60 civilians said killed in Afghanistan

Is it just me or is anyone else tired of hearing headlines like this one.

60 civilians said killed in Afghanistan

Don't get me wrong I am sad for the loss of any life, American or other. I just want to tell the Iraqi or Afahani "forces"..."QUIT BLOWING YOURSELF UP". I am tired of hearing how the U.S. is causing all the losses of the innocent civilians in suicide bombs. I don't remember hearing about us strapping a bomb to one of our soldiers chests and having him blow himself and several others up.

This probably follows the same line of logic as those who say we brought 9-11 on ourselves. I mean if we'd just allow the Muslims in Jerusalem to have the city to themselves and kick those Jews out, none of this would have been needed. We ought to be nice to these people or they'll blow a plane up in our cities.

For all the people that tell me we ought not be over there. I have yet to hear a realistic way to solve the problem in the middle east. Just like in coaching, it is much easier to critic from the sidelines, than be in the heat of it trying to do what you feel is right.

One blog that I found through Roxy has this article that is done much more elequent than I could ever do check out this blog www.1starfish.blogspot.com

Mom's Blog

My mother has now started a blog if you want to check it out. I am adding it to my links but here is a direct one http://www.blog.katskloset.com/ if you'd like to go there.

Flag Football

Recently some of the guys at Vaughn Park and myself have come up with the idea to try to play flag football in Faulkner's intermural program. Many of us played flag football through college and would like the chance to see just how much slower we have become. Personally I know I am sure to be disapointed when I break into the open, only to be run down by some younger legs. I think we are going to call ourselves the Omega Mu club or "OM" for Old Men if we get the chance to play.


Some of my favorite memories are of playing intermurals at Harding. My club was always one of the better football clubs. Not only memories of glory for my club (although you need to ask Jon about the time I caught and flipped him the ball for a TD in a game, or the "hail mary" I caught to beat a rival club), but many of my memories are of coaching Jamey's club. We only had one or two good players and most of our strategy consited of getting the ball to Jamey in about 20 different ways. She also had a play where she laid into a girl that probably doubled her weight and "decleated" her. Nice, that's my girl.

Can't coach effort

As most of you know who read my blog, I am the defensive coordinator for ACA's football team. There are several things that coaches learn quickly (I learned many my first year at MA). A few of these things are:
1) Players win and lose games
2) You can improve a team, but you cannot make them want to win
3) Sometimes you can play the best possible, and the other team is just better
4) Sometimes you can play bad, and the other team is just worse
And I have now figured out...
YOU CAN'T COACH EFFORT

I have tried this all year. I have taken many different approaches as to how to motivate them, but some boys will play very hard and some will just play hard (if they don't at least play hard, they don't play for me).
This shows with my defense. I have about 7 guys that have bought into what we are trying to do and play with reckless abandon, and about 4 are still not too sure, or just do not understand what real effort is. That is why we can look great for several plays in a row, and then look like we don't have a clue what we are doing. The goal for next year...
Find 11 like Brent Teel.

Moral Questions part III

Few more questions for you to weigh in on.

Does God do miracles and heal?
Yes, God heals everyone who asks in true faith
Yes, occasionally God heals but not necessarily
No, God does not heal and do miracles today
Not Sure

What is the nature of damnation?
Eternal torment, sorrow, and regret
Annhiliation
Not Sure/Other

Is assisted suicide ok?
Never
If the person is going to dye very soon and is in great pain
Yes
Not Sure

I am not sure about some of these. I think God can and does do miracles, but do not know why or how he decides to use them.
I know hell is not a place I want to be. The bible mentions weeping and eternal fire.
I don't think I could assist someone in death, but cannot speak for it since I have never been in that situation.

BCS poll

This is my blog on the BCS. Sometimes I feel you could take the "C" out of it, but this time they are pretty close to correct. Here is the current rankings.



1. Ohio State: They should be #1. They will be #1 all the way to the Michigan game. I can't see them losing to Michigan, so I guess they will be in the BCS Championship game. Hopefully they will play a good team, I can't stand OSU.




2. USC: The most underated team that has only lost a game in 3 years. They are being chosen to lose every week, but still are finding a way to get it done. I think they will run the table in the pac 10. I can't see Cal beating them, but Notre Dame could.

