"Lord, I will follow Thee; but . . ." Luke 9:61
Supposing God tells you to do something which is an enormous test to your common sense, what are you going to do? Hang back? If you get into the habit of doing a thing in the physical domain, you will do it every time until you break the habit determinedly; and the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will get up to what Jesus Christ wants, and every time you will turn back when it comes to the point, until you abandon resolutely. "Yes, but - supposing I do obey God in this matter, what about . . . ?" "Yes, I will obey God if He will let me use my common sense, but don't ask me to take a step in the dark." Jesus Christ demands of the man who trusts Him the same reckless sporting spirit that the natural man exhibits. If a man is going to do anything worth while, there are times when he has to risk everything on his leap, and in the spiritual domain Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold by common sense and leap into what He says, and immediately you do, you find that what He says fits on as solidly as common sense. At the bar of common sense Jesus Christ's statements may seem mad; but bring them to the bar of faith, and you begin to find with awestruck spirit that they are the words of God. Trust entirely in God, and when He brings you to the venture, see that you take it. We act like pagans in a crisis, only one out of a crowd is daring enough to bank his faith in the character of God.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Man is Reunited with Long Lost Treasure
Enjoy this inspirational tale of a young man who reunites a Veteran with a long lost treasure.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Microsoft's New Strategy: Pull Away From Windows and Let's Search the Web. What?
www.foxbusiness.com
Click Link to view video.
It sounds neat. Having a more intuitive search engine can allow us to be more productive searchers. Imagine that. New functionality and increased proficient results. The only thing that really raises concern is its practicality. I'm sure you'll either love it and adjust to it, or remain a faithful fan of the old faithful, Google. You have to give Microsoft credit though for thinking outside the box. It looks like the product could interest a younger generation, thus allowing the Apple commercials to grow more hilarious. And after all...That is the point of Microsoft right? To give the Apple guys a good laugh.
Click Link to view video.
It sounds neat. Having a more intuitive search engine can allow us to be more productive searchers. Imagine that. New functionality and increased proficient results. The only thing that really raises concern is its practicality. I'm sure you'll either love it and adjust to it, or remain a faithful fan of the old faithful, Google. You have to give Microsoft credit though for thinking outside the box. It looks like the product could interest a younger generation, thus allowing the Apple commercials to grow more hilarious. And after all...That is the point of Microsoft right? To give the Apple guys a good laugh.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Slips of the Tongue
It is inevitable. On occasion you say something completely inappropriate instead of what you actually mean to say. And when that happens, if the embarrassment alone does not kill you, you generally react one of two ways. You either hope that no one heard your flub and you continue on, or you attempt to correct the fopaux restating the item correctly. Key word there again, being ‘attempt’. Sometimes you pull it off without notice, sometimes people realize the mistake and bring it to your attention, and then at times you restate the item incorrectly repeatedly and make matters worse bringing utter humiliation upon yourself.
When I was young and visiting New Mexico with family, I was fascinated at the time by the American Indian culture. I tried to take in as much heritage as possible while visiting this exciting new place. Using my creative childhood imagination I began the task one afternoon of building an authentic teepee. Much like those I had seen at reservations that were near us. Meaning in all honesty that I was assembling sticks in a triangular fashion and pretending that the masterpiece was in fact the genuine article.
After much work I had wrapped the project. My mom returned from running errands and I rushed to her, excitedly awaiting her inspiring approval of my creation. When she was insight I ran to her yelling, “Mommy mommy! I made a PEE PEE! Come see my PEE PEE!” My mother, completely shocked, asked, “What!” It did not help the situation that she was surrounded by many of her dear friends. I can still hear the laughter if I listen closely enough. Needless to say, after realizing what I had said and feeling the redness slip from my face, she loved the teepee.
Another occurrence, perhaps my all time favorite, was said by a dear pastor, my father, from the pulpit one Sunday morning when I young. Being a people person, it was customary each week to greet the congregation and to welcome visitors. Many denominations conducting weekly services have this type of ‘meet and greet’. It gives people the chance to say hello to each other and gives children the opportunity to release that last bit of energy prior to the sermon starting. As the musical interlude began, the pastor stepped forward and said, “We want to welcome you this morning and thank you so much for joining us. Members, if you see someone new, introduce yourself. We want you to ‘peel a fart’ of our family.” Every head swooned forward as he tried the ‘Correction Method’. “We want you to ‘peel a fart’…uh…‘Feel a fart’…Shoot.” Everyone there was laughing so hard they never heard him say ‘Feel a part of our family’ when he finally got it right.
Those slips of the tongue are dangerous things. And they can be quite entertaining. While embarrassment is a possibility when it happens to us, it undoubtedly brings joyous laughter to others.
When I was young and visiting New Mexico with family, I was fascinated at the time by the American Indian culture. I tried to take in as much heritage as possible while visiting this exciting new place. Using my creative childhood imagination I began the task one afternoon of building an authentic teepee. Much like those I had seen at reservations that were near us. Meaning in all honesty that I was assembling sticks in a triangular fashion and pretending that the masterpiece was in fact the genuine article.
After much work I had wrapped the project. My mom returned from running errands and I rushed to her, excitedly awaiting her inspiring approval of my creation. When she was insight I ran to her yelling, “Mommy mommy! I made a PEE PEE! Come see my PEE PEE!” My mother, completely shocked, asked, “What!” It did not help the situation that she was surrounded by many of her dear friends. I can still hear the laughter if I listen closely enough. Needless to say, after realizing what I had said and feeling the redness slip from my face, she loved the teepee.
Another occurrence, perhaps my all time favorite, was said by a dear pastor, my father, from the pulpit one Sunday morning when I young. Being a people person, it was customary each week to greet the congregation and to welcome visitors. Many denominations conducting weekly services have this type of ‘meet and greet’. It gives people the chance to say hello to each other and gives children the opportunity to release that last bit of energy prior to the sermon starting. As the musical interlude began, the pastor stepped forward and said, “We want to welcome you this morning and thank you so much for joining us. Members, if you see someone new, introduce yourself. We want you to ‘peel a fart’ of our family.” Every head swooned forward as he tried the ‘Correction Method’. “We want you to ‘peel a fart’…uh…‘Feel a fart’…Shoot.” Everyone there was laughing so hard they never heard him say ‘Feel a part of our family’ when he finally got it right.
Those slips of the tongue are dangerous things. And they can be quite entertaining. While embarrassment is a possibility when it happens to us, it undoubtedly brings joyous laughter to others.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Money Money Everywhere In Jim Wells County Texas
Jim Wells County Texas has a rather unique source of income that you might like to know about. I heard about this and scratched my head for a moment. This alone raises the question, “Does absolute power corrupt absolutely?” Those that are committing illegal crimes certainly deserve to be hit where it hurts…In their pocket books. But what about the temptation that is present even with innocent bystanders being involved in unfounded search and seizures? Just have a lawyer ready if you feel taken advantage of. God bless the Lone Star State.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Test of Self Interest - Oswald Chambers
"If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." Genesis 13:9
As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and luxurious prospects will open up before you, and these things are yours by right; but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God choose for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the right and proper thing to consider if you were not living a life of faith; but if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and leave God to choose for you. This is the discipline by means of which the natural is transformed into the spiritual by obedience to the voice of God.
Whenever right is made the guidance in the life, it will blunt the spiritual insight. The great enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but the good which is not good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best. It would seem the wisest thing in the world for Abraham to choose, it was his right, and the people around would consider him a fool for not choosing. Many of us do not go on spiritually because we prefer to choose what is right instead of relying on God to choose for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard which has its eye on God. "Walk before Me."
Monday, May 25, 2009
Final-Round Notes – Sunday, May 24, 2009
Despite a bogey at the final hole, Rory Sabbatini earned a two-stroke victory over Brian Davis at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Sabbatini shot 68-64-65-64—261 (tournament record) for his first victory since the 2007 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, a stretch of 44 starts.
In 10 previous starts, Rory Sabbatini’s career-best finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship was a T3 in 2007, the only time he had finished in the top 10.
Rory Sabbatini becomes the 14th player to win both the HP Byron Nelson Championship and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial during their career. Others who have completed the “DFW Double” are Ben Crenshaw, Roberto De Vicenzo, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Bruce Devlin, Jack Nicklaus, Lanny Wadkins, Tom Watson, Bruce Lietzke, Nick Price, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Julius Boros.
Dating back to 2000, Rory Sabbatini is the sixth International winner of the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
Dating back to 1995, Rory Sabbatini is the 11th champion to post all four rounds in the 60s.
Rory Sabbatini becomes the 12th player in his 30s to win on the PGA TOUR this year, the 15th overall by those 12 players.
16 of 21 third-round leaders/co-leaders (76%) have gone on to win on the PGA TOUR this year. Last year the figure was 22 of 46 (48%).
Rory Sabbatini’s 6-under 64 was the lowest final-round score by a winner at the HP Byron Nelson Championship since Peter Thompson’s 63 in 1956.
Rory Sabbatini’s statistics for the week: T28 in Fairways Hit (34/56-60.7 %), T1 in Putts per Round (25.8) and T38 in Greens in Regulation (49/72-68.1 %).
Brian Davis equaled his career-best PGA TOUR result and has now posted runner-up finishes in each of the last three years.
Brian Davis now has three consecutive top-5 finishes after a pair of T5 finishes at THE PLAYERS Championship and the Valero Texas Open.
Brian Davis has now posted eight consecutive rounds in the 60s.
Brian Davis has the longest active streak of 20 consecutive rounds of par or better on the PGA TOUR. During that stretch he has finished T19 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, T38 at the Quail Hollow Championship, T5 at both THE PLAYERS Championship and Valero Texas Open, and 2nd at the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
Zach Johnson, who didn’t play this week, remains at the top of the FedExCup standings. Rory Sabbatini moved from No. 29 to No. 7 with his win. Brian Davis jumped from No. 51 to No. 21 with his second-place finish.
D.A. Points earned his career-best PGA TOUR finish with his third-place effort. Points’ previous best were back-to-back T9 finishes earlier this year at The Honda Classic and the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular.
Scott McCarron birdied three of the four par-3 holes in a nine-birdie, one-bogey, final-round 8-under 62, the low round of the tournament. McCarron’s career low round is 61 (1999 Air Canada Championship/Round 4).
Scott McCarron’s 8-under 62 tied the low final-round in tournament history with Steve Lowery (1995) and Ted Tryba (2001).
Scott McCarron ranked No. 1 in both fairways hit (76.8%) and greens in regulation (81.9%) for the week but was T46 in putts per round (29.2).
Dustin Johnson appears set to stay in the top 50 on the OWGR after beginning the week ranked No. 48. This means Brian Gay (12), Charley Hoffman (14) and Charles Howell III (15) will be exempt into the 2009 British Open as the leading three (inside the top-20) off the FedExCup standings.
John Mallinger earned his best finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship with a sixth place showing in his third start here. After missing the cut in 2007, Mallinger finished T31 in 2008.
After making seven bogeys in his first 23 holes this week, John Senden, who finished seventh, posted just one bogey (No. 10/Round 4) over his last 49 holes.
1987 HP Byron Nelson Championship winner and 2009 President’s Cup U.S. team captain Fred Couples (69-66-67-67—269) earned his third top-10 finish (T8) this season. Couples will turn 50 and become eligible for the Champions Tour in early October, but continues to show he still belongs on the PGA TOUR. Now No. 61 (up from 76) on the FedExCup points list, Couples posted season-best T3 efforts at the Northern Trust Open and the Shell Houston Open.
