Bad Blood

By now, if you have been reading my posts, like a good (and patient) reader, then you should know all about CoDIS. But for everyone else, CoDIS is a network of DNA databanks that house DNA profiles. These profiles come from convicted offenders, crime scene evidence, unidentified human remains, and several other sources. These profiles are regularly searched and shared across state lines in attempts at solving unsolved crimes. It can provide a lead on a cold case (called a “hit”), or simply confirm the identity of a suspect the police have already apprehended. But, a new wrinkle has developed in the search methodology.

“Familial” searching is a technique (that I have written about before) where a crime scene profile is deliberately run through the offender databank in the hopes of getting a list of profiles that are genetically similar to the evidence and using this information as an investigative lead to interview family members of the near matches. This type of searching is based on the fact that relatives have more similarities in their DNA than do non-relatives. Siblings have the most similar DNA, while a parent and child are close behind.




Currently the FBI does not perform these types of searches, but it doesn’t seem out of the question for the future. The UK is already utilizing this technique and has had some success. It was used in Cardiff, Wales in 2003 to solve a 1988 murder of a 16 year old girl named Lynette White. Analysts identified a single rare allele within the DNA profile typed from the crime scene evidence. The UK National DNA Database searched for individuals with the identified rare allele and it led to a 14-year-old boy with a similar overall DNA profile. Further investigation led police to the boy’s paternal uncle, Jeffrey Gafoor. Jeffrey Gafoor’s DNA profile matched the profile from the crime scene evidence. He confessed and was later convicted of the murder of Lynette White.

There are, however, some privacy issues. One of the most popular criticisms include statements such as, “I shouldn’t be considered a suspect in a case just because my brother or cousin is a felon.” It’s being perceived as an involuntary intrusion.

But, whether is an infringement on my rights or not, you gotta admit, it’s pretty amazing.

Back That Up

“Back that up!” Usually the call of geeky computer programmers or rappers named Juvenile, but it’s rapidly catching on with NFL head coaches. And what matters to head coaches, matters to fantasy owners.

In the past two weeks, ten out of thirty-two NFL teams found themselves without their starting quarterback on the field. That’s about five sixteenths (the fraction won’t reduce any further) of all the teams in the National Football League that had their quarterback, their “field general,” their leader sitting on the bench. A backup QB leads a life of uncertainty. He patiently waits on the sidelines, fetching the coach’s Gatorade, sometimes for years, just for one chance to prove his worth. These eleven quarterbacks (the Raiders are actually on their third) stepped between the lines as an effect of two causes. Seven were replacing injured starters while four got the nod due to underachievement by their senior pigskin chuckers.

Two of these teams were on a bye last week, Baltimore with Billy Volek and Tennessee with Vince Young. But of the remaining eight teams that did play, what would you figure their win/lose ratio to be? If you supposed “not good,” then you would be right. Five teams, Seattle with Seneca Wallace, Pittsburg with Charlie Batch, Arizona with Matt Leinart, Miami with Joey Harrington, and Dallas with Tony Romo, all lost. Two teams, Kansas City with Damon Huard and Tampa Bay with Bruce Gradkowski, both won, albeit by game winning field goals at the end of the game. And flying in the face of all logic and reason, the Oakland Raiders with Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo, won convincingly. And for those keeping score, that would three eighths of the backup quarterbacks that won.

So, what can we learn from all this? 1) If you are an NFL starting QB, upgrade your Aflac. 2) Trends show that if you are a backup QB, you have better luck the longer and more phonetically challenged your last name is. 3) If you are a fantasy football owner, don’t expect much out of a backup quarterback. And, 4) the Raiders were so bad with their starting QB, that a backup did not hurt them in any way, and as the NFL’s only winless team, the law of averages simply caught up with them and afforded them an unearned win.

If you find yourself in peril with your stud QB sidelined for whatever reason, here are three I would recommend for week 8 (and I use the term ‘recommend’ very loosely). Charlie Batch for Pittsburg – he can pass with the best of them and has five touchdowns with zero interceptions. Matt Leinart for Arizona – he will be up against a downright pitiful pass defense in Green Bay. Vince Young for Tennessee – he will probably rush for as much as he passes for against a porous Texan defense. You can probably find these guys hanging out in your Free Agent pool, and if you decide to pick one up, good luck!

Bye-Week Blues

AHH! The dreaded bye weeks have arrived. And if you did not plan ahead, then you are feeling my pain. The evil television companies have devised an evil plan to increase profits, and they enact this plan under the cover of “more games to broadcast for the fans.” Well, this plan has wreaked havoc on my fantasy team. So, I have put together a list of a few players to watch for on the waiver wire. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to find one or more of these bye-week specials to get you through.

Quarterbacks – It seems as if Daunte Culpepper has seen his last game starting for Miami this season, barring an injury to Joey Harrington that is. Harrington played decent enough and will most likely continue to start. Damon Huard is consistently playing his guts out, and is the best of the rest for fantasy starters. Philip Rivers has the best matchup this week against the 49ers.




Running Backs – Leon Washington is close to taking over the starting position for the Jets, if he hasn’t done so already. The regular starter out with a knee injury leads to increased playing time which leads to increased point production for you. Lendale White in Tennessee is also getting more touches and is likely the “mighty mighty” Titan back for the future. Try to get him now, while is value is still low, it will go up. Denver’s running back Cedric Cobbs is also….no wait…never mind. I’ve got C4 on my fantasy equipment manager team.

