January 15, 2013

1. E-cigs, anyone? I read this week in Time that electronic cigarettes are projected to generate $1 billion in sales this year. Targeting smokers who desire to quit, an E-cig works by using a sensor, microprocessor, battery, LED, heater, and nicotine cartridge to "atomize the cartridge’s liquid and produce a nicotine vapor." Wow! That is a sci-fi concept that even The Jetsons missed. So effective is the product, more and more smokers are dropping cigarettes and smoking E-cigs–without any intention to stop. Some marketers are forecasting a commercial success similar to the energy drink explosion. Still, I’ll pass on investing.

2. If you like business, can I recommend a book to you? I am not a Ted Turner fan, and I never have been. However, I found an unabridged audio version of his autobiography Call My Ted…

and loved it! It’s the story of his risk taking, adventurous, and visionary life. (Historian Harold 

Evans called Turner one of the most important innovators in American history.) What 

fascinated me was the fact that Turner spent the first 20 years of his adult life borrowing 

money for his new business endeavors. Every time his ideas came close to paying off, 

he would have a new vision, borrow more money, a place himself on the precipice of disaster. Finally, in the 90s when CNN and his other networks became financial and critical successes, 

he began to slow down. A few years later, he found deep disappointment in his merger with 

Time Warner and AOL. Turner reads the book himself, which lends itself to humor and 

authenticity. He also has associates, friends, and even enemies share stories along the way. 

Find yourself a copy of this book, and listen or read it.

3. I was saddened to read that two deaf brothers, living in Belgium, asked to be euthanized after discovering they were gradually growing blind. The brothers were only 45, yet doctors complied with their wish. Here is a link: http://news.yahoo.com/deaf-twins-going-blind-euthanized-165500992--abc-news-topstories.html;_ylt=ArESHGDvd538mN4GMaQDZW7yWed_;_ylu=X3oDMTUwYXZzYWZlBGNjb2RlA2N0LmMEbWl0A0FydGljbGUgTW9zdCBQb3B1bGFyBHBrZwMzNGRkMzA5Ni1jNjc1LTM0ZTgtYWRkZS1kN2IyOWQ1Y2Q3MDEEcG9zAzMEc2VjA01lZGlhQkxpc3RNaXhlZE1vc3RQb3B1bGFyQ0FUZW1wBHZlcgNkNzFiYmJjMy01ZTgwLTExZTItYmNmZi03MjRkYmRlNjBkNmQ-;_ylg=X3oDMTJ0ZDJucHEyBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDNDZmY2VhNTQtZTFhMC0zYTQ3LTgwZGMtMGIzNjI5ZjdkMzA5BHBzdGNhdAN3b3JsZHxhc2lhBHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQ--;_ylv=3

4. I was also saddened to read that ESPN veteran Stuart Scott’s cancer has returned. My prayers have gone out for him.

5. RG3, Russell Wilson, and Colin Kaepernick are living the life Tim Tebow dreamed of. Unfortunately for Tim, they all throw better than he does. I hope he takes solace knowing he helped pave the way for their success. We are seeing what experts said would never happen—pro offenses in the NFL dominated by running quarterbacks who can throw well. A new era in pro football has arrived.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this title.

April 17, 2012

1. TIME magazine had a fantastic cover story in this week's issue. It is called “The Worlds Most Exclusive Club” and is taken from a new book written by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy called THE PRESIDENTS CLUB.

            The article highlighted several fascinating insights into the relationship of the current president and the ex-presidents. Two of the highlights for me are: 1) President Clinton and the Bush family have not only overcome the bitterness of the 1992 presidential election, they have grown so close that Clinton has vacationed with George H. W. Bush, raised money with George W. Bush, escorted Barbara Bush at the funeral of Betty Ford, and received the nickname from the Bush family “Brother from Another Mother”, and 2) President Clinton would often call President Nixon late at night to consult with him about foreign-policy matters and other presidential issues. Nixon sent Clinton a letter shortly before he died in 1994. The letter assisted Clinton so much that he makes it a practice to read the letter every year.