Jeff Maggert, a Houston, TX resident, earned his second top-10 of the season (FBR Open) despite a double-bogey at the final hole. Maggert shot 71-66-65-67—269 to finish T8.
Despite a double-bogey at the final hole, where he three-putted from five feet, New Zealand’s Danny Lee (69-67-69-66—271) posted his career-best finish (T13) on the PGA TOUR. Lee’s previous best finish was T20 at the 2008 Wyndham Championship, as an amateur, where he also shot four rounds in the 60s.
This was Lee’s third start as a professional. He finished T38 at the Quail Hollow Championship after missing the cut in his first start as a professional at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
This was Danny Lee’s first event with Don Donatello as his caddie after Anthony Knight, Lee’s former caddie returned to New Zealand. Donatello previously caddied for Eric Axley and Kevin Na.
Twelve players recorded all four rounds in the 60s this week. Consider this - Alex Cejka, who led after three rounds at THE PLAYERS Championship, shot 69-69-67-68—273 and finished T23.
It looks like donations from the public topped out at $4,000 in the “Beem Fore Behm” charity initiative. Rich Beem donated $100 per birdie he made this week and also encouraged fellow players, and the public, to donate to the fund established to benefit Rich Behm, who was paralyzed from the waist down when the Cowboys practice facility was destroyed in a storm earlier this month. The figure will almost certainly be higher when players’ contributions are calculated next week. There will be a “Beem Fore Behm” donation tent near the main entrance at next week’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.
Charley Hoffman (T23) didn’t manage to earn his fourth top-10 finish of the year but did extend his consecutive cuts-made streak to 22. He is now 13 for 13 this season. His last missed cut was in July at the 2008 John Deere Classic. It’s the second-longest current streak on TOUR, behind Tiger Woods (35).
Mark Calcavecchia shot 6-under 64, an improvement of 11 shots from his third-round 75, to equal his low round this season (64/Round 3/Northern Trust Open) and finish T52.
Dallas, TX native and resident Matt Weibring finished T52 after rounds of 67-69-71-70—277. His only previous start at the tournament was a missed cut in 2005 (73-71). Weibring’s Dad, D.A., spearheaded the $10 million redesign of the TPC Four Seasons prior to the 2008 tournament. The elder Weibring played in the tournament 22 times, with runner-up finishes in 1993 and 1995.
Matt Weibring was one of 10 2008 Nationwide Tour graduates to earn a check this week. Here’s a look at how they finished.
Greg Chalmers drove the green at the 323-yard, par-4 11th hole and knocked in the remaining 21-foot putt for an eagle 2. It was the only eagle at the 11th hole all week.
Jimmy Walker shot 6-under 29 on the front nine after birdies at Nos. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9. He added another birdie at the 10th hole before bogeys at 11 and 12. Walker finished with 65 and T23.
Here’s how the remaining past champions of the HP Byron Nelson Championship fared this week:
Front 9 Back 9 Total Cumulative
Thursday 35.381 35.858 70.858 ---
Friday 34.773 34.857 69.630 70.246
Saturday 34.068 34.081 68.149 69.841
Sunday 34.770 34.108 68.878 69.685
Mark Williams -HPBNC-
In 10 previous starts, Rory Sabbatini’s career-best finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship was a T3 in 2007, the only time he had finished in the top 10.
Rory Sabbatini becomes the 14th player to win both the HP Byron Nelson Championship and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial during their career. Others who have completed the “DFW Double” are Ben Crenshaw, Roberto De Vicenzo, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Bruce Devlin, Jack Nicklaus, Lanny Wadkins, Tom Watson, Bruce Lietzke, Nick Price, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Julius Boros.
Dating back to 2000, Rory Sabbatini is the sixth International winner of the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
Dating back to 1995, Rory Sabbatini is the 11th champion to post all four rounds in the 60s.
Rory Sabbatini becomes the 12th player in his 30s to win on the PGA TOUR this year, the 15th overall by those 12 players.
16 of 21 third-round leaders/co-leaders (76%) have gone on to win on the PGA TOUR this year. Last year the figure was 22 of 46 (48%).
Rory Sabbatini’s 6-under 64 was the lowest final-round score by a winner at the HP Byron Nelson Championship since Peter Thompson’s 63 in 1956.
Rory Sabbatini’s statistics for the week: T28 in Fairways Hit (34/56-60.7 %), T1 in Putts per Round (25.8) and T38 in Greens in Regulation (49/72-68.1 %).
Brian Davis equaled his career-best PGA TOUR result and has now posted runner-up finishes in each of the last three years.
- 2007 St. Jude Championship
- 2008 Legends Reno-Tahoe Open
- 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship
Brian Davis now has three consecutive top-5 finishes after a pair of T5 finishes at THE PLAYERS Championship and the Valero Texas Open.
Brian Davis has now posted eight consecutive rounds in the 60s.
Brian Davis has the longest active streak of 20 consecutive rounds of par or better on the PGA TOUR. During that stretch he has finished T19 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, T38 at the Quail Hollow Championship, T5 at both THE PLAYERS Championship and Valero Texas Open, and 2nd at the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
Zach Johnson, who didn’t play this week, remains at the top of the FedExCup standings. Rory Sabbatini moved from No. 29 to No. 7 with his win. Brian Davis jumped from No. 51 to No. 21 with his second-place finish.
D.A. Points earned his career-best PGA TOUR finish with his third-place effort. Points’ previous best were back-to-back T9 finishes earlier this year at The Honda Classic and the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular.
Scott McCarron birdied three of the four par-3 holes in a nine-birdie, one-bogey, final-round 8-under 62, the low round of the tournament. McCarron’s career low round is 61 (1999 Air Canada Championship/Round 4).
Scott McCarron’s 8-under 62 tied the low final-round in tournament history with Steve Lowery (1995) and Ted Tryba (2001).
Scott McCarron ranked No. 1 in both fairways hit (76.8%) and greens in regulation (81.9%) for the week but was T46 in putts per round (29.2).
Dustin Johnson appears set to stay in the top 50 on the OWGR after beginning the week ranked No. 48. This means Brian Gay (12), Charley Hoffman (14) and Charles Howell III (15) will be exempt into the 2009 British Open as the leading three (inside the top-20) off the FedExCup standings.
John Mallinger earned his best finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship with a sixth place showing in his third start here. After missing the cut in 2007, Mallinger finished T31 in 2008.
After making seven bogeys in his first 23 holes this week, John Senden, who finished seventh, posted just one bogey (No. 10/Round 4) over his last 49 holes.
1987 HP Byron Nelson Championship winner and 2009 President’s Cup U.S. team captain Fred Couples (69-66-67-67—269) earned his third top-10 finish (T8) this season. Couples will turn 50 and become eligible for the Champions Tour in early October, but continues to show he still belongs on the PGA TOUR. Now No. 61 (up from 76) on the FedExCup points list, Couples posted season-best T3 efforts at the Northern Trust Open and the Shell Houston Open.
Jeff Maggert, a Houston, TX resident, earned his second top-10 of the season (FBR Open) despite a double-bogey at the final hole. Maggert shot 71-66-65-67—269 to finish T8.
Despite a double-bogey at the final hole, where he three-putted from five feet, New Zealand’s Danny Lee (69-67-69-66—271) posted his career-best finish (T13) on the PGA TOUR. Lee’s previous best finish was T20 at the 2008 Wyndham Championship, as an amateur, where he also shot four rounds in the 60s.
This was Lee’s third start as a professional. He finished T38 at the Quail Hollow Championship after missing the cut in his first start as a professional at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
This was Danny Lee’s first event with Don Donatello as his caddie after Anthony Knight, Lee’s former caddie returned to New Zealand. Donatello previously caddied for Eric Axley and Kevin Na.
Twelve players recorded all four rounds in the 60s this week. Consider this - Alex Cejka, who led after three rounds at THE PLAYERS Championship, shot 69-69-67-68—273 and finished T23.
It looks like donations from the public topped out at $4,000 in the “Beem Fore Behm” charity initiative. Rich Beem donated $100 per birdie he made this week and also encouraged fellow players, and the public, to donate to the fund established to benefit Rich Behm, who was paralyzed from the waist down when the Cowboys practice facility was destroyed in a storm earlier this month. The figure will almost certainly be higher when players’ contributions are calculated next week. There will be a “Beem Fore Behm” donation tent near the main entrance at next week’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.
Charley Hoffman (T23) didn’t manage to earn his fourth top-10 finish of the year but did extend his consecutive cuts-made streak to 22. He is now 13 for 13 this season. His last missed cut was in July at the 2008 John Deere Classic. It’s the second-longest current streak on TOUR, behind Tiger Woods (35).
Mark Calcavecchia shot 6-under 64, an improvement of 11 shots from his third-round 75, to equal his low round this season (64/Round 3/Northern Trust Open) and finish T52.
Dallas, TX native and resident Matt Weibring finished T52 after rounds of 67-69-71-70—277. His only previous start at the tournament was a missed cut in 2005 (73-71). Weibring’s Dad, D.A., spearheaded the $10 million redesign of the TPC Four Seasons prior to the 2008 tournament. The elder Weibring played in the tournament 22 times, with runner-up finishes in 1993 and 1995.
Matt Weibring was one of 10 2008 Nationwide Tour graduates to earn a check this week. Here’s a look at how they finished.
- 3. Jeff Klauk T45 -4
- 6. Colt Knost T52 -3
- 10. Greg Owen T35 -6
- 13. Kris Blanks T39 -5
- 14. David Mathis T39 -5
- 16. D.A. Points 3 -16
- 19. Marc Leishman T8 -11
- 23. Bryce Molder T23 -7
- 24. Matt Weibring T52 -3
- 25. Ricky Barnes T60 -2
Greg Chalmers drove the green at the 323-yard, par-4 11th hole and knocked in the remaining 21-foot putt for an eagle 2. It was the only eagle at the 11th hole all week.
Jimmy Walker shot 6-under 29 on the front nine after birdies at Nos. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9. He added another birdie at the 10th hole before bogeys at 11 and 12. Walker finished with 65 and T23.
Here’s how the remaining past champions of the HP Byron Nelson Championship fared this week:
- 2005 winner Ted Purdy 74-65-66-68—273 T23
- 2003 winner Vijay Singh 70-67-69-66—272 T16
- 2000 winner Jesper Parnevik 67-68-69-75—279 T65
- 1987 winner Fred Couples 69-66-67-67—269 T8
Front 9 Back 9 Total Cumulative
Thursday 35.381 35.858 70.858 ---
Friday 34.773 34.857 69.630 70.246
Saturday 34.068 34.081 68.149 69.841
Sunday 34.770 34.108 68.878 69.685
Mark Williams -HPBNC-
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Delight of Dispair - Oswald Chambers
"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead." Revelation 1:17 It may be that like the apostle John you know Jesus Christ intimately, when suddenly He appears with no familiar characteristic at all, and the only thing you can do is to fall at His feet as dead. There are times when God cannot reveal Himself in any other way than in His majesty, and it is the awfulness of the vision which brings you to the delight of despair; if you are ever to be raised up, it must be by the hand of God. "He laid His right hand upon me." In the midst of the awfulness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. The right hand not of restraint nor of correction nor of chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it is ineffable peace and comfort, the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms," full of sustaining and comfort and strength. When once His touch comes, nothing at all can cast you into fear again. In the midst of all His ascended glory the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, and to say - "Fear not." His tenderness is ineffably sweet. Do I know Him like that? Watch some of the things that strike despair. There is despair in which there is no delight, no horizon, no hope of anything brighter; but the delight of despair comes when I know that "in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing." I delight to know that there is that in me which must fall prostrate before God when He manifests Himself, and if I am ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I get to the limit of the possible. |
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Golf Highlight: Meet the Leaders
With four people tied for first place at the start of Saturday, the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship is still up for grabs. Dustin Johnson, Briny Baird, Rory Sabbatini and John Mallinger started the day tied for the lead, with the likes of Mike Weir and 26-year old Australian rookie James Nitties following close behind.
