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Posted by: David Bunch

New Years, my wife and I agree, is one of the "weird" holidays. There are some holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, that one looks forward to. You know it will be fun. There will be lots of food, fun, family, and festivities.

But New Years? Well, you can never be sure. It could be fun, but there are no guarantees. You might find yourself ringing in the New Year with A) a couple of good friends, B) at a big New Years' party, or C) all alone. What I'm saying is, we have no New Years tradition and usually just wing it.

Last year we went downtown on the mistaken assumption that there would be fireworks like they have on July 4th or bonfires like they have on Christmas Eve. All we found were a few drunk people, but I did come across a long lost friend that I had not seen in a while (he was not drunk). When we found the celebration lacking downtown, we went back home and rang in the New Year with absolutely no fanfare whatsoever (see C, above).

This year does have some potential for being a memorable New Year. For one thing, we have a youth department party at one of the leaders' house beginning at 8 and going thru midnight. This could be fun if there are fireworks and if some mischievous young person decides to do something crafty with them (although we want no emergencies or law infractions). It will also be fun to answer everyone's questions about our impending newborn for the 457th time ("no, he still isn't here-obviously").

Despite my reservations about New Years Eve, tomorrow (New Years Day), will be one of my favorite church services of the entire year. For us, it will take place at 4 pm. It is normally one of the highpoints in our church schedule. We'll have communion, repent of last year's mistakes, and make fresh commitments for the new year. Our Pastor will have an encouraging word to get us inspired for what lies ahead. There is just something special about everyone coming together to re-concecrate themselves to God, coupled with the anticipation of what all the new year will hold. It seems that God is with us in a special way on new years service.

Now let me share a funny story that I heard Bro Gordon Mallory tell once (from the pulpit, at that). He said he was in a "Watch Night" service in which they were going to pray and worship through the midnight hour and see the new year in with the church family. Just as the big moment arrived, tongues went forth. After a moment, the glorious interpretation came forward like this:

"Thus saith the Lord....Happy New Year"!!!!!

Some from the Benchwarmer(s) and the Lord, Happy New Year to all of you!

Posted by: David Bunch

Ways of sharing information on the web continue to evolve . There is podcasting, blogging, and RSS feeds. But now I think I have seen it all....I am now finding editorials written about editorials!

Mike Parker over at Grassroots Music has an editorial piece he has written in response to an opinion piece that singer/songwriter Tarah Leigh Cobble wrote for Relevant Magazine. Once I got over my initial problem with Mr. Parker not coming up with his own material for his editorial, I found that he and/or Cobble have hit upon a very interesting topic of discussion. That is the enigmatic character known as Bono.

Part of me has always wanted to like, even respect Bono. He is Time Magazine's co-persons of the year for 2005, he sells millions of records, packs out concert halls the world over, and has made the world aware of many serious needs.

More importantly, Bono is not afraid to discuss the two topics that no one wants to touch: politics and religion. And he doesn't just discuss it, he yells it...

But I've always wondered, what is Bono's "religion"? Who does he serve? Those are the main questions that Cobble asks in her article. She doesn't find any answers, and I never have either.

What is most interesting about her article is the personal experience she had at a U2 concert that raised her concerns in the first place. Bono, in a supposed effort to create religious harmony, shouted (yea, chanted), "Jesus, Jew, Mohammed-all true".

Hmmm.....besides the fact that this sounds very much like "One World Religion" stuff, Cobble actually uses the "anti Christ" word. She makes it clear that she does not think that Bono is the anti Christ, but she does make a great point.

How easy it will be for someone who has the respect of the entire world, has financial means, and has popularity to come in and woo the entire planet into a one world scenario of religious peace.

Pretty fascinating stuff when prophecy begins to unfold just enough to let us have a brief glimpse.

And now you have had an editorial about an editorial about an editorial.

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

Pictures you want? Pictures you get. Although mere pictures cannot do the place justice. Stay tuned for full details of our trip.

Posted by: David Bunch

I hope all the readers of The Benchwarmer(s) had a great Christmas. As you can tell, we have had a busy season. With preparations for the new baby, Brad getting married, and the big Day itself, well....

