act of rain? If not, read this.

JOHN PIPER SAID WHAT?

2007-01-16T19:47:00.000-08:00

My boy Z gives a great summary of the recent John Piper controversy here

ABORT73

2007-01-13T19:59:00.000-08:00

"If there was any excuse for mistaking the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, there are no excuses in America. I would love to see Abort73 become a movement led by courageous, smart, Wilberforce-like young people who won't let it go until abortion is as unthinkable in our land as slavery."
John Piper

(HT: EPM)

PLAYOFFS?

2007-01-13T14:04:00.000-08:00

I forgot how funny this was!

PARENTING RESOURCES

2007-01-13T12:20:00.000-08:00

Steve Weaver with a great list of resources for parents.

THE SPORTS GUY

2007-01-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to the Fire Bill Simmons. This is why he is the best!

DES MOINES TRAGEDY

2007-01-13T11:23:00.000-08:00

After reading this, I am convinced people are capable of anything. What kind of sick people are out there? It makes me think twice about living in Des Moines.

OHIO STATE

2007-01-11T20:39:00.000-08:00

Even Than has to agree that this is really funny.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

2007-01-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

True story. I paid $250 cash to a ticket scalper to watch this live.

I dislike Denny Green even more than Barry Bonds.

BARRY BONDS

2007-01-11T20:23:00.000-08:00

Here is another reason to hate Barry Bonds.

BIBLE READING PLAN

2007-01-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

Vitamin Z with some non conventional thoughts on Bible reading plans.
What do you think?

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2007-01-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

"The Christian's instincts of trust and worship are stimulated very powerfully by knowledge of the greatness of God. But this is knowledge which Christians today largely lack: and that is one reason why our faith is so feeble and our worship so flabby. We are modern people, and modern people, though they cherish great thoughts of themselves, have as a rule small thoughts of God. When the person in the church, let alone the person in the street, uses the word God, the thought is rarely of divine majesty."
J.I. Packer
Knowing God

TEBOW

2007-01-09T20:09:00.000-08:00

After reading this, I feel somewhat remorseful over making fun of Tim Tebow all night for only being able to run one play.

(HT: Tim Ellsworth)

NOTRE DAME

2007-01-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

My boys in South Bend needed some good press.

(HT: Tim Ellsworth)

FREE JOHN PIPER BOOK

2007-01-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

Desiring God is now offering a free PDF of Piper's book When the Darkness Will Not Lift here.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

BIG MAC

2007-01-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

Being a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal fan, I took it pretty rough when Mark McGwire went down in flames. I have to admit that since then I did not think he should get into the Hall of Fame. Partly because he has been too proud to admit he cheated.

Sean Michael Lucas makes an interesting point regarding the hypocrisy of the media here.

JIM WALDEN

2007-01-09T06:45:00.000-08:00

Genius.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

2007-01-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

I'm with Bob Ryan on this one: It is crazy that the BCS Title game is not played until January 8th.

RELIGION AND SPORTS

2007-01-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

Than, consider this bone #2

BIBLE READING PLAN

2007-01-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

For those of you looking for a read through the Bible in a year plan, here is a link to the one I have used the past couple of years; The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan.

Along those lines, here is some additional helpful information.

JIM TRESSEL

2007-01-06T12:28:00.000-08:00

Since Than is one of the 3 people who will read this blog, I thought I would throw him a bone.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2007-01-06T12:20:00.000-08:00

"He cannot change for the better for he is already perfect; and being perfect, he cannot change for the worse"
A.W. Pink on the immutability of God

10 QUESTIONS

2007-01-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

Don Whitney offers Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year or On Your Birthday

FAMILY WORSHIP

2007-01-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

As Brayden gets older, a continual struggle for me is shepherding his and Michelle's heart through the discipline of family worship. Here is an article I found quite helpful.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2006-10-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

We are dependent on God, not only for redemption itself but for our faith in the Redeemer; not only for the gift of His Son but for the Holy Ghost for our conversion.
Jonathan Edwards

PIPER ON JUSTIFICATION

2006-10-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

Today on my commute to and from work, I was able to listen to the first sermon John Piper gave upon his return from Cambridge. The text was Luke 18:9-14. I highly recommend it. You can read or listen to it here.