2. I agree with many I've heard on talk radio, who wonder why in the world New York fans booed Tim Tebow the other night at a New York Yankee ballgame. As “Mike and Mike” said yesterday morning, why take your time booing somebody who is building hospitals for orphans and auctions off opportunities to spend the day with him as he ministers to children in children's hospitals–with the hundreds of thousands of dollars raised going to charity.

3. I still don't know where we are going to get all of the money to pay for what the federal government spends in a year.

4. Mark Bergin wrote last week of an incredible plan by Oklahoma State University that backfired. The board opted to purchase life insurance policies on 27 elderly boosters back in 2007. Each policy was valued at $10 million. Two years later, there was a problem. None of the boosters had died. During that time, OSU had paid out over $32 million in premiums. In 2009, OSU canceled the policies and sought litigation to recover a portion of the money they had paid in premiums. Not only did they lose in court, the judge ruled that OSU had to pay the insurance company for the cost of litigation.

5. Charles Colson is recovering after falling ill at a conference and undergoing surgery a few weeks ago. The founder of Prison Fellowship had surgery on March 31 to remove a clot of blood from the surface of his brain after he had an intracerebral hemorrhage. Colson has shown some encouraging signs. I’m praying for you, Chuck Colson.

           

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this blog's title.

March 27, 2012

1. How could I not help but appreciate OCTOBER BABY. It was professionally done. The acting was high quality. The cinematography was excellent.

            If you have not heard, the main character is a young woman, who discovers that she was adopted—after her birth mother tried to abort her. Without giving away too much on the plot, the film offers struggle, realistic outcomes (not all is “happily ever after”), pain, redemption, and forgiveness.

            I appreciate the way young woman’s friends and loved ones desired to help her get to the place she needed to be. However, you sometimes have to let a person go and hope she will get there herself. People need time to process. That is real life.

            I don’t know if OCTOBER BABY is playing in a theater near you. If so, I encourage you to go.

2. I heard on a secular radio station this morning that since the year 2000, all churches in the United States have shrunk in number. This comes as no surprise. I was surprised to learn that the amount of mosques built in the United States since the year 2000 have doubled.

            Now, it is tempting to say something snarky and funny here, or to be sarcastic and ironic. I am going to take the high road, which makes what I am thinking even more difficult to contemplate.

            I wonder to what extent the growth of Islam in the United States is due to an unspoken recognition that since 9/11, those of the Islamic faith have taken a risk to be part of that religion. Muslims have been particularly marginalized in the U.S. since September 2001. The fact that they're willing to risk pain and suffering, and allow themselves to be placed in the margin, has impressed a sufficient amount of people to encourage their religion to grow here.

            I wonder how many of us in the Christian faith are willing to experience this as well. It might be fewer than I would hope. This might explain why rather than growing, all churches are shrinking in numbers.

            Humans, including we Christians, want to experience the good life. Many say that Christianity is headed for persecution in the U. S. I don’t want that, but could be this will be the only way the Kingdom will grow.

3. I love it that Roger Goodell was so tough on the New Orleans Saints. He had to be. I consider this to be the equivalent of Judge Landis' banishing from baseball nine members of the Chicago “Black” Socks, who threw the 1919 World Series.

            I also recall reading about NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle’s suspension of Paul Horning and Alex Karras from the National Football League for the entire 1962 season. In both of those cases, much good was done in curtailing gambling.

            I think the same will be the case with regard to offering bounties to players for putting their opponents out of football games. Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis, and defensive coordinator Greg Williams were guilty of making a grave mistake.

            Hindsight is always 20/20, but I remember watching the 2010 NFC championship game between Minnesota and New Orleans and having the distinct feeling that New Orleans was playing dirty with Brett Favre.

            I blame Williams most for this scandal. I would not have considered Goodell to have been out of line if he had suspended Williams for life. Having said all of this, I do appreciate the way Sean Payton has responded to the suspension so far.

4. The Denver Broncos are wise to sign Peyton Manning. I am not so sure that Peyton Manning selected the best team for his talents; indeed, I think San Francisco is clearly the better team. I sense that Manning intuitively realized that he is a better fit with a weaker team and a defensive minded head coach, then a stronger team and an offensive minded head coach. John Fox will leave Manning alone.  Manning will have much more input, much less friction, and much more chemistry with the Broncos. Kudos to Manning.