Kristen (my 13 year old niece-really-daughter) received a basketball goal for Christmas. Okay, okay...so I wanted one too....

It worked out really nice. I had gone and bought a brand new goal to put together for the lass, but then I noticed something. While helping Brad get his furniture out of the bachelor pad and into the new McDonald residence, it became clear that Brad had not one but two goals, as the prior owners left theirs and Brad already owned one himself.

So I returned the new basketball goal that was still in box and bingo, a basketball goal completely ready for play awaited Christmas Morning. Trust me, it was well worth the hastle of returning one just to not have to put one completely together.

Today while I was out shooting jump shots...ahem...while I was watching my niece shoot jump shots...okay, okay, I was shooting...I realized once again the marvel of the driveway basketball hoop.

You see, when you are out shooting jump shots it's just you and the ball and the goal. You find a rhythm and boom. You can think about everything or nothing. You can brood or philosophize. You can dream or replay failed dreams. You can plan or you can pray. It's poetry in motion, baby.

For years that was my afternoon routine, throughout high school and to some degree in college. It just helps you clear your mind and think through things that need to be thought out.

So, to all you Aunts and Uncles out there, buy your niece or nephew a basketball goal. It's the ultimate therapy.

Posted by: David Bunch

Miami Heat coach Pat Riley is thinking about calling in Sumo Wrestlers to go against Shaq in practice. Riley wants the guys to lean against Shaq and then have him take 100 jumpers and 100 turn around jump shots.

It sounds like the only way to defend against O'Neal is to play really physical, to the point of just trying to get in his way. The coach thinks that Shaq needs to work on canning buckets with a lot of weight against him.

I just hope they don't get any ideas about changing the basketball uniform.

Posted by: David Bunch

Mr. & Mrs. McDonald have been married just over a week now, making it in from Maui just in time to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with their families. Judging from the pictures they brought back with them, the two had quite a time in a place that looks like a literal paradise.

Here are a few pics from the big ceremony in which the two were wed.

The Lovely Couple:





And the rings:




And who is this....The Benchwarmer(s) themselves?

Posted by: David Bunch

Check out my review of Kevin Max's new Christmas cd, Holy Night, posted at Ninety and Nine. It's a great record and I recommend that you run out to Family Christian stores and buy it (if there's one in your area), or hop online and order it.

Also, readers weighed in on their favorite coffee shops and coffee shots on this week's Survey Sez. It looks like the ubiquitous Starbucks won, and understandably so. Besides good coffee, they have such a great ambiance there. Someone also voted for Coffee Call, which is a great coffee shop here in Baton Rouge. They serve something called cafe au lait which I believe is similar to a Cafe Americain at Starbucks. I know this because when we were in New York last year my wife ordered a cafe au lait at the Starbucks at Rockefeller Center and the only thing that saved us from having to explain what this is in great detail is the fact that the barista was from Atlanta or some place and new what we were looking for.

Posted by: David Bunch

Yikes! The San Diego Chargers blew to bits the Indianapolis Colt's chance for a perfect season today. A good friend remarked to me today that there are so many life lessons to be learned from sports, and the one he learned today is that no matter how good you are, you can still have a bad day. (And no matter how bad you are, you can still have a good day)!

It seems like that although the Colts missed making history this year, they still are well on their way to being serious contenders for this year's Super Bowl.

Perhaps today's loss will sharpen their focus.

After a wonderful wedding ceremony last evening, Bradley and Jaime are now in Maui, Hawaii, having tons of fun! Pics to come very soon!

Posted by: David Bunch

The big day approaches! Tonight Brad and Jaime's big weekend kicks off with the rehearsal dinner at 6:00 pm, and they officially tie the knot tomorrow, December 17, at 5:00 pm.

Stay tuned to The Benchwarmer(s) for full coverage!

Well, off I go to join the lovely couple and to share in their merriment!

Posted by: David Bunch

The Baton Rouge newspaper, The Advocate, has a great article outlining all of Coach's sports accomplishments. Also you will find the funeral arrangements there.

And here is an article that is a day old, but has his picture.

