American Idol: Top 5

I haven't written anything about this year's American Idol so I thought I better begin. We are down to our Top 5 in the show and now is the time where things begin to get a little interesting.

Last night the contestants performed two Neil Diamond songs. As many of you know, Paula really was out of it last night. Here is my judging on the five last night.

Brooke White: One of my favorites, I hate to say this but she struggled again last night.

David Archuleta: One of my favorites, I thought he performed well again.

David Cook: Did a great job again, I think he is on track to win this.

Jason Castro: Haven't been a big fan at all of him all season, he wasn't that great last night.

Syesha Mercado: Very surprised last night, thought she was good.

So, tonight it comes down to saying goodbye to another person.

My bottom two: Jason Castro and Brooke White

I hope that Jason Castro gets sent home. It is time for American to get it right and keep the best talent left still in the show. We will see tonight!

Softball Is Back

Finally! It has been about nine months since I last took a swing on the diamond. Last year was an awesome year of softball. I really missed my teammates, catching fly balls, and hitting over these past nine months.

Last night I took part in my first practice of the 2008 season. Of course when you haven't swung a bat in nine months there is some rust to get rid of. I was really pleased with my first practice of the year. I hit pretty well and fielded well for the first time out. I really thought I would struggle big time out there last night, but it didn't feel like nine months ago I was last hitting a ball.

I am really excited about this season. I believe our team will be better than last year. I saw some really good things last night and we have added some new players who will help us. I am very fortunate to play with some of my really good friends who are a ton of fun to be around. We kick off our season Sunday with a practice game. We will see right away what we will be made of this season.

We open up the "real" season next Thursday at 6:00! Get the big league chew, Gatorade, and sunflower seeds ready1

The Ducks

It has been awhile since I have updated about the "Ducks". We had our eighth game of the year on Tuesday against one of the better teams in the league. With about 45 minutes before tip-off, we only had four players for the game. NOT GOOD! We ended up getting Todd Eby, Dustin's dad to play. Todd did a lot of the dirty work for us and really held his own out there. We ended up winning 63-60. We are now 6-2 on the season and this has been a blast to be a part of. We have a really good team, but more importantly, a great group of Christian guys who just like hanging out with each other.

Our next game is Monday at 7:00 as we continue to push for a top seed in the upcoming tournament.

Thoughts From The Past Week

Last week was Spring Break and of course the time flew by as usual. Here is a recap of the week:

• I had the chance finally to watch all the episodes of American Idol in one week. On the night of American Idol Gives Back I was totally floored when the Idols sang "Shout to the Lord" I totally got chills when they sang that. Not only did they end the night with that song, they started Thursday's show with the same song. It is amazing that people in Hollywood would put this song on. However, if you noticed, they left out the name of Jesus. That is part of our problem in America today, people are scared to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ.
• I slept in almost everyday, it was great!
• I had the chance to workout everyday for at least 2 hours.....without rushing!
• Spent valuable time with my girlfriend!
• Spent some time with my family
• Spent time with some friends in Indy
• Went to The Cheesecake Factory.....I could have that everyday!
• Watched some baseball for the first time all season.
• Did some Spring cleaning
• Went to Indy's East 91st Church on Sunday....awesome Worship there!

Rock. Chalk. Jayhawks

Wow! What a Championship Game last night! I was pulling for Kansas to win because I had them winning it all in the NMC tournament challenge. With 2 minutes to play and the Jayhawks down 9, it looked like the Memphis Tigers were on their way to winning their first ever NCAA Championship. Hold on however, as the Jayhawks came roaring back, finishing off regulation on a tying three-pointer by Super Mario (Mario Chalmers)!

The overtime was all Jayhawks as they came storming back to give Bill Self his first championship. I am now a Kansas fan!

Spring Break '08

Finally: Spring Break is here! I am so looking forward to these things in the next week:

• Sleeping in
• Working out
• Relaxing
• Spending time with girlfriend, friends, and family
• Having no schedule
• Playing some ball

A Big GOD

I am going on DCGO this summer with our youth group and we are reading and journaling from a book called "Max Q" by Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall. For those of you who don't know what DCGO stands for, it stands for Washington, D.C. GO. This summer we will be doing outreach in Washington, D.C. I am very excited about this opportunity to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost of D.C.

Last year I had the opportunity to do NYGO (New York City GO) and it was amazing! It was such a wonderful time of fellowship, worship, growing closer as a youth group, and sharing the gospel to unsaved people.

Max Q is a daily devotional that dives in to the areas of How to be an influence without being influenced. Each day is divided into a scripture reading, a few questions about the passage, a short story, and then a question to think about and reflect on.

Today's devotional ask a great question: "How big is your God?" Wow, the more I thought and reflected on this, the more I began to realize that I often put God in a tiny little box. I seem to get in a routine of going through the motions of the same prayers, same routine, and I really never ask God to do the big things in my life. I feel like I'm not worthy to ask him to do the unexpected. I often get comfortable where I'm at and stay in that rut for awhile. Anyone else out there know what I'm talking about? I realize that I need to ask God for the big things in my life and not be ashamed to ask for more in my life.

Two Years Late, IU Finally Gets It Right

The Indiana University Administration finally got it right. The bad thing is that it took them two years longer than it should have to name a good basketball coach. Tom Crean, the Marquette coach, will be the new boss in Bloomington.

With Crean comes class, no phone issues, a well respected coach, and a coach who has posted a 190-96 record. Crean comes from the Midwest (Michigan), has coached under Tom Izzo, and has produced some good players. Ever heard of Dwayne Wade?

Crean won't have much to work with as the Hoosiers are set to have a completely new look next year. It sounds like Eric Gordon is going pro, which would leave IU with no returning starters next year.

I am excited to see where Crean takes the Hoosiers in the next few weeks. One thing is for sure Hoosier Nation has to be patient. It is going to take awhile to get out of the Kelvin Sampson mess.