3. Michigan: Finally producing with all that talent, we'll see if they are still unbeaten when they get a shot at THE Ohio State University. I still think they could be upset before the game, and beat OSU to ruin their chances (at least that is what I am hoping for).

4. Auburn: Don't get me wrong here. I don't have a problem with Auburn, but to put them ahead of an undefeated tallented team does not make sense to me. Yes they play in the SEC, and if they'd lost to a very good SEC team that would make sense...They lost to ARKANSAS. Auburn will not lose another game, unfortunately they will still not be in the SEC Championship game, because I think the Hogs beat Tennessee.




5. West Virginia: They are my pick to be the team that gets messed over this year. I hope for their sake, that there is not a 1-loss team playing for the national title. I think they go undefeated and FLA still gets to go.
6. Florida: Good spot for FLA. I might have put them under Lousiville. Although, I think they are better than Auburn, they lost to them, so they should be underneath them in the rankings. Florida will not lose again. And when they beat the Hogs in the SEC Championship they will have a good chance to sneak into the title game.
7. Louisville: Another hopeful team that might go undefeated and not get a chance to play for the national title. I do not see them beating WVU, but if they do, they deserve to at least get a chance to go to the BCS Championship.
8. Notre Dame: Please beat USC. I don't think they can go to the BCS Championship, but they can mess it up for USC. They'll play in the orange bowl again.
9. Texas: Not real impressed with them, but they will finish with one loss this year. Going to the Rose to play the Michigan/OSU loser.
10. Cal: Tennessee might debate this ranking. They will lose again and not be in this spot.

My pick for what it will look like in the end.
1. OSU: I'd like them to lose to Michigan, but cannot see it happening.
2. USC: I don't think Notre Dame beats them at home.
3. FLA: They win the SEC with one loss and a blocked punt keeps them out of the title game.
4. WVU: They go undefeated and hopefully play FLA in an exciting game.
5. Auburn: They do not lose again and get a bowl spot.
6. Texas: Will not lose a game from here on out and will play Michigan is Rose Bowl.
7. Michigan: They may lose two games and still get in the rose bowl.
8. Boise State: I don't see them losing and hope the get invited to a BCS game, so they get killed.
9. Notre Dame: They lose to USC, but still get into a BCS (They now have 5 BCS games).
10. Louisville: Lose a close one to WVU and have to watch a sub-par ACC team take their spot in the BCS series.

Tell me how wrong I am.

Me

Got this from Jamey, thought I'd share it here.

1. FIRST NAME? Kenneth
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Dad's friend
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Not sure, I think watching movie about little girl
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? no
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? honey turkey
6. KIDS? one little girl, Avery
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Think so
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? blog
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? too much
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? no
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? honeycombs
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? no
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? mentally
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM ? cookiedough
16. SHOE SIZE? 11
17. RED OR PINK? blue...if I had to pick red
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Can be insensitive
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my family people in Huntsville
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? yes
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Cargo Khakis and black shoes
22. LAST THING YOU ATE? Finger foods at church
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Class pretending to work
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? BLUE
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Avery after her bath, Jamey's hair
26. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Brother
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO: Legs (go Jamey)
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? yes
29. FAVORITE DRINK? Dr. Pepper
30. FAVORITE SPORT? Football
31. EYE COLOR? green
32. HAT SIZE? 7 1/4
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no
34. FAVORITE FOOD? Mexican food
35. HAPPY OR SAD ENDING? happy
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIES? Facing the Giants
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter
39. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? brownies
41. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don't know
42. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Not sure
43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Bible, Lou Holtz coaching book
44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? no mouse pad
45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Football, Amazing Race
46. FAVORITE SOUND? Avery laughing
47. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? beatles
48. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Europe
49. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Sing
50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? 2/27/80 FLA
51. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Jamey

Top Ten College Games Remaining

With UF going to Auburn this week it got me to thinking of what were the top games left this season. As many of you know I love top ten lists, so here are my top 10 college games left this season. Obviously it does not include championship games or bowl games, these are games that are already scheduled.


10. Tennessee vs Arkansas: This game will determine alot about both teams. If Arkansas can pull the win off I see them as no worse than in first in the West of the SEC. If Tennessee wins they stay in the shadows of FLA in the East and help out Auburn's hopes of playing in the SEC championship.