Please note that I incorrectly stated that Coach participated in all of the Tigers' championships thru the 90s. In fact, he was part of the 1991 and 1993 championship teams and served as Athletic Administrator until he retired in 2001.

I believe it is only a appropriate for me to re-state the fact that outweighing all of his sports accomplishments are his contributions to the Kingdom. Those may never be chronicled in a newspaper, but God keeps the true record book. We'll only know later on the true impact he had on countless lives.

Posted by: David Bunch

Our flagship, NinetyandNine.com , has some great fodder this week. Of particular note is the Survey Sez column in which readers have weighed in on their favorite Christmas Albums of all time.

Personally, I lean towards both of Harry Connick Jr's offerings, and I can also highly recommend the Martina McBride Christmas cd (surprisingly "un-country"). I don't know if that will encourage or discourage you lovely readers (and listeners).

But, as I say, stay tuned for a.....

K Max Christmas.

May the excitement continue to build.

Posted by: David Bunch

The Indianapolis Colts won again yesterday, extending their perfect season to 13-0 (only the 4th team in NFL history to go 13-0). These guys are impressive!

Also of interest today is the coaching shake up over at the Miami Heat. Steve Van Gundy stepped aside as coach, so team president Pat Riley is going to lead the team from the bench the rest of the season. That's THE Pat Riley of Laker Championship fame. I guess Van Gundy just couldn't handle Shaq with a badge and a gun!

In college hoops, Duke is still No 1 in the latest polls, after slaughtering No 2 Texas. The Indiana Hoosiers toppled Kentucky and remain at No 18.

Interestingly, the Houston Cougars are ranked number 25. This is their first time being ranked in almost 13 years. The Cougars beat then-ranked LSU by a point and went on to win against Arizona, propelling themselves into the top 25.

You now know part of the reason why I am a Hoosiers fan (the influence of my Grandfather). The other reason has to do with my purist instincts. I am a big proponent of the grass roots.

And where is grass root basketball country? Why, Indiana of course! There they live, breath, eat and sleep basketball. Every farmhouse has a hoop, every town has a court. And therein dreams live big and die hard.

One may argue that similar scenarios can be found in other states, such as Illinois or Kentucky, or even further northeast. But let me ask you: have you ever heard of a movie called "Illini" or "Wildcats"? Nooo.

But I bet you have heard of a little flick that came out about 20 years ago called "Hoosiers". Haven't you?

Posted by: David Bunch

Reggie Bush has won the Heisman Trophy this year. He collected 91.7% of the votes-the highest percentage ever in the 71 years of awarding the trophy.

Now let me tell you about the Heisman. In the Plankton Lab where Brad and I worked during our college days at LSU, the Heisman was the rejection given by girl when asked out by guy. This is because the Heisman trophy is a cast statue of a football player with his arm out blocking, but what could very easily be construed as an arm out rejecting. So it went something like this:

Q: "How did it go asking her out"?
A: "Not too good, she gave me the Heisman"!

Fortunately for both Brad and me, our respective lovely ladies did not give us the Heisman. In fact, Brad and Jaime tie the knot this coming Saturday!

Stay tuned for complete coverage of the Big Event!

Posted by: David Bunch

The sports world, and more importantly the Kingdom, lost a great great man this morning. Coach Duane "Beatle" Bailey passed away this morning after a 4 month bout with cancer.

Coach Bailey was a part of the Skip Bertman/LSU Tiger Baseball dynasty of the 90s winning several national championships-a couple of them back to back.

More important, however, are Coach's contributions to the Kingdom. He was a member of our church, First UPC of Denham Springs, LA. He worked untiringly in the men's ministry of our local assembly, as well as with Bro Jerry Dean and the LA District Men's Ministry.

He was guest speaker at college ministry meetings, youth rallies, and even spoke at a State Wide Youth Rally on the LSU Campus a couple of year's back.

If you've ever heard Coach Bailey speak, you know that you always remember what he said, and you left inspired.

Another thing I noticed about Coach was that although he was a seasoned saint, his walk with God was always fresh. He would literally sit on the front row at every service and cry like a baby as He worshipped God and reflected on His mercy. And while the sermon was being delivered, Coach had a notebook and pen and would take notes on everything that was said.

