Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Merry Christmas,Everybody!!!!
I will likely not post again before Christmas. I want to wish everybody a very Blessed and Merry Christmas. Enjoy your time with friends and family,but most of all,remember the greatest Gift of all,God's Only Son Jesus Christ. Jesus gives true happiness and eternal life to all who receive Him. God bless you.
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Real State Of NASCAR
In recent blog posts, I have been very outspoken in my criticism of NASCAR's practices of recent years and finally had my fill when NASCAR successfully engineered Jimmie Johnson's fifth consecutive championship.
In addition to NASCAR's blatant favoritism of driver Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief,Chad Knaus,there are other factors that I and many other fans are increasingly disgusted with. The Chase is another factor that has given us the train wreck that is NASCAR. NASCAR CEO Brian France wants to expand the Chase to 15 drivers with some sort of "eliminate as you go" scenario,sort of like the playoffs in stick and ball sports. This is the most absurd idea that Mr.France has come up with and that speaks volumes considering the lunacy of his other ideas,including the Chase itself. Mr.France is expected to unveil his folly next month. Apparently,he does not get the message that fans are fed up with the Chase and want it abolished. Either that or Mr.France is in denial. Under the old points system,the same driver would not have won the Cup championship the past five seasons. Eliminating the so called Car Of Tomorrow,or COT,would be another way of bringing back exciting and more competitive racing.
NASCAR claims to be a fan-driven sport and says they are fan-friendly but if they truly listened to the fans,the sport would not be in serious trouble as it is now with declining attendance at races and falling TV ratings. These factors came into play long before the economy tanked. If NASCAR was actually receptive to the fans,they would not show mockery of and contempt toward the fans and not force things on us that we do not want and are obviously not good for the sport. But NASCAR has been overcome by arrogance and condescension toward the fans,undoubtedly contributing to its eventual demise.
Other things that might win back lost fans include returning the Nationwide series to its original purpose,which is preparing up and coming talent for the Cup series. NASCAR should restrict participation by Cup drivers in the Nationwide series. NASCAR should restrict how many Cup drivers can race in a Nationwide race and how many Nationwide races per season a Cup driver can race in. Cup drivers should not be eligible for driver or championship points,only team owner points.
While women and minorities should obviously be allowed to race in NASCAR, affirmative action programs such as the Drive For Diversity are not the way of doing it. Just like their white male counterparts,female and minority drivers should have to earn their positions in races,not have it given to them. NASCAR is exercising the same sort of reverse discrimination that has discriminated against white males in society for many years. Like the Apostle Peter denying the Lord Jesus Christ, Brian France wants NASCAR denying its Southern roots and betraying the working class Southern fans who made the sport popular. Like Judas Iscariot,Brian France has shown himself as a sellout. Not allowing drivers to speak their minds,after drivers Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin were essentially censored by NASCAR earlier this year after merely stating their opinions,has been to NASCAR's detriment. Drivers are no longer allowed to speak from their hearts by NASCAR. Gone are the fist fights of days gone by,such as the Allison brothers/Yarborough brawl at the 1979 Daytona 500. As is evidenced by the decline in race attendance and plummeting TV ratings,political correctness is killing NASCAR.
This brings us to the question,should fans boycott NASCAR? Well,I would say a boycott would send a message but at this point,NASCAR is destroying itself,as is evidenced by declining race attendance and falling TV ratings. A boycott would certainly add to NASCAR's woes. If millions of fans organized a boycott, NASCAR would probably cave,though not necessarily out of devotion to the fans,but as a means of saving themselves from bankruptcy and obliteration. I support whatever works to get NASCAR back to being the exciting,competitive,and all-American sport it originally was. There is still hope for NASCAR, but unfortunately time is running out.
In addition to NASCAR's blatant favoritism of driver Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief,Chad Knaus,there are other factors that I and many other fans are increasingly disgusted with. The Chase is another factor that has given us the train wreck that is NASCAR. NASCAR CEO Brian France wants to expand the Chase to 15 drivers with some sort of "eliminate as you go" scenario,sort of like the playoffs in stick and ball sports. This is the most absurd idea that Mr.France has come up with and that speaks volumes considering the lunacy of his other ideas,including the Chase itself. Mr.France is expected to unveil his folly next month. Apparently,he does not get the message that fans are fed up with the Chase and want it abolished. Either that or Mr.France is in denial. Under the old points system,the same driver would not have won the Cup championship the past five seasons. Eliminating the so called Car Of Tomorrow,or COT,would be another way of bringing back exciting and more competitive racing.
NASCAR claims to be a fan-driven sport and says they are fan-friendly but if they truly listened to the fans,the sport would not be in serious trouble as it is now with declining attendance at races and falling TV ratings. These factors came into play long before the economy tanked. If NASCAR was actually receptive to the fans,they would not show mockery of and contempt toward the fans and not force things on us that we do not want and are obviously not good for the sport. But NASCAR has been overcome by arrogance and condescension toward the fans,undoubtedly contributing to its eventual demise.
Other things that might win back lost fans include returning the Nationwide series to its original purpose,which is preparing up and coming talent for the Cup series. NASCAR should restrict participation by Cup drivers in the Nationwide series. NASCAR should restrict how many Cup drivers can race in a Nationwide race and how many Nationwide races per season a Cup driver can race in. Cup drivers should not be eligible for driver or championship points,only team owner points.
