the green fields beyond

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Location: Charles City, Virginia, United States

Sunday, September 30, 2007

The Blind Side


Saturday afternoons in my childhood often found the family seated around the TV, watching college football. When the game was exciting, it was lots of fun; if the action was slow, then at least the crowd's chatter and the droning commentators provided good background noise for a nap.
Like a lot of people who enjoy watching college ball, I thought I understood what was happening on the field, and usually focused my attention on the quarterback, the wide receiver, or whoever seemed to have the football at the time. I thought that's where the crucial action was.
I was wrong.

I know that many readers of this blog aren't big football fans. Some of you (I'm looking in your direction, Ros) may even disdain it as a strange and brutal American curiosity. But I'm going to recommend Michael Lewis's book The Blind Side to all of you, anyway. The Blind Side is the true story of Michael Oher, a poor, shockingly neglected young black man from Memphis whose bleak life was transformed by three things: first, the fact that he was gifted with amazing speed, strength, and size; second, the rich white family who gave him a home, a change of high schools, and lots of love; and third, a strange evolution in football strategy that created an intense demand (first in the pros, then in college and high school) for people like Michael to protect quarterbacks from getting smashed from behind (the quarterback's fatal "blind side," usually on his left, provides the book's title).
The story is incredible enough, and would probably make a terrific movie. But Lewis's fine writing takes it to surprising places, dealing sensitively with race, religion, class, money, and more. He explains football tactics and strategy in ways that novices can understand. The book features many quotable passages (my longsuffering wife has put up with me, all weekend, saying "hon, let me read you this page..."). Here's one, describing the game that became a duel between professional quarterback Joe Theismann and his nemesis, the quarterback-assassin Lawrence Taylor. The key play began three seconds ago:

"Four Mississippi: Taylor is coming. From the snap of the ball Theismann has lost sight of him. He doesn't see Taylor carving a wide circle behind his back; he doesn't see Taylor outrun his blocker upfield and then turn back down; and he doesn't see the blocker diving, frantically, at Taylor's ankles. He doesn't see Taylor leap, with both arms over his head, and fill the sky behind him. Theismann prides himself on his ability to stand in the pocket [the sheltered space created by his blockers] and disregard his fear. He thinks this quality is a prerequisite in a successful NFL quarterback...Theisman has played in 163 straight games, a record for the Washington Redskins. He's led his team to two Super Bowls, and won one. He's thirty-six years old. He's certain he still has a few good years left in him. He's wrong. He has less than half a second."

Okay, so that wasn't one of the hilarious parts, of which there are several. But it was good. Anyway, go check out the book; I don't think you'll be disappointed.


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Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Um, Thank You?

'Fess up, O kind person who sent us a lovely floral bouquet, via F.T.D, to congratulate us on our ordination! We want to thank you, but either you were too shy to sign your name or F.T.D. left it off of your note.
If you don't like admitting on my blog to being a flower-sender (and really, who could blame you?), then email me at justinmoore79 AT gmail DOT com.

UPDATE: Mel's brother Matt has confessed to being the flower-sender. He couldn't make it to the ordination service; he had some lame excuse about having to help sick people, 7000 miles away, and that the Army would put him in jail if he tried to leave.
Seriously, thanks, Matt!


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Sunday, September 02, 2007

What we're getting ourselves into...

For those of you who are interested, here are the ordination vows that my wife Mel and I will be taking, when we are ordained as ministers at Peace Hill Christian Fellowship next Sunday. At the bottom are promises that the congregation will be making. This list is based on the Presbyterian ordination service, with some modifications.

Charge to the Ordained:

1. Do you believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the living word of God and that they are the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and will you, by God’s grace, faithfully apply the Scriptures to teach, correct, rebuke and train God’s people in righteousness?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE WILL”.

2. Do you promise to listen with humility to the concerns and counsel of your brothers and sisters in Christ, and will you make the work of Christ and his church your mission? Will you make decisions about the ministry and mission of the church in like-minded agreement with the other leaders of the church?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.

3. Have you been called, as far as you know in your own heart, to seek and take up the office of the ministry out of a love for God and a sincere desire to promote his glory through the Gospel?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE HAVE”.

4. Do you promise to be zealous and faithful, holding on to the truths of the Gospel? Will you promise to faithfully work towards the purity, peace and unity of the church, whatever difficulties may come on that account?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.

5. Will you, by God’s grace, be faithful, careful and persistent in the exercise of all private and personal duties which become you as a Christian and a minister of the Gospel, as well as in all the duties of your office, honoring the profession of the Gospel by your life and setting an example of godliness for the congregation over which God shall make you overseer?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE WILL”.

6. Do you, as sinners under the grace of God, confess your dependence on the grace and mercy of God to carry out this office? And do you promise, as those prone to human weakness and error, to be mindful both to receive the Word with humility as those under the grace of Jesus, and to minister the Word with a gentle and humble spirit?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.

7. Are you, at this time, willing to take the charge of this congregation and do you promise to discharge the duties of a pastor to them as God shall give you strength?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE ARE”.


Charge to the Congregation:
1. Are you, the people of this congregation, ready to receive ____________, whom you have called to be your ministers?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE ARE”.

2. Do you promise to receive the word of truth from them, listen to their counsel with meekness, love and submit to them in the proper exercise of church discipline for your souls’ health?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.

3. Do you promise to encourage these ministers in their difficult work, to obey them as leaders of the church, and submit to their authority as they keep watch over you? Will you seek to obey them and to make their work among you a joy and not a burden?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE WILL”.

4. Do you promise to continue to support them financially and care for their physical needs? And do you promise to continue to them, while they are your pastors, that care and support which you have promised, and whatever else you may see as needful to honor your love and care for them, and for their comfort among you?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.


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