Turkey Bowl 07'

Historically, this is a one side ordeal. The Yost vs. Riddells annual Turkey Bowl for yearly bragging supremacy normally defaults to the Yost Family. But once in a while every garbage-can gets a steak.

In 2006, this game was lopsided from the start as the Yost Family shut down and shut out the Riddells in a game that was basically called 'finished' out of mercy. The game was 'for fun', but I could see that the other side of the family had begun to plan for next year. The embarrassment was exposed, excuses came rolling in and 364 days would pass before The Riddells would get another chance.

This year the game was to kickoff first with a 30 minute time limit. The emails that circulated for the past few months hinted that no one forgot the 2006 Yost domination and that the rematch was heavy on the minds of the Riddells. Jen and I were worried that we'd be a bit "to dressy" for football, meaning we wanted to look like we cared but not really, just in case no one cared. I told Jen to give it her all and she responded with cleats and gloves.... that's my wife! End the end, everyone cared and the do-rags and cleats and jeresys came out and the game was on.

Turns out that the Yosts were out numbered this year 7 1\2 to 6 1\2...the half is for Cam. The little one was on both sides of the ball at all times to even it out.

We were up for the challenge. The Riddells responded first with a defensive stop of the Yost offense lead by QB Gary "cool as a fan" Yost. The Yosts then, as we always do, clamped down on defense behind the surprise pass rush of Jess "just doing what I'm told" Hodson. She was told to rush the QB and that she did. After a few exchanges, we realized that the Riddells had come to play and we would have to step it up a notch. Time to open the playbook.

Trick plays always work in Turkey Bowls.

Gary hiked the ball and threw it over to Joe "94' Hurricanes forever" Hodson who changed in to an All-American QB after the lateral and rolled to his left under heavy pressure, then, dug his cleats in to the soggy turf and launched a 30 yard pass to the endzone.

At this point, no one was going to deny me this touchdown, my defender was beat by a mile and I dove to make the catch....1-0 Yosts. So pretty. Joe and I locked eyes...we knew we still had that brother in law connection.

Normally against the Riddells one TD will do it. This year though, they were a bit feisty. Andrew returned an interception for the first ever Riddell score after Pete's bull rush overwhelmed my "protection" of Gary. Gary's last ditch effort to complete a pass ended in the hands of Andrew and it was 1-1.

No problem. The Yosts stormed down the field after trick plays from Jen "I'm suffering from hives in the cold, yet still playing....are you watching husband?" Frabott to Joe Hodson. Then, to end the drive, Gary Yost redeemed the interception with a beautiful, "Rex Kern like" pass to the corner of the endzone where only Joe could snag the ball. Gary, gleaming like Joe Namath, hadn't lost a step. 2-1 Yosts. Time expired......

Oh, if we just stuck to the rules. We decided, though the time limit was up, to let the Riddells finish the drive. Offensively, they had done nothing in two years, why would they do something now? The game went on.

It was fourth down and the Riddels needed only one completion to keep the drive alive. I assumed they would throw short and get the first so I wanted to keep them in front of us but Uncle Pete had different ideas. As he dropped back, it became evident they were going for it all. I was covering Andrew soft, thinking he would cut the route short but he kept going....I'd seen this before. Doug Flutie did this and no one had ever forgotten about "Hail Flutie". In any case, Pete threw the ball deep and threw away any chance of victory. Almost in slow motion, I had dejevu. Earlier in the game I knocked down several passed just like this so I lined up to do the....slip.

I slipped.

I was not wearing cleats but my shoes had not failed me all day. I was running and jumping and cutting the whole game and NOW a slip?

I was out of the play. Andrew jumped up between everyone and caught the ball at it's highest point. Touchdown. 2-2. Ridells win.

Wasn't it a tie? Yes it was, but it felt like Ohio State losing to Walnut Springs.

Sure it's all in fun but though we tied, no one in the family will forget about "Uncle Flutie" and the "Catch" or in my case the "Slip". For them, that tie was a win for them and loss for us.