9. USC vs. Cal: Proabably for the Pac 10 championship. Every team not in the Pac 10 will be pulling for Cal to upset the Trojans and keep them out of the championship game for the 3rd straight year.

8. Nebraska vs. Missouri: Normally the North of the Big 12 is a joke. Not so this year with Nebraska at 5-1 and Missouri at 6-0. The winner here gets their shot at Texas and a BCS bowl game.


7. FLA vs FSU: I know FSU is not looking good. But if FLA manages to get through the rough part of the schedule unscathed, look out for the Noles. This could be FLA's fall game before the SEC championship game.

6. Clemson vs GTech: The winner here is my pick to have a great shot at a BCS. GTech has only one loss (to Notre Dame) and Clemson is as dangerous as anyone in the country right now.

5. Arkansas vs LSU: This game will be huge for the hogs if they want to have a shot at a BCS game. Same for any chances of LSU.

4. Notre Dame vs. USC: This is big for the bowls. If ND wins, pencil them into a big game. If USC wins and takes the Pac 10...sadly I think they go to the BCS regaurdless of what FLA can do.

3. Florida vs Auburn: If FLA wins 2 things happen. 1) Arkansas is in the championship game in the west. 2) FLA will go into FSU undefeated. If Auburn wins, the conference is up for grabs on both sides.

2. West Virginia vs Louisville: The winner of this is in a BCS bowl game, and has a chance to play in the Championship game if things go their way. I like WVU and Louisville against any other team in the country and would love to see one of them win it all.

1. Ohio State vs. Michigan: Talk about huge. This will be for a birth in the Championship game assuming both can do what they need to leading up to this point.

Let me know what you think. My picks:

10. Tennessee
9. USC
8. Nebraska
7. Florida
6. Geogia Tech
5. LSU
4. USC
3. Auburn
2. West Virginia
1. Ohio State

Moral Questions part II

These are some other "moral" questions I found that might provide some interesting discussion. Let me know what you think.

Is it permissible for Christians to drink alcohol?
Yes, as long as it is in moderation
No
Not Sure

Is the death penalty for grave crimes such as murder permissible?
Yes
No
Not Sure

Is premarital sex a sin?
Yes, it is fornication
No, not if the people love each other
No, not at all
Not Sure

Are all people predestined or do people have free will to chose?
God predestines everyone to heaven or hell
God predestines foreknowing what we will choose
It is a paradox, both are true God does not predestine at all
Other
Not Sure

To be honest I am not sure where I stand on questions 1,2 and 4. I would say 3 is wrong.
I would lean towards alcohol being ok in moderation. But not really for me. The best arguement I've heard towards no alchol was by Eddie Cloer at HU. He simply said "why". Why would you want to drink alcohol when we have so many other choices?
I would also lean to saying I am for the death penalty, but do not think I could be the one to enforce it.
The last one is difficult. If God knew we would not choose him, why make us? I still don't even come close to understanding that one...

Growing up

I have recently started noticing Avery as a little girl. For awhile she was a baby, but not is clearly a girl. I noticed this first when she starting drawing me pictures. These of course are colorful scribbles. But are done with a purpose by her.


I then saw Avery play at the park. She would not accept help for things she could do. Including the slide, bridges, and any other area she could go to. She was becoming a little girl.

Yesterday we spent the day at the fair. She enjoyed the shows (which we expected). She loved the sealions. But I was curious to see how she would handle the rides. After easing her into it with the giant slide with mom and teacups. I took her on the Merry-go-round. She enjoyed it so we decided to let her on the bumper boats by herself. Despite the sign that said the child had to be over 1 and 1/2 and over 36 inches (although she is close to that height) we let her ride it. She loved it. She rode it 3 times and was upset everytime she had to get out of the boats. She was by far the youngest kid on the ride, but you wouldn't have known it by looking at her. So we became a little more bold and got her onto another "big kid" ride. Despite being put with other older kids that she did not know, she did very well. I am sure Jamey will blog on this later with pictures so I'll stop there.

Even though she is growing up I will always view her as my little girl.

The "Peaceful" religion

After reading several other blogs about the Muslim religion, I have decided to write my own. Many times we are fed a line that most of these people are very peaceful and there are a few “extremists” that give the religion a bad name. While I would agree that many Muslims (particularly ones that do not live in the Middle East) are peaceful, I would disagree that the religion does not allow for violence. And here are just a few reasons why:

THE KORAN

While there are many other verses that could be put in here, I have chosen just two to share on this blog to attempt to keep it as easy to read as possible.

