You Are What You Eat!

Dear Banana Boy

Oh, I'm gonna get a fussing for using this pic of my dear boy! However, a glance at the birthday picture at the left, or the one of the family on the right will confirm the ancient status of this Halloween photo. But it is so stinkin' cute!

The section that I read this week (1John 3) calls a skunk a skunk and a dove a dove. (Wish my Sweet Hubby and Bubba had known the difference.) Basically, John explains that if the animal looks like a skunk, sounds like a skunk, and smells like a skunk, it probably is one and we best stay upwind of it.

John basically said that a Christian could be identified by his actions of purity and love and that a non-believer could be identified the same way, by his habits of sin.

At first this seemed so judgmental to me. No wonder folks think of Christians as intolerant. But then I examined it a little closer. I look at it this way. What if my

The One and Done Boys

I just have to post about the NBA playoff game that I just witnessed. This game was just full of lessons. A minister could make a month full of sermons on this!

1st Jason Terry - Jason was unashamed to give glory to God not only for this win, but for the last two wins as well. Even during losses, Terry showed a Godly attitude, maintaining calm. His reputation was obvious during the first game of the series when he lost his temper in a rare episode. The announcers honed in on it with shock because they had so very rarely witnessed it before. JET deserved the player of the game award that he received tonight.
Romans 1:16

2nd Mark Cuban - Mark makes some really stupid statements once in a while. He is, by far, less than perfect besides his brilliance in making money. Still, this man is like so many of us, just struggling to do his best, amidst a multitude of mistakes - IE: normal, fallen. He hit a homerun after the game tonight. It was pure class and I was so delighted to see Don Carter there, getting to share in the credit of the team he built.
Phil 3:12-14

3rd Dirk Nowitzki - Dirk didn't play his best tonight. He struggled throughout the entire first half, but gave credit to his team since he wasn't in a rhythm. "They carried me," he said. How like the Body of Christ, where one person or group will fill in where another person or group is fading. In fact, during the third quarter, 3 men from the bench played almost the entire time, maintaining the lead and allowing the stars a much needed rest, so they could then push through to the end.
Romans 12:4-5

4th Jason Kidd - Jason, at 38 years old is the oldest player ever to start in the NBA Finals next to Kareem Abdul Jabar. With amazing experience, he has the wisdom that comes with his age. After the cockiness that was displayed from opposing teams, he could have done an "in yo face" type of thing, but instead he made a point to compliment the HEAT for an amazing battle. His interview comment echoed some of the personal "private" comments that he made to some of the Miami players, just proving his integrity. He didn't just give lip service to the opposition because it looked good on camera. He sincerely applauded them both on camera and "off." There is much to be said for a man in such a position who exemplifies such a humble attitude.
Phil. 2:5-11

"This is a group of castaways and now they're champions" is what Mark Jackson, one of the game announcers, said. So let me draw a few conclusions:

1. The NBA world considered these players to be near the bottom of the barrel. (I really did find that hard to believe, but with Jackson's comments and the perpetual underdog image that the media gave them for the past 2 months, I guess I should start accepting that fact.) 
2. The team itself accepted the championship with all humility, making a point to give away credit instead of glorying in their own achievements.
3. The players of this team recognize their inability to carry the team alone and are stronger for it.

Not to say that the Miami Heat or any other team is less than honorable, but isn't it sweet when the righteous prevail???

The Mystery of the Mavericks

My friend Dwayne had a comment to a Facebook post several months back. Someone had posted a frustration after a loss to the Lakers, stating that it was the mystique that LA held; that Dallas just choked when they went up against them because of who they were.

Dwayne replied that he was full of malarkey. That Dallas couldn’t beat LA because the Mavs were just a mediocre team and he wished the Texas fans could figure that out and stop making excuses for them.

My mom had a plaque hanging in our home that said, “O Lord, make my words gracious and tender today for tomorrow I may have to eat them!” Remembering that, I refrained from responding to Dwayne’s obviously erroneous assessment of the situation. Besides, he’s one of my closest friend’s hubby. Wouldn’t want him to banish me from his house!

What is it about this team? It was obvious in the first couple of games that no one expected them to go five games, let alone be ahead at the end of five. ABC showed highlight after highlight of the HEAT during every commercial, even when the Mavs were winning.

They are the epitome of underdogs! How are they still in this?

No really, I’m asking. I know they have Dirk (I’m not blind) but Lebron is equally amazing, although annoying. Jason Terry has played well most of the games and I love his attitude. JJ Berea has to be the most fun to watch; does the man know how to slow down? Likewise the HEAT has their hot players, and so did the Lakers, and so did the Thunder. Why are the Mavs still in this?

I’m gonna hazard a guess and hope that some of you will either set me straight or add some of your own thoughts. As we get ready for the game Sunday night, I’m thinking the way the Mavs gel as a team makes all the difference in the world. I get that as much from the losses as from the wins. Seldom have I seen a game where all of them are off or all of them are on. When Kidd is off, Berea is hot. When Terry is injured, Marion is on fire. And as for Dirk, Mr. Amazing, himself; they’ve won on his bad days, too. This team is more than its star; (DUH) and when it works together, it is far more than the sum of its parts!

What am I missing? Help me solve this mystery!