My brother and I often talk about a message Coach delivered to our youth group once. The title was, "Are You Committed? If So, Burn the Boats". He went on to talk about how the explorer Cortez, after landing on an island and hearing plans of a movement among his crew to turn and sail back, ordered his men to burn all the boats, thus committing them all to the mission.

Coach was committed to his mission and that was serving Jesus Christ.

Coach, you've now won the ultimate Championship Ring, it's a crown with a whole lot of stars in it. Hold on to that and when we join you we'll lay those at Christ's feet together.

And oh, I bet you aren't crying anymore.

Posted by: David Bunch

Don't attack Shaq! In case his 7'1'' frame is not enough to deter crime, any would be criminals out there really have cause to look out now. Shaquille O'Neal is packing "heat"!

The center for the Miami "Heat" was sworn in as a reserve police officer yesterday. He's authorized to carry a badge and a weapon, and can make arrests.

I do admire his motives in getting deputized. He's focused on helping the special crimes unit stop crimes against children. From all I've read and heard about Shaq, he's got a good heart and wants to help his fellow humans.

In college hoops the Hoosiers fell to 4-2 with a loss to Indiana State. The 18th ranked Hoosiers will play the 15th ranked Kentucky Wildcats Saturday in Indianapolis. We need a win!

Speaking of Kentucky, their center, Randolph Morris has been reinstated by the NCAA with the condition that he doesn't play until next year. It seems the young man flirted a little too much with the NBA and their talent scouts, and at least violated the principles of the NCAA rules, if not perpetrating an outright infraction.

Coming soon.....K Max and Christmas!

Posted by: David Bunch

This story caught my eye today. The Indianapolis Colts are still perfect this season, with the end in sight. As the media are wont to do, they asked Head Coach Tony Dungy a whole lot of "what if" questions that are impossible to answer without looking like a) an ignoramus or b) a braggart, neither of which, I would guess, Head Coach Dungy wants to come off looking like.

Check his answer:

If we're fortunate enough to win, I'll do what I do every week. I'll ask for
some wisdom from the Lord and pray that they don't get hurt.

Now that's a pretty impressive way to handle it. And it's nice to hear someone out there talking about prayer (to the Lord for crying out loud) and acknowledging that wisdom comes from Him.

Right on, Coach!

In college basketball, Duke beats Virginia Tech by a hair-of-the-chinny-chin-chin desperation shot, and in an interesting match up will play No. 2 Texas this weekend.

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

If you'll notice I [ahem] "redesigned" our homestead here at The Bench Warmer(s). I just couldn't let the pictures of Kent fall off into the daunting blogger archives, so I made him a permanent fixture where everyone can see! I'm sure he'll be so overjoyed when he finds out!

By the way, Kent, pink is soooo your color! And the red hat...well, it matches your red cheeks so well. I'll have to say, you look quite smashing in that outfit!

Can I request a pose? I'd like to see a closeup of the front of the shirt. Mainly, the part that says "NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPS!"

---

Next weekend, my last single weekend, I'll be taking a "bachelor" trip to go deep sea fishing off the coast of Louisiana. I've done quite a bit of freshwater fishing, but I've never done any offshore fishing, so I'm excited. I will let everyone know how it goes!

Posted by: David Bunch

Indiana lost a tough one last night, but I must say I am proud of them. They played good solid ball and they stayed in the game, even taking the lead late in the game, small and brief though it was. Dick Vitale even said "the Hoosiers have a lot to be proud of."

Having said that Duke has an incredible team, and J.J. Redick seemed unstoppable. With right about 2 minutes left and ahead only by three, Redick scored an impossible looking layup and was fouled, making it a 3 point play. That was the death knell.

Mike Krzyzewski said of the play:

"The will to win, I mean that one drive he had for the three-point play that,
whoosh! He just willed that sucker in," Krzyzewski said. "I'm glad he's on my
bus or I'm on his bus or whatever."

That's what makes college basketball fun. You see these guys play their hearts out and a lot of times it comes down to who wants the win the most.

Last night it looked like Redick and the Duke Blue Devils want the big one.