1. [2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.
2. [4.89] They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.

Here is another story of a Muslim leader:

BBC NEWS
Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri preached that killing non-Muslims was justified even for no reason, the jury at the Old Bailey has heard.
"Killing a Kafir [infidel] for any reason you can say it is OK even if there is no reason for it," he was recorded as saying.
Sudan's militant Muslim regime is slaughtering Christians who refuse to convert to Islam, according to the head of an aid group who recently returned from the African nation.
The forced conversions are just one aspect of the Khartoum government's self-declared jihad on the mostly Christian and animist south, Dennis Bennett, executive director of Seattle-based Servant's Heart told WorldNetDaily.
Villagers in several areas of the northeast Upper Nile region say that when women are captured by government forces they are asked: "Are you Christian or Muslim?"
Women who answer "Muslim" are set free, but typically soldiers gang-rape those who answer "Christian" then cut off their breasts and leave them to die as an example for others.
Backed by Muslim clerics, the National Islamic Front regime in the Arab and Muslim north declared a jihad, or holy war, on the south in 1989. Since 1983, an estimated 2 million people have died from war and related famine. About 4.5 million have become refugees.

ATTITUDE TOWARD CHRISTIANS
From the beginning, Islam drew a distinction between Christians and Jews and other non-Muslims. The former were "people of the book." They had to pay special taxes and wear identifying clothing, yet their status reflected a certain respect for what Muslims saw as the earlier but incomplete and corrupted revelation recorded in the Bible.

This next story I’ll give the a short version:

After the Pope made a remark that Islam can be a violent religion. Many in the Islamic community asked that something be done.

AS SHE LAY dying in a Mogadishu hospital, Sister Leonella forgave her killers. She had lived in Africa for almost four decades and could speak fluent Somali, but her last words were murmured in Italian, her mother tongue. ``Perdono, perdono," she whispered. I forgive, I forgive.
She was 65 and had devoted her life to the care of sick mothers and children. She was on her way to meet three other nuns for lunch on Sunday when two gunmen shot her several times in the back. "Her slaying was not a random attack," the Associated Press reported. It "raised concerns" that she was the latest victim of "growing Islamic radicalism in the country."
Raised concerns? Sister Leonella was gunned down less than two days after a prominent Somali cleric had called on Muslims to kill Pope Benedict XVI for his remarks about Islam in a scholarly lecture last week.
In his lecture, Benedict quoted the late Byzantine emperor Manuel II, who had condemned Islam's militancy with these words: "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
In the ensuing uproar, British Muslims demonstrated outside Westminster Cathedral with signs reading "Pope go to Hell" and "Islam will conquer Rome," while the head of the Society of Muslim Lawyers declared that the pope must be "subject to capital punishment." In Iraq, the radical Mujahideen's Army vowed to "smash the crosses in the house of the dog from Rome" and the Mujahideen Shura Council swore to ``continue our jihad and never stop until God avails us to chop your necks." Arsonists in the West Bank set churches on fire, and a group calling itself ``The Sword of Islam" issued a warning: ``If the pope does not appear on TV and apologize for his comments, we will blow up all of Gaza's churches."
With all this going on many still want to say that the Pope’s actions were wrong and that he prompted the Muslims to react. It is a staggering double standard, and too many in the West seem willing to go along with it. Witness the editorials in US newspapers this week scolding the pope for his speech. Recall the State Department's condemnation of the Danish cartoons last winter.
All of this has led me to feel the need to vent a little about this “peaceful” religion and the tolerance we need to show it. Sorry for the long blog, thanks if you made it this far in reading it.

Big players make big plays

Most of you that read this blog know that I coach football at ACA. We have a very special player on the team this year. His name is Brent Teel. Now, I have coached many good athletes in my career, but this one is different. He is by far the easiest to coach. He gives more effort than any I have coached so far.
This week we were losing a game to Catholic with under a minute left and had 4th and 25 at our own 15 yard line (ladies, that is not a good situation, it would be like shopping at Sears with $5 and needing to buy a formal dress). He caught a pass in the flats and broke (this is a literal number after watching the film) 8 tackles on his way to tying the score at 13 with 48 seconds left. Just to show he wasn't done, he scored the winning touchdown in overtime.
His stats for the game were 229 total yards, all three of our TD's, and 19 tackles. This earned him player of the week for Alabama by the Birmingham news (all classes) and player of week in Montgomery as well.
What makes him a good player is not all this. But the fact that he is the most polite young man you could know (if Avery was a few years older, I might even consider letting him date her).
Great to be around such good young men...

