As many of you might know I am a big football NFL fan.  I participate in a few fantasy football leagues throughout the season.  I try to schedule a little as possible on Sunday afternoons so I can watch football (I have been very unsuccessful at this recently).

Anyway, tonight one of my favorite games of the year is taking place, The New England Patriots vs The Indianapolis Colts.

As a Patriots fan I can’t help but root for my beloved Patriots — the key of this matchup is the QB of each team….Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

Many sports greats had their all time rival —  Larry Bird had Magic Johnson, Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier, Jimmy Connors had John McEnroe. In the NFL we now have Brady and Manning.

Brady and Manning, will always be linked with one another because of the high level on intensity they share  on the field and the success both clubs have had over the last 5- 10 years.

This weekend, the Patriots and Colts will face off for the 10th time since 2003. It’s the seventh straight year the clubs have met in the regular season and  I think I read somewhere that 5 out of the last 7 seasons one of the teams is undefeated going into the game.  That is true again this year as the Colts are 8-0.

Manning is playing at an all time high right now and Brady has gotten most if not all the rust shaken out since missing least year with a knee injury, so I have high expectations for this game.

One of the things that I really enjoy about this rival is that both Brady and Manning have a deep respect for one another and they bring everything to the field.  Unlike some sports starts who trash talk all week before the game (cough)Joey Porter (cough) – Manning and Brady have nothing but good things to say about each other and they let their play do the talking.

Recently this game has more hype and high level of play than the Superbowl – I can’t wait.

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I have been working hard recently at getting myself in shape.  I have written about the successes and failures over the years on this blog.  Most recently with the support of my Biggest Loser group I have been pretty successful at losing weight.  I wanted that energy and momentum to continue over the summer.  My decision……to participate in a triathlon.

I know that this might not be the first option for anyone who weighs over 300 pounds but it has been enough motivation for me to exercise and stay active.

Now I am not totally crazy.  I want to start small with a sprint triathlon which is about an 800-yard swim, 14-mile bike, 3.0-mile run.  Exercise combined with my Chinch drinks (a new batch came yesterday!) I am continuing with the weight loss and getting ready for my triathlon

The first triathlon that I looked at was the Finger Lakes Triathlon.  I picked that because it was happening in mid-September so I thought that would give me enough time to get myself ready……to at least finish the race.

Well, I went online yesterday after I finished a 10 mile bike ride to register for the event but I found out that the event is closed!!! I was disappointed to say the least.

So I went online to look for more triathlons to participate in and the only other one in the area is Labor Day weekend!!!  It is called the Skinnyman (I hope they let me in) and it is a sprint triathlon.  This scares me because it is 16 days sooner so that is 16 days that I will me missing out on training.  I just hope and pray that I am ready!!

Since it is happening labor day weekend I would love to make a party out of it and hopefully get some support for the event.  Keep posted on the details!

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I have I have written before, I gathered six other clergy in my conference for a “Biggest Loser Clergy Edition.” Well on May 31st our journey together ended.  I am proud to say that I won the whole event.  I am very excited about this!!!

I worked really hard and I am proud of the things I have accomplished.  In the process I lost 23 pounds!

I started out on this journey weighing 386 pounds.  Through this experience with  I have gained the confidence that I have not had since I was in high school when it comes to my health and my physical ability.

To be honest I was really worried last May (2008) when I started having chronic back trouble and my weight was creeping close to 400 pounds.  Now I have regained the confidence that I once had.  I have confidence that I can continue to get healthy and I can push myself to live a better life.

Inspired by my success I really would like to pursue a dream that I have had for a few years.  That is to participate in a triathlon.  September 20th of this year there is a triathlon in our area called the Finger Lakes Triathlon.    They have a sprint triathlon which is a shorter route.  The events will be:  swim .45 miles bike 13 miles and run 3.1 miles.  I believe that if I can commit myself to train for that event like I committed myself to this program I will be able to do it.

