Smitty City

* Good Gosh...Quit pitching to Pujols!

* I don't care about Colorado, Shaq, or Phil...Kobe is raw. The best athlete/player in the league. Kobe plays just like Mike did. You must respect it. He will be the first player to break Abdul-Jabar scoring record.

* The NCAA violation investigation that is going on at U.S.C. will not affect Reggie Bush's draft status. Bush to the Texans at 1. If they didn't take away O.J.'s heisman, they would never take away Reggie's.

* Mark my words. Jay Cutler, out of Vandy, will have a more productive NFL career than Matt Leinhart.

* A-Rod is one of the classyist athletes today. Despite your Yankeephobia, respect him.

* The 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, etc NBA Championship Series: Spurs vs. Pistons

* With the first pick of the 2006 NPWDTPHOFC (National Potheads Who Destroyed Their Potential Hall of Fame Career) League, the United Reefers select: Ricky Williams! (In case you didn't hear...he's out for another year)

* Barry will never catch Hank

* Watch out for Mario Williams,Vernon Davis, and Bobby Carpenter on Draft Day.

* I would love to see the Titans pick Vince Young.

* Favre is back. Whupty-Freakin'-Do!

* Already anticipating football season...right now, I'll take the Irish (still praying about it)

* Do they still play hockey?

Upon contemplating Easter this year, I came to no powerful, earth-shaking revelations. I did, however, study the passion story and truly celebrate the Resurrection...I think. It was probably the first time that I had genuinely given a crap about the implications of Easter. Although not overwhelmingly inspiring or important, I did have this thought.

The Nation of Israel is usually blamed for the "murder" (I personally consider it suicide) of Jesus. The Jews have protested this for many years, and we saw the debate again arise when Gibson released his version of the story. Fact of the matter is...it was the religious elite who Scripture says was "jealous" over Jesus' fame and influence. Yes...the Jews. And they are extremely offended when they are forced to shoulder this accusation.


(Understanding that they do not regard our Jesus as the Christ...the Messiah) Why can't they realize then or now that they were an intrical part in God's plan to bring salvation to a dying...excuse me, dead world. God used the Jews...His own...to call for the Lamb to be slaughtered. Instead of our accusations and their relentless defense, we should all be thrilled that God used them in that way. I am eternally grateful that they were in the right place at the right time...literally. Of course, it is easier for me to see and say because of my religious position. God used His people's ignorance to bring salvation into this world.

...and, I wonder if any of the religious leaders of that time gave up their faith and believed in the Nazarene because of the series of events that they witnessed.

For all those interested...Melanie is doing great! She is healthy, active, and extremely positive. Never complains. To be honest, I expected to have a basketcase on my hands for nine months (mostly due to other testimonies I have heard). But it has been the exact opposite. She has become even more pleasant than she already was. I guess it is because she is quickly approaching the realization of a life-long dream...motherhood! With her patience, kind heart, and compassion...she will be an amazing mother. We are just entering the third trimester. Still sorting through names.

She is a stud.

Don't worry about me...I'll be out of denial shortly.

The Lord said to Moses, "Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites; for he was zealous as I am for my honor among them...