Questions

Was looking for some interesting questions to get some comments and found a link that had several "moral" questions. Here are a few:

Is it a sin to vote for a politician who is pro-choice on abortion?
a. Yes
b. Sometimes, depends on the circumstances
c. No
d. Not sure


Is abortion morally permissible?
a. Yes, it is the woman's choice
b. Only in cases of rape, incest, life of mother, etc
c. Only to save the life of the mother
d. Never permissible
e. Not sure


What is your view of the charismatic movement?
a. It is from God and is the future of the Church
b. It is a good movement, but not for everyone
c. One should be wary, the movement has problems
d. From the devil
e. Not Sure

What are your views on excommunication?

Should a Christian marry a non-Christian?


Well, what do you guys think? These are pretty deep questions. I feel we should vote for the more moral of the choices (regaurdless of party), abortion is at no time permissible, I like the charasmatic movement (as long as truth is being preached, which often is not the case), not totally sure on excommunication (but think there are cases when it needs to be used), and do not think a Christian should marry a non-Christian.

Tell me your opinions.

Sports picks for the week

Picks for the Week

These are the Swami Simpson’s picks for the week in sports. It will be a mix of pro, college, high school and yes junior high sports that I will be watching. Here are the picks.

JUNIOR HIGH

ACA vs. St. James
The Eagles get a chance for revenge. In the earlier loss, the girls held a late lead, but could not finish off the Trojans. With new coach Jamey Simpson, ACA is on the right path…
The pick: ACA in 3 games

ACA vs. MA
That is Montgomery Academy, not Madison. Last week the Eagles allowed an 18-6 lead to go to waste in their 23-25 loss. Not this time.
The pick: ACA in 2 games

County Volleyball tournament
With unbeaten Trinity the current favorite, many are not giving ACA a chance. I feel the girls are peaking at the right time and based on their tough 3 game set with Trinity last week…
ACA wins tournament
Giving Coach Jamey Simpson her 3rd county title in 3 years


HIGH SCHOOL

Madison Academy vs. Elkmont
The Mustangs were upended last week by upstart New Hope. Although Carter Hamric went 2-3 late in the game the Mustangs were too far down to come back. This week they face a much-improved Elkmont team for their homecoming. The game will be closer than expected but the Mustang D is too much for the Devils.
The pick: MA 14 – Elkmont 10

ACA vs. Catholic
The Eagles had their chances last week against the 3-1 Ashford team. One play would have brought home that first win. This week they face a Catholic team with 20 returning Seniors that is looking to avenge several years of frustration against ACA. The Eagles have looked good the past few weeks and hopefully the improvement will turn to a win.
The pick: ACA ? – Catholic ?


COLLEGE

Auburn vs. South Carolina
I like what Stevie has been doing to the Gamecocks. That said, Auburn will win going away…
Auburn 35 – USC 17

Tennessee vs. Memphis
Memphis always plays tough. No wait they’re awful…
TN 34 – Memphis 14

Florida vs. Alabama
It scares me that the Tide will be fired up to play. But UF should too, just remember the thrashing of last year…
UF 35 – Alabama 20

Notre Dame vs. Purdue
I am a true Notre Dame hater. This pick is more hope than what I really think will happen…
Purdue 35 – Notre Dame 34

Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech
A close game should be expected. I am not impressed with Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech’s only loss was a close one to Notre Dame…
GT 24 – VT 17

Ohio State vs. Iowa
This is the last chance until Michigan for OSU to lose. They won’t…
OSU 28 – Iowa 20


PRO FOOTBALL

Miami vs. Houston
I am not impressed with the Dolphins at all. Good for us the Titans are worse. The game will be close, but…
Miami 17 – Houston 13

Kansas City vs. San Francisco
KC is due a win for Jon…
KC 28 – SF 24

San Diego vs. Baltimore
This is the game of the week. San Diego is the real deal, while I think Baltimore has won some games against weaker opponents…
SD 28 – Baltimore 21

New England vs. Cincinnati
The Patriots need a win in a bad way. Fortunately, for me and other Dolphin fans they won’t get it this week…
Cin 31 – NE 21

Seattle vs. Chicago
Another match-up that should be fun to watch. Seattle has a great offense, but I think Chicago will hold them in check for much of the game. And as a defensive coordinator I believe that D wins championships…
CHI 17 – Seattle 14

Well there you go sports fans. Tell me what you think.

