Sidney Crosby - 2010 NHL Awards

The more I listen to interviews with him, the more he becomes one of my favorite all time athletes to have ever played on any Pittsburgh sports team. Class, posie, diginity, humility are a few words that describe him. Blessed to have you Sid !
Watch Sid take home the Hart & Messier award tonight at 7:30 PM on Versus.

Pittsburgh Penguins “On The Brink” – A Commentary

Everyone has their own take on why the Canadiens have forced a game seven with the Pittsburgh Penguins – all the talking heads on ESPN, those on that poor excuse for a network called Versus, the local writers and radio & TV announcers (Post-Gazette, Trib Review FSNP, Penguins Radio Network) and people like me – an everyday ordinary fan. My knowledge of the game is excellent - I have been following the Penguins since 1972 and have probably been to over 700 NHL games in my life - including alll but two of the 2009 playoffs games, So I ask you to indulge yourself in the following.

Fluery vs Halak. The general consensus that I get is that everyone thinks Halak is better and the Fluery is streaky this series. No I will tell you what the difference is. Defense. Pure and simple. They can make a goalie look super human and that’s what the Habs have been doing. No question, Fluery may have had a bad game but I’ll lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Penguins defense. They rose to the occasion in Game 5 in Pittsburgh – where were they last night ? All I will say is this – for three of the Habs goals in game 6 Eaton & Gologoski were on the ice. Defense needs to step up and start blocking shots and delivering punishing hits. Jay McKee needs to come in. Oh and one more thing – if we get the whistle in game 5 Fluery pitches a second shout out in the same series.

Corsby & Malkin. Much ink has been spilled on why they have been so ineffective this series. It’s pure and simple. The Habs have literally been all over both of them – especially Sid with numerous high sticks, trips, cross checks and interference calls going by the wayside. His complaints have fallen on deaf ears and that leads me to my next point. Oh it was great to see Sid score last night as well ! And don't forget both of them have played very well defesively.

Inconsistent officiating. Oh how the announcers don’t want to broach this subject. But face it – if the game was called consistently from game one forward, the Habs would be lining up their tee times right now. For example in game 5 (which I attended) early on the refs were super slow in blowing the whistle. If the puck is out of sight, the refs is to blow his whistle – that’s not my take that’s in the NHL rulebook. Because of that, it allowed them to score a late goal in game 5. Last night extremely quick whistles – if not we get another goal. So many missed calls – high sticks, cross checks, trips, interference (yes I’m saying this for both sides) but I’m really incensed at how the Habs have done everything in the book to stop Crosby & Malkin – most of them were ‘non calls’ from the refs. And the call with a little over 2 minutes left in game 5 on Dupis – he barely touches the Habs player and gets called. Again one word – consistency.

Suban – Everyone is raving at what a great talent he is going to be. Face it folks. He is being schooled on how to be a cheap shot artist and get away with it. Look what he did to Jordan Staal amd almost did to Matt Cooke. I watched him in particular the past two games and he looks for chances to give some of those shots when the refs are turned the other way. Play hockey right Suban and you will go a lot farther.

Net presence. The Habs have been doing a great job of this – a little too good in my opinion. I’ve watched several times when their players are behind Halak and touch the puck in the paint or “accidently” dislodge the net. Give me a break.

Game 7 – If we come out and play like we did in game 5 we win. Period. In spite of the inconsistent refs, In spite of Suban and his cheap shots. Folks we had at least four shots hit metal last night. We get two of those in and…well you know the rest !

In closing I have one thing to say from one of the greatest every to lace up skate to all who are proud to call themselves Pittsburgh Penguins players, fans, and coaches:

“See you at center ice”

Psalm 35

As part of my devotions, I read Psalm 35 today and it spoke to me in a number of areas - especially my unemployemnt situation - and how satan has been working overtime to reek havoc in my life.

"1 O Lord, oppose those who oppose me.
Fight those who fight against me.
2 Put on your armor, and take up your shield.
Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.
3 Lift up your spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Let me hear you say,
“I will give you victory!”
4 Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;
turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me.
5 Blow them away like chaff in the wind—
a wind sent by the angel of the Lord.
6 Make their path dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7 I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me.
I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me.
8 So let sudden ruin come upon them!
Let them be caught in the trap they set for me!
Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.
9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord.
I will be glad because he rescues me.
10 With every bone in my body I will praise him:
“Lord, who can compare with you?
Who else rescues the helpless from the strong?
Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”

11 Malicious witnesses testify against me.
They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good.
I am sick with despair.
13 Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them.
I denied myself by fasting for them,
but my prayers returned unanswered.
14 I was sad, as though they were my friends or family,
as if I were grieving for my own mother.
15 But they are glad now that I am in trouble;
they gleefully join together against me.
I am attacked by people I don’t even know;
they slander me constantly.
16 They mock me and call me names;
they snarl at me.