The final totals for our journey together as a group:   We lost over 50 pounds and we met our goal of walking 436 miles.  I would like to thank all those people who followed me and supported me in my weight loss journey.  Now I would like to invite you to join me in my journey in becoming a triathlete!!

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Last week I went 10-5 which brings my total to 21-10…..There were a few surprises and with Peyton Manning bringing back the Colts from a 15 point deficit I was saved.

This week is interesting – most of the home teams are favored to win – I don’t know if that has ever happened in the NFL.  But with things are going in the NFL this year I would not be surprised if that happened.

Here are some of my thoughts on the upcoming games this weekend.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Atlanta Falcons
With the QB situation in Kansas City I don’t know how they can win.  Like any successful NFL team you need consistency.  Matt Ryan is doing a good job in Atlanta so I think they will go 2-1. Pick: Falcons

Oakland Raiders @ Buffalo Bills
Darren McFadden did pretty well for the Raiders last week.  However the Bills have jumped out to be one of the top teams in the AFC (is it too early to say that?)  The Raiders are a few years from being very competitive again.  Once their QB and RB have a few years to mature they will be hard to beat.  Pick: Bills

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Chicago Bears
I can see this game go either way.  But the Buccaneers have not lived up to their hype.  The Bears have a decent running game which should keep them in it and even give them a slight edge.  Pick: Bears

Carolina Panthers @ Minnesota Vikings
Steve Smith should be back for this game.  However the Vikings now have a QB in Gus Frerotte who might actually get the ball to their talented group of receivers.  Pick: Vikings

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
Joey Porter has given the Patriots another reason to kick the living you know what out of them.  It doesn’t matter if it is Cassel or Brady running the ship, the Patriots will win.  Pick: Patriots

Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Giants
What happened to the Bengals who were starting to look like another version of the Colts?  Carlson Palmer is too talented to be losing this much.  But it is not going to get any better anytime soon for them.  Pick:Giants

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans
Kerry Collins can handle this team and many others who might come their way.  The Texans are coming off of a  rough week.  Pick: Titans

Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Redskins

The Cardinals have done well against the 49ers and the Dolphins. Let’s see what they can do against a team that might present some challenge.  Pick: Cardinals

New Orleans Saints @ Denver Broncos
The Saints let me down last week.  Jay Cutler is doing well in Denver – I think he has another win in him. Pick: Broncos

Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers
The Lions are this years version last years Dolphins. Pick: 49ers

St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
This is a tough game to call.  Neither team has done anything that warrants them to be the clear cut winner this week.  I must say that I think the Rams might actually pull out a win. Pick: Rams

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
The Browns need to step it up fast, but they can’t compete with Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense.  Pick: Ravens

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts
Bob Sanders is done for the next four to six weeks which is not good news for the Colts.  He holds the defense together.   This means that  Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew should have a great game.  But Manning will find some way to win, he is too good not too.  Pick: Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles
This one should be a good game. The Steelers’ defense versus the Eagles’ offense will be one of the best match-ups all week. Look for the Steelers to take this one as the Eagles shake off a bit of a Monday Night hangover from their disappointing loss to the Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rogers is better than many people have given him credit for.  He will beat the Cowboys this week – but it might be a different story if they meet in the playoffs.  Pick: Packers

New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers
I can’t see the Jets and Bret Farve losing two in a row – but the Chargers are beginning to find their stride.  I have to go with the home team on this one.  Pick: Chargers

SYRACUSE FOOTBALL

Syracuse will play the fourth non-conference game of the season and the third in a four-game home game.  They will be facing Northeastern at 3:30 p.m. The Orange and the Huskies square off for the first time in history.  This is an important game for the Orange since they are 0-3 this year.  This is also homecoming weekend — let’s pray for a win.

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The NFL Schedule is out, I wish it was the sole thing that plans my fall but it doesn’t.  However, it certainly gets me excited about the fall and the possibilities of another perfect regular season.

Overall, I think the schedule looks pretty good. I like the match-ups that we have.  However, the Pats are on the road alot to the west coast.  A few times it might make more sense for them to stay out west during the week!