Receiver/Tight Ends – Bryant Johnson in Arizona looks to get a lot more looks now that No.1 Larry Fitzgerald is out 2-5 weeks. Of course you may want to sit him against Chicago (along with any other player up against the Bears), and then play him later versus Oakland and Green Bay. Wesley Welker may turn into Joey Harrington’s go-to guy in Miami. He’s catching more balls than any other Dolphin. Jerramy Stevens is back for Seattle. He should start this Sunday and could play a big role in Hasselhoff’s passing game.
Defense – If you need a get-you-through-the-bye defense, consider Miami vs the Jets. I know what you’re saying, “Miami? What the..?” But Chad Pennington threw three interceptions last week, come on, live a little.

In addition to the waiver wire acquisitions, don’t be afraid to peek at the line-ups of other fantasy owners in your league. Offer a trade here and there, the worst they can do is say no, and who knows, maybe you’ll get the Marques Colston for the Chris Chambers. Anyway, good luck to you, and to me.

Kicks

This is an excerpt from a New York Times blog written by Toni Monkovic. I was in awe at such obsure rules of such a mainstream game. Anyway, enjoy.

Those who made it this far may remember Doug Flutie’s successful drop kick for an extra point last season – the first one in the N.F.L. in 64 years. Another rare play almost came out of the N.F.L.’s attic Sunday. Arizona was planning to try a 77-yard free kick after a fair catch at its 33 on a St. Louis punt with no time remaining.
A free kick, a variation of a field goal, can be taken on any fair catch, and a half or a game can’t end on a fair-catch punt. Arizona never had its chance because of an offsides penalty on the punt, and St. Louis won, 16-14. The N.F.L. record for a field goal is 63 yards, so how could Arizona have pulled it off?

Arizona was counting on the strong leg of Neil Rackers, a Pro Bowler who led the league in field goals last season with 40 (with only two misses). He would not have faced a rush. The kick would have been from the spot of the fair catch, not the usual 8 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Rackers would have had a full run-up to the ball, instead of the typical three steps for a field goal. The holder would have held the ball on the ground and the rest of the Cardinals would have lined up for a kickoff.

Arizona Coach Dennis Green lamented that “we didn’t get an attempt at a miracle kick by the best kicker in the game.”

Rackers told The East Valley Tribune in Arizona: “It could have happened. I would have loved a chance, but there would have been about a 5 percent chance the ball could have gone through. You can use your field goal steps, or your kickoff steps, and we would have been using every bit of our kickoff steps to get it there. It would probably have to bounce off the bar to be good.”

The last team to convert a free kick was Chicago against Green Bay in 1968. Last season, Tennessee’s Rob Bironas missed a 58-yard attempt at the end of the first half against Houston.

“We have to work on it with Rob,” Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said at the time. “He took the field goal approach, and we have to get more comfortable taking the kickoff approach so he can drive the ball a little further.”
According to Wikipedia.com, a fair-catch kick has been attempted four times in the last 42 years. Two noteworthy excerpts from Wikipedia on opportunites when free kicks were passed up:

Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Colts, November 25, 1965. Tied at 24-24, the Lions fair caught a punt on the Baltimore 42 with 24 seconds left. However, they inexplicably decided to attempt a 50-yard FG from scrimmage rather than the 42-yard free kick; Wayne Walker’s attempt was low, nearly blocked, and came up short. The game ended in a 24-24 tie.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons, September 20, 1999. Wayne McGarity fair caught a punt on the Atlanta 47 with no time left in the first half. Dallas coach Chan Gailey knew of the rule, and had specifically instructed McGarity to fair catch the punt if it was inside the 50, but Gailey forgot that he would be able to attempt the kick with no time left on the clock. Instead, the Cowboys went to the locker room.

One additional note: Mason Crosby, Colorado’s all-American kicker, routinely kicks the ball through the uprights on kickoffs, drawing cheers from the home crowd. But two things help account for that: The air is thinner in Colorado, and college players kick off from the 35-yard line. In 1974, the N.F.L. moved kickoffs to the 35-yard line (from the 40-yard line) to reduce touchbacks, and in 1994, the kickoff was moved farther back, to the 30-yard line.

