Super Bowl Preview

Average Joe - Part 3 of 4

We're almost finished with our series on the book of Jonah and I've been so blessed as I study and prepare for this series. Nothing compares to the wisdom and power that is found in the Word of God. I love seeing how deep Scripture can be ... each time I dig, there are more and more treasures to be found. And in chapter 3, I'm amazed at how widely encompassing God's mercy is for his servants and for the Ninevehs of this world. In the midst of our filth, God is still faithful. What an awesome God we serve. Here are the updates for this week:

Updates

• Sermon MP3 (iTunes) can be downloaded here.
  

• Sermon Outline can be downloaded here.

• Weekly Memory Verse can be downloaded here. [1 John 3:18]
  

The Duel in Dallas












Most are calling it a Super Bowl preview, but this weekend's battle between the New England Patriots and my Dallas Cowboys is the most anticipated match up of the year so far. Though my 'Boys are major underdogs in this game, I really think they have a shot at an upset. Just like last week's game, I think this one is going to be a major shocker to the NFL world. It's going to be a major shootout. Can't wait! =)

Currently Reading The Creative Leader: Unleashing the Power of Your Creative Potential By Ed Young

Happy Days

Sunny Days

I thought summer was almost here until the sudden temperature change the past couple of days. But Hyun and I were able to enjoy the summer weather while it lasted over the weekend. I think these drastic changes in the weather isn't helping those who are sick. I was talking to a doctor recently and he was telling me that this was one of the worst flu seasons he had ever seen; thankfully we've been able to say healthy so far (my secret: wash your hands often, drink lots of OJ and eat lots of garlic :) I've been experimenting more in the kitchen and garlic is my go-to ingredient :) Mmmmm ....

Happy Cowboy Days

It's also an exciting time of year because the NFL pre-season has started and my Dallas Cowboys are back with a win in their first game last weekend over the Super Bowl champ Colts. I think it's a foreshadow of what is to come. PLUS Michael Irvin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame recently too.

He was drafted in 1988 and after Aikman got drafted in 1989, I knew the Aikman to Irvin combo was going to be a special one. He was a bit cocky during his playing days, thus earning the nickname "The Playmaker", but later on he grew up quite a bit just in time for his kids. Here are some highlights from his induction speech:

A Changed Man

"The threshing floor is where you take your greatest fear and you pray for help from your great God. I want to share something with you today. I have two sons. Michael, he's 10, and Elijah, he's 8. Michael and Elijah, could you guys stand up for me. (They did.) That's my heart right there. That's my heart. When I am on that threshing floor, I pray. I say, 'God, I have my struggles and I made some bad decisions, but whatever you do, whatever you do, don't let me mess this up.'

"I say, 'Please, help me raise them for some young lady so that they can be a better husband than I. Help me raise them for their kids so that they could be a better father than I. And I tell you guys to always do the right thing so you can be a better role model than dad."

"Why must I go through so much?

"At that moment a voice came over me and said, 'Look up, get up, and don't ever give up. You tell everyone or anyone that has ever doubted, thought they did not measure up or wanted to quit, you tell them to look up, get up and don't ever give up.'"

Podcast Updated

And the sermon and memory verse podcasts have been updated. You can find the links on the right and you can download the sermon outline here. I had to preach for the 10:30am, 3:00pm and the 6:00pm services on Sunday so I was a bit more tired this past Monday, thus the late post for today. Well, have a great week and may you delight living each moment ... in His presence.

Currently Listening Songs About Jane By Maroon 5 She Will Be Loved

Follow Up

A Cool Tool

This is a bit of a random post. First off, I guess it's a bit of a follow-up post to my previous one about moral integrity in ministry. Piper's Desiring God blog listed an accountability questionnaire that their pastoral staff fill out and go through with each other. The link is here and you can download a PDF file of the handout. It's a great tool to use, so I wanted to post it for accountability groups who may want to use it.

XLV in Big D!

And I wanted to share my excitement that Dallas just won the bid to host Super Bowl XLV (45)! So mark your calendars now! On February 6, 2011 the Super Bowl is coming to Dallas! Woohoo! They've made the most Super Bowl appearances of any team but have never hosted the Big Game. With the young talent that's assembled right now, I think they have the best shot to be the first team to play in the Super Bowl on their home turf. They'll have their new psycho-awesome stadium finished in a couple of years, which will be the best sports facility in the world (slightly biased) ... and ready just in time for XLV. I think I'm going to start saving up for tickets now :) Woohoooooo!

Currently Watching NFL Super Bowl Collection - Dallas Cowboys By Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith see related

More Football Highlights

Me and my cuz Pat (Cowboys vs. Bears ... how the playoffs should've been)

Hyun, Carol and Pat at the sidelines before the game

In front of Texas Stadium after the game.
In the back you can see the new statue they have of Tom Landry, the legendary coach of the Cowboys.

Patrick getting his Lions jersey signed by Roy Williams.
Pat was actually wearing a Barry Sanders jersey, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do :)

Patrick with the Lions back-up QB (I forgot his name).
It turns out he's a Christian too :)

Me and Pat with Jay Novacek (former TE of the Cowboys) at my favorite store in Dallas.
We have another photo with my eyes open and Pat's eyes closed, but I decided to post the bad one of me and good one of Pat ... out of luv for my cuz

Nal (my brother-in-law) and me at my other favorite place in Dallas.
He recently moved to Dallas to study there for a few years, so where do I take him first? Texas Stadium of course :)
And FYI, my "welcome to Dallas" gift to him was that Cowboys jersey he's wearing.
I figure every guy in Dallas should have one.

In front of Tony Romo's locker with my Tony Romo jersey.

The view from the lounge

Patrick actually met Troy Aikman (my favorite football player of all time) on the streets of Chicago last Saturday!
He was shopping at the Nike Town on Michigan Avenue. He asked to take a picture together, but Troy didn't want to create a scene. So my cousin very wisely followed him to his hotel and took a picture of him for me :) Even though it's of his back, I was happy to get it. Thanks Pat!

Currently Listening U218 Singles [CD/DVD Combo] By U2 New Years Day