There have been a few things rolling around in my head lately that I thought I would throw out there for thinking and comment.
1) The state of NC has asked public schools to give back $58 million because of statewide budget shortfalls. As I watched a news story about cuts that schools are having to make because of this demand from the state, the next 2 commercials that came on immediately after the story were commercials for the NC "Education" Lottery. Some people oppose the lottery for religious reasons, some because they think it basically amounts to a tax on the poor. For me, the issue is that NC sold a lottery to the citizens in that this would benefit schools. They were helping schools by buying lottery tickets. However, anyone who was paying attention at the time could see that there were some pretty tight restrictions on how that money could be used. It is great that schools have been able to use money to build new classrooms. Too bad that the state is taking back the money that could be used to pay teachers for those new classrooms.
2) Would people please stop saying that Texas deserves to be in the national title game because they beat Oklahoma? If you are going to make that argument, then you have to say that Texas Tech has to be there because they beat Texas. Then you have to say that Oklahoma has to be there because they beat Texas Tech ... I know some folks say that the fact that Texas Tech got blown out by Oklahoma disqualifies them from having a place in this argument. Sorry, don't buy it. Texas Tech played 1 bad game. Anybody who watched the Texas-Texas Tech game could say the same for Texas. Anybody who watched the 2nd half of Texas-Oklahoma could say the same for Oklahoma. In other words, I am going to watch my Richmond Spiders play in the national semifinals Saturday against Northern Iowa and wonder why it is that the big boys of college football can't figure out that a playoff system makes sense.
3) One more college football thought ... Tim Tebow may end up being considered one of the best college quarterbacks of all time, but it is a shame and a crime that Graham Harrell didn't at least get an invite to the Heisman ceremony.
4) A great gift to give this Christmas: the movie "The Ultimate Gift". Very well done.
5) My new year's ministry resolution: get out of the office more. I have let myself get caught in the game of "I have too many things to do to go out and visit people." No more. There is a lot to do, but not so much that I can't get out regularly visit homebound, shut-ins, and folks in the community.
If I don't talk to you before Christmas, Merry Christmas!