Top Christian Groups

I love Christian music. Ask Jamey, I own every wow that has been put out and will ask for Wow 2007 this year for Christmas. I love older artists, I love the newer artists. Here are my top 10 favorite. And my bottom groups.

10. Salvador: Not a very well known group. But I heard a few of their songs on WOW and bought a CD. I love almost every song.

9. Acappella and AVB: This shows my church of Christ roots. I grew up with these groups and still enjoy their music. Unfortunately I have lost many of my CD’s/Tapes of these two groups. So if anyone has a copy I’d like to copy it (I’ll pay for any expenses, you can’t even buy many of the albums anymore).

8. David Crowder: Very good music. Great to worship with in the car. Has a very distinct voice that is really not my favorite, but I love his passion and lyrics. I think he will also move up the more music he puts out.

7. Mercy Me: Love their albums. I will move them up as they stay around. They have a cross over hit with “I can only imagine”, but have many more songs that are just as good if not better. The lead singer has a very distinctive voice that I enjoy. Their lyrics are very deep as well.

6. Jars of Clay: The song “worlds apart” is an all-time favorite of mine. But “Flood” is another that topped the charts for awhile. Also have many others. The newer albums are decent, but not like those first ones.

5. Jeremy Camp: A newer artist. I don’t even own a CD of his, but love his music on the Christian radio.

4. Michael W. Smith: The legend. He has been there from the beginning. From “Go west young man” to his newest albums he has songs that will be forever remembered. I prefer his worship albums, but many of his older ones are also very good. “Friends” will always be a big hit in the Simpson family.

3. DC Talk: Many top albums. I personally love all from the old school raps to the newer alternative style. Their lyrics have inspired me since I was young.

2. Third Day: This group has burst onto the scene in the last 5 years (for me). I own many of their earlier albums and love their live stuff. Mac Powell (I think that is the name of the lead) has a great voice. I love the message of many of the hits, but the band is very skilled as well.

1. Steven Curtis Chapman: My all-time favorite. I own about every album he has put out. Have listened to him since he first got started and continue to buy his albums. His recent releases continue to inspire. I love his voice, but more importantly his message. BTW: Has any song been played in weddings more than “I will be here”.


THE BOTTOM FIVE
5. Petra: Christian rock is hard enough to get behind. Christian 80’s rock is way harder. This is like listening to the big bands of the 80’s singing Christian music.

4. Geoff Moore: Has good lyrics and is probably a really good guy. His music is just awful. “Homerun” is terrible.

3. Amy Grant: Had two or three good songs. “Baby, baby” is not one of them. Her personal life puts her here. (Others that were good, but had personal issues: Michael English). Not saying she cannot be forgiven, it just makes it hard for me to buy her Cd’s.

2. 4 Him: The backstreet boys of Christian music. Had one good song on a Wow CD awhile back, but the rest was awful.

1. Point of Grace: They have about as much depth as a Frisbee in their music. And the all girl group is not even that good of singers.

Top Ten Christian Movies

Next List. This time the top 10 Christian Movies. The criteria is that I have to have seen the movie.

10. Martin Luther: The 1950's version.

9. Prince of Egypt: Has a few "movie liberties" taken. But is a very well done movie.

8. Jonah: Veggietales special.

7. Luther: Very good movie about the Reformation.

6. The Ten Commandments: Oldie but a goodie.

5. Ben-Hur: Not completely on Christianity, but has several good scenes and gives context.

4. JESUS: Another portrayal of the life of Christ.

3. The Chronicals of Narnia: The books are better than the movie. But its points are very clear.

2. Gospel of John: Very well done version taken directly from the book of John.

1. The Passion of the Christ: Very intense movie that is a must see at least once, and probably should be seen more than that, for Christians.