   As one who is fascinated by Tim Tebow, I must admit I'm looking forward to his season with the New York Jets. I think he handled his press conference extremely well yesterday. He showed the proper amount of humility, kindness, and competitive spirit. In no way did he come across as calculating or lacking integrity. I wish him the very best in New York. I heard this morning on the radio that not only is he one of the most marketable athletes in America, he is one of the most marketable people in America. Only Oprah, Princes Kate, and Adele pass him in marketability. Amazing.

5. I am happy to see the Baylor Bear girls go to the Final Four. I was disappointed slightly to see the Boys team lose so badly to Kentucky. Still, Kentucky may very well win it all and it is no disgrace to lose to such a fine collection of athletes. I am picking Baylor to win the girls tournament. In the men's Final Four, I pick Louisville in an upset over Kentucky, and Ohio State to triumph over Kansas. By this time next week, Louisville will be the National Champions.

 (With a nod to Peter King for this idea)

1. I was sad to see that former Monkey Davy Jones died suddenly last week. I grew up watching (periodically) TV episodes of THE MONKEYS. I always enjoyed their music more. Compared to other rock bands, there always seemed to be a sweetness and an innocence to the group.

            Quite possibly, Davy Jones’ status as an icon will remain because of the famous BRADY BUNCH episode, in which he appeared, where Marcia Brady (Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!) asked him to her prom.

            I read last week that was the most downloaded TV episode in history.

2. I remember watching the New Orleans Saints’ defense savage Brett Favre in the NFC championship game two years ago. I could not help but think they were coached to play dirty. Now, I know they were. I would love to see former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams suspended for and entire season. There is no place for bounties in the NFL.

3. More on the Josh Hamilton situation. I consider Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, and Sam Bradford to be tremendous role models. But I still think Josh Hamilton is one as well.

            It is a hard thing to get through life without making a mistake. It is a hard thing to get through life without making several mistakes. It is a hard thing to get through life without making some major mistakes.

            What I appreciate about Josh Hamilton is: when he makes a mistake, he steps up and confesses it. He does not try to cover it up, and he tries to live out the fruit of repentance.

           Our society seems to have an ability to forgive those who come clean on their mistakes and sins. And that is a good thing.

4. Watching all of the recent brouhaha about government spending makes me wonder if the national divide is so great, our only hope is for the federal government to not fund—anything. 

            Okay, that’s probably not realistic. Still, no one likes the way the money is being spent. You have liberal versus conservative; religious versus secular… the divide grows wider. Moreover, what are the spiritual considerations for federal spending? What are the moral underpinnings?

            I hate to write this. Everybody has something he likes when it comes to federal government spending, and everybody has something he despises.

            I like national parks, federal highways (interstates), etc. as much as anybody. I thrilled watching humans walk on the moon, but what we are doing is clearly not working. Meanwhile, our nation sinks deeper and deeper into debt.

            There is an old saying—all politics is local. Perhaps the more local the spending—the better.

5. Friday afternoon, six freshman Harding students left their Searcy campus in two vehicles to spend Spring Break in Ft. Worth. About 6:30 that evening, they were involved in a chain reaction wreck on I 30 outside of Hooks, Texas.

            Five of the students were treated and released from a local hospital. Ty Osman was hurt critically. While checking on a lady in another vehicle, he was attempting to get back into his pickup when someone hit it. Ty was thrown several feet in the air before landing.

            He was airlifted to Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview, Texas. He never regained consciousness, dying early Sunday morning.

            My daughter Haleigh, a Harding student, was acquainted with these students and left approximately the same time they did. She took a different route after reaching Texarkana. Still, this hits so close to home.

            During this tragedy, I frankly did not find myself asking the question—why? Rather, considering the millions of students who travel in our country during spring break, and allowing for the millions of variables involved, I frankly began to wonder why tragedies such as this do not occur more often. I am thankful they do not.

            My heart has been aching for Ty’s family. Yet, I know they have been strengthened by the knowledge that Ty was a faithful disciple of Jesus. Surely that understanding brings great solace.

            Please pray for Ty’s family and for his friends.