Fantasy World

First of all I must apologize for being gone for so long. I don’t think I’ve written anything for about a month, and I vow to never let that happen again. My excuse lies within a new world that I have recently discovered. That is the realm of fantasy football. Yes, you read right. So, in an attempt to combine the two, I am incorporating my studies on fantasy football into my blogging rotation. Let’s begin.
For the next few months, this will be the location to get one day old fantasy football information. I scour sports websites and digital newspapers and watch endless Sportscenter reruns in order to compile a not so complete, somewhat biased, layout of analysis and advice. Now, after three weeks of competition, I have climbed the rungs of my fantasy league, landing myself at an 0-2-1 record. So, that is the ruler by which you may measure my information. Sort of like taking shampoo advice from a bald man, it doesn’t make much sense. And by the way, I prefer Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine, in the green bottle.
First, please a moment of silence. If you listened very carefully, you heard two things. One, the cracking of a foot bone, and two, the scream of a pathetic man who chose Shaun Alexander in the first round. Me. The 2005 MVP is out indefinitely (two to four weeks) with a broken foot. Some experts are saying this is the time to trade him while the price is still high, but I recommend hanging on, because this guy will be back and he should pile up the points before the season is over. But as of now, Mo Morris will be starting, an option if you’re desperate.
Chris Simms is still recovering from the emergency removal of his spleen after Sunday’s game. He is out indefinitely. His backup is sixth-round rookie Bruce Gradkowski. Careful picking him up, he had a good preseason, but the Bucs are already dragging in veterans like Tommy Maddox and Shaun King to give it a go. Cadillac Williams looks like he’ll get a good deal of touches if he stays healthy.
After a fumble fest, Matt Leinart is rumored to start in place of Kurt Warner for the Cardinals in week 4. Michael Vick’s numbers were not impressive against the Saints, but that was due in large to dropped balls by Alge Crumpler, who is still his number one target and still a must start. Mark Brunell has some elbow pain but shouldn’t miss any playing time. Vernon Davis, 49ers tight end, is out for a month, so back up Eric Johnson is an excellent pick up and a roster starter if you need him. Matt Jones, aka Big Slim, should be returning for week 4 play. Ron Dayne seems to have sealed up the starting job for the Texans, but should see some carries go to Samkon Gado, although Gado did not touch the ball in week 3. Jets RB Leon Washington will probably see increased playing time with his impressive performance Sunday. Frank Gore injured his ribs Sunday, but is expected to be back for week 4 and may split time with rookie Michael Robinson after failing to score on the goal line. Corey Dillon should also be back in action for week 4, but is losing ground to backup Laurence Maroney in popularity. After sitting out week 3, Reuben Droughns should also return to action for the Browns. Adam Vinatieri is iffy for week 4.
I know this is all very fast paced and quite unorganized, and in the future I promise to plan better. The injury report comes out on Wednesday, so there will be more information then. If you have any comments or fantasy questions, I will do my best to give you the 0-2-1 answer that you deserve.

Mr. Fixit

This post will have no deep meaning or insights into life, but it is a happy one. One week ago, as I was cruising across my lawn on my Craftsman riding mower, I eased to a stop. I did not purposely stop, something was wrong. I turned the engine off and began pushing the mower back to the garage when I spotted the culprit – a snapped belt. Now, I must admit, I’m no mechanic. By that I mean that my first instinct upon seeing the broken belt, was that I had run over this piece of garbage and it must have damaged something on my mower. Then, using all my engineering background, I deduced that the belt was actually part of the engine, and by breaking, it prevented the something that made the wheels turn from doing whatever it was it was supposed to do.

So, today I set out to attempt to fix the mower. First thing this morning I made a trip to the Home Depot, which, just being in a place like that always makes you feel like a real man. Once I got there, I had to get a little old lady to show me the mower belts and pick out the right one for me. Back at home, I stood in my garage and gathered all the necessary tools that I might need. With instruction book in hand, I delved into my project. The next hour and half is full of minor successes accomplished by a method I like to call, trial by errors. But, eventually there stood my mower, all parts in place, with no extra pieces. It started up beautifully and ran even better than it had before.

When that engine fired up, I felt like I was such a man. A manly man. You know, wrench in hand, grease under the nails, blood on the knuckles, strain in the back and cramp in the leg. Even though it would have taken the average man half the time, I was still proud. I felt like disassembling my truck motor, or watching a Chuck Norris movie. But my yard, by this time really needed mowing. After two and half weeks, it looked like the African Congo, I really thought I might run into a few orangutans back there.

So, I guess the point of the story is…since there should always be a point to every story, right ladies? The point would be, don’t ever ask me to help with anything mechanical. Or if you do, don’t expect to get it right the first time.

Arkansan on the Loose

Everybody from San Francisco is gay. Gas station attendants are usually from India. And women can't drive. These are all stereotypes. This is an unfair way of painting a group of people with one broad stroke. This is typically the work of the prejudiced or the ignorant, or is it, hmmm.
The common stereotype that we Arkansans sometimes run up against is that of being inbred. This is usually garnished with a little bare footedness, toothlessness, dirt roads, and chewing tobacco, but mostly inbreeding. This usually erks me, but as I was attending a recent DNA class in Washington D.C., a fine place full of people around the country, I found myself doing my darndest to perpetuate the public's view of Arkansans.
This was a class of 20 DNA analysts from all different states, and there were two of us representing Arkansas. During my trip, I met up with three of my family members, yes cousins, that happen to be in D.C. at that time. One cousin lives there and works at the capitol, one cousin was in D.C. to take a class, and the other was just visiting. I'm sure that when the my classmates heard that this bumpkin from the south had so much family up there, coupled with the recent press about the Duggars and their 17 or 170 or however many kids, firmly cemented into shape the stereotype that Arkansans are prolific breeders and have infested all sections of the country.
During my stay, I twice had dinner with one of my female cousins, and, to give her a break from her living arrangements during her class, I offered to let her stay at my hotel for a night. She welcomed the offer, and the stereotype lives on.
Also, at the end of our class, our facilitators were unveiling some new features of the software that we were studying. One of these was a new population database to use when we are determining how rare a DNA profile is. This new database was entitled "Double Cousins." So naturally, everybody turned to my colleague and me for the definition of double cousins. They all got a good laugh out of it, but what they didn't know, and we dared not divulge, was that both of us, born and raised in Arkansas, WERE double cousins!! Not related to each other of course, but in our own respective families. (By the way, that is when two brothers marry two sisters, their kids will be double cousins…headache, I know.)
So, I apologize for not being a very good representative of our fine state. At least I brought shoes, parked my donkey ‘round back, and waited until after class to chew my tobacco.