Tell me which I missed.

Survivor/Amazing Race

Any comments on the two reality shows?

Survivor: Thought it got off to a good start.
My early pick: the buff guy in the Asian tribe.
Favorites: Cao Boy is hillarious so far. The guy on exile island.
Strongest Tribes: The Asian and Hispanic tribes are looking very strong.
Biggest mistake: Voting off one of the two males the African tribe had. Not good for physical challenges.
Soon to be gone: Hate to say it but not looking good for Kao Boi (however you spell it)

Amazing Race: How many different types of people can they have. I don't think I saw a "normal" white couple on the show.
Early pick: Daughter and Dad.
Soon to be gone: Cheerleaders, Beauty queens (I still can't tell them apart yet)
Who I am cheering for: The Rednecks from Kentucky and the Birmingham girls.

My Reality Show

On the last post I talked about several of my favorite reality shows, but I think the up-n-downs of my weekend were right there with them.
Thursday Night: Jamey's girls get their first win in the 3rd game. UP

Friday Night: We get beat again in football: DOWN

Saturday: Gators beat a tough Vols team: UP

Sunday: Dolphins get thrashed, Marlins choke away a gimme win: DOWN

We did have some of our good friends stay the weekend with us. Dawn and Chris Howell were at our house while they move in to their house. That was a good part as well.

Top Ten Reality Shows

The last post got me thinking. Here is a look at my top ten reality tv shows of all time (which is really just the last 6 years or so).

Top 10 Reality TV shows

10. America’s got talent: A rip-off of American Idol, but at least it got us through the summer. And you have to love the baywatch guy attempt to be serious.

9. Dancing with the stars: Not one of my favorites but it seemed everyone else got into this. My suggestion: get real stars.

8. The Bachelor: Good shows. The first few that were original were the best. From then it got hokey (ie: the bachelorette).

7. Joe Millionaire: Great show. The premise was that this guy was filthy rich (when in reality he made like $18,000 a year. The girls fall for him and when he picks a girl he had to tell her he was not rich. Great ending.

6. Nashville star: May actually have more talent than the more popular American Idol (Bucky would not have even made this show). I like how they have to be able to play an instrument.

5. The Apprentice: I never really got into this one. But the “your fired” has taken off.

4. Trading Spaces: Jamey’s favorite show. Everyone knows the idea, go over to neighbors house and fix up a room with a designer to help.

3. Amazing Race: One of the few I would actually like to be on. Jamey and I would tear it up. Love watching the different personalities come out. Cheered on the Hippies last year to victory (although the frat boys were hilarious and probably should have won).

2. American Idol: Don’t know if it is a reality show, or talent show. But it has the highest ratings and keeps Fox in business. Almost anyone under 40 in the U.S. at least has an idea of what is going on. From the awful singers in the beginning, to the ones that hang on too long (Chicken Little), to the great singers in the end it is a great show.

1. Survivor: It is my favorite and had the highest ratings for a long time. Looking forward to the new ones every year.


Not quite there:

Big Brother: A little too much of nothing for me

The MTV shows: Road Rules and Real World and Pimp My Ride

2-a-days (can’t stand Hoover High)

Contender: Was my number 11. I think the show is a good one, but its more a competition than reality show

American Inventor: Did the football guy win?

Supernanny: Hard for me to watch all those bratty kids.

Top Chef: For my father who loves the food shows.


Tell me which should be higher than others, or not at all on the list…

Survivor

I am a huge survivor fan. Jamey and I have watched the show since we were in college and enjoy are time to cheer on someone we don’t even know who will quickly become like someone we know. I love the fact that it does have twists and turns and the show seems to make sure something new will be on. Most of America loves it too, because when you google survivor you get 92 Million results.
This year survivor has decided to “spice up” the show by dividing the tribes. This has been done before by men-women, and age. Now the show has decided to make it divided on race. This to me opens the door for a lot of problems. I will watch because I am curious to see what happens, but am a little upset that the show has decided to go in this direction.
Since I live in the south, race is always an issue, even when it’s not supposed to be anymore in the modern times we live in. As I am sure most of you would agree who live in Alabama. Is the show taking on the issue, and I am wanting to simply avoid it? Or is the show wanting to add to its ratings no matter the cost? Either way I will watch to see what happens…