Week One: September 7th – vs Kansas City Chiefs 1:00pm (CBS)
Opening Day at home.  This is not the flashiest match-up for a team who played in the Super bowl last year. But the great mind of Herm Edwards (former Jets coach) vs. the genius of Billicheck

Week Two: September 14th – @ New York Jets 4:15pm (CBS)
Always a good game. Perhaps there may be more Jets fans where I am going than Pats fans (But I think Buffalo will be overwhelming) But Mangini and Company are coming to play and wanting to win.

Week Three: September 21st – vs Miami Dolphins 1:00pm (CBS)
This will be the first of two meetings between Bill Parcells new look Dolphins.  We will see if Bill can get them to win more than one game this year.  Not this one I can tell you that.

Week Four: September 28th – BYE WEEK
I don’t think I have seen this early of a Bye week in a long time. Too bad it was not between their travels out west.

Week Five: October 5th – @ San Francisco 49ers 4:15pm (CBS)
First of the four trips to the west coast.   The 49ers might get a look at what could of been if they kept their 7th pick.

Week Six: October 12th @ San Diego Chargers 8:15pm (Sunday Night NBC Game)
I would of thought this might of been the opening weekend game.  A rematch of the AFC Championship game. Should be a good game but this brings back to back West coast games. Will the Patriots just stay out West all week?

Week Seven: October 20th vs. Denver Broncos 8:30pm (Monday Night ESPN Game)
Should be a good game. Denver gives us a run for our money when we play them. After the two trips to the West the Pats I am sure will be happy to be home.  Plus it is a MONDAY NIGHT GAME!!

Week Eight: October 26th vs St Louis Rams 1:00pm (FOX)
Back to back home games– the Rams are doing good things in the off-season. Should be a good game.

Week Nine: November 2nd @ Indianapolis Colts 8:15pm (Sunday Night NBC Game)
The Super Bowl of the regular season every year.  We will see who comes out on top this year.  Just to note: The Colts will also be coming off a prime time game with the Titans the week before.

Week Ten: November 9th vs Buffalo Bills 1:00pm
I hope my church does not kick me out if the Pats beat the Bills- which I think they will.

Week Eleven: November 13 vs New York Jets 8:15pm (Thursday night NFLN Game)
Short week for the Pats.  They will be facing their old foes on a Thursday night.

Week Twelve: November 23 @ Miami Dolphins 1:00pm (CBS)
Going to see the stadium that Parcells build. Well maybe not but we will see how the Dolphins are doing at this point.

Week Thirteen: November 30 vs Pittsburgh Steelers 4:15pm (CBS)
I wonder if this will be a flex game.  It all depends on how Ben’s arm is doing. I am sure it will be tired when they come to our house.

Week Fourteen: December 7 @ Seattle Seahawks 8:15pm (Sunday Night NBC Game)
Sunday night – Prime Time out West — Glad it is not me :

Week Fifteen: December 12 @ Oakland Raiders 4:15pm (CBS)
Once again, do the Patriots stay out West somewhere in between the Seahawks game and this one?  We will see how Russell holds up against our D

Week Sixteen: December 21 vs Arizona Cardinals 1:00pm (FOX)
Back home for another 1:00pm game.

Week Seventeen: December 28 @ Buffalo Bills 1:00pm (CBS)
Closing out the schedule at Buffalo, the Bill showed improvement last year, could they be vying for a playoff spot here?  Will I be able to see them? Who knows?

I am excited for the season.  I think it will be good. Now we will see how things pan out in the draft.  I am looking forward too it.

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Football Hero

“My daughter does not recognize you unless you are half naked.”

This comment may seem inappropriate outside of the context in which it was said.  As many of you know I teach swimming lessons at the local YMCA.  I have been doing it a little over a year.  It has been an opportunity for me to give back to the community, to actually go to the YMCA to work out some during the week, and I get a free membership.    I love the water, I always have so it is a good fit.