Plan B

Congress has all but finalized the over-the-counter sale of Plan B, an emergency birth control drug better known as the "morning after” pill. The FDA has sent an approval letter to the manufacturer, Barr Pharmaceuticals, outlining the contract details.
Plan B is a hormone pill similar to that of the daily oral birth control pill. But instead of taking the drug on a regular basis, this pill is only ingested directly after unprotected sex. It is recommended that it be taken within 72 hours of copulation. A second pill is included with Plan B that must be taken 12 hours after the first.
Law makers have put some restrictions on the sale of morning after pill. Barr's first proposal had the drug on convenient store shelves and available for purchase by females fourteen years old or older. The final version, however, states that the drug can only be sold in places where there is a permanent pharmacy present. It will be kept behind the counter and women eighteen or older can buy it with photo I.D.
There are many facets of this issue to consider. I won't get into all of them right now; I'll leave that to you. I've considered many of the implications, and I'm not sold either way yet. I'm not sure what the Bible says about a situation like this, and I welcome and encourage all comments and insight. The one thing that I am surprised about is the noticeable lack of an outcry from the anti-abortion groups. I'm no expert on how the pill works physiologically, and I'm not saying that I would agree with them on this, but I still expect more media and lobbying from those activist groups. Let me know what you think, and if you know of any corresponding scripture, post those as well.

Anniversary

On July 27, 2002, four years ago today, in front of two large families, numerous friends, and God Himself, I said to my wife, “I will.” Yep. Oopsie daisy. How can you mess up the “I do” part of your own wedding? Not a promising beginning as a husband. But a beginning nonetheless, and despite my endless shortcomings, Kelly and I are still married and still happy today, four years later.

This last year was a year of growth. Not only for our marriage but also for ourselves. Kelly completed her first year at a new school and also took on responsibilities at her school library. She is now the church librarian and has already given our little church library a dramatic and much needed makeover.

Tiger, our kitty, has also grown in the last year. He has matured to the point where we permit him entrance into our bedroom after dark. Normally he is forbidden because he boxes the mini-blinds and eats the fake plants. He still gets shooed out when he abuses his privileges, but for the most part, he acts appropriately (at least until we go to sleep).

I think the most important, in all regards, is the fact that Kelly and I have grown spiritually. This only strengthens our marriage. I cannot fathom my life without my wife. I have absolutely loved the first four years of our lives together, and I can’t wait to see what the next year holds for us. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.

Pop!

“Of every earthly plan that be known to man, He is unconcerned, He's got plans of His own to set up His throne, When He returns.” Kevin Max When He Returns. I heard this song today, and these words especially spoke to me.

Early this morning, God displayed His sovereignty and graciously bursted my bloated bubble. For the past month or so, my feelings of self importance have steadily grown and grown. At work, at home, and at church, things just seemed to be going my way. God was blessing my every move. However, I am a sinful, fallen, greedy, prideful man, and the responsibilities and temptations that accompany my accomplishments and advancements were too much for me. I was overcome with my pride, and I began to forget who actually allowed me to succeed to my current position. I also began to make my own plans for the future. Nothing too ambitious, I thought, but my own personal plans nonetheless. I think God gets a good chuckle when we humans start to think we are in control.

After hearing the news this morning, I was sincerely disappointed and a little indignant. I was upset that I had been given a promising opportunity, and after I basked in my glory, it was ripped from my hands. Eventually, after I had calmed a little, I began to see God’s loving discipline. I am so thankful for it. Knowing that God only corrects His own children, I have moved from a feeling of unfairness, to one of humility and security. Of course it hurts, but I also feel very warm. He’s reminded me of His love for me and of my eternal goal. “He’s got plans of His own to set up His throne.” What an awesome thought, what an awesome reality, and I truly want to participate in His plan. Humility is the only option. Pride fogs over my view, and keeps me from seeing God’s path.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

If this blog sounds like some of my other blogs, you are correct. Its pretty evident that pride is an offer that I have a hard time resisting. Sometimes I think I’ll never learn my lesson. Sheesh.

The Price

I wrote this back in high school and happen to run across it during a recent garage sale. I was, of course, impressed with myself, and decided to share it. Hope it means something.


The Price

It ended and began again,
It was known from the start.
Any who believes can understand.
By naiveté it was shunned,
And through broken bones and broken hearts
So many saved by one dying man.

A liar who must die
He was a hypocrite.
But only by the mouths of some.
Though from his lips not a lie,
The blood he still bit
In his pain, he was alone.

The cross, an albatross,
Thorns as his frills,
Enduring lashes from whips and tongues.
But over the cross
To which he was nailed,
Angels hovered and sung.

This thing unforgotten,
The divine suffering
Before a perfect death,
His blood in the sod
With salvation lingering,
The price of eternalness.

A Forced Lesson

I think it’s funny how God will offer you a lesson through the teaching of your church pastor, or an article you read, or your own personal Bible study, and then when you don’t pay attention, he forces you to learn the lesson by guiding you into a certain situation or experience.

I attend church on Sunday mornings. I participate in Bible Study, or Sunday school, and then move into the sanctuary for the sermon. Our Sunday school group is a small one, but our discussions are in-depth and focused on the word of God. It was only a couple of weeks ago, during one of these study times, when I sat, styrofoam coffee cup in hand, nodding and flipping pages in my Bible. We were learning from Hebrews chapter 12. Perseverance and discipline. “What are some ways God disciplines us?” was the question that was posed to us by our group leader. A few answers had been offered up when I chimed in with “He removes our distractions.” I thought this was a very good answer, and I was, perhaps, a little too proud of my insight. My head swelled even more when the others nodded in understanding. Our group leader then recited an anecdote about when his life was too busy for God. God broke his ankle, removed some “distractions,” and refocused his attention. I thought it was a good answer.