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
Rescue me from their fierce attacks.
Protect my life from these lions!
18 Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly.
I will praise you before all the people.
19 Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat.
Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow.
20 They don’t talk of peace;
they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.
21 They shout, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we saw him do it!”

22 O Lord, you know all about this.
Do not stay silent.
Do not abandon me now, O Lord.
23 Wake up! Rise to my defense!
Take up my case, my God and my Lord.
24 Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give justice.
Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles.
25 Don’t let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted!
Now we will eat him alive!”

26 May those who rejoice at my troubles
be humiliated and disgraced.
May those who triumph over me
be covered with shame and dishonor.
27 But give great joy to those who came to my defense.
Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord,
who delights in blessing his servant with peace!”
28 Then I will proclaim your justice,
and I will praise you all day long."


But I know Jesus will rescue me from this and bless me to overflowing - how can I be silent ?

"17 How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
Rescue me from their fierce attacks.
Protect my life from these lions!
18 Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly.
I will praise you before all the people."

Thank you for the Cross Jesus !!!!

Suffering For God

Do you feel that you have "suffered" for doing what is right ? Do you feel that or have been told by others that you are “unforgiveable” ? I’ve got some great news !

1 Peter 3:17-19 (New International Version)

17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom[a] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison"

So keep doing “what is right”……

1 Peter 3:13-15 (New International Version)

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear[a]; do not be frightened."[b] 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

It’s really very simple…….and available to all

Romans 10:9 (New International Version)

9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

I hope you are “Sweetly Broken” for Jesus Christ...

"Demon Hunter"

Quite a few Christians are probably turned off by heavy metal. And I've heard some say "Christian heavy metal? You’ve got to be kidding me!” or “No way”. Well there is a very successful Christian heavy metal group named ‘Demon Hunter’ – which I like !

Here is part of their ‘About Me’ from their ‘MySpace’ page:

Demon Hunter has always been a Christian band and has represented their point of view strongly, despite the larger trend of watered down philosophies that straddle the line for popularity's sake. This stance has won them respect from fellow believers and opposite points of view alike.

"In this age it has seemingly become more and more detestable to be a Christian," Clark elaborates. "Our opinions on social and political issues are no longer tolerated as valid and we are commonly viewed as the enemy. Subjective truth, self-love, unrestricted perversion, the destruction of morality: these are the things that have ultimately brought us to a place of depression and madness.

Here is what Ryan Clark (lead singer) had to say regarding their new album:

"The album title refers to the often harmful and destructive world that we live in," explains Clark. "Most of the songs deal with the current state of the nation and the world as a whole. In particular, the lyrics take aim at the ideals of a Godless people and the depletion of our morals and values."

"This album is the antithesis of the modern way of life."

One of the things that I enjoy about ‘Demon Hunter’ is that they balance out their music very well – meaning they have several songs on each CD that area for those of us in our 40’s (as told to me by two of my children who will remain nameless). Ryan Clark has an awesome voice and his lyrics (even on the heavy songs) point directly to Christ.

Remember the saying ‘you can’t really get to know a person unless you walked a mile in their shoes” – guess where it came from: Matthew 5:41 “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” .

My prayer is that this will not only help you witness to someone who enjoys ‘heavy metal’ but also gain a perspective on the world – that there are young adults out there who can proclaim the Gospel through all kinds of media.

Some of the songs I enjoy:

“Driving Nails”





“Thorns”




“Carry Me Down”





“One Thousand Apologies”




“My Heartstrings Come Undone”




“Not Ready To Die”(this one is loud so be prepared)




“Undying”

"You Never Let Go"

Have you ever had days where everything goes wrong - kind of like Murphy's Law is working overtime against you? And you feel like no one cares and you cry out "Where are you Jesus? Why did you leave me?" I admit that I've had days like that. But, much to the evil one's dismay, Jesus never ever lets go of you - even in the darkest, dreary, stormy parts of your life. God’s word says this is true:

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." “Deuteronomy 31:8

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22

“The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;” Psalm 121:7

“Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. “Matthew 8:24-28

I am so glad that Jesus never let’s go of you……and me !



Matt Redman - You Never Let Go
From the album Passion 06: Everything Glorious

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Chorus:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You"

Chorus: (2x’s)

Unforgiveable ?

Are you down in the dumps because that voice (satan) that tells you that God can't forgive you ? . Awesome news follows:

""Therefore, my brothers and sisters, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.' Acts 13:38-39 TNIV

Paul said we are free.

"Surely it was for my benefit
that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
behind your back. " Isaiah 38:17 TNIV

Isaiah said all our sins are 'behind (God's) back);.

"I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more. " Isaiah 43:25 TNIV

Isaiah said that God 'remembers your sins no more'.

'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ' 1 John 1:9 TNIV

Very simple - confess and receive forgiveness !

Live like you are forgiven.......because you are !