Hope and New Beginnings

This weekend was the grand opening of Shepherd’s new sanctuary in Porter Ranch and I have to admit that the facility is awesome! Only He could have provided this and it is through Him and his presence that the House of the Lord shines.  Truly we are blessed for his sacrifice and his provision, as well as for the wonderful and beautiful building that He has built.  Today we “lift up Jesus” and pray for not only our friends and family, but for those less fortunate throughout the world.  May those that are sad and depressed, unhappy and lonely, hungry or sad share a feeling of hope today and in 2017 and onward, and that they may have an opportunity to meet and know You.  Only through You can our sins be forgiven and that we may live an eternal life.  Seek and attain the peace you’ve always dreamed of because it is real, and it will never be real unless you give up control.

2016 - A Year We Will Not Forget Anytime Soon

As calendar year 2016 comes to an end, I’d like to look back at what happened during the year.  In the following points, I’ll select one important event from each month of the year.  So many things happened, but I’ll only choose one from each month.  What event(s) was the most interesting or significant of the year?

January 28 – The World Health Organization announces an outbreak of the Zika virus.

February 7 – North Korea launches a long-range rocket into space, violating multiple UN treaties and prompting condemnation from around the world.

March 22 – Three coordinated bombings in Brussels, Belgium kill at least 32 and injure at least 250. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claims responsibility for the attacks.

April 2 – Clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani military in Nagorno-Karabakh kill at least 193 people, which becomes the heaviest breach of the 1994 ceasefire.

May 19 – EgyptAir Flight 804 crashes with 66 people on board over the Mediterranean en route from Paris to Cairo.

June 23 – The United Kingdom votes in a referendum to leave the European Union.

July 4 – NASA‘s Juno spacecraft enters orbit around Jupiter and begins a 20-month survey of the planet.

August 5–21 – The 2016 Summer Olympics are held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

September 28 – International investigators conclude that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down by a Buk missile that came from an area controlled by pro-Russian rebels.

October 13 – The Maldives announces its decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Nations.

November 9 – Donald Trump Is Elected President in Stunning Repudiation of the Establishment

December 19 – Andrei Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, is assassinated in Ankara.

Well, the choice was easy for me.  What is your choice?

Are the Lakers a Playoff Team?

The Lakers hit some roadblocks during the last week or so as they have stumbled against the league's elite -- the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors.  After playing the Spurs in a tight game (the Lakers were within 4 points during the 4th quarter), the veteran Spurs were just too good and too solid for the young Lakers.  The Lakers rebounded by beating Russell Westbrook and the OKC Thunder at home, with Nick Young hitting a game winning 3 pointer with seconds left to thwart a rather gallant comeback by the Thunder.  But then injuries hit, with D'Angelo Russell tweaking his left knee, Julius Randle with a hip pointer, and Nick Young with a bruised, nearly broken toe.  Ultimately, 2 more losses back to back against the Warriors in Oakland and then back at home at the Staples.  Angelenos are pretty sure this is just a temporary slide due to injuries so we won't get too concerned.  It will give other a shot to step up from the "bench" and succeed, such as Jordan Clarkson and Brandon Ingram.  Clarkson has already proven himself but Ingram really has a chance to gain some solid experience.  He hasn't shot particularly well, but has defended really well and made very good passes.  I don't think anyone is really noticing his point production too much because he has looked very much like he belong on the court.  I'm looking forward to him continuing to succeed because this Lakers team is fun to watch! Going into tonight's game against the Atlanta Hawks, they are 8-9 and out of the top 8 in the West by a hair.  Once their guys get healthy, anything is possible. Go Lakers!