As proud of myself as I was, you’d think the lesson behind the question and my good answer would sink in, at least a little bit. Well, it didn’t.

Yesterday was the first game for U.S. national soccer team in the 2006 World Cup. We were up against the daunting Czech Republic, who was heavily favored. The games are being held in Germany, thus, live broadcasts are shown at weird, non-primetime hours here in the U.S. This particular game was played at 10:55 A.M., Central Standard Time. I work typical dayshift hours, so, obviously I missed the live telecast, but was smart enough to have my wife tape it, so I could watch it when I got home. I hate to watch a sports game on tape, but for the World Cup, I would sacrifice. All day I avoided the internet, the radio, any media outlet that might reveal the game’s outcome and spoil my fun. I was so excited.

During the day, as I was thinking about watching the game, I began to mentally list the other chores and tasks that I needed to do that afternoon. Hmmm, I need to do my Bible study, I need to exercise, I need to prepare for Home Group (a small group of peers that meets for fellowship and the study God’s word, and I’m the facilitator), Kelly (my wife) just called and asked me to grill for dinner tonight, I want to read a couple of chapters of my John Grisham novel, and I need to cut my hair (what little I have left). How am I going to fit this all in around my taped World Cup soccer game? And to top it off, I got this really sharp, piercing headache that’s been nagging me all day.

Well, as you probably guessed, I didn’t get all of these things accomplished. I can double up on Bible study tomorrow night. No problem. I’ve really been busting my hump leading this Home Group. This week we’ll just eat, play games, and hang out. We don’t have to have a lesson, and I need a break. No problem. Does it really matter if I cut my hair? In the words of the comedian Gallagher, “Do you really need to prune a dead tree?” I’ll do it some other time. No problem. Ok, I can do the rest; this is going to be a great night.

Then, I felt this tap on my brain. “God disciplines us by removing distractions.” In my head, I answered this reminder, “I know. I shouldn’t put off God, especially for a taped World Cup soccer game. Oh-well.” I think I actually said “Oh-well,” out loud. Jonathan Edwards wrote in his book The Freedom of the Will that, “free moral agents always act according to the strongest inclination they have at the moment of choice.” The apostle Paul speaks of man’s free will by noting that there are times when our desire to sin is greater than our desire to please Christ. That is a chalky pill to swallow, but I’m a shining example of this foolishness.

So, when I got home, I fired up the grill and got some burgers and corn-on-the-cobs cooking. We sat in our respective seats in front of the TV, and I hit the play button, and here we go! Static. Well, maybe I need to rewind. Static. Fast-forward. Static. The whole tape was static. There was no taped World Cup soccer game. I almost cried. Kelly was upset as well, and she apologized over and over for messing up the VCR and tape. I told her I wasn’t mad, because I knew that it wasn’t her fault. Although, she was solely responsible for the recording of the game, I knew she had done nothing wrong. I felt one hundred percent certain that God was behind this. Is he not responsible for everything that happens? God had allowed the game to be overrun with static, and after realizing God’s discipline, I instantly felt very small, and stupid, and sorry. I was embarrassed.

We often become engrossed in our own busyness. Covered up with weights. These hindrances can be sin, but often they are not. It is not a sin to grill burgers, or exercise, or even to watch a taped World Cup soccer game. But these are distractions that divert attention away from God. This is very dangerous, and if you are a child of God, you can expect discipline. His discipline is His guidance, His love. If you are not experiencing any kind of discipline or suffering in your life, you may need to seriously consider if you are, in fact, one of God’s children. We can all at times be very stubborn and bull-headed, and put God off. If He begins to tap on you, answer quickly, or your discipline may be more than just an erased tape.

Keep Going and Going

On the first day of spring, not the official first day of spring, but the first day that the weather is sunny and temperature is just right for t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, well, I get excited. As the garage door slowly rises and reveals the newly greening grass, I stand with anticipation of great things. I survey the yard, carefully picking up and sticks, rocks, trash, and anything else that might impede the year’s first mowing. I wheel my trusty green Toro to the edge of the lawn and responsibly clear away the cobwebs and dust and all other evidence of a long boring winter. I feel so motivated and the sun feels so good that I think to myself, after I mow, I’ll weed-eat, then I’ll wash my car, and then I’ll even get the garage cleaned out. It will be a great day!

Well, then I realize that I don’t have any gas for the mower. No problem, just a small delay. So, now half and hour behind, the little engine coughs and complains and then finally roars to life amid a bluish cloud of smoke. As I traverse the yard, I notice that the grass is still slightly crunchy under my feet, and the sun seems to be getting hotter on my reddening neck. No matter, I’m a man, I’m supposed to sweat and cut grass.

As I finish the front and move on to the back, I begin to dream of air conditioning and iced tea. I reason with myself that the garage is not really that bad; it can wait a few weeks. Also, it would a mistake to wash the car today, because it is supposed to rain in few days. It would be a waste of time and water! I should wait until after it rains. An hour later, the lawn is finished. It’s short and level and has those perfectly parallel stripes across it. I am proud of the way it looks, although, my clothes are all wet and clinging to me. There are little green grass clippings stuck to my legs and collecting in the crevices between my socks and shoes. I look at the weed-eater and then I look at the door to kitchen. I easily convince myself that mowing is a big enough job for one day. I take my shoes off and run inside.