Well I saw one of my favorite kids at Wal-Mart yesterday when I was buying my kids Easter basket stuff.  She would not talk to me!! She is four years old and was being shy and I understand that.  I was in a different context, and not in my bathing suit.  Her mom said that she talks about me all the time during the week.  Once she saw me in my car and now every time they see a maroon van she thinks it is me driving.   But she she said the above comment it just seemed weird to think that is actually true to some degree!

We then talked for a moment about my assignment.  I did not really think before about what we were leaving behind.  How much we are going to miss no matter where we moved.  There are a number of things that we have to leave that will be sad in some respect.  I will be leaving my community at the Y – I have really enjoyed teaching the kids and being an important part of that community and it will be sad to say good-bye and that I most likely will never see or hear from these people again.  We will be leaving the community built up at the day care.  All of the wonderful people we have met there, especially the relationships that The Boy has established.  I am thankful that he is young enough that he will be sad at first but he will be able to rebound from it pretty quickly.   And of course we will be leaving the seminary community, but that is one that is obvious and we have been preparing for that.

I have heard about a first call opportunity.  I am really excited about this possibility if it comes through – at least from the website.  I think for my first call it is in a good location- in a nice suburb but close to a city-  actually close to a college town which is even cooler.  Doing the math- if we wanted to go and see my family just for a day that would be possible.  Or if we left on a Friday night we could leave after work and we won’t get there some crazy hour.  So things are very positive right now.

Right now is March Madness.  It is honestly the only time that I get real excited about college sports.  I love the idea of college sports and how the kids (yes I consider college students kids – I am that old) really care about  the sport they are playing and how much heart is put into everything they do.  But I don’t know if it is a time thing or desire or both but I don’t really follow anyone.  I really don’t have a connection with a college so I don’t have any passion.  Being from northern New England, I did not have a big college that I am connected with.  The Boston area college sports were never really that big – the biggest would be UConn and I like to tune into a basketball game every now and again but that’s about it.  Perhaps that will change in the future……

I do fill out a March Madness bracket every year, and by my performance this year (as well as years in the past) you can tell that I don’t really follow college ball.

I am trying to get myself in the frame of mind for the three days….  I must say with everything else going on, and the fact that this is my final year for the rest of my life where I will not be working during the three days, I must say my spiritual connection with this time of the year has taken a backseat.  I hope to go to a Good Friday service in about an hour, and then I am preaching tomorrow night- then Sunday morning I am going to the Sunrise service followed by serving breakfast with my youth group.  Very different from last year.

I want to thank everyone for your warm words and meaningful messages this past week.  It has been a roller coaster for sure, and to hear how much support we have from everyone has been great.  I have to say we are in a really good place right now and we are VERY excited about our future and what God has in store for us. Once I can divulge information  I will.  Keep checking back.

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Developing A Vision For Your Future
By: Brian Tracy

What Only Leaders Can Do
The one quality that all leaders have in common is that they have a clear and exciting vision for the future. This is something that only the leader can do. Only the leader can think about the future and plan for the future each day.

Develop A Clear Vision
Excellent leaders take the time to think through and develop a clear picture of where they want the organization to be in one, three and five years. Leaders have the ability to communicate this vision in such a way that others “buy in” and eventually see the vision as belonging to them.

How to Motivate People
It is the vision of the future possibilities, of what can be, that arouses emotion and motivates people to give of their best. The most powerful vision is always qualitative, aimed at and described in terms of values and mission rather than quantitative, described in terms of money. Of course, money is important, but the decision and commitment to “be the best in the business” is far more exciting.

To encourage others, to instill confidence in them, to help them to perform at their best requires first of all that you lead by example.
Develop amazing self-confidence and be unstoppable in everything you do!
Think of all the things you could do if you enjoyed super levels of self-confidence… your career would be booming, offers would be flying your way, everyone would want to be with you. You would have more opportunities to find that “special someone.”