Excitement in Laker Town

Despite tonight's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Lakers have given Angelenos a taste of the future in their young core of players.  Their new free agent additions of Timofey Mozgof and Luol Deng, combined with the young nucleus of Julius Randle (former no. 7 pick), D'Angelo Russell (former no. 2 pick) and Brandon Ingram (recent no. 2 pick), and the Lakers are rolling.  Their bench is one of the best in the game today, with Lou Williams (former 6th man of the year) and Jordan Clarkson leading the 2nd team.  Ingram is coming off the bench and learning from Deng, who was brought to the Lakers to help manage the locker room and to provide a steady, consistent voice and reassurance to these young Lakers.  A nice surprise has been Nick Young, whom many thought would have been shipped off to another team during the offseason given his "issues" with Russell.  Young has been terrific, providing an accurate 3-point shooter to the team's first unit and...surprise surprise....lock down defense?  Credit that to new Lakers head coach, Luke Walton, who has been fantastic in his first 11 games, going 6-5 to start the season.  These Lakers are not an easy W for any team and I look forward, along with all other Laker fans, for a great season to come!  Playoffs?

Wrong

Apparently, I was wrong.  I've been wrong before -- sure.  But this time, I had the backing and justification to support my mind-set.  The SF Giants in 2016 were the best and worst team in the major leagues.  How many teams can you say that about?  But they had a core of players who were part of 3 World Series wins in the previous 5 seasons (2010, 2012 and 2014). Not only was 2016 an even year, they had a legendary coach in Bruce Bochy who is generally regarded as one of the best at managing a bullpen.  In today's baseball, it's tough to win a World Series, let alone 3 in the last 5 years.  Consistency, experience and grit are some of the key things needed to win. But on top of that, a little bit of luck doesn't hurt.  

The Giants were down 1-2 to the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS after defeating the NY Mets in the wildcard.  With a lead of 5-2 going into the top of the 9th inning, Bruce Bochy decided to pull Giants left-handed starter Matt Moore, who pitched superbly in the game, and opted for his bullpen to give his starter a much deserved rest.  Given Bochy's pedigree and experience, few doubted this move.  At least initially.  The Giants were at home, had the momentum on their side, and were already packed and ready to go to Chicago for the game 5 in this best of 5 series.  3 more outs and this one was on to Wrigley.  Unfortunately, the baseball gods were not on the Giants, as 5 relievers combined to give up 4 runs and ultimately, the game.  This time, the Cubs moved on and the Giants unpacked their bags.

I should have known that their league worst bullpen would fail them yet again.  It was as if the writing wasn't on the wall during the 2nd half of the season.  Torture they are.  But they will be back in 2017 with an overhaul of their bullpen and eager to convince the rest of the league that they still have unfinished business.  Once a fan....always a fan!

Up Against the Ropes

Just when everyone is about to count out the SF Giants, the Giants respond.  They have done the unthinkable during their last 3 World Series runs, winning several series where they were down 1-2 (in a best of 5) or 1-3 (in a best of 7).  This is the torture the Giants put their fans through.  As they won their last 4 games of this year's regular season to put them in a position to win the Wild Card, then actually win the Wild Card on the heels of the legendary Madison Bumgarner.  Bumgarner threw a gem in a 3-0 complete game shutout over the NY Mets.  The Giants seem to play their best baseball when they are up against the ropes -- when everything is on the line.  This is the difference between the Giants and every other team in major league baseball.  Admittedly, I acknowledged that the Giants were terrible in a post last month.  I meant it.  But I knew better than to count out the Giants from the playoffs.   With Bumgarner out to pitch game 3 against the Cubs and Bruce Bochy in the dugout, being down 0-2 doesn't seem to bother me so much.  I know they will come out to play on game day.  Win or lose, the Giants won't go down without a fight.

So....go Giants!  Do what you gotta do and just get it done.  Let's win our 4th ring since 2010!

NL West is Heating Up!

The MLB season is winding down over the next week.  My last few posts have been pretty negative on the SF Giants.  The fact is, I'm just bitter.  They were supposed to be so much better this year than they have played.  Don't get me wrong, the baseball season is a long one and it is extremely difficult to maintain momentum for the full season, but that is the mark of a successful and winning team.  This is simply not the Giants year and that is fine.  It is an even year and it should have been (as superstitious yet equally silly as that sounds), but it looks like another team will take home the trophy this year.  For a current look at the standings and wild card predictions, go no further:  NL West Wildcard.  Perhaps we do have a chance, but I'm not holding my breath.  I will do my best to keep calm.