Have I mentioned I love hockey?

Seriously, I don't think I talk about this wonderful sport enough. I admit, I'm a bit of a "fair weather" fan. Not so much in who I cheer for (sadness still for the Nashville Predators no longer being in the Playoffs) but for the fact that I tend to watch sporadically. That is, until playoff hockey rolls around.

There are two reasons that playoff hockey gets me watching more:

1. Games are actually televised

2. The hockey is much better

Let's take these topics item by item ...

1. Why is it that hockey is a second class sport? Why is basketball on television all the time and hockey is lucky to get one night even on cable television? Do that many more people really like basketball? Not the people I talk to. Most people I talk to could really care less about basketball. Those that watch basketball seem to do so because it's on (and they can't seem to watch any non-sports television). I realize that most of the country is not as obsessed about the sport as my home state of Minnesota where in March you can find the State High School Hockey Tournament covered game by game through the whole weekend of the tournament. But, I think that the reason more people don't watch hockey is simple ... it's not on television. Oh, how I miss the days of living in Minnesota where there was always a hockey game on some cable channel.

2. I used to think that hockey was hockey and playoff hockey wasn't any better or more competitive, but that's just not the case. During the playoffs you find guys who haven't checked someone all year hitting at every opportunity. You find a few more fights breaking out. You find guys skating like their paycheck depends on it (oh, that's right ... during the playoffs it does). Goalies are out of their minds with the saves they are making. Forwards are skating circles around defensemen. Enforcers are picking their guy and running for him. It's a great game!

I admit I am obsessed with the sport. Lately, I watch every chance I get (and now I'm bummed that there are no games on today). I put the game on in the background no matter what I'm doing. I become more productive during the intermissions because I don't want to miss a minute of the game.

I also admit that I view hockey as an activity. It's not something I passively watch, it's something I engage in. I'm thinking about the plays, I'm wondering who's on the ice, I'm considering which team will do what next. The best thing, I don't care who's playing. Yes, I cheer harder for some teams, but I don't care who's playing, I still actively watch. When it comes to baseball or football, I watch some teams but not others. Hockey, I watch whoever is on (heck it could be the B Pee Wee team and I'd watch it).

So, here's to hockey! I can't wait until tomorrow when I get to watch more!

Proud of those around me ...

I think we all have a tendency to want to be the one who gets noticed. I mean, let's be honest with ourselves. We want to be the one that gets asked to dance, that gets asked on a date, that gets picked for the team, that gets to play the solo. We want to be the one that people know (even if we don't want all of the trouble that comes along with it). We want to stand from the crowd.

So, in some way we tend to struggle when others get the press, get the accolades, and get rewarded for doing things we want to get noticed for.

Recently, I was reading my friend Jonathan's blog and learned that he was selected as one of 10 artists on a list of "best Christian Rock" songs in the New York Times! Can you believe it? Someone I know is in the New York Times! I should be thrilled (and I am) and yet a little part of me says, "man I wish that was me" ... and I hate that little part of me. I really do. I don't want to envy others, and yet it's in my gut that I do.

A few years ago a friend of mine was featured in (I think it was) Time magazine because she was part of a group of single people who watched out for one another. This friend is one of those people that "happens" to run into all kinds of famous people, gets picked for prestigious experiences, and knows everyone. I keep wishing there was one thing I could do that would top her.

A few years ago my wife was invited to submit an article for the Lutheran magazine. I was proud of her being selected and thought she wrote a great piece. I was excited when the magazine sent a photographer to take pictures of the band. I was thrilled to see that the cover picture of that month's magazine featured the hands of our guitarist, the feature picture for the series of articles had a picture of our lead singer, and my wife's picture was next to her writing, but I, the lowly drummer, was left out.

I know, we're not supposed to get down about such things, but we do. It's our nature ... at least it's my nature. I tell people I don't really care (which, in the big picture is true ... I really don't need the accolades to be a complete person ... nor do any of these people I've listed above) still I want to be the one who gets noticed, who wins, who gets selected.

I'm sure in my life there have been times when I have been selected over others and I've just seen those moments as me "getting what I deserved." I'm sure there are people who look at me now and think "he's got it all, I wish I were in his shoes." And I have to say, I'm quite happy with my life. I'm happy being the guy who knows all of the people who are getting the accolades. I really am.

Still, I think of a song that Duey Jolivette wrote years ago, a song that is sappy, cheesy, and whatever else, but nonetheless a song that sticks with me. A song that simply states, "my part of the story may be small, my part of the story may not have the curtain call, but when the story's done, I know there is one, who loves me as I am." I think of that lyric often (as a matter of fact, I blogged about it about this time last year ... must be something about Springtime) and when I think of it, I am reminded that the One who matters has chosen me.

Gems from 500 years ago

As a seminarian I get the privilege of doing some pretty cool things. I get to hang out in the afternoon soaking the rays of sunshine while holding a book and attempting to make sense of the words written in its pages. I get to spend hours in class on days when the sun beckons, "skip class, some hang with me." I even have the privilege of regurgitating what little knowledge actually settles into the gray matter between my ears out onto the page (page after page) in hopes that I somehow answer correctly the questions posed by a professor who tends to usually make my head spin with ideas.

Every once in a while though, I come across a nugget in my reading that I just have to share with others. Usually it's a lame quote or a one-liner that makes me re-think my entire existence ... or at best it is a few words strung neatly together that drive a stake through the heart of those I disagree with. Well, tonight, I found a wonderful piece of writing that I just had to share from the Apology to the Augsburg Confession:

...we confess that hypocrites and evil people are mixed together in the church
and that the sacraments are efficacious even though they may be dispensed by
evil ministers, because the ministers act in the place of Christ and so do not
represent their own person.

It's a beautiful thing when you realize that mudslinging language is not merely a creation of the 20th century ... Oh, Philip, you crazy, crazy man. There could be no such thing as an "evil" minister ... but if there were, I sure am glad that it's God's action, and not mine that saves me!

p.s. I just finished a paper for a class, due in 6 hours ... I guess I should get a little sleep before wandering into class, eh?