Unfortunately, this can easily resemble our Christian lives. The enthusiasm and motivation of doing good and suffering in the name of Christ can turn into a sinking sense of futility when it seems that nobody cares or even notices. Paul, in 1st Corinthians 9:24, likens the Christian life to a marathon race. It’s not a sprint, it’s not about speed, or looks, it’s about endurance, it’s about finishing. And it can’t be done without discipline and training.

How can you persevere when you’ve “hit the wall?” Hebrews 12: 1-2 tell us to “throw off our weights” and to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” Jesus is our example. He endured all the way to cross, he despised its shame, and he triumphed by sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God. If you find yourself struggling with endurance, consider what the writer of Hebrews tells the Hebrew people in chapter 12, verse 4; “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” What have you had to face in your life that would stack up to what Jesus experienced? This should be motivating, this should give us security, and this should be humbling. Christ has gone before us, he has blazed the trail, he has set an example. Fix your eyes on Jesus and He will give you the strength to persevere to the finish.

Two Down and One Out

Two down and one out. This has been a tough week in sports, at least for me. My Pistons got closed out by the Heat on Friday, Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals injured himself on Sunday, and I fear for the Cowboys’ season ahead. The Pistons are now in the past, and the Cowboys are the future, so, I’ll try to focus on the frustrating present.

Albert Pujols is batting .308/.442/.751 (batting average/on-base/slugging) and leads the Major Leagues with 25 home runs, 65 RBIs and 52 runs scored. Well, he was anyway. He is a gold glove first baseman. Well, was. Sunday, while chasing down a foul ball, he strained his oblique abdominal muscle. This has forced Tony LaRussa to sit Pujols on the 15 day Disabled List. I’m sure I’m just being a little pessimistic, but let me tell you why this injury is a big deal.

First, it’s a big deal to the Cardinals of course. They are leading the National League Central Division and Pujols is their captain. They have become perennial playoff participants, and don’t intend to miss this year. Even with injuries to Jim Edmonds and Albert Pujols, the Cardinal lineup still packs a potent punch and should keep them on top until the big boys can play again. But it still hurts.

This is a big deal to Albert. This is his first trip to the DL due to a real injury in five years of play at the Major League level. I know that he will bounce back and be better than ever, but, better than ever is what he was already this season. He was batting at an unbelievable level. He has to be disappointed that most of the records he was potentially going to break, are most likely out of reach if indeed he misses 15 or more games.

This is a big deal for baseball. Baseball, in the past few years, has noted many great, historic moments. But most of these moments seemed to be veiled by controversy. Of course, I refer chiefly to the use of steroids. The culture of baseball and its fans really need Pujols to make a run at the single season homerun record. We, the fans, are pleading for a legitimate slugger to rally around. We long for a guy who has a pure reputation and represents everything that’s good with the sport. Pujols is that man. Albert is also MLB’s most likely candidate to be a Triple Crown winner. This is, behind the homerun record, probably the most exciting achievement to watch unfold during the course of long season.

And finally, this is a big deal to Barry Bonds. Barry has, as you probably have noticed, commanded the majority of media attention so far this season. And rightly so. He has just passed the unshakable Babe Ruth. The most famous baseball player of all time, the unmovable Bambino, has just been bumped from his runner up position for career homeruns. But now the anticipation is over. Barry has hit 714 and 715. Now, he’s just a steroid user again. An proud purple stain on baseball’s freshly vacuumed carpet. MLB would welcome any distraction from the Barry Bonds circus, and Pujols was it. Pujols was going to make everything better. Bonds himself instructed the press and everybody else to “go watch Albert Pujols, He’s doing some amazing things.” But now, with Pujols on the bench, the media pendulum may swing back to Barry. I know he, and me, and everyone else hopes it won’t, but it probably will.

So, the Cardinals will be fine. Albert is not going to rush his return, which is smart. He certainly does not want to make a chronic condition out of this simple strain. Mr. Pujols, we wish you a speedy recovery, our thoughts are with you, and work on your enunciation. You say good words, it’s just hard to understand them.

Family Ties

Ever wondered why you look like your parents? Or maybe why you have the same personality as your aunt, or the same balding pattern as your grandfather? Well, some of it is nature and some of it is nurture. We are not about to get into that, but we are about to learn just how much alike we are as far as breaking the law.

It’s called kinship analysis, or familial searching: Comparing the DNA fingerprint of crime-scene samples to the relatives of known criminals. That doesn’t make much sense at first, but let me explain. CODIS is a national database consisting of DNA profiles of convicted felons and samples from unsolved cases. So when a crime is committed and the police do not have a suspect, any DNA from that crime-scene gets compared to this national database to see if, by chance, the person who committed this crime happens to have his or her DNA profile already on record. The match must be exact, throughout the entire profile. If it is, it’s called a ‘cold hit.’ In kinship analysis, however, the match does not have to be exact, only similar. This strategy is based on two central facts: According to research studies, close relatives of known criminals are more likely than others to break the law, and because these two individuals are related, their DNA fingerprints will be similar. So, that suggests that if a DNA specimen, found at a crime scene, has a profile that is close to, but not exactly the same as, that of a known criminal, then a close relative may be the culprit.

