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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE KNOWN FOR?

In the age of our "me-first" society and with the ego of most stars, this stood out and I find it very interesting. I saw this on ESPN.com today:

As he strives to win his first league MVP award and to keep his Oklahoma City Thunder atop the Western Conference standings, Kevin Durant is ready for a new nickname.

Just call him "The Servant" from now on, the star forward told Grantland's Bill Simmons.

"I like to serve everybody. My teammates. Ushers at the game. The fans," Durant said in an interview Friday, when asked why he chose "The Servant" as his new moniker.

Despite being one of the game's biggest stars, Durant never has truly embraced a nickname. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound All-Star has tried to distance himself from the "Slim Reaper," previously telling the Oklahoman newspaper, "I'm not here to be a guy of, I guess, death."

He said he likes "KD," comparing it to the simplicity of "AI" -- the nickname of former All-Star guard Allen Iverson.  But for now, Durant told Simmons, "The Servant" is what fits best."I know it's kinda weird to make your own nickname," Durant said, "but I like that one better."

 

I known KD aka The Servant is beginning to take steps with Jesus. He is newer to faith and still trying to figure it all out. It's shouldn't be this way, but it comes across odd for a superstar to want to serve others instead of boosting his own brand. It makes him more of a star in  my eyes.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

Here's a few random thoughts from my week:

- Emma really likes the Olympics...including curling. I actually like curling because there is strategy to it. I don't enjoy Olympic events when they deal with a judges result as much. 
- I don't like that the Pistons fired Mo Cheeks. I like longevity and consistency. I think this means Dumars will be gone after this year. I still think Bill Laimbeer deserves a shot to coach.
- I have heard a lot of talk about the NFL draft too. I don't like drafting for need or for potential. I think draft who will be consistent over the next 5+ years...best available player. Fill big holes with Free Agency.
- Looking forward to NBA All-star weekend...not so much for the game as for Saturday night. The Dunk Contest should be good this year.
- Best thing I made this week: parmesan garlic spaghetti squash with from scratch tomato/meat sauce. 
- Helpful reminder: Tomorrow is Valentines Day...don't miss it & mess up.
- It's mid-winter break for us this weekend. Kids are off for a 4 day weekend...like they haven't had enough snow days this year.
- I saw 42 degrees in the extended forecast. That is pretty exciting...it's going to be a flood of melting snow.
- We are still trying to kick the colds at our house. Colds are dumb.
- Our Christmas decorations are still outside...it's not that we are one of those that leave them out...you just can find them under the snow. Our deer is frozen in place.
- We built a sweet snow fort and I made grips in the drift so it's like a snow climbing wall for Eli.
- We saw Monument Men last weekend. It was good...pretty much Oceans 11 but in WWII. It was good & very nteresting with the historical value.
- I've been working on some things coming up at The Journey...some good series coming up and we've been dreaming of some other things - big things - that could make a huge impact. 
- Looking forward to speaking again this weekend in our Why God? series.

Have a great weekend!

NEW SHOW

There's a new show that might have the opportunity to create new conversations...what do you think?

PRAYER

A TALE OF TWO...

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

Here's a few things growing in my mind grapes...

- This past week & a half has been odd and crazy. I've had a dumb cold and my schedule is out of whack.
- I hope I have my voice back before Sunday.
- Last week I talked about "Why do bad things happen?" It's hard because you feel you can't do it justice in a sort amount of time. This week...Why didn't God answer my prayer? Another big one.
- We had some painting done...the main areas. After 7 years of the kids (and me) dinging up the walls, now they are all nice, smooth and painted. They should stay that way for at least another few days.
- We're thinking about seeing the Monument Men movie this weekend. Steph's been reading the book. Looks interesting.
- I'm kinda tired of winter this year and I like winter. I need a few days to melt down some snow piles. I like to keep my driveway bare but it's been too hard this year since it never stops snowing and never gets above freezing to melt it. I gave up a while ago.
- Had lunch at Toast n Jams today...I had blueberry cream pancakes...they were amazing.
- Best thing I made this week...Superbowl Snacks. Honey BBQ Mini Smoked Sausages, Swiss Cheese Dip, Taco Bean Dip, Pretzels with Cheese Dip, Veggies & Dip.

Have a great weekend!

PAIN & HOPE

This past Sunday we talked about life when bad things happen. Sometimes life is complicated and hard. God never promised life would be easy but He did promise we can find hope in Him because He can overcome this world.

This is my friend Aaron's story: Here's a little more.

SUPERBOWL SURPRISE

I said "WOW" about 10 times during the game yesterday. I wasn't surprised that Seattle won but they dominated. Big plays all round. Listening to post-game interviews and seeing the play on the field, I have a lot of respect for Pete Carroll and his coaching job. He has them buying into the team concept and everyone is working hard with personal accountability.  Enough though it was a blow out, I thought it was interesting (at least until the 4th quarter).

Too things I was disappointed about: 1) I can't eat as much as I use to be able to eat  2) Commercials weren't that great and not many funny ones. A lot of hipster/melancholy story telling that didn't relate to the product. My favorite were the Diet Mountain Dew ones...the trick horse and the "dale" call. They might not even be new? I wouldn't know since we DVR everything and don't watch commercials.

Here's something cool: (we showed a few clips from this at the Pontaluna Exit site yesterday)

THURSDAY THOUGHTS (FRIDAY EDITION)

Here's a few random thoughts bouncing around my brain...    

- Superbowl Weekend: I'm excited because the game should be really good. If I was a betting man, I wouldn't bet on this game. It seems too close to call for me.
- Also important: I hope there are good commercial and I hit up Meijer early this morning so I have good snacks ready to go for the game.
- I haven't watched hardly any hockey this year. I not even sure who all in on the Wings. I should probably pay attention. I would like to go to the Joe sometime to see a game.
- Who's excited to watched some Olympic Curling next week?!?!?!
- Had my physical therapy again this morning. They are trying to make me flexible. Good luck to them...my whole life is working against them.
- I'm really enjoying American Idol this year. It might be the best season yet.
- I use to watch Community...it was really funny. It gets less funny each season. There just aren't many good comedies out there these days. I would say Brooklyn 99 is the funniest currently.
- All the snow this week was crazy. We're getting more. I think our back yard is going to exploded because there is so much snow!?!?!
- Since we live right by a movie theater, Steph took the kids to see Frozen on one of their snow days. It was fitting. I was hoping they'd figure out how to make it warmer but I guess it didn't work.
- Our kitchen/dining/living room/bathroon is getting painted this week. After 7 years of dings, scratches, holes and marks, the walls look like new. Thanks Gravlin Painting and Christmas gift money!
- We are finalizing our Disney Dining Plan. I can't wait to go this summer.
- In the mean time, just more snow this weekend.

Have a good one.

IF WE DON'T GIVE UP

Life is hard.
It's hard to live differently now but it will get easier.
It might seem easy to quit now but it will be hard later.
It's going to be hard either way so don't give up.
Take it in small steps & it might seem unnatural at first.
But if you don't give up you will reap the harvest.