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by Dicky G

Most people don't realize that, contrary to what the plethora of bowed heads pre and post-athletic events might lead you to believe, God does not intervene in games with finite outcomes. Games with infinite outcomes? That's a different story. God does, however, like to kick the metaphorical Divine feet up and watch a little B-ball. And while it is true that God does not embody nor favor a particular gender, it turns out, God is a BIG fan of Dick Vitale. (I know – go figure). Not only that, God tends to speak about competitions in the voice of Dicky V. When this happens, God goes by the name of “Dicky G,” proving that while infinite in power and compassion, God's sense of humor is somewhat more limited that most of us had imagined.

That said, God has decided to step in and prognosticate about the outcome of a particular finite game that's chocked full of good humor – The American Jesus Brackets. In God's divine sense of fairness, God has also stepped back into our limited linear understanding of time in order to be made unaware of the actual outcomes - a point which will become abundantly apparent once Dicky G's picks are compared with the actual outcomes.

(Editor's note: I've been asked to remind you to read this in the voice of Dick Vitale. It would seem that being Divine doesn't necessarily mean you are completely confident about your ability to impersonate a well known personality like Dicky V).

Tim Tebow vs. Ray Lewis

Yeah, baaa-by. THIS is the kinda' match-up I like to see. Real PTPers bringing their whole bag of tricks to the game. Tebow is is the reigning champ in the house and you just KNOW he wants to keep the trophy on his mantel – but he's squaring off with a guy who's not only PLAYED in Super Bowls (keep on prayin' Tebow, I hear ya!), but has WON a Super Bowl. You just KNOW this one is going down to the buzzer. I'm calling it though – Lewis is DOA... Tebow takes a win.


 
 
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by Zac Bailes

They've done what so many say can't be done. Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani transformed a slowly dying all-white congregation into a diverse community full of the least of these. Chronicled in the pages of "Beyond the Possible" is a voice that stands out against the cynical voices so often heard when people herald change. Cecil and Janice evoke the deeper hopes of change and transformation the bellows deep within the Christian tradition.

After all, Warren Buffett, Desmond Tutu, Maya Angelou, and Bono all endorse their work. It's hard to come by that diverse of an endorsement. Yet what makes their story so provocative is the endorsement of a changed community. It's not the words of famous and respected people that make this community stand out, it's the transformation that the community has made. 


 
 
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain
 
 
True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar ; it comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. 
- Martin Luther King, Jr
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it."
                          ~ John 1:5

"Light in the Darkness"
words:  Tommy Brown & Bryan McFarland
music:  Bryan McFarland
© 2012 sasssafrasongs


In a fine little village along the seashore
Jonathan, Timothy and their wives
Though beside one another deep grudges they bore
"It's your fault!" - "Watch your mouth!" - "That is mine!"
Now their wives barely patient were the closest of friends
Seeking only some peace for the Yule
"We live near one another - you two must make amends!
Be at peace not at odds - you old fools!"
Yet when John shoveled snow on Tim's land that next day -
Came a fight...  Find the priest...  Father Glen...

Now to Glen the two wives their sad story they spun
Of their men and their hopes and their fate
And in silence Glen mused - knowing peace is hard won
He sat a while, pulled his beard, scratched his pate.
Father Glen said, “On Christmas Eve here at my barn
We will put on a contest for three.
Equal parts of the barn given to each of us -
Fill your part with whatever you see.
Then by dusk we will know if my garden you’ve won.
But, if I win: promise then... be true friends."

So in the fine little village along the seashore
Jonathan, Timothy - running 'round
Bales of hay, sacks of grain in the barn they did store
Fill it up... to the roof...  all they found...
All day long Father Glen did not even appear
But then just as the darkness was on
In his hand but a candle and a smile ear to ear
On his lips were the words of St. John

He knelt down, lit the candle & the light filled the barn.
From the crowd came a cheer.  He had won!
In the darkness the Light of the Christ overcomes
Shaking hands.  Best of friends.  From now on.
In our darkness the Light of Christ still overcomes
Peace on earth.  Hold the Light.  Let it shine.
Peace on earth.  Share the Light.  Let it shine.