RESOURCE FOR CHILDREN

2006-10-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

My favorite New Mexican (?????) Vitamin Z shares a
treasure he recently purchased for his children;
The Big Picture Story Bible

TONY KORNHEISER

2006-10-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

It has been WAY too long without a Kornheiser reference on this blog.

Posting this makes me happy in two ways; 1. I get to post something
by Tony. 2. He takes a shot at the Packers which is always nice.

I, for one, look forward to a more sarcastic and cynical Tony on Monday
Night Football.

Enjoy!

ALBERT HAYNESWORTH

2006-10-04T19:42:00.000-07:00

Rick Morrissey asks an interesting question: Why are sports fans so outraged and surprised by Haynesworth's despicable act last Sunday?

You can read his thoughts here.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2006-10-04T19:36:00.000-07:00

Indeed the Word of God is like the sun, shining upon all those to whom it is proclaimed, but with no effect among the blind. Now, all of us are blind by nature in this respect...
Accordingly, it cannot penetrate into our minds unless the Spirit, as the inner teacher, through his illumination makes entry for it.
John Calvin

J.C. RYLE ON REGENERATION

2006-10-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

A New Creature

by J. C. Ryle, from "The Gospel of John"

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth,
no one can see the kingdom of God unless
he is born again." John 3:3

The change which our Lord here declares
needful to salvation is evidently no slight
or superficial one. It is not merely . . .
reformation,
or amendment,
or moral change,
or outward alteration of life.

It is a thorough change of . . .
heart,
will, and
character.

It is a resurrection.

It is a new creation.

It is a passing from death to life.

It is the implanting in our dead hearts
of a new principle from above.

It is the calling into existence
of a new creature, with . . .
a new nature,
new habits of life,
new tastes,
new desires,
new appetites,
new judgments,
new opinions,
new hopes,
and new fears.

All this, and nothing less than this is
implied, when our Lord declares that
we all need a "new birth."

Let us solemnly ask ourselves whether
we know anything of this mighty change.

Have we been born again?

Can any marks of the new birth be seen in us?

Is the image and superscription of the
Spirit to be discerned in our lives?

Happy is the man who can give satisfactory
answers to these questions! A day will come
when those who are not born again will wish
that they had never been born at all.

RBI BASEBALL

2006-09-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

This is really cool!

WAKE UP THE ECHOES

2006-09-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

19-0 4th Quarter.

You gotta love the Irish!!!!!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2006-09-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

I believe that prayer is the measure of the man, spiritually, in a way that nothing else is, so that how we pray is as important a question as we can ever face.
J.I. Packer My Path of Prayer

HALL OF FAME

2006-09-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

As a huge Detroit Piston Bad Boy fan (for real) I had a hard time reading The Sports Guy bashing Joe Dumars but I have to admit, he's probably right.

Leave it to The Sports Guy to fix the different sports Hall of Fame's.
This is good stuff.

GOTTA LOVE IT

2006-09-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted some good conservative Des Moines Register propaganda. Enjoy this!

Des Moines Christian school is looking better and better to Michelle and I every day.

WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY FOR?

2006-09-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

John Piper helps answer the question here.

TECMO BOWL

2006-09-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

Tim Ellsworth shares the greatest Tecmo Bowl play in history here.

SEEING AND SAVORING JESUS CHRIST

2006-09-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

Here is an amazing Outreach Offer from Desiring God.

JOHN PIPER

2006-09-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

John Piper on How Christians Should Respond to Muslim Outrage at the Pope's Regensburg Message about Violence and Reason.

IDIOT PUNTERS

2006-09-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

This is crazy!