Rory Sabbatini, a Southlake, Texas resident and local favorite, was a strong contender in the first two rounds. Sabbatini began playing golf when he was four years old, and is currently No. 29 in the race for the FedExCup.
Dustin Johnson will be looking to snag his third PGA TOUR victory, with the most recent being the 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He is No. 12 in the race for the FedExCup.
James Nitties, who is vying for his first PGA TOUR win, had his best 2009 finish at the FBR Open where he was T4.
-HPBNC-
Rory Sabbatini, a Southlake, Texas resident and local favorite, was a strong contender in the first two rounds. Sabbatini began playing golf when he was four years old, and is currently No. 29 in the race for the FedExCup.
Dustin Johnson will be looking to snag his third PGA TOUR victory, with the most recent being the 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He is No. 12 in the race for the FedExCup.
James Nitties, who is vying for his first PGA TOUR win, had his best 2009 finish at the FBR Open where he was T4.
-HPBNC-
Friday, May 22, 2009
HP Byron Nelson Update
Golf Highlight
The PGA TOUR season can be long and grueling on a player's family, but for Rory Sabbatini, the HP Bryon Nelson Championship offers a respite. The Southlake, Texas resident is enjoying the creature comforts of home this week, and the results show after Friday's second round.
Sabbatini became the first player in this year's Nelson field to fire a 64. He shares the tournament lead with John Mallinger at 8-under entering Saturday's third round. Mallinger made two eagles Friday en route to a 65.
Both players will have little time to rest. With thunderstorms being forecast for tomorrow in the Dallas area, Saturday's tee times have been moved up. Players will go off in threesomes off split tees from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Sabbatini and Mallinger will go off around 9:30 a.m.
2009 KidsZone
Thanks to HP, the world’s largest technology company, KidsZone got a full makeover in 2009. Highlighted by interactive elements related to the Pixar films Monsters Inc., Kung Fu Panda and Monsters vs. Aliens, parents can rest assured that opting for a staycation is a great idea this Memorial Day weekend. The HPBNC is a family friendly place to come and have fun, and kids 13 and under will be admitted for free with a ticketed adult.
In between two flat screens featuring video games, a movie will be playing at all times during regular KidsZone hours. HP has also provided free Kung Fu Panda t-shirts to give out to the young patrons.
Two HP cameras are set up to take photos of kids with cardboard cutouts of characters from Pixar movies, and can be printed instantly on an HP photo printer.
KidsZone also features several HP computers with interactive and educational computer games. For the kids with extra energy to burn, bounce houses and a miniature golf course will be available during regular hours.
HOURS OF FUN:
Saturday, May 23 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
America Supports Our Troops at HPBNC
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship officials are making an effort to remind everyone of the real importance of Memorial Day – to honor the young men and women who protect our country and those who have fallen.
With at least 200 tickets being distributed each day of the Championship, troops from the Coast Guard, Marines, Naval Air Station in Fort Worth, Military Entrance Processing Station and the four pilots who did the flyover in 2007 were invited to come out to the Championship and spend the weekend watching golf from private seats on the 18th green. They were also provided with a full hospitality suite in the TPC’s Golf School, with complimentary food and drinks. This is the third year that the HP Byron Nelson has provided hospitality in honor of our troops.
HPBNC Green Initiative: E-Waste Recycle Program with Best Buy and Staples
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship has partnered with DFW-area Best Buy and Staples stores to recycle electronic equipment. Now through Sunday, patrons that trade in qualifying items such as monitors, fax machines, printers and televisions will receive a voucher for two any day tickets to the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
The initiative builds on the traditionally green message of the HP Byron Nelson Championship. This is an effort to generate public awareness for the proper disposal of used electronic equipment with the goal of diverting waste from landfills.
-HPBNC-
The PGA TOUR season can be long and grueling on a player's family, but for Rory Sabbatini, the HP Bryon Nelson Championship offers a respite. The Southlake, Texas resident is enjoying the creature comforts of home this week, and the results show after Friday's second round.
Sabbatini became the first player in this year's Nelson field to fire a 64. He shares the tournament lead with John Mallinger at 8-under entering Saturday's third round. Mallinger made two eagles Friday en route to a 65.
Both players will have little time to rest. With thunderstorms being forecast for tomorrow in the Dallas area, Saturday's tee times have been moved up. Players will go off in threesomes off split tees from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Sabbatini and Mallinger will go off around 9:30 a.m.
2009 KidsZone
Thanks to HP, the world’s largest technology company, KidsZone got a full makeover in 2009. Highlighted by interactive elements related to the Pixar films Monsters Inc., Kung Fu Panda and Monsters vs. Aliens, parents can rest assured that opting for a staycation is a great idea this Memorial Day weekend. The HPBNC is a family friendly place to come and have fun, and kids 13 and under will be admitted for free with a ticketed adult.
In between two flat screens featuring video games, a movie will be playing at all times during regular KidsZone hours. HP has also provided free Kung Fu Panda t-shirts to give out to the young patrons.
Two HP cameras are set up to take photos of kids with cardboard cutouts of characters from Pixar movies, and can be printed instantly on an HP photo printer.
KidsZone also features several HP computers with interactive and educational computer games. For the kids with extra energy to burn, bounce houses and a miniature golf course will be available during regular hours.
HOURS OF FUN:
Saturday, May 23 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
America Supports Our Troops at HPBNC
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship officials are making an effort to remind everyone of the real importance of Memorial Day – to honor the young men and women who protect our country and those who have fallen.
With at least 200 tickets being distributed each day of the Championship, troops from the Coast Guard, Marines, Naval Air Station in Fort Worth, Military Entrance Processing Station and the four pilots who did the flyover in 2007 were invited to come out to the Championship and spend the weekend watching golf from private seats on the 18th green. They were also provided with a full hospitality suite in the TPC’s Golf School, with complimentary food and drinks. This is the third year that the HP Byron Nelson has provided hospitality in honor of our troops.
HPBNC Green Initiative: E-Waste Recycle Program with Best Buy and Staples
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship has partnered with DFW-area Best Buy and Staples stores to recycle electronic equipment. Now through Sunday, patrons that trade in qualifying items such as monitors, fax machines, printers and televisions will receive a voucher for two any day tickets to the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
The initiative builds on the traditionally green message of the HP Byron Nelson Championship. This is an effort to generate public awareness for the proper disposal of used electronic equipment with the goal of diverting waste from landfills.
-HPBNC-
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Things I Could Live Without
I was watching Oprah yesterday, and she did a show on living without what we consider basic parts of our everyday life, for seven days. She challenged families to go without their televisions, video games, computers and cell phones for seven days and see how they faired. I started to think how impossible it would be to live without my phone and laptop for one day, let alone seven days. How could anyone be expected to go without these necessities for a whole week?! I use my cell phone as my only source of communication outside of home and am on the computer several times a day. And then my thought process went farther. I thought deeper about things I couldn’t live without, or better yet, things I could live without.
I could live without wondering where the money is going to come from for my basic bills, where I’m going to get the funds to pay for groceries, gas, and clothes for my ever growing children. While the price of everything rises, my check stays the same. I could live without type I diabetes, which both my husband and little sister have, and the several insulin injections they have to take daily until there is a cure. As a matter of fact, I could deal without anybody suffering from any disease at all. I could live without war and violence amongst brothering tribes and countries and the “war” we have daily in our own country amongst our neighbors. The racism, sexism and just pure hatred of our fellow man. I could live without the water and food shortages all over the world including right here in our own communities. I could live without the human slave trade where not only adults, but children are being sold as sex slaves. There are a lot of things I could live without, but it basically boils down to this: I could live without famine, war, disease, depression, loneliness and heartache for not only me, but human kind all over the world. If giving up my cell phone or computer for just one week, or even for the rest of my life, would end all of these things, I would do it. But I know it won’t, so the only solution I have to start this process is to pray. Pray unceasingly, every day for God to intervene and bless our world. From there, each of us has to make a decision as to what we are willing to give up to help ourselves and each other, because that is all we have.
I could live without wondering where the money is going to come from for my basic bills, where I’m going to get the funds to pay for groceries, gas, and clothes for my ever growing children. While the price of everything rises, my check stays the same. I could live without type I diabetes, which both my husband and little sister have, and the several insulin injections they have to take daily until there is a cure. As a matter of fact, I could deal without anybody suffering from any disease at all. I could live without war and violence amongst brothering tribes and countries and the “war” we have daily in our own country amongst our neighbors. The racism, sexism and just pure hatred of our fellow man. I could live without the water and food shortages all over the world including right here in our own communities. I could live without the human slave trade where not only adults, but children are being sold as sex slaves. There are a lot of things I could live without, but it basically boils down to this: I could live without famine, war, disease, depression, loneliness and heartache for not only me, but human kind all over the world. If giving up my cell phone or computer for just one week, or even for the rest of my life, would end all of these things, I would do it. But I know it won’t, so the only solution I have to start this process is to pray. Pray unceasingly, every day for God to intervene and bless our world. From there, each of us has to make a decision as to what we are willing to give up to help ourselves and each other, because that is all we have.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Common Threads
Do you ever look at the 6.77 billion people on the Earth, take a moment to think about someone on the far side of the globe opposite you, and wonder what common threads might bind you? With the various customs and cultures that differ from our own, how are we united? As we hopefully are aware of the many differences, people in general surprise us because of their unique individuality. Each person, having their own independent thoughts, desires, likes and dislikes, aspirations, and life goals, are similar and yet so very distinctive. While someone in the same restaurant takes a bite at the exact moment as you, what is the chance that a person dining 4,000 miles away is doing the same? These endless questions are truly fascinating and can no doubt consume the curious full-time.
People are certainly exceptional individuals. When striking up a conversation with a complete stranger, what details immediately come to mind? For me, I prefer to ask someone about his interests. Once you know they are speaking about a subject that they enjoy, it gives the opportunity to see a glimpse into their affections and passions. While in dialog, I am enthralled by accents of people, which give a clue as to their background. When you discover what location that person is from, it becomes easy to find out where they grew up. What was their neighborhood like? What about their home life? An individual’s history is amazing! I am captivated by their vocabulary and the way that phrases are presented. Pleasant conversation is a priceless gem when it is had. It’s a joy to leave someone and find yourself pondering thoughts discussed. Decoding the mystery of someone unknown and developing a friendship can be an exciting adventure.
Of course there are times when you start talking with people and get completely lost. That too can be an interesting occurrence. My wife reminded me of these awkward instances, one of which she recently endured. She was visiting with a colleague at her workplace and started discussing artistic views of paintings, drawings, and sculptures. These topics always seem simple enough. You mention some of your favorites and then capture items of theirs and move to another topic. In theory, this interesting small talk paves the way for the possible building blocks of friendship. You learn small likes and then more interesting subject matter is given birth. And then it happened. This gentleman began a trek into discussing the space-time continuum, gravity, anti-matter and then properties related to quantum physics. She was flustered immediately. And as the man began speaking more intently, she momentarily thought he might be joking. Quickly she returned to reality when he began to draw diagrams to accompany his lecture.