This is not illegal in the United States, but it is rarely acknowledged and utilized by state law enforcement. In Britain, where DNA laws are more relaxed, the approach has been the turning point in several cases, and proven itself a vital element in crime-fighting. For example, in 1998, a DNA specimen was obtained from a murder scene, but with no suspect, the police had nothing to compare the profile with. However, they were able to use the murder-scene profile to search for familial matches. They found that the profile was similar, but not exact, to that of a 14 year old boy’s, whose DNA was on file with the police. Investigators obtained samples from the boy’s uncle, and found a perfect match. He was convicted and the case was solved.

A 1999 Justice Department survey found that 46 percent of prison inmates had at least one sibling, parent, or child who had been incarcerated at some point. And, computer models forecast that ‘cold hits’ (perfect matches) might increase by 40 percent if they were to check the DNA patterns of criminals’ family members when searches generate near misses.

Civil libertarians say “It’s an infringement on our rights. If I give up a DNA sample, does that mean I’ve also committed all my blood relatives to a search?” That is an important and valid question. That’s where the lawmakers must look closely at the possibilities of this new technology, and American citizens must decide if they are willing to be included in DNA searches, or if they are ready to take their chances with more criminals, at large and on the street.

1 Peter

1 Peter 2: 17-25

In this passage, Peter talks about the way we should live a good and upright kind of lifestyle. He states that this can be accomplished if we love and respect one another, fear God, and submit to our Earthly authorities. And he also says that if we do live for the Lord, we will surely suffer for the Lord, as well.

Jesus led a sinless life, and yet He suffered greatly for it. To me, Christ set the ultimate example of how to live, and how to suffer. In Luke chapter nine, Jesus says to us, "Take up your cross daily and follow me." And, I think, that in our day to day living, the more we live our lives like Christ, the more we will be treated like Him, and more we will suffer like Him. John 15:18 and 19 says "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own." Surely, if we are not experiencing any persecution on any level, then we must be leading a lifestyle opposite to that of Christ's.

We have to keep our hope and faith, and remind ourselves that God only gives us problems or puts us in situations that He knows that we can handle (1 Cor. 10:13). So, when you think about it, the greater the suffering that we endure for God, the greater His confidence in our faith. So, we can actually consider it an honor whenever God chooses us to suffer for Him.

(1Peter 2:17-25)
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

"He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth."

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving us this day. Thank you for your holy Word, and for being very clear in your instruction to us on how to live our lives. Help us to remember and apply the principles of this passage during the coming week. Remind us that Christ is our example, and we should strive to live like Him at all costs. Give us the wisdom to recognize that suffering for you is a daily part of the Christian walk, and give us the strength to grow in faith and continue on that walk. Amen.

Public DNA

Recently, DNA has been brought to the forefront of social attention. Whether it be CSI and NCIS, or it be the massive media coverage of such cases like the Duke University Lacrosse scandal or other cases where people are convicted or exonerated because of DNA evidence. It’s apparent that DNA wields undeniable power in the courtroom and in the public eye.

CoDIS (Combined DNA Index System) is the national database of DNA profiles. It is actually a collection of state, local, and federal databases. So who is actually in CoDIS? Well, right now, all people convicted of a felony offense, all evidence from unsolved cases, and a few others get tested and uploaded into the national chain. Things are working effectively and properly, but some want that to change.

In the early 1990’s, states began passing laws ordering the collection of DNA samples from offenders of murders, rapes, and other violent felonies. This rapidly changed to offenders of all felonies. This is all very good and useful. In 1998, however, officials proposed taking DNA samples from all misdemeanor offenders, and now proposals currently on the table of state legislatures are contemplating collecting DNA from all arrestees. There is no proof anywhere that people arrested for petty crimes are any more likely to commit violent crimes than any other member of the general population. And the word on the street is that movements to take DNA from the entire population are in the near future.

Collecting DNA from the entire population is ridiculous. A few of the major reasons why are easily derived. First is the simple fact that most people are not and never will be criminals of any kind, much less violent offenders. Why then must we surrender our privacy to politicians with needles? And, do we really trust the government with our DNA profiles. Although our DNA profile does not include things like a physical description, home address, or social security number, it does last forever. Our genetic profile will be the same the day we’re born to the day we die (barring any bone marrow transplants), and it will rest eternally in hanging folders and on computer screens in buildings across the country, available to anyone with access. Another problem is the unsettling notion of the types of people with this access. I just have visions of weak willed police officers being paid off or accusation happy prosecutors indignantly pointing crooked fingers when they find an innocent person’s DNA at a crime scene even if there was a legitimate reason for it to be there. On a more fundamental level, labs that test the blood and oral swabs to develop useable profiles are not perfect. Although error rates among accredited labs are very low, they still exist. As long as human beings are responsible for the bench work, there will certainly be mistakes.

Right now, America needs to focus our energies on the task at hand. That’s the testing of all convicted felons. Across the nation, huge backlogs of convicted offender samples rest neatly arranged in boxes, on shelves, in closets, waiting for their day to be profiled. Some wait several months while their donors may be responsible for unsolved crimes. And worse yet, some of these criminals may have been released from prison and are at large in the general public. This resolution of all convicted felons has to be accomplished and can be by improving existing laboratories, and recruiting and training new DNA analysts. The technology in the forensics field is amazing, it just needs to get put to use.

