It's A 'We' Thing...

So they did it...the Atlanta Falcons won their first game today! Based on the responses from my first poll, I see they're already 1/3 of the way to their season total.

All teasing aside, it was great to see them win one…and not just pull one out, but win one! It seemed they had just about all aspects of their game together--offense, defense, and special teams. Not even the ghosts of 2 former quarterbacks and all the other hoopla of this early season could tarnish the sweetness of victory.

As humans, we enjoy games, sports, and such. Perhaps it's competition, pride, or simply the nature of play, but we enjoy games. And for those like me--who with the exception of a church softball game--are relegated to observers, there's just something about identifying with a team during the big game or after an exciting victory. Though it was the athletes who made the plays, we all share in the excitement of the event.

When I refer to my teams (Bulldawgs, Braves, Falcons, & Thrashers), I typically do so with the "We" moniker. Sure, I did nothing in the game, but I get so wrapped up in 'fandom' that I feel as though I'm part of the team. After all, with the time, energy, and money I invest in the teams, I am part of it.

We all want to belong to something bigger than ourselves. That's another big part of human nature. We all want to know that we make a difference; that we matter and what we do matters. The truth is we do matter. You matter to God. And when you're on His team, you BELONG!

So may you be blessed today with the notion that you belong; may you know that you can make a difference to God and those you love. And in the end, you'll realize we all share in the sweetness of victory in God's amazing love!

Beginnings

This is my first blog. 'Bout time, I suppose. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while, but simply didn't take the time/effort to begin working on it. So many new things are happening now, though, I figured it's time to get off the schnide and venture into a new frontier!

Speaking of new things, I find this time of year quite interesting when the networks traipse out their new programming for the fall. It's a time to catch up on favorite shows from last year and get hooked on new ones. It's also a time to break some tired habits and make the difficult decision to part ways with shows that no longer tickle my fancy.

And then there's the always aggravating and inevitable reality that a favorite show got cancelled due to lack of interest. For example, FX had a show out a couple years back called "Over There" about a company of soldiers in the current Iraq War. It was raw, violent, and best I can tell, realistic. That was it's appeal as well as its downfall. Apparently people didn't feel comfortable watching a show about a controversial war currently being fought. Regardless how you feel about the war, I thought it was a good show that met a premature and unfortunate ending.

Life is full of these kinds of endings. Almost a month ago my beloved uncle (and undisputed patriarch of my dad's side of the family) passed suddenly when he fell out of his boat and drowned while fishing. Our family was caught off guard to say the least and left to wonder how this could happen to him and us. He literally lived his life on that lake and fished every single day. He logged more hours on that boat than I have on this earth and for him to meet his maker in such a way is as confounding as just about anything can be.

My Uncle Billy was a man of great faith. Because of this, I know that his tragic death is not the end. Jesus said that he makes all things new and because of the gift of his own life for you and me, we can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is hope for tomorrow even when it seems all is lost.

The proof of this came just last weekend as our family gathered for the first time since his funeral for a couple birthday parties--my mom's 60th and my grandmother's 86th. Though his absence was significant, our family got together with a piñata, quesadillas, candy and cake. We played and celebrated the life that we share, knowing that it's always darkest before the dawn and there's more hope in love and togetherness than there is hopelessness in grief!

I am sure that as a new fall TV lineup begins I will grow attached to a story line and group of characters that won't last forever. But alas, nothing ever does. For every "Over There" that comes and goes in the blink of an eye, there is a "Friends", "Seinfeld", and even "The Simpsons". All things come to an end, but are able to love and celebrate the times that we have.

Take this day to make a new beginning; for yourself, your friends, your family, and whoever else that deserves your best. And if you are stuck in the premature and unfortunate loss of something dear to you, be comforted by the words of our Lord..."Behold, I make all things new."