When this happens, there becomes a point when you are actually committed to the discussion regardless of time and intricate depth. At the onset of the speech, if you work quickly, you can easily mention that the specific topic is not appealing to you or that you don’t understand it. You can get out of it with relative ease and move onto something more verbally appetizing. But once their initial introduction is presented and they’ve progressed passed their thesis on into expanding on their topics, you have no choice but to listen. And perhaps to pray for a miracle, non-threatening emergency.
This one sided exchange went on for what seemed like many hours. She involuntarily began yawning. Then she began the “Yes nod,” shaking her head up in down in agreement, though in all actuality there was not much grasping of the subject. And shortly following that, the “Wha wha whaaa whaa. Blah blah blah” happened. His mouth was moving but all comprehension stopped. By the time the gentleman finished talking, her mind was numb. Incredibly numb. She thanked him for his time and then walked away wondering aimlessly for a moment. Baring her return to college and growing a fast and deep rooted interest in the above subjects, she will perhaps shy away from walking up to him in anything but a group setting.
But people are people. People have varying interests and love things sometimes that others don’t understand. That of itself is one of the positive aspects of humanity. It is such a blessing to learn from one another similarities and differences. Be encouraged to strike up conversations with those who surround you in your community. Just make sure and have your cell phone ready to answer that anonymous emergency call if it is needed.
People are certainly exceptional individuals. When striking up a conversation with a complete stranger, what details immediately come to mind? For me, I prefer to ask someone about his interests. Once you know they are speaking about a subject that they enjoy, it gives the opportunity to see a glimpse into their affections and passions. While in dialog, I am enthralled by accents of people, which give a clue as to their background. When you discover what location that person is from, it becomes easy to find out where they grew up. What was their neighborhood like? What about their home life? An individual’s history is amazing! I am captivated by their vocabulary and the way that phrases are presented. Pleasant conversation is a priceless gem when it is had. It’s a joy to leave someone and find yourself pondering thoughts discussed. Decoding the mystery of someone unknown and developing a friendship can be an exciting adventure.
Of course there are times when you start talking with people and get completely lost. That too can be an interesting occurrence. My wife reminded me of these awkward instances, one of which she recently endured. She was visiting with a colleague at her workplace and started discussing artistic views of paintings, drawings, and sculptures. These topics always seem simple enough. You mention some of your favorites and then capture items of theirs and move to another topic. In theory, this interesting small talk paves the way for the possible building blocks of friendship. You learn small likes and then more interesting subject matter is given birth. And then it happened. This gentleman began a trek into discussing the space-time continuum, gravity, anti-matter and then properties related to quantum physics. She was flustered immediately. And as the man began speaking more intently, she momentarily thought he might be joking. Quickly she returned to reality when he began to draw diagrams to accompany his lecture.
When this happens, there becomes a point when you are actually committed to the discussion regardless of time and intricate depth. At the onset of the speech, if you work quickly, you can easily mention that the specific topic is not appealing to you or that you don’t understand it. You can get out of it with relative ease and move onto something more verbally appetizing. But once their initial introduction is presented and they’ve progressed passed their thesis on into expanding on their topics, you have no choice but to listen. And perhaps to pray for a miracle, non-threatening emergency.
This one sided exchange went on for what seemed like many hours. She involuntarily began yawning. Then she began the “Yes nod,” shaking her head up in down in agreement, though in all actuality there was not much grasping of the subject. And shortly following that, the “Wha wha whaaa whaa. Blah blah blah” happened. His mouth was moving but all comprehension stopped. By the time the gentleman finished talking, her mind was numb. Incredibly numb. She thanked him for his time and then walked away wondering aimlessly for a moment. Baring her return to college and growing a fast and deep rooted interest in the above subjects, she will perhaps shy away from walking up to him in anything but a group setting.
But people are people. People have varying interests and love things sometimes that others don’t understand. That of itself is one of the positive aspects of humanity. It is such a blessing to learn from one another similarities and differences. Be encouraged to strike up conversations with those who surround you in your community. Just make sure and have your cell phone ready to answer that anonymous emergency call if it is needed.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
2009 BYRON NELSON PRIZE AWARDED TO ARNOLD PALMER
IRVING, TX – The Salesmanship Club awarded golf legend Arnold Palmer with the third annual Byron Nelson Prize at the HP Byron Nelson Championship Opening Ceremony on Tuesday.
The Byron Nelson Prize, sponsored by the T. Boone Pickens Foundation, is awarded to a person or organization in the golf world who exemplifies the ideals of “giving back” that Byron Nelson personified.
Mr. Palmer attended the Opening Ceremony to receive the Prize and spoke about the special honor that this award represented for him.
“Those things that Byron did over his life were pretty fantastic, and when he won 11 tournaments in a row, I was sitting on the edge of my seat watching and just waiting for it to happen again,” Palmer said. “Byron Nelson was a man that continued to contribute to not just the game of golf, but to life and to other people. He was a person that I had the highest respect for.”
The Salesmanship Club of Dallas awarded $100,000 to the charity of Palmer’s choice. Palmer directed this charitable contribution to the Arnold D. and Winifred W. Palmer Charitable Foundation.
“It is our great honor to award Mr. Palmer with the Byron Nelson Prize,” Salesmanship Club of Dallas President Frank Swingle said. “Mr. Palmer exemplifies the values of our namesake. He perpetuates Mr. Nelson’s legacy of integrity, competitive fire, and ‘giving back’ to the game he loved and to his community.”
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
The Byron Nelson Prize, sponsored by the T. Boone Pickens Foundation, is awarded to a person or organization in the golf world who exemplifies the ideals of “giving back” that Byron Nelson personified.
Mr. Palmer attended the Opening Ceremony to receive the Prize and spoke about the special honor that this award represented for him.
“Those things that Byron did over his life were pretty fantastic, and when he won 11 tournaments in a row, I was sitting on the edge of my seat watching and just waiting for it to happen again,” Palmer said. “Byron Nelson was a man that continued to contribute to not just the game of golf, but to life and to other people. He was a person that I had the highest respect for.”
The Salesmanship Club of Dallas awarded $100,000 to the charity of Palmer’s choice. Palmer directed this charitable contribution to the Arnold D. and Winifred W. Palmer Charitable Foundation.
“It is our great honor to award Mr. Palmer with the Byron Nelson Prize,” Salesmanship Club of Dallas President Frank Swingle said. “Mr. Palmer exemplifies the values of our namesake. He perpetuates Mr. Nelson’s legacy of integrity, competitive fire, and ‘giving back’ to the game he loved and to his community.”
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
Monday, May 18, 2009
And So What if the Man Doesn't Want to Meet the President
James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers is making headlines today because he doesn't care to travel with the rest of his Super Bowl Champion team to the White house to meet President Barack Obama. It is customary for the president to invite the title-earners of our nation's major sports leagues and even NCAA championship teams to the White house for a ceremony to celebrate the team's accomplishments.
Harrison insists that the reason he will not go has nothing to do with political affiliations. Instead, he simply feels that the invitation to Washington isn't very personal since it would be the Cardinals traveling to meet the president had the Steelers not come back to win the game at the end of the Superbowl. In Mr. Harrison's opinion, if the President really wanted to meet the Steelers, he would have invited them at a different time before now.
The last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl, George W. Bush was President of the United States. Guess who didn't travel to Washington to meet President Bush with the rest of his team? You got it - James Harrison. I don't recall hearing any outrage in the media when Mr. Harrison declined the invitation of our last president. This story was leading the news on Sports Center today. I heard it mentioned on national radio. I think members of the mainstream media are just shocked that there is even one person on God's green earth who is not clamoring to meet President Obama. I guess the thinking was that when Harrison snubbed President Bush - that was to be expected. It was no surprise to the media-types that someone would decline an invitation to meet with the incompetent Bush. However, to decline an invitation from President Obama - well, that's just downright un-American isn't it? If James Harrison wants to stay home instead of going to the White house that is his prerogative. Personally, I find it ridiculous that he doesn't want to go but surely no more ridiculous now than it was the last time the Steelers were world champs.
For the record, I would love to meet the President of the United States. The History teacher in me will not let me feel otherwise no matter how much of a Republican I may be. To be in the same room with the most powerful person in the world would be an awe-inspiring experience whether one agrees with his policies or not. It would be something to see anyway. Besides, I'm sure the little smokies, rotel dip, and other snacks will be first-rate.
Harrison insists that the reason he will not go has nothing to do with political affiliations. Instead, he simply feels that the invitation to Washington isn't very personal since it would be the Cardinals traveling to meet the president had the Steelers not come back to win the game at the end of the Superbowl. In Mr. Harrison's opinion, if the President really wanted to meet the Steelers, he would have invited them at a different time before now.
The last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl, George W. Bush was President of the United States. Guess who didn't travel to Washington to meet President Bush with the rest of his team? You got it - James Harrison. I don't recall hearing any outrage in the media when Mr. Harrison declined the invitation of our last president. This story was leading the news on Sports Center today. I heard it mentioned on national radio. I think members of the mainstream media are just shocked that there is even one person on God's green earth who is not clamoring to meet President Obama. I guess the thinking was that when Harrison snubbed President Bush - that was to be expected. It was no surprise to the media-types that someone would decline an invitation to meet with the incompetent Bush. However, to decline an invitation from President Obama - well, that's just downright un-American isn't it? If James Harrison wants to stay home instead of going to the White house that is his prerogative. Personally, I find it ridiculous that he doesn't want to go but surely no more ridiculous now than it was the last time the Steelers were world champs.
For the record, I would love to meet the President of the United States. The History teacher in me will not let me feel otherwise no matter how much of a Republican I may be. To be in the same room with the most powerful person in the world would be an awe-inspiring experience whether one agrees with his policies or not. It would be something to see anyway. Besides, I'm sure the little smokies, rotel dip, and other snacks will be first-rate.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
His Ascension And Our Union
And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Luke 24:51
We have no corresponding experience to the events in Our Lord's life after the Transfiguration. From then onwards Our Lord's life' was altogether vicarious. Up to the time of the Transfiguration He had exhibited the normal perfect life of a man; from the Transfiguration onwards - Gethsemane, the Cross, the Resurrection - everything is unfamiliar to us. His Cross is the door by which every member of the human race can enter into the life of God; by His Resurrection He has the right to give eternal life to any man, and by His Ascension Our Lord enters heaven and keeps the door open for humanity.
On the Mount of Ascension the Transfiguration is completed. If Jesus had gone to heaven from the Mount of Transfiguration, He would have gone alone; He would have been nothing more to us than a glorious Figure. But He turned His back on the glory, and came down from the Mount to identify Himself with fallen humanity.
The Ascension is the consummation of the Transfiguration. Our Lord does now go back into His primal glory; but He does not go back simply as Son of God; He goes back to God as Son of Man as well as Son of God. There is now freedom of access for anyone straight to the very throne of God by the Ascension of the Son of Man. As Son of Man Jesus Christ deliberately limited omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience in Himself. Now they are His in absolute full power. As Son of Man Jesus Christ has all power at the throne of God. He is King of kings and Lord of lords from the day of His Ascension until now.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
HP Byron Nelson Championship Update
The HP Byron Nelson Championship will be next week, May 18-24. The final field list of players has been published.
SALESMANSHIP CLUB OF DALLAS ANNOUNCES THE 2009 RECIPIENTS OF THE BYRON NELSON INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF AWARDS
Irving, TX – Four outstanding young golfers from Argentina and the United States will be honored next week at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas announced today that Evan Beck of Virginia, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, Brinson Paolini of Virginia and Cameron Peck of Washington will be recognized.