358 days.......358 days....358 days and counting.

Starring Michael Keaton as "Tony Frabott"

He is actually too old to play my current life stage so I'd have to settle with someone else.

Anyway I have a few thoughts to jot down.

I heard a talk from Donald Miller, the guy who wrote Blue Like Jazz and a few others.

The premise was that our life is like a movie or story being written and the climax of our life story has already been laid before us. The climax comes when Christ will say to us "Well done, good and faithful servant." How we get there, however, is up to us.

Like a movie, my life is being played on the big screen of life.
If I were to watch it, would I be bored to tears?
Is the story I'm writing a page turner?

Not that God doesn't have a plan for my life. In fact, His plan stretches across eternity but I wonder just how much freedom I actually have to "write" my story. Every decision I make adds to the pages of my narrative. The problem for me is, am I waiting on God to write it or am I writing my story with God's help and guidance? Am I taking risks or fleeing them? Facing obstacles or avoiding obstacles?

Would I even need a stunt double?


I want my life to count....at least to be worth the price of admission.

demons.com 2008

In Luke 9 there are passages concerning demon possession and the casting out of such demons. The casting out is happening not only by Jesus but by those "not even following him" according to His disciples. Throughout the gospels this topic is rampant and has me thinking a bit more about it. As a follower of Christ, how do I respond to this? I have never "cast out a demon". How does this act look in 2007?

I have heard sermons stating "how smart" satan is. Apparently, he has the ability to regroup his troops to discuss how to keep up with the times and keep temptation fresh. I'm sure these meetings happen over coffee somewhere in a skyscraper of a commercial giant. If satan is so up on the times, which, though it sounds silly, is not a bad argument, if you look at our world, I'm sure that he has left the actual 'inner human possession' for more of a blanket of oppression of affluence approach.

(Here some thoughts about demons in the dot.com era.

1- Being Gothic is so 1999. Acting and dressing like a demon, is the farthest thing from being possessed. Though it is associated with the demonic, why posses someone who has voluntarily decided to act like one of you anyway? Being goth passes with acne. If anything is a phase, its being goth.

2- It is far more effective to just distract people from spiritual needs. As information and technology increase, today the thought of demons and possession seem a bit old fashioned.

3- "The blind see"- This is more than just a physical miracle, but pertains to our spiritual eyes as well. In the same way that in biblical times you could see the physical possession of an individual by a demon, today, if you follow Christ, you can "see" a much more larger oppression that "blankets" our society. Jesus has opened our eyes this reality. )



George E Ladd- states- "....the Kingdom of God has come among men to defeat satan and to deliver men from the domination of satanic power."

I think this domination of satanic power goes much further than just being "demon possessed" Could satan have changed is agenda to more of an influencing force, less actual inner possession?

I'm not saying that it never happens today but I am thinking that demon possession may look different than the stereotypes we have in our culture.

"Our battle is not with flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places."

The battle is still raging. How can we be better equipped to adjust to the changing times? How can we be made more aware of our clever enemy?

the seed among thorns

"Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches and the pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity."- Luke 8:14

The Word of God lies fruitless on these dry lands of thorns and thistles.

A distinction is made from those who gladly receive the Word of God and those in which It bears fruit.

The dilemma for me is that the cares, riches and pleasures of this life seem to go hand in hand at times with the blessings of God. I am thankful that I have never had to go without. Though I have wondered what my next meal would be, I never had to wonder where my next meal would come from. My entire life up to this point has been bountiful. It has been a blessing but at what cost?

Have the blessings I've experienced been "choking" out the fruit of the Word in my life? Oh... I have received the Word gladly, but am I bearing Its healthy fruit?

My aim in life is not to gain material riches, but to be able to provide for my family- this of course means giving a lot of my time to this world and its cares in order to see this through. Yet, I don't want to give so much to the world that I'm spiritually "choked out" by it.

thus the internal struggle continues...