While women and minorities should obviously be allowed to race in NASCAR, affirmative action programs such as the Drive For Diversity are not the way of doing it. Just like their white male counterparts,female and minority drivers should have to earn their positions in races,not have it given to them. NASCAR is exercising the same sort of reverse discrimination that has discriminated against white males in society for many years. Like the Apostle Peter denying the Lord Jesus Christ, Brian France wants NASCAR denying its Southern roots and betraying the working class Southern fans who made the sport popular. Like Judas Iscariot,Brian France has shown himself as a sellout. Not allowing drivers to speak their minds,after drivers Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin were essentially censored by NASCAR earlier this year after merely stating their opinions,has been to NASCAR's detriment. Drivers are no longer allowed to speak from their hearts by NASCAR. Gone are the fist fights of days gone by,such as the Allison brothers/Yarborough brawl at the 1979 Daytona 500. As is evidenced by the decline in race attendance and plummeting TV ratings,political correctness is killing NASCAR.
This brings us to the question,should fans boycott NASCAR? Well,I would say a boycott would send a message but at this point,NASCAR is destroying itself,as is evidenced by declining race attendance and falling TV ratings. A boycott would certainly add to NASCAR's woes. If millions of fans organized a boycott, NASCAR would probably cave,though not necessarily out of devotion to the fans,but as a means of saving themselves from bankruptcy and obliteration. I support whatever works to get NASCAR back to being the exciting,competitive,and all-American sport it originally was. There is still hope for NASCAR, but unfortunately time is running out.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Remembering A Special Man
On July 12, 2010, I lost a very special person in my life. My father passed away. For nine months, since he had a stroke in October, 2009, he had been bedridden and suffered much pain. I am thankful now that his suffering is over. He was a deeply dedicated Christian and knew Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord.
He was born a son of textile workers and grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He wanted to join the Army in World War II but was turned down because of a punctured eardrum. He attended college,where he met my mother. They married soon after graduation. They raised five children,of whom I am number four. My dad was a hard worker and taught us all the value of a dollar. He instilled in us a love of nature,of flowers,trees,birds,and all of God's creation. My dad had a zest for life and had a great sense of humor. He loved his wife,children,and grandchildren. He was very attached with his dog Beau and the feeling was mutual. He was very passionate about such things as gardening and eating.
My father was a very friendly man with a great personality. He never met a stranger. He was everybody's friend and could talk about anything with anybody he met.
I will never forget the lessons he taught me and the times he helped me out. I will always be grateful for those things. His advice was sound and has helped me immensely. One of his favorite sayings is something I live by,that a person who won't be beat can't be beat. Thank you,Daddy. I love you. I miss you very much but at least knowing someday we will be together again.
He was born a son of textile workers and grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He wanted to join the Army in World War II but was turned down because of a punctured eardrum. He attended college,where he met my mother. They married soon after graduation. They raised five children,of whom I am number four. My dad was a hard worker and taught us all the value of a dollar. He instilled in us a love of nature,of flowers,trees,birds,and all of God's creation. My dad had a zest for life and had a great sense of humor. He loved his wife,children,and grandchildren. He was very attached with his dog Beau and the feeling was mutual. He was very passionate about such things as gardening and eating.
My father was a very friendly man with a great personality. He never met a stranger. He was everybody's friend and could talk about anything with anybody he met.
I will never forget the lessons he taught me and the times he helped me out. I will always be grateful for those things. His advice was sound and has helped me immensely. One of his favorite sayings is something I live by,that a person who won't be beat can't be beat. Thank you,Daddy. I love you. I miss you very much but at least knowing someday we will be together again.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Happy Easter
Yesterday was Good Friday,tomorrow is Easter. Let us remember the message of Easter. Jesus gave His life so that we would live. He paid the ultimate price to offer us the free gift of eternal life, which I gladly received many years ago. Though I make mistakes and do things I should not do,I am quick to repent of my sins and ask God's forgiveness and the grace and redemption He offers us through His Son Jesus Christ.
If you have not done so,why not ask Jesus into your heart right now. He gave His life for you and me because He loves us more than we can comprehend and wants eternal life for all who receive Him as Savior and Lord. Pray this simple prayer :
Lord Jesus.
I am a sinner.
I have sinned against You.
I repent of all my sin.
I know You died for my sin and rose from the dead.
You took the penalty I deserve.
I ask You now to come into my heart and live Your life in me.
I will live for You and serve You all the days of my life.
Thank You,Lord Jesus,for hearing my prayer and coming into my heart.
I receive You as Savior and Lord.
Thank You for saving me.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer,God has no memory of your past. He has washed you clean.
"Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord,shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
According to the Holy Scriptures,you are a new creature (or creation) in Christ Jesus. Behold all things are become new.(2 Corinthians 5:17).
God bless you now and always.
If you have not done so,why not ask Jesus into your heart right now. He gave His life for you and me because He loves us more than we can comprehend and wants eternal life for all who receive Him as Savior and Lord. Pray this simple prayer :
Lord Jesus.
I am a sinner.
I have sinned against You.
I repent of all my sin.
I know You died for my sin and rose from the dead.
You took the penalty I deserve.
I ask You now to come into my heart and live Your life in me.
I will live for You and serve You all the days of my life.
Thank You,Lord Jesus,for hearing my prayer and coming into my heart.
I receive You as Savior and Lord.
Thank You for saving me.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer,God has no memory of your past. He has washed you clean.
"Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord,shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
According to the Holy Scriptures,you are a new creature (or creation) in Christ Jesus. Behold all things are become new.(2 Corinthians 5:17).
God bless you now and always.
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