The recipients were selected not only because of their accomplishments in junior tournament play, but also in recognition of their achievement in academics, participation in community service and demonstrated excellence in character, integrity and sportsmanship.
“We are proud to honor these four young men, because each one of them strives to embody the work ethic and strong moral standard that Byron Nelson lived by,” said Brooks Cullum, chairman of Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas. “By recognizing these individuals, we also hope to inspire new determination in other young golfers around the world.”
Last year, the Salesmanship Club bestowed the inaugural Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards to five golfers from Texas, South Africa, Mexico and Denmark. The Awards were created to honor Byron Nelson and his well-known support of young golfers.
All four 2009 award recipients will attend the HP Byron Nelson Championship. They will be recognized at the Championship’s Opening Ceremony at noon on Tuesday, May 19, and will participate in the Youth Golf Clinic later that day at 5 p.m. on the TPC Four Seasons Practice Range. The formal awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. the same evening at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas. The award recipients will also walk inside the ropes with PGA TOUR players during the practice round on Tuesday.
DAVIS LOVE III COMMITS TO PLAY IN THE HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP
Irving, TX – Davis Love III has officially committed to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship. Love is No. 30 in the race for the FedExCup and No. 34 in PGA TOUR Money Leaders.
Davis has a total of 20 PGA TOUR wins, including the 1997 PGA Championship. His best 2009 finish was T2 at the Mercedes Benz Championship. This will be his ninth appearance at the Byron Nelson, with the first being in 1986.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
SALESMANSHIP CLUB OF DALLAS ANNOUNCES THE 2009 RECIPIENTS OF THE BYRON NELSON INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF AWARDSIrving, TX – Four outstanding young golfers from Argentina and the United States will be honored next week at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas announced today that Evan Beck of Virginia, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, Brinson Paolini of Virginia and Cameron Peck of Washington will be recognized.
The recipients were selected not only because of their accomplishments in junior tournament play, but also in recognition of their achievement in academics, participation in community service and demonstrated excellence in character, integrity and sportsmanship.
“We are proud to honor these four young men, because each one of them strives to embody the work ethic and strong moral standard that Byron Nelson lived by,” said Brooks Cullum, chairman of Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas. “By recognizing these individuals, we also hope to inspire new determination in other young golfers around the world.”
Last year, the Salesmanship Club bestowed the inaugural Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards to five golfers from Texas, South Africa, Mexico and Denmark. The Awards were created to honor Byron Nelson and his well-known support of young golfers.
All four 2009 award recipients will attend the HP Byron Nelson Championship. They will be recognized at the Championship’s Opening Ceremony at noon on Tuesday, May 19, and will participate in the Youth Golf Clinic later that day at 5 p.m. on the TPC Four Seasons Practice Range. The formal awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. the same evening at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas. The award recipients will also walk inside the ropes with PGA TOUR players during the practice round on Tuesday.
DAVIS LOVE III COMMITS TO PLAY IN THE HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP
Irving, TX – Davis Love III has officially committed to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship. Love is No. 30 in the race for the FedExCup and No. 34 in PGA TOUR Money Leaders.
Davis has a total of 20 PGA TOUR wins, including the 1997 PGA Championship. His best 2009 finish was T2 at the Mercedes Benz Championship. This will be his ninth appearance at the Byron Nelson, with the first being in 1986.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Coldplay - Leftright FREE Album For Download
Coldplay has posted on their website a free, that's right...I said FREE download of a fan appreciation album entitled "Leftright". Visit Coldplay.com to get it. It is a live album and has a few favorites from various newer albums as well as tracks only avaliable on the Viva la Vida (Prospekt's March Edition) album.Tracks included are:
- I Glass of Water
- II 42
- III Clocks
- IV Strawberry Swing
- V Hardest Part/Postcards From Far Away
- VI Viva La Vida
- VII Death Will Never Conquer
- VIII Fix You
- IX Death And All His Friends
Thursday, May 14, 2009
FRED COUPLES COMMITS TO PLAY IN THE HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP
Irving, TX – Fred Couples has officially committed to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship. Couples is No. 18 in PGA TOUR career earnings and No. 10 in birdie average.
Couples, who won the 1992 Masters, has claimed fifteen PGA TOUR victories. His most recent win was the 2003 Shell Houston Open and his best 2009 finish was T3 at the Northern Trust Open and Shell Houston Open. Couples won the Byron Nelson Championship in 1987, and this will be his 16th Championship appearance.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
Couples, who won the 1992 Masters, has claimed fifteen PGA TOUR victories. His most recent win was the 2003 Shell Houston Open and his best 2009 finish was T3 at the Northern Trust Open and Shell Houston Open. Couples won the Byron Nelson Championship in 1987, and this will be his 16th Championship appearance.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
I See
Last week MOMA put up this short, that deals with how we relate to art, and how we view the world around us, in an artistic way. I love this concept, because it gives everyone a relationship with the art world, beyond just having a favorite song that comes on the radio. Art is an expression of what we see, hear, touch, and smell, in the everyday world, and it usually deals with subject maters that are close to us all.
I see art everywhere, from the beauty nature, to the way a folding chair is designed. This video calls us back to the places where art is in its natural state and then sends us out away from the museums with a new outlook on the way the world becomes art before our own eyes.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
My question to Dr. MD and Mr. Pharmaceutical
I was searching for ingredients on a supplement I heard someone started taking and realized that the company does not advertise the ingredients on their website. HUGE RED FLAG!!!!! You better know who you are buying your stuff from because no vitamin company has to put in their pills what they say are in the pills! That is my public service announcement for the day...
Anyways, that's not why I'm writing.
As I was scrolling down websites, I clicked on a blog that supposedly had the ingredients listed somewhere. Going down the page to find it, I came across a post that was about why vaccinations are good and why we should continue to "stick to the schedule" to preserve public health. I'm sure you can all hear me rolling my eyes even as I type that.
I couldn't help but think, "What public health?" I don't know what country they live in, but the one I live in is not getting healthier and healthier! We, collectively, are getting sicker and sicker. My question to them is very simple:
Why should we continue to follow down their path if it is not making us healthier?
The medical model we live, and die (ironically), by has been in place for about the last 50 years. The AMA and pharmaceutical companies have brainwashed the public and instilled unnecessary fears in our minds to the point that if we sneeze, we need to take something; if our child's temperature goes up a degree or so, we need to run them to the doctor's office.
A major foundation in our medical model for public health is our vaccinations. A majority of us and our kids have been vaccinated routinely for the past 40+ years. So if they are a key component of us being healthy, then why have we not gotten healthier over the last 40+ years? We are the highest medicated society in the world, so why are we not the healthiest? We have the best doctors and surgeons here, so why do our preventable, chronic, degenerative disorders keep increasing as time goes by?
Does health come externally (medicine, vaccines, etc.) or does it come from within (immune system, proper nutrition, etc.)?
I know that I don't have all the answers to the United States health problems. But looking at the track record of how things are going following their model, I want more for me and, most importantly, my family.
The table is now open for discussion...
Anyways, that's not why I'm writing.
As I was scrolling down websites, I clicked on a blog that supposedly had the ingredients listed somewhere. Going down the page to find it, I came across a post that was about why vaccinations are good and why we should continue to "stick to the schedule" to preserve public health. I'm sure you can all hear me rolling my eyes even as I type that.
I couldn't help but think, "What public health?" I don't know what country they live in, but the one I live in is not getting healthier and healthier! We, collectively, are getting sicker and sicker. My question to them is very simple:
Why should we continue to follow down their path if it is not making us healthier?
The medical model we live, and die (ironically), by has been in place for about the last 50 years. The AMA and pharmaceutical companies have brainwashed the public and instilled unnecessary fears in our minds to the point that if we sneeze, we need to take something; if our child's temperature goes up a degree or so, we need to run them to the doctor's office.
A major foundation in our medical model for public health is our vaccinations. A majority of us and our kids have been vaccinated routinely for the past 40+ years. So if they are a key component of us being healthy, then why have we not gotten healthier over the last 40+ years? We are the highest medicated society in the world, so why are we not the healthiest? We have the best doctors and surgeons here, so why do our preventable, chronic, degenerative disorders keep increasing as time goes by?
Does health come externally (medicine, vaccines, etc.) or does it come from within (immune system, proper nutrition, etc.)?
I know that I don't have all the answers to the United States health problems. But looking at the track record of how things are going following their model, I want more for me and, most importantly, my family.
The table is now open for discussion...
Monday, May 11, 2009
Don't Believe the Hype - Games are Rarely Decided by Single Plays
Please don't get me wrong. No one was more upset about the outcome of the Dallas-Denver playoff game last Saturday than I was. The way the game ended was a travesty but not for the reasons you may expect me to list. I thought the non-call of the now infamous phantom foul was malarkey. Those officials knew the situation - they knew Dallas would be using their last foul.
The NBA is usually quick to give out fines and suspensions for fouls they deem to be too hard which makes it even more confusing why no foul was called. Next time a team is in the same situation, they'll make sure they get their money's worth with their foul no matter what the league may decide to do as punishment. HOWEVER, there are some things that must not be forgotten when examining this game.
The Mavs lost by one point - they missed seven free throws in the game. Some may say, "So what, all teams miss free throws." The Mavericks are one of the best free throw shooting team in the league. Their performance Saturday from the charity strip was uncharacteristically choke-worthy. If they had made half of their misses they would have won the game.
One reason the Mavericks played so much better in game three than in the previous two games was because the Mavs posted up Nowitzki and Kidd in one-on-one situations. This strategy worked well all night. Then for whatever reason, in the last three minutes and thirty seconds, Dallas started jacking up the jumpers and at one point missed seven shots in a row from the field. It's hard to win any game missing shots in that manner much less a playoff game.
That brings us to the play everyone has been mulling over on talk radio for the past two days - the attempted foul. When the foul was "committed" it appeared as though the Mavericks and even some of the Nuggets stopped playing. The problem, of course, was that no whistle blew to stop the game. That is a central lesson we teach to young basketball players all over the country - play until you hear a whistle. Apparently, the Mavericks need a refresher course in this area. Fans could blame the officials but coaches and players aren't. They know better than to make such statements. If the Mavericks are the kind of team we hope they are, they are claiming responsibilty for that loss and making up their mind that they will do whatever it takes to never again trust the outcome of the game to anyone other than themselves.
The good news is the Mavericks won tonight and what a gutsy performance by Nowitzky. The bad news - the series is now 3-1 in the Nuggets favor going back to Denver rather than tied at two as it should be. Anything is possible, of course, but I'm afraid by winning, the Mavs have simply delayed the inevitable.
The NBA is usually quick to give out fines and suspensions for fouls they deem to be too hard which makes it even more confusing why no foul was called. Next time a team is in the same situation, they'll make sure they get their money's worth with their foul no matter what the league may decide to do as punishment. HOWEVER, there are some things that must not be forgotten when examining this game.
The Mavs lost by one point - they missed seven free throws in the game. Some may say, "So what, all teams miss free throws." The Mavericks are one of the best free throw shooting team in the league. Their performance Saturday from the charity strip was uncharacteristically choke-worthy. If they had made half of their misses they would have won the game.
One reason the Mavericks played so much better in game three than in the previous two games was because the Mavs posted up Nowitzki and Kidd in one-on-one situations. This strategy worked well all night. Then for whatever reason, in the last three minutes and thirty seconds, Dallas started jacking up the jumpers and at one point missed seven shots in a row from the field. It's hard to win any game missing shots in that manner much less a playoff game.
