In the end...

I'm very proud of the Tiger's '08-'09 run. I suppose I really can't complain when we get to the Sweet 16 in what was coined very early on in the season as a "rebuilding year." This year turned out to be magical in its own right. This team found their own idenity not dependant on last years success or defined by the last game of last season. They forged their own path. It's an end of an era of sorts because of Dozier and Anderson will graduate. So long to the winningest team in Tiger history. This team will definitely be missed. But of course, there's always next year.... and get ready because NEXT year's going to be a wild ride for sure! As always... Go Tigers!

Memphis in March

I really love Memphis in March. For several reasons… March in Memphis typically marks the arrival of more “spring-like” weather, at which point I decide it is time to polish my toenails and joyfully drag the flip flops out of the closet. With spring comes the sense that things are new again, the Bradford pear and tulip trees all start budding and the tulips and daffodils pop up and hostas reemerge from their winter underground (I would also like to report that my hydrangeas made it through the winter… yea!).

Anyway the point of this post is not the weather or even my gardening but rather probably one of my favorite reasons for my love of March: college basketball. Yes my friends, it is at this time of the year that all the drama that makes up college basketball is out with full force and thankfully the Memphis Tigers are right in the mix for yet another year. Though I love Tiger basketball and the excitement and intensity this team plays with on the court, perhaps one of my favorite things about Memphis basketball is the effect is has on this city off the court. This city rallies together in unity to support this basketball team regardless of race, economic status, age and it is astounding. I love the fact that it is not at all weird to start up a conversation in Starbucks with a total stranger who is proudly donning their favorite U of M apparel about the Tiger’s latest accomplishment. The unity that this team brings Memphis in the month of March is great and it makes me imagine about how fabulous true unity in this city would be if it was under the banner of Christ!

So, this March I have been praying the Lord would be gracious to grant Memphis wider inroads towards true unity under the banner of Christ…. And this would be infinately greater than any National Championship banner the Tiger basketball team could ever bring back to hang from the rafters at the FedEx Forum.

"Never did creature turn his affections towards God, if the heart of God were not first set upon Him.” - John Owen, Communion with God

newest bumper sticker...

I will attempt to not dive too deeply in my political persuasions here on this blog however, I found this to be incredibly funny!

I went to see Slumdog Millionaire last weekend and I loved it. You might have heard some comment that it is a "feel good movie" with a happy ending and on a certain level, this is true. However, personally I had a combination of emotions after viewing the movie. While watching the movie, the same emotions I felt while riding the train through northern India several years ago came flooding back over me. The reality of the extreme poverty in India is utterly devastating and seeing it first hand can break your heart. The main characters in Slumdog Millionaire are well acquainted with this poverty. The saddest part about Indian poverty is that a large portion of it is due to the predominant religion in India. Hinduism continues to suppress a whole class of precious individuals and keep them entrenched in this poverty. Hinduism's claims are a far cry from the gospel of Christ. So this week my heart has yet again been heavy for the millions and millions of Indian people; O that they would see Christ and find him to be Altogether Lovely!

"Oh sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering, and come into his courts!

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!

Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;

he will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the Lord, for he comes,

for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness,

and the peoples in his faithfulness."

-Psalm 96

1 year anniversary

I just have to note that March marks my 1 year anniversary of blogging and it's been a blast! So, thanks to all that follow and comment!