DNA databanks are an extremely useful tool in the discovery and indictment of criminals, and there is an unlimited benefit in the expansion of DNA databanks, as long as it is done in an ethical and just manner. Don’t let these databanks be turned into overgrown bargaining chips for bureaucrats or means for wrongful imprisonments. Let’s work together to give the innocent their privacy and keep CoDIS for whom it was intended: criminals.

i am

I AM: a work in progress, in all aspects: physically, mentally, and spiritually.

I WANT: true happiness, or a boat, whichever.

I HATE: food chewed with the mouth open, and being late.

I MISS: a few of my friends from college and even fewer from high school, but I truly miss those few.

I FEAR: that I won't be able to make my wife happy, that I won't be able to provide her the kind of life she desires.

I HEAR: that people can live richly without a lot of money (so I hear).

I WONDER: what people hear when they chew their food with their mouth open in a quiet room.

I REGRET: my lack of effort in my relationship with my dad, sister, and God.

I AM NOT: a liar or a hypocrite, uh, er...

I DANCE: at work, behind closed doors and thick walls.

I SING: like a bird, a crow (carry the light)

I CRY: when I watch Rudy.

I AM NOT ALWAYS: in control of myself and therefore not always a good example of a Christian.

I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: sweat.

I WRITE: with the hope of receiving complements.

I CONFUSE: myself when I try to study God's Word.

I NEED: to go to bed, but also I need words of affirmation from my wife.

I SHOULD: be a better servant, friend, son, brother, and husband.

I START: too many projects and books.

I FINISH: my dinner, guaranteed.

Gideon and faith

This is a little embarrassing, but until recently, I didn't know what the Gideons group was. I viewed them as somewhere between a protestant denomination and Jehovah's Witness. Well, my grandfather joined the Gideons and I decided that I had better learn a little more.
Gideon's story can be found in the Old Testament in chapters six and seven of the book of Judges. Gideon was a scrawny, unimpressive man whom God selected to save Israel from the army of Midian. Even after an angel appeared to Gideon to deliver this awesome news, Gideon was unsure. He tested God by asking Him for a series of ridiculous signs, all of which God graciously fulfilled. By doing this, his faith in God's promise of victory went from pathetically weak to mediocre at best.
Before Gideon's army of 32,000 men engaged in battle, God told him that he had too many soldiers. He separated 300 men out to enter into battle and sent the rest home. Using a little trickery and excellent military technique, Gideon's men defeated the Midians, who were "as thick as locusts, and whose camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore."
Why? Why the diminutive group of men led by a shrimpy man with weak faith to take on a well equipped and fully staffed army? Well, think about it. Now, you tell me, who was responsible for Gideon's victory? Gideon was no four star general, he was no military strategist. It would be impossible for him to best the Midians without some supernatural help. It sort of seems as if God was setting Gideon up to fail, when in fact, He was setting Himself up to receive the glory of the victory. I love the way God uses the most unlikely of people to bring the giants of this world to their knees. If you think God is calling you to do something you think is impossible, listen closely to what God may be saying to you. Even if your faith is weak, He won't turn His back on you. He honors your faith, and He will use you for great things, if you'll just let Him.

By the way - The Gideons International expresses its mission as follows: To win others for the Lord Jesus Christ through association, personal testimony, and placing the Bible-God's Holy Word.

Luther quickly

Last Saturday morning, I attended my monthly Church History class (that's right I said Church History) which is held at my church and led by my pastor. We are just now beginning the Reformation Period, so we spent most of our time on Martin Luther. Now, I must disclaim that I am NOT a bible scholar, nor am I a historian, nor am I educated to any significant degree in any kind of Christian theology whatsoever. So, if you have a question, you will probably have to wait for an answer, until I can adequately research the topic, or until I give up completely and refer you to someplace else. And I highly recommend, as my pastor says, please don't take my word for anything, check my work against the scriptures. Okay, now back to Luther. He was an awesome man, who probably saw God more clearly than anyone in his time. He did many great things, not only for the reformation of the church, but also for Christians everywhere, in his time and those to come. One of the great things about my pastor, is that he doesn't sugarcoat anything. He'll give it to you straight up, and to be honest, sometimes that's very uncomfortable. Well, he began to tell us some of Luther's flaws. He listed some of his character shortcomings, as well as some of his misguided publications. Luther is a very interesting subject, one that I would like to pursue further. I think it would not only be edifying mentally, but also spiritually. The take home message of the day is - "The best of men, are men at best." Not sure who said that originally, but still a humbling and hope giving reminder that even the most righteous man is still part of the fallen race and cannot taste God's kingdom without the redeeming power of Christ.

Introduction

Greetings to you the reader from me the first time writer/blogger. As you can probably tell, apart from the initial test, this is my maiden posting. As you will soon be able to see, I am very interested in a wide range of topics. And while I do possess some knowledge in many areas, I am a master of none.
I have to tell you that I've been seriously considering creating this blog for at least two months. Why have I waited so long, you ask? Well, I believe in honesty, so here you go. While I do have to factor in a busy schedule and a significant portion of laziness, the chief reason has to do with my writing ability. I enjoy writing, but I only write when I have to. My wife and family tell me that I am a good writer, and so my authoring ego is inflated. See, I am the kind of person who is afraid of failure. Thus, I would rather not try than risk bombing. I consider this a big step for me. And please don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not fishing for compliments, I'm just laying it out there for you. We shall see.

test post

Obviously this is a test post, so, please regard this post as a test post, as that is what it is, a test post. link Now, a test post draft.