That brings us to the play everyone has been mulling over on talk radio for the past two days - the attempted foul. When the foul was "committed" it appeared as though the Mavericks and even some of the Nuggets stopped playing. The problem, of course, was that no whistle blew to stop the game. That is a central lesson we teach to young basketball players all over the country - play until you hear a whistle. Apparently, the Mavericks need a refresher course in this area. Fans could blame the officials but coaches and players aren't. They know better than to make such statements. If the Mavericks are the kind of team we hope they are, they are claiming responsibilty for that loss and making up their mind that they will do whatever it takes to never again trust the outcome of the game to anyone other than themselves.
The good news is the Mavericks won tonight and what a gutsy performance by Nowitzky. The bad news - the series is now 3-1 in the Nuggets favor going back to Denver rather than tied at two as it should be. Anything is possible, of course, but I'm afraid by winning, the Mavs have simply delayed the inevitable.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother’s Day 2009
Growing up as a young child I remember facing many trials and tribulations. Getting my shirt to match my pants, tying my tennis shoes, finding my misplaced Transformers and G.I. Joes, and figuring out how to get the top half of the sandwich to match the bottom part. And no matter what was going on, my Mother was always there to help me make sense of my life.
I grew up as an adventurous boy. Many cuts, scrapes and bruises highlighted my childhood. I watched westerns religiously. On Saturdays and Sundays, beginning at noon, the cowboy shows would start their line up. I would grab my cap gun and excitedly play as The Lone Ranger, one of my favorites, always started the weekend off saving the west with his sidekick Tonto. He rode Silver, the magnificent white stallion. And everyone knew the power of the man that wore the black mask and carried his customized silver bullets in his gun belt. To this day, I still almost believe that the world would be a much safer place if all of our heroes wore these magic bullets next to their six shooters. The Rifleman was on after that followed by Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and wrapping up the dynamite schedule was Alias Smith & Jones, the greatest pair of gun-slinging mischief's ever found on horseback. These were great role models for a young child to look up to.
My parents are to this day the kindest and most sacrificial people I've ever known. They act and live with honor. They do what they say they will. If they make a commitment it is always followed through. My Mom is one that sets an example that I can only hope to compare to. She is a rock. Her faith and love for family is unyielding and something to be admired. As a father I understand the unwavering love for my children that she always seemed to show when I was young. I try to follow her example.There really is something special about mothers. And even though fathers have a special bond also with their children, moms always are the lifeblood of the family. When a child is hurt the mother is desired. Moms have a nesting ability that men are unable to comprehend and will never be able to duplicate. They are soft and gentle. They are the first sign of love that a newborn experiences. They are comfort and light. And my Mom is everything mentioned above and so very much more.
Before my brother and sister and I left the house and began our own lives with our own families, we had to know three things. These three things are the legacy passed from my Mom. First, we had to know how to cook. And not just cook, but cook immaculately well. To this day I rarely require a recipe when cooking even the most difficult of dishes. If I weren't so into electronics I could easily fulfill my life's ambitions by becoming a chef and loving it. The second thing that we had to know was how to do our own laundry. That meant separating out colors, being able to determine correct water temperatures, and after drying them applying the correct amount of starch to iron clothes equal to the quality of the local dry cleaners. And the third thing that we had to know was how to keep our heads cool in chaotic situations. God is in control. Panic has no place in this life. You can't make educated, rational decisions during an emergency if you are consumed with fear. My mother's teachings are vital and are being passed to my children as well as to my brother and sister's children.
A mother is gift and a blessing. I was reminded of that two years ago when my son was being born. After fighting a difficult delivery his heart rate started dropping rapidly. My wife and I grew a bit fearful at one point as his condition greatly worsened. The doctor decided to perform a caesarian to speed the process along. My wife was in a great amount of pain and beginning to slip out of consciousness as we were transferred into surgery from the normal delivery room. I was holding her hand and looking in her beautiful eyes when they started the incision. She repeatedly kept saying to the doctor and the hospital staff, "Save my son. I don't care what happens to me but please, save my son." Tears filled my eyes for the next few minutes, as I knew beyond doubt that she would pass from this world without another thought as long as her son survived. What a love.
I cannot adequately express in words the depth of admiration I hold for these wonderful examples in my life. I hope this day brings blessings and joy to you. Mother's world wide, we honor you. Thank you for loving us so much that you place your families above all else. Happy Mother's Day.
I grew up as an adventurous boy. Many cuts, scrapes and bruises highlighted my childhood. I watched westerns religiously. On Saturdays and Sundays, beginning at noon, the cowboy shows would start their line up. I would grab my cap gun and excitedly play as The Lone Ranger, one of my favorites, always started the weekend off saving the west with his sidekick Tonto. He rode Silver, the magnificent white stallion. And everyone knew the power of the man that wore the black mask and carried his customized silver bullets in his gun belt. To this day, I still almost believe that the world would be a much safer place if all of our heroes wore these magic bullets next to their six shooters. The Rifleman was on after that followed by Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and wrapping up the dynamite schedule was Alias Smith & Jones, the greatest pair of gun-slinging mischief's ever found on horseback. These were great role models for a young child to look up to.
My parents are to this day the kindest and most sacrificial people I've ever known. They act and live with honor. They do what they say they will. If they make a commitment it is always followed through. My Mom is one that sets an example that I can only hope to compare to. She is a rock. Her faith and love for family is unyielding and something to be admired. As a father I understand the unwavering love for my children that she always seemed to show when I was young. I try to follow her example.There really is something special about mothers. And even though fathers have a special bond also with their children, moms always are the lifeblood of the family. When a child is hurt the mother is desired. Moms have a nesting ability that men are unable to comprehend and will never be able to duplicate. They are soft and gentle. They are the first sign of love that a newborn experiences. They are comfort and light. And my Mom is everything mentioned above and so very much more.
Before my brother and sister and I left the house and began our own lives with our own families, we had to know three things. These three things are the legacy passed from my Mom. First, we had to know how to cook. And not just cook, but cook immaculately well. To this day I rarely require a recipe when cooking even the most difficult of dishes. If I weren't so into electronics I could easily fulfill my life's ambitions by becoming a chef and loving it. The second thing that we had to know was how to do our own laundry. That meant separating out colors, being able to determine correct water temperatures, and after drying them applying the correct amount of starch to iron clothes equal to the quality of the local dry cleaners. And the third thing that we had to know was how to keep our heads cool in chaotic situations. God is in control. Panic has no place in this life. You can't make educated, rational decisions during an emergency if you are consumed with fear. My mother's teachings are vital and are being passed to my children as well as to my brother and sister's children.
A mother is gift and a blessing. I was reminded of that two years ago when my son was being born. After fighting a difficult delivery his heart rate started dropping rapidly. My wife and I grew a bit fearful at one point as his condition greatly worsened. The doctor decided to perform a caesarian to speed the process along. My wife was in a great amount of pain and beginning to slip out of consciousness as we were transferred into surgery from the normal delivery room. I was holding her hand and looking in her beautiful eyes when they started the incision. She repeatedly kept saying to the doctor and the hospital staff, "Save my son. I don't care what happens to me but please, save my son." Tears filled my eyes for the next few minutes, as I knew beyond doubt that she would pass from this world without another thought as long as her son survived. What a love.
I cannot adequately express in words the depth of admiration I hold for these wonderful examples in my life. I hope this day brings blessings and joy to you. Mother's world wide, we honor you. Thank you for loving us so much that you place your families above all else. Happy Mother's Day.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Grasp Wothout Reach
"Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint." Proverbs 29:18 (R.V.)
There is a difference between an ideal and a vision. An ideal has no moral inspiration; a vision has. The people who give themselves over to ideals rarely do anything. A man's conception of Deity may be used to justify his deliberate neglect of his duty. Jonah argued that because God was a God of justice and of mercy, therefore everything would be all right. I may have a right conception of God, and that may be the very reason why I do not do my duty. But wherever there is vision, there is also a life of rectitude because the vision imparts moral incentive.
Ideals may lull to ruin. Take stock of yourself spiritually and see whether you have ideals only or if you have vision.
Or what's a heaven for?"
"Where there is no vision. . . ." When once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless, we cast off certain restraints, we cast off praying, we cast off the vision of God in little things, and begin to act on our own initiative. If we are eating what we have out of our own hand, doing things on our own initiative without expecting God to come in, we are on the downward path, we have lost the vision. Is our attitude to-day an attitude that springs from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever done? Is there a freshness and vigour in our spiritual out look?
Friday, May 8, 2009
HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL CELEBRITY-AM
Irving, TX – The HP Byron Nelson Championship will host an exciting Celebrity-Am event Monday, May 18 at the Vaquero Club in Westlake, Texas. This exclusive event will feature a number of celebrity players, including country music star Pat Green, hockey great Brett Hull and football legend Roger Staubach.
A limited number of playing spots are still available. Celebrity players will be drawn at random on the day of the event.
The $7,500 Celebrity-Am package includes a playing spot with a celebrity and VIP treatment at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Sponsors will receive two Gold credentials, which allow admission to the tournament grounds and daily access to the Verandah, a private, air-conditioned area for sponsors which offers a lunch buffet and full bar Wednesday-Sunday of Championship week. Celebrity-Am sponsors will also receive one courseside valet parking pass for the week and 56 daily tickets or 28 weekly badges. A limited number of playing spots in this exclusive pro-am are available by calling 972.717.1200.
The complete list of celebrity players scheduled to play includes Donny Anderson, Miles Austin, Tim Brown, Tony Casillas, Matt Doherty, Billy Joe Dupree, Rudy Gatlin, Burton Gilliam, Terry Glenn, Pat Green, Marques Haynes, Stephen Howard, Oliver Hudson, Brett Hull, June Jones, Ed Jones, L.P. Ladouceur, Mickey Loomis, Matt McBriar, Mike Modano, Terrance Newman, Brad Richards, Roger Staubach, Jason Sehorn, Jim Sundberg, John Telchick, Winfred Tubbs, Marty Turco, Ed Werder and Jason Witten.
The Celebrity-Am is not a spectator event. Only those who have purchased a playing spot will have access to the Vaquero Club during the event.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
A limited number of playing spots are still available. Celebrity players will be drawn at random on the day of the event.
The $7,500 Celebrity-Am package includes a playing spot with a celebrity and VIP treatment at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Sponsors will receive two Gold credentials, which allow admission to the tournament grounds and daily access to the Verandah, a private, air-conditioned area for sponsors which offers a lunch buffet and full bar Wednesday-Sunday of Championship week. Celebrity-Am sponsors will also receive one courseside valet parking pass for the week and 56 daily tickets or 28 weekly badges. A limited number of playing spots in this exclusive pro-am are available by calling 972.717.1200.
The complete list of celebrity players scheduled to play includes Donny Anderson, Miles Austin, Tim Brown, Tony Casillas, Matt Doherty, Billy Joe Dupree, Rudy Gatlin, Burton Gilliam, Terry Glenn, Pat Green, Marques Haynes, Stephen Howard, Oliver Hudson, Brett Hull, June Jones, Ed Jones, L.P. Ladouceur, Mickey Loomis, Matt McBriar, Mike Modano, Terrance Newman, Brad Richards, Roger Staubach, Jason Sehorn, Jim Sundberg, John Telchick, Winfred Tubbs, Marty Turco, Ed Werder and Jason Witten.
