Basketball Theology

After a Chicago Bulls player makes free throws to ice the game against the Celtics, he does a post game interview.

Interviewer: So what goes through your mind when you shoot those free throws?

Player: I just step up to the line, say a little prayer to God and let him handle the rest.

Interviewer: But you still have to shoot it.

Exactly.

The MSFITS

It's not too late to contribute to the MS WALK which my son Bryson and I will be participating in tomorrow, April 19. As I said in a previous post, I am walking for my good friend and co-worker Genny who was diagnosed with MS about 1 year ago.

Genny is one of my heroes!! Her positive, upbeat and incredible attitude towards life has inspired me so much. I can only imagine what it means to live daily with this disease, but Genny never seems to have a bad day.I am so proud to be associated with this event.

Genny's MS WALK team name is the MSFITS. The other day at work I was there watching her create the team shirts and snapped a photo of the logo that Genny designed. I thought I'd share it with you.

Each year I try to use this site to raise money for something I think is worthy. If this blog and our podcast has spoken to you over the years I hope you will consider the MS WALK as a way to show that appreciation.

The contribution site is open through May 22. Thank you.

MS WALK 2009 UPDATE: We had a great time and I think the foundation for some collaborative efforts to see the MSFIT NATION grow were born. Stay tuned. Thanks to each of you who participated through your financial gifts and well wishes. Here's some pics from the day!

Talking to Ourselves [Podcast]

Steve talks about control and coincidence - and what role God plays in our lives. Our view on that impacts our ideas about prayer - does it make a difference or our we just talking to ourselves? He kind of rambles on at times so hopefully it makes sense in the end. So what's new right?

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Stupid Hits Home [Podcast]

Steve's all alone... again... so you know what that means. He's gonna talk and you're gonna listen. This one is going to be about how Steve's world's are colliding, how his home church is like a centerfold, and how he's so glad Jesus didn't die in an Electric chair.

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MS WALK | Walking for Genny

I am going to appeal to you, my friends here at SCP and ask you to support me as I participate in the MS WALK in LA on April 19. I am walking for my good friend and co-worker Genny who was diagnosed with MS about 1 year ago. She's a young, artistic and positive girl who's life was forever changed with her diagnosis. Here's her story:

I was diagnosed with MS exactly a year ago. I remember those first few months... I will never forget them, nor would I want to. My body and my abilities to do things we would consider normal changed everyday. I woke up every morning wondering what was next. There was a period of time when I couldn't walk straight, or keep my balance. A lot has changed since then, I still wake up everyday unsure of what might come my way, but I embrace every moment and every breath.

I am proud to be who I am, a young adult living with MS. The NMSS helped me on my way to understanding my disease and I want to do what I can to prevent more people from learning what it means to live with this disease.

Genny is still very active, but I know everyday is a struggle. I ask her often how she is doing and she is honest about how difficult it can be and how uncertain she feels about her future, but I have never seen her down and rarely without a smile on her face. Genny is one of my heroes and I admire her for her inner strength that I can only hope to have in the face of such a daily struggle.

I know times are tough and finances are tight but I hope you will join with me and support me as I walk on April 19. It would mean a great deal to me if you were able to participate and support the cause. Any dollar amount you can contribute would mean a great deal to me and I know to Genny. My goal is $500 total and I will be putting in $50 myself to get things going, so I hope you can assist me in reaching my goal.

If you would like to give, please click this link to go to my page.

My 14 year old son and I will be walking together in this event. He is raising money for his Uncle Stan who also has MS. This disease touches so many lives, so please support us if you can. We are very humbled and excited to be a part of this. Thank you.

Stupid Hits Home

This one hurts a little. This is from Sagemont Church in Houston, which is the church where I grew up. My mother still attends this church. The pastor, John Morgan is someone I greatly respect and have spoke of highly on this site, but for the life of me I can't figure out what he was thinking on this one.

I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that this 170 foot cross sits less than a mile from my Mom's house. I'm speechless. Seeing this today was like a kick in the gut.

I'll have more to say later, because I just don't know what to say really. For now, let me just share the article from the local newspaper. It speaks for itself.

Last week, Sagemont Church constructed a massive cross on its property near Beltway 8.

In the works since 2007, the completed structure stands 170 feet tall with a span of 60 feet at the horizontal beam. It is made of painted steel and weighs 90 tons and took three days to erect.

The purpose of the cross is to positively inspire passing drivers, according the Sagemont Church' senior pastor, Dr. John D. Morgan.

"We hope everyone who drives by will be reminded how much God loves them," he said.

Like all other Sagemont projects, the cross was being built debt-free. Morgan noted that the church has not borrowed money since 1975, allowing Sagemont to do other things with money that many churches spend on interest each year.

This past year, the church spent approximately $1.5 million on local and global mission efforts. The church also gave a large sum to aid the community after Hurricane Ike, just as it did after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Morgan declined to put a monetary price tage on the structure, but humbly said, "It cost God his son and Jesus his life."

Due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the cross will be lit at night, allowing it to be seen for several miles in any direction.

The base of the structure features a 2,500 square-foot platform designed to accommodate weddings, Bible study classes, and other special events throughout the year. The platform hovers over a small lake that includes an area for baptisms. The bank of the lake features an amphitheater designed to seat approximately 250 people. Two walkways connect the amphitheater to the platform...

...The cross structure is complete, but final details on the project will be finished over the next few weeks. Upon completion, the cross area will be open to the public at all times for people to come pray, picnic, or just look.

Here's some other links on this I found:

• Another article and video news story on the cross.
• A Sagemont Church blog detailing the construction with more pictures.
• Pictures of the cross at night from the freeway.

Wow!!

Fanatical Believing Humans [Podcast]

Steve is back sans Josh... but there's a good reason. Steve talks about belief, basketball and his boy. In the end, we are all just Stupid Church People.

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This will be a new weekly podcast. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss anything. Don't forget to go to Josh's Blog for more info for his weekly call-in show "SCP|Talk".

Happy 4th Birthday SCP!!