PEYTON MANNING

2006-09-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

Not only does Peyton star in the best commercials on TV, he is now forever changing the way Pop Warner football is played. Read how here.

SUFFERING AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

2006-09-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

Tim Challies reviews the book Suffering and the Sovereignty of God here.

GOOD BOOKS

2006-09-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

Looking for a good book to read? JT offers up a couple lists here.

NEW JOHN PIPER BOOK

2006-09-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

John Piper has a new book out in a couple weeks. Read about it here.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2006-09-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

It is blessed to eat into the very soul of the Bible until, at last, you come to talk in Scriptural language, and your spirit is flavored with the words of the Lord, so that your blood is Bibline and the very essence of the Bible flows from you.
Charles Spurgeon

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2006-09-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

The nature of the Divine goodness is not only to open to those who knock, but also to cause them to knock and ask.
Augustine

DETROIT LIONS

2006-09-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

No comment needed on this.

MORE TONY KORNHEISER

2006-09-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

I don't know who gets more love on this blog; Tony Kornheiser or CJ Mahaney. Is it a mere coincidence they both live in the Washington DC area? Hmmmm.

Normally I'm not a big Jason Whitlock fan but I have to agree with him here.

CRAZY SPORTS PARENTS

2006-09-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Here is another sad story about an out of control parent at a youth football game.

CHRIS MORTENSEN

2006-09-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

Tim Ellsworth writes on the spiritual journey of ESPN football analyst Chris Mortensen here.

FREE BOOK

2006-09-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is offering a free copy of John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life here.

OZZIE GUILLEN IS RIGHT

2006-09-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

Jay Mariotti does suck. Read why here.

GO IRISH!!!

NOTRE DAME VS. THE VIKINGS

2006-09-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

Paul Daugherty asks an interesting question: Which is better, college football or NFL football? I think I'm with Paul on this one. Here are his reasons for preferring the NFL.

Which do you prefer and why?

TEAM USA

2006-09-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Who is to blame for the USA's loss to Greece on Friday night? All you Coach K haters will enjoy this.

FANTASY CHURCH

2006-09-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

I am an admitted "roto-geek". What I mean by this is that I love to play fantasy sports. Basketball, baseball or football, it doesn't matter. I love them all and my friends make fun of me because it.

Challies.com has caught onto the fantasy crazy and created a new game; Fantasy Church. His rules as well as those posted by others are laugh out loud funny.

CHRISTIAN BUSINESSMEN

2006-09-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

I, as well as a lot of people I have talked to, have often wondered if I am using my God given talents and abilities to the fullest working as an accountant for a secular business. I have wrestled with a sense of inferiority to my friends who work full time for a church or other Christian organization.

The past couple of days I have been able to read Business for the Glory of God: The Bible's Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business by Wayne Grudem. I would highly recommend it to anyone who works in the business world. In it, Grudem discusses how your business and your life in business can be dedicated to God's glory.

Here is a commentary by Chuck Colson on the same topic that I found helpful.

DESIRING GOD

2006-09-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

Desiring God recently rolled out a new web site. My friend Justin Taylor summarizes the changes here.

BE OF ONE MIND

2006-09-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

How should believers act when they disagree with another believer? Mark Lauderbach offers some very helpful and practical advice here.

(HT: Z)

SPORTS GUY & TIGER

2006-08-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

Bill Simmons offers Tiger Woods 10 tips to keep fans interested in him here.

DIVORCE = MORE CAR SALES?

2006-08-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

Dr. Albert Mohler explains Ford's creepy new commercial here.

READING GOOD BOOKS

2006-08-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a great quote by Puritan pastor Richard Baxter on the importance of reading good books.