The Celebrity-Am is not a spectator event. Only those who have purchased a playing spot will have access to the Vaquero Club during the event.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Jack Ingram To Perform At 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship
Irving, TX – HP Byron Nelson Championship officials announced today that country music star Jack Ingram will perform at the Championship. Ingram is set to kick off Memorial Day weekend in the Pavilion After Dark, Friday, May 22 at 8:30 p.m. The show will be free to all patrons with a Championship ticket or badge. Tickets will be sold at the Championship’s main entrance and on Ticketmaster.com throughout Championship week.Ingram, a Texas native and former Southern Methodist University student, won the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist award in 2008. He also won Wide Open Country Video of the Year award at the 2007 CMT Music Awards. His 2007 album This Is It rose to No. 4 on U.S. Charts, including the singles “Measure of a Man” and “Maybe She'll Get Lonely.”
Pavilion After Dark, a post-play entertainment venue, will be open to all Championship patrons Thursday through Saturday. Scheduled performers include:
- Emerald City Thursday, May 21 – 7:30 p.m.
- Jokersdeck Friday, May 22 – 7:00 p.m.
- Jack Ingram Friday, May 22 – 8:30 p.m.
- Professor D Saturday, May 23 – 5:30 p.m.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
"Thank You" to Servants
Pastors and deacons, with their spouses, are often overlooked when appreciation is being expressed. Perhaps it is assumed that in serving, they are only doing what is expected of their office. I am convinced that we should avail ourselves of every opportunity to express gratitude for the faithful ministry of these congregational servants.
Ernie McCoulsky, Director of Kauf-Van Baptist Association, east of Dallas knows the stress under which church leaders often serve. The association in which he ministers hosts an annual banquet to honor pastors, deacons and their spouses. I was privileged to speak as more than 300 of these servants gathered Monday night in Terrell, Texas.
Their geographical area is special to me. My father and mother were born and raised in the East Texas area now served by Kauf-Van Association. Although much of the area is experiencing transition due to the urban sprawl of the DFW metroplex, I remember the unique cultural experience of growing up in rural east Texas. So while I reminded pastors, deacons and their spouses that they are special people with a special purpose (using references from the epistle of Peter) I also shared remembrances from my formative years.
It was humorous to reflect on unique things like telephone party lines, television service limited to one channel that operated only part of the day, pulling in to a service station an asking for a “dollar’s worth of regular” (which while being pumped allowed enough time for the attendant to check the oil and clean the windshield), listening to the “swap-shop” on the radio (where people obtained things they wanted or needed from others who were looking to rid themselves of the same items). It was a time when the world was dramatically different.
While the world has changed, the caring ministry of pastors, deacons and their spouses remains the same. It is still about lives investing in the lives of others to the glory of God. It is being part of a caring community doing life together in the Spirit of the greatest Servant. That is not an easy role, but it is a blessed one.
For more information on Missional Church Center click here.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
What Happens When You Try to Save Money by Coloring Your Own Hair
Last week I decided it was time once again to practice one of my favorite hobbies, dying my hair! I love to color my hair, almost to the point of obsession. Every couple of months, the urge hits me to do something fun and drastic to alter my appearance through my hair. So, I went to the store, walked down the aisle, and stared at the colorful boxes of dye until my eyes glazed over in excitement. Reds, blondes, browns, black, pink, blue, all the colors of the rainbow danced before my eyes saying, “pick me, pick me!” I was drawn to the red hues this time and triumphantly picked out a beautiful shade of auburn, purchased it, and proudly took it home.
That night, after putting my three kids to bed, I proceeded to work on my hair. I carefully mixed the product, applied it to my head, and waited the twenty-five minutes. I could hardly wait to see my new hair color! I washed the dye out and conditioned my shoulder length locks. After blow-drying my hair, I stepped out of the bathroom to present the new shade to my husband. He immediately stated, “it looks purple!” (Although I must say, it was only purple in some parts of my hair, and a beautiful shade of red in others!) I was crushed, this was not the reaction I was expecting. We discussed what we should do to make me presentable again, and decided to add highlights to help break it up and lessen the severity of the color, or should I say COLORS.
After waiting a few days to let my hair rest, I purchased a highlighting kit with a pull through cap. I believed this would provide for the most even highlights possible. So, on Sunday afternoon, during the Mavericks game, I was able to convince my husband to do the labor-intensive job of pulling my hair through all the tiny holes in the plastic cap I now donned on my head. We devised a plan where my husband put a pillow in his lap and I lied on one side while he enjoyably tortured me by pulling pieces of my hair through the holes with a crochet-type hook, and then I would flip to my other side like a piece of meat being cooked, and the process would start over again. Pop, poke, pull, pop, poke, pull. Over and over he did this, until about two and a half hours later he had finished the tedious work. I went to the bathroom to examine his work and mix the solution. As I looked at what he had done, a thought flashed through my mind that it looked like an awful lot of hair had been pulled through the holes, but I quickly pushed this thought out of head and went back to mixing.
My husband applied the thick, goopy mess to my head, then placed the plastic cap around my crown as instructed by the box. We waited the allotted time, around an hour for full effect, and then I jumped up hurriedly to wash the paste out so I could see my new, beautiful self. I got out of the shower and took a good look. Nice streaks on the part, a pretty golden color with some pieces a little more blonde. I was thinking we may have just pulled this off! The last step was to blow-dry and fix my hair so we could see the final outcome. As my hair started to dry, I grew more and more nervous. I was having a hard time pulling the brush through my hair and I was seeing pieces of what appeared to be yellow straw falling to my bathroom sink. When the final piece of hair was dry, I stared in horror at my reflection. I had a pile of blonde and orange hay on top of my head! I shuddered and asked my husband, “now what?!” He calmly suggested that I go to work the next day claiming that I thought it was Halloween as I looked like a pumpkin left on the front porch for too long. The only rational thing left to do was have my shoulder length hair, which I had been working so hard to grow out, cut to my chin to get the fried hair removed. I went after work the next day and had my hair cut into a layered bob. My new favorite stylist did mention that, overall, my husband did a surprisingly good job of highlighting my hair, though he may just need to use a little less zeal in his efforts next time. After all was said and done, I have gotten many compliments on my new, fun do. However, I may have to find a new hobby that doesn’t have the potential to create such drastic consequences!
That night, after putting my three kids to bed, I proceeded to work on my hair. I carefully mixed the product, applied it to my head, and waited the twenty-five minutes. I could hardly wait to see my new hair color! I washed the dye out and conditioned my shoulder length locks. After blow-drying my hair, I stepped out of the bathroom to present the new shade to my husband. He immediately stated, “it looks purple!” (Although I must say, it was only purple in some parts of my hair, and a beautiful shade of red in others!) I was crushed, this was not the reaction I was expecting. We discussed what we should do to make me presentable again, and decided to add highlights to help break it up and lessen the severity of the color, or should I say COLORS.
After waiting a few days to let my hair rest, I purchased a highlighting kit with a pull through cap. I believed this would provide for the most even highlights possible. So, on Sunday afternoon, during the Mavericks game, I was able to convince my husband to do the labor-intensive job of pulling my hair through all the tiny holes in the plastic cap I now donned on my head. We devised a plan where my husband put a pillow in his lap and I lied on one side while he enjoyably tortured me by pulling pieces of my hair through the holes with a crochet-type hook, and then I would flip to my other side like a piece of meat being cooked, and the process would start over again. Pop, poke, pull, pop, poke, pull. Over and over he did this, until about two and a half hours later he had finished the tedious work. I went to the bathroom to examine his work and mix the solution. As I looked at what he had done, a thought flashed through my mind that it looked like an awful lot of hair had been pulled through the holes, but I quickly pushed this thought out of head and went back to mixing.
My husband applied the thick, goopy mess to my head, then placed the plastic cap around my crown as instructed by the box. We waited the allotted time, around an hour for full effect, and then I jumped up hurriedly to wash the paste out so I could see my new, beautiful self. I got out of the shower and took a good look. Nice streaks on the part, a pretty golden color with some pieces a little more blonde. I was thinking we may have just pulled this off! The last step was to blow-dry and fix my hair so we could see the final outcome. As my hair started to dry, I grew more and more nervous. I was having a hard time pulling the brush through my hair and I was seeing pieces of what appeared to be yellow straw falling to my bathroom sink. When the final piece of hair was dry, I stared in horror at my reflection. I had a pile of blonde and orange hay on top of my head! I shuddered and asked my husband, “now what?!” He calmly suggested that I go to work the next day claiming that I thought it was Halloween as I looked like a pumpkin left on the front porch for too long. The only rational thing left to do was have my shoulder length hair, which I had been working so hard to grow out, cut to my chin to get the fried hair removed. I went after work the next day and had my hair cut into a layered bob. My new favorite stylist did mention that, overall, my husband did a surprisingly good job of highlighting my hair, though he may just need to use a little less zeal in his efforts next time. After all was said and done, I have gotten many compliments on my new, fun do. However, I may have to find a new hobby that doesn’t have the potential to create such drastic consequences!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Thoughts from the Third Trimester
When I first found out I was pregnant, I was in the midst of rehearsals for a play in my neighborhood. It was a late-night-series-of-monologues type of play... and doing that while pregnant would be a whole other blog post! Anyway, my husband, Jeff, and I didn't want to tell anyone yet, but I figured I should tell my director (also a good friend of ours) since I was feeling so nauseated and so that, just in case I had to leave the stage to throw up, she and my stage manager would know why. Just trying to be professional, really.
Anyway, when I told her, she just looked at me. I don't think she knew exactly how to react. In her defense, I'm not sure I did either, but once it sank in that I wasn't joking and that Jeff and I had planned it and weren't depressed about it, she just hugged me and said, "Don't you feel so sacred right now?"
Sacred. Well, honestly, at the moment, I absolutely did not feel sacred - I felt nauseated! But as trimesters have passed by, I've learned things about my body that I never knew, and "sacred" is really the best word for it. I feel sacred to have the task of carrying life and bringing it into the world... sacred because God created my body to adjust itself and produce hormones that move my insides around to make room for our little one while keeping me safe... sacred because I'm a woman.
Unfortunately, I have never looked forward to this experience. When I saw "The Miracle of Life" video in honors biology when I was 14, I didn't think there was anything about that video that looked miraculous! It looked TERRIBLE. I even told myself I would never, ever have kids just because that looked so terrible... but then again, I also said I would never get married, live in a foreign country or work at a church. Ha.
I think more seriously, though, that I never looked forward to this experience because I've always thought of childbirth as a punishment because of the Genesis account of the fall of humankind. I realize that it's the increased PAIN of childbirth that is presented as the punishment, but I'm not sure I ever differentiated between the two. And then there's that verse in I Timothy 2 about women being "saved through childbearing..." which didn't really sit very well with me as a budding feminist in my youth. I remember thinking, What does that mean? That all women are just supposed to be baby factories? What about women who can't have children? What happens to them? I mean, I know that other cultures only value women who CAN have children, but that surely can't be God's design, right?
I was just amazed by all this obsession with women and childbearing, and I desperately wanted another "purpose." I decided that, rather than marry and bear children, I would be a powerful career woman who wore business suits and carried a briefcase. I would have a big office and tell people what to do. I would live in New York City and read the newspaper on the subway on the way to my big office. Now, granted, I didn't know what kind of work I wanted to do, but that was the life I wanted. I would be "important." I guess I thought that because I was just soooo smart that, not only could I do all those things, but that I should.