Be A Great Team Player
A study at Stanford Business School examined the qualities that companies look for in promoting young managers toward senior executive positions, especially the position of Chief Executive Officer. The study concluded that there were two important qualities required for great success in leadership. The first is the ability to put together a team and function as a good team player. Since all work is ultimately done by teams, and the managers’ output is the output of the team, the ability to select team members, set objectives, delegate responsibility and finally, get the job done, was central to success in management.

Keep Your Cool
The second quality required for rapid promotion was found to be the ability to function well under pressure, and especially in a crisis. Keeping your cool in a crisis means to practice patience and self-control under difficult or disappointing circumstances.

Everyone Is Watching
The character and quality of a leader is often demonstrated in these critical moments under fire, when everyone is watching, observing and privately taking notes. As Rudyard Kipling once said, “If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, then the world is yours and all that’s in it”.

Your job as a leader is to have a clear vision of where you want to go and then to keep your cool when things go wrong, as they surely will.

Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, project forward 3-5 years and imagine your ideal future vision. What does it look like? What steps can you take immediately to begin turning your future vision into your current reality?

Second, resolve in advance that, no matter what happens, you will remain calm and cool. You will not become upset or angry. You will take a deep breath and focus on the solution rather than on the problem.

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For the last few weeks I have had a major pain in my lower back. It happens every six months or so. The last time it happened was last november. I remember because it was during the Luther Bowl. I played anyway but I was useless because I was in a lot of pain. I went all out with Physical therapy and basically I was told that I had to wait it out before it got better.

Now it has been two weeks and my back really hurts. I got up this morning and I could barely walk. I finally broke down and I called the doctor and I am going to see them in a little bit. I don’t know what will happen. I will most likely go to the hospital and get xrays. It just makes me fusterated becuase I have plans for the day. I have things that I need to get done but I can’t because I have to go to the doctors now and then perhaps the hospital.

I guess this is a good lesson on self care. I don’t know if it would of made a difference or not if I did this whole thing earlier or if I should not worry about class and choir and all the other things that I need to do today and I should worry about myself.

In other news the Patriots once again beat the Bills yesterday hands down. It was a great game (from what I hear) and I am excited that they are doing so well. They have scored 38 points in their first three games. Brady and Moss have connected on over 100 yards a game. If they keep this up they both will be running for MVP for this season. I know it is too early to tell but I can see it going that way.

An international sting operation broke this weekend called Raw Deal. It has to do with steroids. I guess there are ten countries involved with this operation and it was an undercover operation from the DEA. The main drugs taken in this operation were
Anabolic steroids
• Human growth hormone
• Human chorionic gonadotropin: used to stimulate natural production of testosterone
• Insulin growth factor 1: A protein that enhances muscle growth

There are going to be a lot of names named from this scandel. If I was a professional athlete I would come clean before I was a name on a list. It is better to do this now then to feel the wrath of what will happen once this comes down. The amount of drugs they took was crazy and I am sure this is just the start of it. I guess we will find out later today what happened and who was a part of it.

Keep me in your prayers today for my back. I just pray that it is nothing serious.

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Sorry for all the sports talk for those of you who are not as interested in sports say vs. theology but it is one of my great interests. I think what is happening with Barry Bonds 756 homerun ball is kinda sad. Barry has not been convicted in the court or the senate or wherever it is right now….so why are we trying to tarnish his image? Has he admitted to using steroids? Have the Giants told him that he is no longer allowed to play? Pete Rose was convited of betting on baseball and he was kicked out forever!?!? But not Barry…..do I personally think he used? I am sure he did, but until he is convicted I don’t think that a piece of history (the ball) should be cast aside.

At the top thre is a banner to vote on what should happen with the homerun recording breaking ball. I personally think it should be in Cooperstown, but I guess when you spend shy of $800,000.00 for a ball you can do with what you want.

But my personal opinion is please don’t mess with history, don’t take your personal opinion about Barry Bonds and ruin something special. I think in a few years we may have a new homerun kind (A-Rod perhaps?) but for now charish this special event.

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