Every congregation cannot hear the most judicious or powerful preachers: but every single person may read the books of the most powerful and judicious; preachers may be silenced or banished, when books may be at hand: books may be kept at a smaller charge than preachers: we may choose books which treat of that, very subject which we desire to hear of; but we cannot choose what subject the preacher shall treat of. Books we may have at hand every day. and hour; when we can have sermons but seldom, and at set times. If sermons be forgotten, they are gone; but a book we may read over and over, till we remember it: and if we forget it, may again peruse it at our pleasure, or at our leisure. So that good books are a very great mercy to the world: the Holy Ghost chose the way of writing, to preserve His doctrine and laws to the Church, as knowing how easy and sure a way it is of keeping it safe to all generations, in comparison of mere verbal traditions.

While reading ask oneself:
1. Could I spend this time no better?

2. Are there better books that would edify me more?

3. Are the lovers of such a book as this the greatest lovers of the Book of God and of a holy life?

4. Does this book increase my love to the Word of God, kill my sin, and prepare me for the life to come?

(HT: Bob Kauflin)

MORE KORNHEISER

2006-08-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

OK, Tony is back on my "good" list after kissing a little Notre Dame butt here.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2006-08-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

Nothing is more important... than that we should be delivered from a condition which gives other people looking at us, the impression that to be a Christian means to be unhappy, to be sad, to be morbid, and that the Christian is one who 'scorns delights and lives laborious days'... Christian people too often seem to be perpetually in the doldrums and too often give this appearance of unhappiness,, and lack of freedom and of absence of joy. There is no question at all but that this is the main reason why large numbers of people have ceased to be interested in Christianity.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones Spiritual Depression

KORNHEISER CURSE?

2006-08-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

I am torn. I love Tony Kornheiser but it sounds like he may be responsible for the pre-season crumbling of my beloved Minnesota Vikings. Read here.

RECOMMENDED BOOK

2006-08-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy the subject of economics like I do, the book The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else looks very fascinating.

Here is the back cover.

WHERE AM I?

2006-08-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

For the 3 of you who check this blog reguarly and wonder where I am, let me tell you. This Friday night I have a HUGE fantasy football draft. It's the same bunch of guys I have done a league with for a couple of years and this year will be Year 1 of a Keeper League. Each team will carry over 5 players to next years team. I drew the rather unlucky pick #4 so I don't get any of the Big 3 RB's this year and Portis separated his shoulder which makes my pick even more difficult. As of right now, it looks like Reggie Bush is my man. Am I nuts? Let me know. Remember, it's a keeper league and I'll have Reggie for the next 10 years. Anyway, in case you are wondering why I haven't posted anything this week it is because I am preparing for Friday night. Fantasy Football is a wonderful thing.

CHURCHMART

2006-08-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

What do Wal-Mart Supercenters and church have to do with each other? My mentor Andy Perry discusses here.

TONY KORNHEISER

2006-08-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

Being the huge Tony Kornheiser fan that I am, I truly enjoy reading about what people think about him being in the Monday Night Football both. I don't know how I missed all of this, this week.

Any thoughts to how Tony did last week?

ABORTION

2006-08-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most appalling stories I have ever read.

Maranatha!

RAGBRAI

2006-08-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

Each year in Iowa, Ragbrai is a huge event. The Des Moines Register tries to cover every angle and fills the paper each day with pictures of the riders. Even at work, I get daily e-mail updates of the status of the "company team". It almost becomes too much. Here is a story I am glad I did not miss.

CHRISTIANS & SEX

2006-08-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

The Bob Kauflin of the southwest, Vitamin Z, asks some intriguing questions about the topic of sex here.

SPORTS HEROES

2006-08-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

In case you have lost all hope for professional athletes being good role models, I hope this will restore a little hope.

GREAT BLOG

2006-08-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a blog that my friend Josh recently discovered that I too really enjoy. Sports, Christianity, Culture and Parenting. Good stuff. I've added a link to it from my blog.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

2006-08-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

Not ready for college football to start? This should help get you ready.

Wake up the echoes!!!!!!

ALBERT MOHLER

2006-08-16T19:27:00.000-07:00

I believe several months ago I called Paul Schaefer the master of lists or something along those lines. Here is further proof. You can never get too much Dr. Mohler.