Then I met Jeff. Looking back on it now, I realize that through our relationship, particularly since we were in India learning how other cultures develop and maintain relationships, God taught me to stop dreaming and start truly existing. Existing in the present as who I AM, not who I think I should be. There are lots of ways to be "important," and I realized that as I started thinking about how I could make someone else's life better. My life is not about ME. It actually never has been... I just didn't know that before. I still maintain that it probably wouldn't be a tragedy if I never chose to be a mom, but it absolutely WOULD be a tragedy if Jeff never got the opportunity to be a dad. Investing in other people's lives, I've learned, is an incredible way to honor God and to thank Him for the gifts that He gives to us.
And NOW, it's not even about just me and Jeff. It's about our daughter who will be here in about a month. I mean, don't get me wrong - pregnancy hasn't been just day after day of glorious awakenings to truths from the Almighty. Pregnancy in its full physical sense is pretty cruddy. I don't sleep very well, my skin is stretched, my own daughter kicks me in the ribs all the time (I know she doesn't mean to, but still...). I even told a co-worker the other day that I never thought I would get to the point in my life when labor sounded like a good idea, but it SO does.
But even in the midst of all of that, I still feel sacred. I think I get what that 1 Timothy verse means. Carrying this child saves me from my selfishness... saves me from thinking that I have nothing to offer if I'm not "important" in the world's eyes... and it reminds me how amazing women are. Some of the strongest women I've ever known are mothers - my own mother, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, my friend Allison, and my Indian friends' moms. It's truly an honor to join this incredible section of the population of our world.
Just a few more weeks. Just a few more weeks.
Anyway, when I told her, she just looked at me. I don't think she knew exactly how to react. In her defense, I'm not sure I did either, but once it sank in that I wasn't joking and that Jeff and I had planned it and weren't depressed about it, she just hugged me and said, "Don't you feel so sacred right now?"
Sacred. Well, honestly, at the moment, I absolutely did not feel sacred - I felt nauseated! But as trimesters have passed by, I've learned things about my body that I never knew, and "sacred" is really the best word for it. I feel sacred to have the task of carrying life and bringing it into the world... sacred because God created my body to adjust itself and produce hormones that move my insides around to make room for our little one while keeping me safe... sacred because I'm a woman.
Unfortunately, I have never looked forward to this experience. When I saw "The Miracle of Life" video in honors biology when I was 14, I didn't think there was anything about that video that looked miraculous! It looked TERRIBLE. I even told myself I would never, ever have kids just because that looked so terrible... but then again, I also said I would never get married, live in a foreign country or work at a church. Ha.
I think more seriously, though, that I never looked forward to this experience because I've always thought of childbirth as a punishment because of the Genesis account of the fall of humankind. I realize that it's the increased PAIN of childbirth that is presented as the punishment, but I'm not sure I ever differentiated between the two. And then there's that verse in I Timothy 2 about women being "saved through childbearing..." which didn't really sit very well with me as a budding feminist in my youth. I remember thinking, What does that mean? That all women are just supposed to be baby factories? What about women who can't have children? What happens to them? I mean, I know that other cultures only value women who CAN have children, but that surely can't be God's design, right?
I was just amazed by all this obsession with women and childbearing, and I desperately wanted another "purpose." I decided that, rather than marry and bear children, I would be a powerful career woman who wore business suits and carried a briefcase. I would have a big office and tell people what to do. I would live in New York City and read the newspaper on the subway on the way to my big office. Now, granted, I didn't know what kind of work I wanted to do, but that was the life I wanted. I would be "important." I guess I thought that because I was just soooo smart that, not only could I do all those things, but that I should.
Then I met Jeff. Looking back on it now, I realize that through our relationship, particularly since we were in India learning how other cultures develop and maintain relationships, God taught me to stop dreaming and start truly existing. Existing in the present as who I AM, not who I think I should be. There are lots of ways to be "important," and I realized that as I started thinking about how I could make someone else's life better. My life is not about ME. It actually never has been... I just didn't know that before. I still maintain that it probably wouldn't be a tragedy if I never chose to be a mom, but it absolutely WOULD be a tragedy if Jeff never got the opportunity to be a dad. Investing in other people's lives, I've learned, is an incredible way to honor God and to thank Him for the gifts that He gives to us.
And NOW, it's not even about just me and Jeff. It's about our daughter who will be here in about a month. I mean, don't get me wrong - pregnancy hasn't been just day after day of glorious awakenings to truths from the Almighty. Pregnancy in its full physical sense is pretty cruddy. I don't sleep very well, my skin is stretched, my own daughter kicks me in the ribs all the time (I know she doesn't mean to, but still...). I even told a co-worker the other day that I never thought I would get to the point in my life when labor sounded like a good idea, but it SO does.
But even in the midst of all of that, I still feel sacred. I think I get what that 1 Timothy verse means. Carrying this child saves me from my selfishness... saves me from thinking that I have nothing to offer if I'm not "important" in the world's eyes... and it reminds me how amazing women are. Some of the strongest women I've ever known are mothers - my own mother, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, my friend Allison, and my Indian friends' moms. It's truly an honor to join this incredible section of the population of our world.
Just a few more weeks. Just a few more weeks.
Monday, May 4, 2009
A Little Bit of Bad Could be Really Good
The Mavericks have been adiosed in the first round of the playoffs for the past two years. If one were to look at the previous two season's stats, players, and performances along with the same information from this season's team, one would find it unlikely that this season's team would be the one to make it to the second round while the others did not, yet here we are. Maybe that is what going out and hiring a playoff-tested coach will get for a team.
However, the stay in the second round will be short-lived if this team doesn't figure out how to, well, grow a pair. Yesterday's start of the second-round series between Dallas and Denver began with Dirk picking himself up from the floor after a forearm from Kenyon Martin in the opening seconds of the game. The Nuggets or Thuggets as they have come to be called this season wasted no time in setting the tone for the series. It was a cheap shot, of course; and Martin did receive a technical foul but the Nuggets did not care. They were testing the Mavericks by seeing how Dallas would respond to the foul and they failed that test miserably.
No one answered for the foul on Dallas' best player. Jason Terry came to defend Dirk by mouthing something but someone on this Dallas team has got to decide that they will be the heavy. When another team puts a dirty player out on the floor - the Mavs have to counter with someone. It is probably too late for that to happen this season but it is something that should be addressed this off-season.
Denver had their way physically with the Mavericks all afternoon. The Mavericks had chances to answer. Late in the first half, Jason Kidd committed a foul on Anthony Carter as AC was streaking uncontested to the basket. Such fouls, should be hard and memorable. This one was tantamount to a tickle at a teenage-girl's pillow fight.
Watching the game, I was reminded of the 1988 NBA finals which featured the finesse of the LA Lakers' Showtime versus the grind it out style of the Detroit Piston's "Bad Boys." In that series, finesse won out but the Mavericks don't have the star power that Lakers squad did and Kenyon Martin and this current Nuggets team may be meaner than that Bill Laimbeer Piston unit. Those facts do not bode well for Mavericks and their fans.
This Mavericks team appeared to be peaking at just the right time. Can they rise above Sunday's disappointing loss or will they get bullied right out of the playoffs? We'll know soon enough.
However, the stay in the second round will be short-lived if this team doesn't figure out how to, well, grow a pair. Yesterday's start of the second-round series between Dallas and Denver began with Dirk picking himself up from the floor after a forearm from Kenyon Martin in the opening seconds of the game. The Nuggets or Thuggets as they have come to be called this season wasted no time in setting the tone for the series. It was a cheap shot, of course; and Martin did receive a technical foul but the Nuggets did not care. They were testing the Mavericks by seeing how Dallas would respond to the foul and they failed that test miserably.
No one answered for the foul on Dallas' best player. Jason Terry came to defend Dirk by mouthing something but someone on this Dallas team has got to decide that they will be the heavy. When another team puts a dirty player out on the floor - the Mavs have to counter with someone. It is probably too late for that to happen this season but it is something that should be addressed this off-season.
Denver had their way physically with the Mavericks all afternoon. The Mavericks had chances to answer. Late in the first half, Jason Kidd committed a foul on Anthony Carter as AC was streaking uncontested to the basket. Such fouls, should be hard and memorable. This one was tantamount to a tickle at a teenage-girl's pillow fight.
Watching the game, I was reminded of the 1988 NBA finals which featured the finesse of the LA Lakers' Showtime versus the grind it out style of the Detroit Piston's "Bad Boys." In that series, finesse won out but the Mavericks don't have the star power that Lakers squad did and Kenyon Martin and this current Nuggets team may be meaner than that Bill Laimbeer Piston unit. Those facts do not bode well for Mavericks and their fans.
This Mavericks team appeared to be peaking at just the right time. Can they rise above Sunday's disappointing loss or will they get bullied right out of the playoffs? We'll know soon enough.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Vital Intercession - Oswald Chambers
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." Ephesians 6:18
As we go on in intercession we may find that our obedience to God is going to cost other people more than we thought. The danger then is to begin to intercede in sympathy with those whom God was gradually lifting to a totally different sphere in answer to our prayers. Whenever we step back from identification with God's interest in others into sympathy with them, the vital connection with God has gone, we have put our sympathy, our consideration for them in the way, and this is a deliberate rebuke to God.
It is impossible to intercede vitally unless we are perfectly sure of God, and the greatest dissipator of our relationship to God is personal sympathy and personal prejudice. Identification is the key to intercession, and whenever we stop being identified with God, it is by sympathy, not by sin. It is not likely that sin will interfere with our relationship to God, but sympathy will, sympathy with ourselves or with others which makes us say - "I will not allow that thing to happen." Instantly we are out of vital connection with God.
Intercession leaves you neither time nor inclination to pray for your own "sad sweet self." The thought of yourself is not kept out, because it is not there to keep out; you are completely and entirely identified with God's interests in other lives.
Discernment is God's call to intercession, never to fault finding.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Dyeing To Tie!
Everywhere you turn lately you can see brilliant color! From back yard parties to the runway, Target to Nordstrom, it’s making a huge comeback. I’m talking about tie- dye. Those brightly colored rainbow garments that bring a smile to your face and fun to the day! The patterns range from the classic swirl to stripes, spider-web designs to a multitude of pictures. Tie-dye is popping up on all types of clothing also! It can be seen on tee shirts, shorts, socks and dresses on all kinds of material ranging from cotton to silk. It can also be seen on bedroom sets and different home furnishings. There is no stop to where you can see this ever-popular trend! Nobody has an excuse to not join in the fun of this hippy style coming back on the scene. Even men can buy ties, or if they are so inclined, make their own.Not only can you buy any trendy tie-dye item you want, it’s a cinch to make it yourself a
t home, and you no longer have to use the old school dye that has to be boiled or squirt your dye from a bottle. You can buy fabric paint at any craft store in a can and spray it directly on your canvas like spray paint! There are millions of how-to sights when you google “tie-dye” and thousands of videos on sights like ‘YouTube’. So join in the fun!! Everybody should have at least one tie dyed piece of clothing in their wardrobe, whether it’s bought, or self-made, step out in this retro style with pride!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Danny Lee Accepts Exemption To Play In HP Byron Nelson Championship
Irving, TX – Danny Lee has officially accepted an exemption to play in the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship.Lee, who announced he was turning pro after playing in the 2009 Masters, was the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur last August at only 18 years old. His victory earned him the No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
His best finish in 2009 was No. 1 at the Johnnie Walker Classic, which positioned him as the youngest winner ever on the European Tour. Lee claimed victory over a field including the likes of Anthony Kim and Camillo Villegas. This will be Lee’s first appearance at the Championship.
The 2009 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 18-24 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit www.hpbnc.org.
-HPBNC-
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